UAE banks’ gross assets rise 0.7% to reach $990bn in November: Central Bank 

the gross credit of UAE banks rose due to a 0.8 percent rise in domestic credit, overriding the 1.7 percent reduction in foreign credit.  (WAM)
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Updated 24 January 2023
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UAE banks’ gross assets rise 0.7% to reach $990bn in November: Central Bank 

RIYADH: The gross assets of UAE banks, which includes bankers’ acceptances, increased by 0.7 percent to 3.639 trillion dirhams ($990 billion) at the end of November 2022, compared to the previous month, according to the latest figures published by the Emirates’ central bank.  

The Central Bank of the UAE’s November summary report, published on Jan. 23, noted that gross credit rose by 0.5 percent from around 1.878 trillion dirhams at the end of October 2022 to around 1.887 trillion dirhams at the end of November 2022. 

According to the report, the gross credit of UAE banks rose due to a 0.8 percent rise in domestic credit, overriding the 1.7 percent reduction in foreign credit.  

The report further pointed out that domestic credit saw an uptick in November due to the 0.4 percent, 2.0 percent and 0.7 percent climbs in credit to the government sector, the public sector comprised of government-related entities and the private sector, respectively.  

CBUAE data suggested that total bank deposits increased by 1.6 percent to some 2.239 trillion dirhams at the end of November 2022. 

“The growth in total bank deposits was due to the rise in resident deposits by 2.5 percent, overshadowing the reduction in non-resident deposits by 6.2 percent,” said the central bank in a press release.  

The report explained that resident deposits increased owing to 0.6 percent, 9.8 percent, 2.0 percent and 1.3 percent expansions in deposits of the government sector, public sector, private sector and non-banking financial institutions, respectively.  

CBUAE added that the monetary base expanded by 3.7 percent to 486 billion dirhams at the end of November 2022, driven by increases in the currency issued, along with a rise in banks and offshore financial centers’ current accounts and overnight deposits at CBUAE by 4.8 percent and 58.3 percent, respectively.  

The report noted that reserve accounts and certificates of deposit and monetary bills decreased by 23.7 percent and 1.9 percent, individually at the end of November 2022.  

The Money Supply aggregate M1 increased by 0.9 percent month-on-month reaching 729.7 billion dirhams at the end of November 2022.  

It should be noted that M1 is the money supply that encompasses physical currency and coins, demand deposits, traveler’s checks, and other checkable deposits.  

The Money Supply aggregate M2 ascended by 3.0 percent, from around 1.629 trillion dirhams at the end of October 2022 to around 1.678 trillion dirhams at the end of November 2022. 

According to US Federal Reserve, M2 is the estimate of the total money supply including all of the cash people have on hand plus all of the money deposited in checking accounts, savings accounts, and other short-term saving vehicles.  

The Money Supply aggregate M3 also rose 2.5 percent month-on-month to 2.110 trillion dirhams at the end of November 2022. 

M3 is a measure of the money supply that includes, large-time deposits, institutional money market funds, and short-term repurchase agreements. 


Saudi Arabia, Syria sign deal to launch 45 development initiatives 

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Saudi Arabia, Syria sign deal to launch 45 development initiatives 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Syria signed a framework agreement to launch 45 development initiatives, expanding economic cooperation as the two countries step up efforts to rebuild Syria’s economy. 

The deals, signed in Damascus between the Syrian Development Fund and the Saudi Development Committee, cover several sectors and are aimed at reviving economic activity, improving regional connectivity and attracting foreign investment, Syria’s state news agency SANA reported. 

The agreements were signed during a visit by a Saudi investment delegation led by Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih, who said a separate real estate project was also agreed under the Saudi-Syrian Business Council. 

Saudi Arabia and Syria have been strengthening economic ties, with recent agreements focusing on investments in aviation, telecommunications, infrastructure and real estate. 

During the delegation’s visit to Syria, Saudi Arabia also announced a $1 billion investment in the country’s telecoms sector, including the SilkLink project aimed at enhancing digital connectivity. 

Al-Falih said the telecommunications project will be led by stc, Saudi Arabia’s largest telecom operator. 

Saudi carrier flynas also signed an agreement with the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation to establish a new commercial airline under the name “flynas Syria.” 

The new carrier will be a joint venture, with 51 percent ownership held by the Syrian General Authority of Civil Aviation and Air Transport and 49 percent by flynas. Operations are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of this year. 

The airline will operate flights to destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Europe, aimed at bolstering air traffic to and from Syria, enhancing regional and international connectivity, and meeting growing demand for air travel. 

“This partnership enhances economic integration and market connectivity, and supports development goals by advancing air transport infrastructure, ultimately serving the mutual interests of both nations and promoting regional economic stability,” Al-Falih said in a statement. 

He added that Saudi Arabia would also invest SR7.5 billion ($2 ‌billion) ‌to develop two ‌airports in Aleppo ‌over several phases. 

The minister also announced the launch of the Elaf Investment Fund to finance major projects in Syria, and said banking transfer channels between the two nations had been reactivated following the lifting of economic sanctions.