The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.
DUBAI / Reuters
Demand for business loans in the United Arab Emirates has increased marginally during the fourth quarter of the last year, mainly because of stronger demand in Dubai, a central bank survey showed on Tuesday.
The total demand for personal loans was flat, according to the survey.
The net balance measure for business lending — the weighted percentage of respondents reporting an increase in demand for loans minus those reporting a fall in demand — was plus 7.3 in the latest quarter, up from plus 6.3 in the previous quarter.
More than 30 percent of respondents reported a moderate tightening of credit standards during the latest quarter while around 60 percent reported no change.
For the current quarter, respondents expect the net balance measure to rise to plus 17.6.