The Gulf Time Newspaper One of the finest business newspapers in the UAE brought to you by our professional writers and editors.

  Islamabad / Bloomberg Pakistan’s central bank unexpectedly lowered its benchmark interest rate for the first time since September to boost economic growth before the government presents its budget for the new financial year. The State Bank of Pakistan cut the target policy rate to 5.75 percent from 6 percent, it said Saturday in an e-mailed statement in Karachi. All …

  Colombo / Bloomberg Sri Lanka left its benchmark rates unchanged for a third straight month after it agreed a $1.5 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund to help improve public finances. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka kept the standing lending facility rate at 8 percent and the standing deposit facility rate at 6.5 percent, it said in …

Singapore / Bloomberg HSBC’s weight-loss drive in India could leave the country’s banking system feeling a little breathless. But the health benefits will eventually show up. The UK-based lender will close half its branches in the country, which last year accounted for 3.2 percent of the group’s pre-tax profit. Assuming that the bank’s strategy of serving more of its Indian …

GULF TIME Vapiano is set to introduce breakfast for the first time in its history across its UAE outlets, marking an exciting new chapter for the international dining brand. The new Vapiano Breakfast Menu has been created to bring a fresh, social, and relaxed international lifestyle experience to the morning dining scene, offering guests a new way to begin their …

NEW WEST ZONE SUPERMARKET LLC, the registered and exclusive owner of the trademark “WEST ZONE” in the United Arab Emirates, hereby declares that  the company has no procurement or marketing branch operating in any of the Emirates in the UAE except “ Dubai”. The public, customers, and suppliers are hereby cautioned not to deal with any entity claiming to represent or belong …

ABU DHABI/WAM The Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) is calling on investors to collect their dividends through First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), the paying agent appointed to handle the process. This comes as a part of its ongoing efforts to protect the rights of shareholders in companies listed on the UAE stock exchanges and ensure they claim any outstanding entitlements …

DUBAI/WAM Capital.com, the high-growth global trading platform and fintech group, has announced it is now offering its customers access to the principal UAE stock markets – becoming one of the first major trading platforms to do so. In a move that reflects the growing interest in the region’s economy, Capital.com is providing full coverage of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange …

ABU DHABI / WAM The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), the second-largest exchange in the Middle East, on Tuesday welcomed the successful listing of Alpha Data, a leading digital transformation provider and systems integrator in the UAE. This marks the UAE’s first IPO and the exchange’s second offering in 2025, reinforcing the exchange’s commitment to broadening the market and offering …