It may be local disaster when finanical market started to collapse in 2nd half of 2008, but with the passage of time the cat is coming out of bag. It is Saudis who have managed to PLAY upon UAE banks and dried them out. The Saad and The Algosaibi groups, of KSA are the 2 major groups who have cheated upon the Banks of UAE.

So far, only Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), mashreq and National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) have disclosed their exposure to Saad and Algosaibi. ADCB and mashreq said they are owed $609 million (Dh2.2 billion) and $400 million respectively, while NBAD has reported an almost negligible $11 million. “It has been clear for some time that banks in the UAE and elsewhere have been hit fairly hard by Saad and Algosaibi,” said David Butter, Economist Intelligence Unit chief economist. “But it will be difficult for central bankers to take any decisive measures on this affair because it is still subject to some fairly large lawsuits.”

Al Suwaidi is due to participate in today’s meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) central bankers.

Yesterday, he reasserted the UAE is still not considering rejoining the proposed GCC monetary union. “The subject is not currently under discussion,” he said.

Whats does he think of people in UAE… are they STUPID????

The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) followed the rollercoaster mood at international exchanges and closed 1.45% lower after rebounding 2.30% yesterday. Market bellwether Emaar Properties ended 3.61% lower at Dhs2.94. Investment bank EFG Hermes says upgraded its stance on Emaar from ‘reduce’ to ‘neutral’ in the short-term. EFG says it will reconsider its judgment on Emaar until more details about the possible merger with three real estate subsidiaries of Dubai Holding will be disclosed. Shares of logistics specialist Aramex bucked the trend and added 0.64%, closing at Dhs1.58. Aramex soared 33% during the last three months amid extending its presence in Europe. Trading volumes remained stable at the DFM as three shares gained, 23 declined and one stock remained unchanged.

UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, believes the worst of the financial crisis is now over, following its ’significant’ impact on the economy during the final quarter of 2008. Taking part in an electronic question and answer session with the press, he said the UAE economy is expected to grow this year, albeit only slightly.

Sheikh Mohammed said that the economy is in better shape than in many countries, so the ‘contraction it [the small and medium business sector] has suffered is only temporary.’