Major stock markets in the Gulf rose on Sunday, led by gains in banking shares, as some nations in the region eased coronavirus restrictions during the holy month of Ramadan.

Saudi Arabia's benchmark index advanced 2.4%, with Al Rajhi Bank rising 2.3%, whereas oil giant Saudi Aramco was up 1.3%.

Sahara International Petrochemical added 2.7% after extending initial terms with Linde Plc until the end of the third quarter. The firms are in final negotiations on partnership agreements.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman issued an order to limit a curfew across the kingdom to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Sunday through Wednesday May 13, while keeping a 24-hour curfew in Makkah and in previously isolated neighbourhoods, state news agency (SPA) reported on Sunday.

The order also allowed the opening of some economic and commercial activities, which includes wholesale and retail shops in addition to malls, from 6 to 20 Ramadan, which is April 29 to May 13.

In Dubai, the index traded 1.9% higher. Developer Emaar Properties climbed 2.5% while budget airline Air Arabia jumped 7.5%.

On Thursday, the airline said that its joint venture with Etihad Airways had received its air operating licence.

Dubai on Thursday allowed cafes and restaurants to resume business, and shopping malls to be opened partially from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m. with a maximum capacity of 30%, Dubai's media office announced in a statement.

The statement added that it would also allow resuming public transportation services including subways starting April 26. The Abu Dhabi index was up 2.1%, led by a 3.2% surge in top lender First Abu Dhabi Bank.

The United Arab Emirates central bank said commercial banks have used 30 billion dirhams ($8.17 billion) of a 50-billion-dirham "liquidity facility" the regulator introduced to stem the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Qatar's index edged up 0.1%, helped by a 0.3% gain in Qatar National Bank.