DUBAI, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Most Gulf stock markets edged up in early trade on Monday after emerging market equities rose sharply in Asia.

Saudi Arabia's stock index .TASI gained 0.4 percent as Emaar the Economic City (EEC) 4220.SE jumped 7.9 percent in unusually heavy trade.

The stock had risen 3.5 percent on Sunday, when Reuters quoted a source as saying Saudi Arabia's top sovereign fund, the Public Investment Fund, was in talks to invest in King Abdullah Economic City, the huge project being developed by EEC. ID:nL8N1BD39D

Middle East Healthcare Co 4009.SE added 2.5 percent after saying Saudi tax authorities have agreed to its request for a 13.6 million riyal ($3.6 million) tax credit.

In Dubai, the index .DFMGI edged up 0.2 percent. Property firm Deyaar DEYR.AD gained 1.3 percent after saying it had started work on a Dubai hotel project.

Abu Dhabi's index .ADI climbed 0.7 percent, supported by rebounds in blue-chip lenders First Gulf Bank FGB.AD and National Bank of Abu Dhabi NBAD.AD , which were each up more than 1.5 percent.

Qatar's index .QSI fell 0.4 percent, however, as stocks pulled back across the board, with Industries Qatar IQCD.QA falling 1.3 percent after gaining 1.5 percent on Sunday.

(Editing by Andrew Torchia and Dominic Evans) ((celine.aswad@thomsonreuters.com; +971 4 4536886; Reuters Messaging: celine.aswad.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))