Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate Posts 27.3% 2013 Profit Rise

Barwa made 1.4 billion riyals ($384.5 million) in 2013, up from 1.1 billion riyals in the prior year, according to a bourse filing.

Dubai Islamic Bank Eyes Kenya, Indonesia For Expansion

The emirate’s largest sharia-compliant lender says it is entering a growth phase domestically and internationally.

UAE Summons Iraq Ambassador Over Saudi “Terrorism” Charge

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has long had chilly ties with Sunni-led Gulf Arab states, which in turn view him as too close to Shi’ite Muslim Iran.

Oman Central Bank Says No Quick Introduction Of Islamic Instruments

The need for Islamic interbank tools is relatively acute in Oman because its Islamic banking regulations prohibit the use of commodity murabaha.

Kuwait Central Bank Sees GDP Growth Of Up To 3.5% In 2014

Kuwait also expects its ratio of non-performing loans to decline in 2014.

Sharjah Ruler Approves 7% Rise In Government Spending In 2014

Public sector wages and operating costs have driven up Sharjah’s government spending in 2014.

Gulf Arab Rift Has No Effect On Central Bankers Meet -Kuwait

Kuwait’s central bank governor said the dispute had not marred relations between his counterparts from the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Official Opening For Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah

Second Waldorf Astoria to open in the UAE features varied F&B options and MICE facilities to appeal to business and leisure travellers

Around 181 Firms Join TECOM’s ICT Cluster In 2013

Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone recorded strong growth in 2013, TECOM said.

Saudi Arabia To Name And Shame Corrupt Officials

The Shoura Council has also asked the Kingdom’s anti-corruption agency to provide a report on the graft situation in the country.

UAE Will Have ‘Best New Built Nuclear Project Of The Century’ – Expert

The project looks likely to be on time and on budget and is being built as per the “highest standards”, says nuclear expert Lady Barbara Judge.

In-Room IPads For Address Hotels’ Guests

New tech move allows guests to access hotel services and make spa, golf and movie bookings

Abu Dhabi’s Inflation Rises 2.1% In 2014

Housing, water and electricity costs rose 1.5 per cent in the last two months and were the largest contributors to the overall increase in the consumer price index.

Oman Central Bank Tells Lenders To Avoid Conflicts Of Interest

The move coincides with a wide-ranging government crackdown on corruption.

Middle East Investors Ready To Spend $20,000 On Art – Experts

Necessary market maturity and support infrastructure have increased the appeal of the Middle East’s art market, experts say.

Saudi To Reportedly Shut Down Al Jazeera Office Over Qatar Spat

The move follows the withdrawal of the Saudi, UAE and Bahraini ambassadors from Doha last week over foreign policy disagreements.

Dubai Mall Displays 155 Million Year-Old Dinosaur

The specimen, a late Jurassic period dinosaur, is 24.4 metres long and 7.6 metres high and is expected to boost the mall’s footfall.

Saudi Aramco To Produce Gas For Phosphate Project, Power Plant

Saudi Arabia aims to develop shale gas for power generation in order to save more of its crude oil for export.

Dubai Should Offer Incentives To Become Viable Film Production Hub

International filmmakers will only be lured to the city if it offers attractive benefits and creates a strong production ecosystem, say experts.

JA Resorts And Hotels Buys Maldives Resort

Dubai operator steps up its Indian Oceans portfolio with purchase of 84-key resort

UAE’S Emirates REIT To Raise At Least $135m In Dubai IPO

The company plans to use the proceeds for possible future acquisitions and investment in existing assets.

Dubai Design District Records High Investor Interest

The district will help Dubai earn around Dhs300 billion in tourism revenues per year by 2020, the developer says.

UAE’s First REIT To Announce IPO On Nasdaq Dubai

Emirates REIT, which was formed in 2010, has eight properties valued at over Dhs1.1 billion.

UAE’s NBAD Picks Banks For Five-Year Aussie Bond-IFR

The lender has picked ANZ, Citigroup, HSBC and itself to arrange the Kangaroo bond.

Spurning Gulf Arab Pressure, Qatar Says Foreign Policy ‘Non-Negotiable’

A source close to Qatar’s government said last week the dispute had more to do with issues in the wider Middle East such as the crises in Egypt and Syria.

Qatar Sells Q2 Condensate At Lower Premiums -Sources

Buyers of Qatar’s deodorised field condensate include Shell, South Korea’s SK Energy and Samsung Total Petrochemical.

Saudi Protester Jailed For 10 Years Over Twitter Messages

The man, who has been in jail for three years, was charged and convicted under laws that criminalise internet abuse.

Kuwait Budget Spending Up 8% Year-On-Year In April-Jan

The International Monetary Fund warned Kuwait in December to restrain the rising public sector wage bill and subsidies.

Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Properties To Build 2,300 National Housing Units

The projects have a total developmental value of Dhs5.7 billion and are being fully funded by the Abu Dhabi government.

Saudi Retailer Alhokair Eyes US, UK Buys; Plans Debut Sukuk

Alhokair completed the purchase of Spanish clothing brand Blanco last month for 11 million euros.