Bank Dhofar Posts 3.6% Q4 Profit Hike

The lender made a net profit of 9.3 million rials in the three months to December 31.

Bahrain Deadlocked Talks Saved From Brink

Earlier this month the government said it was suspending talks with opposition groups.

Qatar’s Doha Bank Boosts Capital With Bond Sale

Doha Bank has been raising its reserves in the last year to improve its capital ratios.

TAQA Eyes Investments In Water Projects In MENA, India

TAQA aims to boost its water output by at least 120 million gallons per day in five years.

UAE, New Zealand Sign Agreement To Develop Renewable Projects

The UAE and New Zealand signed an agreement to fund viable renewable energy projects in Pacific Island countries.

Kuwait’s Zain Seeks New Loan As $867m Facility Nears Maturity

The $867 million revolving facility is due to mature in March.

UAE Convicts 30 Emiratis, Egyptians Over Brotherhood Ties

The Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi handed the men sentences ranging from three months and five years in prison.

Fitch: Saudi Banks’ Performance To Remain Strong In 2014

Performance of Saudi lenders is being driven by business growth and declining loan impairment charges.

Saudi’s Al Rajhi Capital Plans Sukuk Push, Sees Better Year For IPOs

Corporates and state-owned entities in Saudi Arabia raised the equivalent of $15 billion from the sale of sukuk in 2013.

Oman’s Bank Sohar Q4 Net Profit Climbs 20.5%

Bank Sohar is currently in talks with rival lender Bank Dhofar over a possible merger.

Arab Health 2014: What To Expect

Arab Health expects to receive around 85, 000 visitors this year with 3,900 exhibitors from across 64 countries worldwide.

Dubizzle Co-founder: 5 Tips For Budding Entrepreneurs

JC Butler is leaving Dubai-based classified website dubizzle to return to the US.

Saudi’s Healthcare Costs To Rise 30% In 2014

Saudi Arabia’s private sector hospitals are expected to hike their fees to compensate the loss of funds due to labour ministry decisions.

Kuwait’s KIPCO Picks Banks Ahead Of Potential Dollar Bond Issue

The firm is the first Gulf-based issuer to announce plans for an international bond offering in 2014.

UAE, Denmark Sign MoU To Advance Sustainability

Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, commended the UAE for embracing renewable energy.

Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah Sees Growing Demand For Luxury Property

New report by Deloitte suggests that the Palm will remain a prime luxury beach resort destination in the emirate.

Kingdom Holding Posts 10.3% Rise In Q4 Profit

Full-year net profit for Prince Alwaleed’s investment firm rose five per cent to 742.5 million riyals.

UAE’s Taqa Plans $1.2bn Investment In Kurdistan Oilfield

Taqa plans to invest more than $300 million in the first phase of the project.

Saudi Telecom Profit Lifted By Accounting Change

Saudi Telecom reported a net profit of 3.62 billion riyals in the three months to December 31.

CEO Predictions 2014: Tim Clark, President, Emirates

2014 will see the launch of more new routes and further aircraft delivery for Dubai airline Emirates, writes Tim Clark.

Dubai’s Ruler Announces New Directives To Boost Hotel Investment

The new rules aim to reduce red tape for businesses and cut short approval time.

Qatar’s Barwa Real Estate Sells Barwa Bank Stake For $656m

BRE is selling some of its assets to Qatari Diar to help eliminate its debts.

Deutsche Sees Saudi Local Debt Sales Surpassing International Issues In 2014

High liquidity in the country has kept funding costs low.

Dubai Starts Work On Huge Resort On The World Islands

The “Heart of Europe” project, a complex of luxury hotels and villas, is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

FRV, Abdul Latif Jameel Energy Form JV To Develop Solar Projects In Saudi

The firms will work on photovoltaic solar projects through the joint venture.

Exclusive: Just Falafel Eyeing Asian And European Expansion

Fast food chain plots Asian and European expansion on top of openings in UK and North America.

New Upscale Project Launched In Dubai’s Motor City

The project will be developed by Dubai’s Union Properties, along with National Properties, a unit of National Bonds Corporation.

Shell Sells Stakes In Australian Gas Project For $1.14bn

Shell is selling the stakes to the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company, a partner in the project.

UAE’s Shah gas Project Due Online In Early 2015 – ADNOC

It was previously estimated that the project to produce usable gas from Shah’s high-sulphur gas field would be completed in late 2014.

Nakheel Chairman: No Increase In Sales Prices In 2014

The Dubai developer is maintaining sales prices at the same level as last year, confirms chairman Ali Rashid Lootah.