Saudi Developer ACWA Signs $472m Bridge-To-Sukuk Financing

The loan will act as a bridge financing until the company launches a sukuk issue in 2014.

Qatar Launches Mega Bridge Project Ahead Of World Cup 2022

Construction of the Sharq project will start in 2015 and completion will be by 2021.

TAQA Receives UK Approval For North Sea Development

The Morrone field is expected to initially produce over 3,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

UAE’s Low-Income Earners Found To Save More

The survey found that low-income earners saved two per cent more than the UAE’s general population.

Emaar Shares Fall 3.3%, Most In A Month

Dubai’s benchmark index declined 1.6 per cent, paring the surge for the year to 93 per cent.

BP Signs Deal To Develop $16bn Oman Shale Gas project

The Khazzan gas project aims to extract around one billion cubic feet (bcf) per day of gas from deep under central Oman.

Qatar Raises 2013 Economic Growth Forecast To 6%

GDP growth in the world’s top liquefied natural gas exporter is forecast to ease to 4.6 per cent in 2014.

Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah Targets December 24 Soft Opening

Hilton’s top-end brand will reach out to tourists and corporates

Qatar’s CBQ Eyes Local Bank Tie-Ups, Bonds To Fund Infrastructure

The lender, which recently bought a 74.2 per cent stake in Turkey’s Alternatifbank, is also open to further foreign acquisitions, says CEO.

UAE Ranked World’s 11th Biggest Clothing Importer

UAE’s strong growth in its retail sector is expected to boost the country’s apparel industry.

UAE’s Bank of Sharjah Sees 25-30% Profit Growth In 2013, 2014

The bank benefited this year from lower bad loan provisioning and the writing back of existing impairments.

Bahrain Economic Growth Slows To 4.6% In Q3

The oil sector contributed about 45 per cent of output growth, thanks to higher crude prices on global markets.

Villa Resort Opens On Sir Bani Yas Island

Couples can now get even closer to the wildlife and island’s distinctive environment.

Qatar Airways Provides Online Tourist Visas

One-month visas can now be booked online priced $55 per person

Kuwait May Impose Corporate Income Tax on National Companies

Foreign companies in Kuwait pay a 15 per cent tax.

UAE Nationals Exempt From EU-Schengen Visa

The decision has been passed by the EU Council of ministers, but requires final approval from the European Parliament.

UAE Nears Debt Listing Rules To Boost Sales: Islamic Finance

The Securities and Commodities Authority has circulated draft rules that treat sukuk and non-Shariah compliant debt separately.

Mall Of Qatar To Boast “Completely Different” Offering To Dubai

Mall of Qatar’s general manager says the complex will set the standard for malls internationally.

Saudi Activist Sentenced To Lashes And Prison – Rights Group

Omar al-Saeed is reportedly the fourth member of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association (ACPRA) to be jailed this year.

Expert Calls For Tougher IP Laws In The UAE

Tougher penalties and strict law enforcement are needed to stamp out intellectual property fraud in the UAE.

Saudi PetroRabigh Says Marketing Fee Deal To Boost Revenue

The petrochemical company is a joint venture between oil giant Saudi Aramco and Sumitomo Chemical.

Dubai Index Rises To 5-Year High; Qatar Gains

The DFM General Index climbed 1.3 per cent to 3,199.88, the highest since October 2008.

ADCB, Emaar Among UAE’s Favourite Stocks

MubasherTrade report forecasts low-to-mid-single digit economic growth rates in the Middle East in 2014.

Damac Launches Tenora Serviced Apartments In Dubai World Central

The 10-storey, 270-unit tower aims to serve professionals working to build the Expo 2020 venue.

Abu Dhabi’s TDIC To Raise $500m Loan To Pay Debt

The five-year facility was obtained from a group of seven banks, said bankers.

Kuwait To Secure $1.4bn Financing For Major Power Project

The Az-Zour North Power and Desalination project is Kuwait’s first public-private partnership.

Expo 2020 Win Will Boost Dubai’s Property Market In 2014 – Developer

Mahdi Amjad, CEO of real estate company Omniyat says impact of the win was felt “from the first minute the results were announced.”

Ethiopian Workers Return From Saudi Arabia Telling of Abuse

Over 100,000 Ethiopians repatriated from Saudi Arabia since the Kingdom began deporting illegal migrants in November.

Etisalat Asks Banks To Wait For Loan Fees

The telecoms firm agreed an $8 billion loan in April to finance its acquisition of a 53 per cent stake in Maroc Telecom.

UAE, Oman Plan To Take On The Caribbean And Become Cruise Destination

Oman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are each investing in building additional cruise terminals.