Exclusive Interview: Damac’s Boss On Rebuilding The Company

Ziad El Chaar, MD of Dubai-based property developer Damac, explains how the company has built itself back up in 2013, following structural damage in the real estate crash.

Assessing Qatari Real Estate In 2013

Preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup are driving the Qatari real estate market forward, says Dr Tobias Plate, Senior Partner at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants Middle East

Encouraging Entrepreneurship

Start-ups are significant contributors to GDP and the job market but more need to be done to support them.

Why Are Some Of Dubai’s Office Buildings Empty?

Offices with multiple ownership structures have higher than average vacancy rates.

Domestic Concerns Drive Oman’s New Foreign Policy

Oman was unusually assertive in opposing a Saudi plan for Gulf Arab states to close ranks against Iran.

Nakheel Reports Land Sales Of Over Dhs162m

The developer reported the land sales in its Al Furjan and Jumeirah Village Triangle projects.

Etisalat Targets SME Customers

Etisalat has been investing in various mobile packages to tap into the country’s lucrative SME customer base.

Dubai Health Insurance Law Will Make Market Competitive

But experts assure that the new law will not wipe out smaller insurance firms from the market.

Dubai’s Fireworks Record On NYE: All You Need To Know

Dubai’s record-breaking attempt will feature 400,000 fireworks and will extend over 100 kilometres across Palm Jumeirah’s shoreline.

Saudi Ma’aden Secures $4.2bn For Phosphate Project

The $7 billion project in city of Waad al-Shimal is a joint venture between Ma’aden, Saudi Basic Industries Corp and Mosaic.

McLaren MP4-12C Joins Dubai Police Fleet

The sportscar comes with a 2020 number plate in recognition of Dubai’s Expo 2020 win.

UAE Telecom Regulator Warns Etisalat, Du Against False Marketing

The TRA has cautioned the operators to avoid using misleading marketing campaigns ahead of the launch of the mobile number portability service.

How Did UAE Real Estate Fare In 2013?

Recovery of UAE’s key real estate markets remains uneven with robust growth in sales and rental prices in Dubai and slower improvements in Abu Dhabi, says Dr. Tobias Plate, senior partner at Roland Berger Strategy Consultants Middle East.

Dubai’s DIB Approves Foreign Ownership Increase To 25%

The lender said that the decision was taken to address the huge demand from large foreign institutional investors.

Dana Jumps Most In 8 Years After Egypt Payment

The company received $53 million in dues from the Egyptian government.

UAE Declares Holiday For New Year’s Day

Public and private sector workers get one day off on Wednesday, January 1, 2014.

Abu Dhabi Airport Welcomes Over 1.3m Passengers In Nov

The airport’s November passenger traffic was up 9.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2012.

UAE Firms Incur Losses Due To Poor Direct Communication

UAE professionals incurred a yearly revenue loss of 26 per cent due to lack of face-to-face meetings.

Emaar Rises To 5-Year High As Property Stocks Gain

The Dubai developer gained three per cent to reach Dhs7.57 at the close of trading, its highest since September 2008.

UK Visa Waiver To Boost UAE Tourist Numbers

The UK has been aggressively targeting the wealthy Gulf tourists through various marketing campaigns this year.

Saudi Arabia Needs $85 Brent To Balance 2014 Budget

Brent is forecast to average $104 next year, down from about $110 in 2013, Jadwa said.

Al Ain’s New Football Stadium Ready For January Launch

The Hazza bin Zayed stadium, which can accommodate 25,000 spectators, is expected to boost the emirate’s sports industry.

UAE’s Dana Gas Receives $53m From Egypt Government

Including the latest payment, Dana Gas has received a total of $130 million from the Egyptian authorities this year, it said.

Dubai Energy Firm Secures Dhs1bn Funding For India Power Project

Coal & Oil will use the amount to complete its 1200mw thermal power plant under construction in Tamilnadu, India.

Saudi Firm Ma’aden Awards $2.25bn Of Work On Phosphate Project

The contracts were awarded to Canadian and Asian companies concerning its new phosphate mining and production project.

Qatar Offers To Help Iran Develop World’s Biggest Gas Field

According to the IEA, the South Pars field holds around 51 trillion cubic metres of gas and some 50 billion barrels of condensate.

American Jailed In UAE For YouTube Parody Video

Shezanne Cassim, 29, has been detained since April after publishing the 20-minute “mockumentary” film.

Saudi Arabia Sets Modest Spending Rise In 2014 Budget Plan

Next year’s 4.3 per cent rise in planned spending is far smaller than the 19 per cent leap envisaged by the 2013 budget plan.

Dubai’s New Rent Ruling Favours Landlords – Expert

The ruling aims to encourage owners to renew existing leases rather than bring in new tenants at much higher rates, says expert.

Abu Dhabi Firm Buys Stake In Australia’s Swala Energy

The deal, valued at $2.9 million, is Hayaat Group’s first investment in East African oil exploration.