Flora Hospitality Unveils Dhs750m Dubai Expansion

Non-alcoholic chain embarks on new growth curve following Expo win

US Burger Chain Steak ‘n Shake To Launch In Saudi

The company plans to open 50 restaurants across the Kingdom in the coming years.

Houston Exhibit Shows Antiquities From Saudi Arabia

Roads of Arabia, which runs through March 9, features tools, steles, incense burners, statues and other pieces from the Kingdom.

National Bank Of Kuwait CEO Dabdoub To Retire After 30 Years At Helm

Dabdoub helped transform NBK from a local bank into a major regional lender with offices in 16 countries.

Kuwaiti Gets 5-Year Jail Term For Insulting Ruler

The convicted man’s lawyer said the ruling against Kuwaiti Mohammad al-Mikhyal was “harsh” and did not take into account his mental health problems.

Saudi’s SEC Signs $366m Japanese-Backed Loan For Jeddah Power Plant

The facility, funded by Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ and Mizuho Financial Group, is part of a wider $2 billion finance package for the Jeddah South project.

Saudi British Bank Prices SAR1.5bn Capital-Boosting Sukuk

The Islamic bond has a lifespan of seven years, with a clause allowing the bank to redeem the paper after five years.

Top 10 Google Search Terms In The UAE

Ramadan 2013, Gangnam Style and smartphones’ search queries top Google 2013 trending list for the UAE.

Bank Dhofar Seeks Talks With Bank Sohar Board On Merger Proposal

A merger between the two lenders will create the second-largest bank in Oman with assets of about $10 billion.

Al Jazeera Weighs Bid For $1bn Turkish Pay-TV Firm Digiturk

Al Jazeera’s interest in Digiturk stems from the pay-TV operator’s access to football rights in the country, sources said.

Emaar’s Board Approves Phased Conversion of Bonds to Shares

The conversion of all the bonds is estimated to lead to the creation of around 420 million shares.

Dubai Ruler Establishes Centre To Boost Islamic Economy

The centre will work towards promoting Dubai as a centre of Islamic finance.

Expo 2020 Allegations By Gulf News “Baseless”, Says Pakistan

The newspaper defends its decision to publish the editorial, which accuses Pakistan of betraying the UAE by not supporting Dubai during the Expo 2020 vote.

Dubai Reveals Roll-Out Plan For Mandatory Health Insurance

Larger companies will need to implement the law by October 2014, says Dubai Health Authority.

Do Women Choose ‘Pink’ Gadgets?

Women value functionality over design or colours when purchasing tech products.

Saudi Minister Says Nitaqat Hiked Nationalisation By 15%

Around 723,000 Saudi nationals have been employed through the Nitaqat system.

Dubai Government To Hike Staff Pay By Up To 100%

Selected employees will receive salary hikes of between 30 to 100 per cent, the government has said.

Two Saudis Back From Guantanamo Face ‘Rehab’ For Militants

Muhammad Husayn Qahtani and Hamood Abdulla Hamood were repatriated after spending 11 years in Guantanamo.

Dubai’s Retail Market Not Saturated – MAF CEO

The retailer plans to invest over $1 billion annually over the next five years on expanding its business.

Surging Saudi Fuel Use A Bigger Threat Than US Shale Oil

The growing domestic demand for hydrocarbons, exacerbated by low prices, is the key long-term challenge faced by the Kingdom, said Jadwa Bank.

Bahrain’s GFH Names Rayes As Permanent CEO – Statement

Hisham Al Rayes had been acting CEO since March 2012.

Dubai Sells Stake In Landmark Miami Hotel To Turnberry

Dubai World had paid $375 million in 2008 for its 50 per cent stake in Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

Dubai’s Arabtec Denies Drake & Scull Merger Speculation

Shares in Drake & Scull, which are up 93 per cent year-to-date, have been buoyed by the merger speculation.

Deadly MERS Coronavirus Found in Camels on Qatari Farm

Since September 2012, MERS-CoV has infected at least 163 people and killed 71 of them, according to the WHO.

Saudi Hollandi Bank Plans Bonus Share Issue

The lender plans to boost its share capital to SAR4.76 billion to help support its growth and capital base.

Nine Officials, Executives Accused Of Corruption In Oman

The charges, mostly involving infrastructure projects, were outlined in six trials that opened on Sunday.

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.