Dubai International Passenger Traffic Up 13.1% In September

Traffic for the first nine months of the year stands at 49.4 million, up from 42.6 million for the first three quarters in 2012.

United Ups Digital As Gulf Competition Rises

US carrier to focus more on attracting international business and improving digital connectivity.

UAE Banks Are Taking Too Many Risks – IIF

The international body cautioned the UAE to be proactive in framing policies that would insulate the economy from major problems.

Samsung Unveils Dhs2,499 Gold Galaxy S4 In UAE

The Korean company is launching two gold editions of the feature-packed Galaxy S4.

Al Ain Football Club Signs Nike Partnership Deal

The American sports wear giant will become the official kit supplier to the UAE side.

Saudi’s Kingdom Holding Posts 1% Q3 Net Profit Rise

The firm, owned by billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, attributed the profit gain to an increase in gains on investments

Dubai’s Emirates NBD Eyes Turkey Buy Amid Foreign Expansion

The lender aims for 20 per cent of its revenues to come from overseas markets in five years

Etisalat’s Q3 Net Profit Drops 18%, Misses Forecasts

The firm’s capital spending and operating expenses each rose by about a third.

UAE’s First Gulf Bank Posts 13% Q3 Net Profit Gain

The lender, majority-owned by Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, made a net profit of Dhs1.19 billion for the three months ended Sept. 30

Dubai Holding Arm Plans To Sell Stake In Rivoli Group

Dubai International Capital is in negotiations to sell its 18 per cent stake in Rivoli Group to Saudi-based Al Rajhi Capital, say sources

Saudi Religious Leader Urges Youths Not To Fight In Syria

The Kingdom has backed the rebels battling President Bashar al-Assad

Kuwait’s PM Says Welfare State Is “Unsustainable”

The International Monetary Fund has repeatedly warned against rising government spending in OPEC member Kuwait.

Kuwait Bourse To Launch Derivatives Trading Next Year

A Kuwaiti investment firm has already expressed interest in trading options.

UAE Declares Nov 2 As Islamic New Year Holiday

Private sector employees will now resume work from Sunday, November 3.

Qatar Airways To Begin Flights To DWC, Sharjah

Starting from 1 March 2014, the carrier will fly twice daily flights into both destinations.

Air Arabia To Expand Into China

CEO Adel Ali predicts a minimum five new routes a year as the low-cost carrier flies into its second decade

UAE Banks Federation Announces Inaugural Conference

The Middle East Banking Forum will be held on 26 November, and attract top tier representatives from regional and international lenders.

Bahrain’s Arab Banking Corp Names Kawan As Permanent CEO

Khaled Kawan replaces Hassan Ali Juma, who retired from the bank in July

Saudi Electricity Company Posts Slight Drop In Q3 Net Profit

Profit fell to SAR2.853 billion in the three months ended Sept. 30

Zain Saudi Q3 Net Loss Narrows, But Misses Forecasts

The telecoms operator made a net loss of SAR421 million in the three months to Sept. 30

UAE To Help Egypt Build Wheat Silos To Hold 1.5m Tonnes

The silos will form part of the UAE’s recently announced $4.9 billion aid package to Egypt

Saudi Women Say They Will Keep Pushing For Right To Drive

Activists posted 12 films on YouTube said to be of women driving on Saturday

Emaar Launches $3bn Project In Iraqi Kurdistan

The “Erbil Downtown” project is due to be completed in three stages over a period of around five years

UAE Approves Higher Federal Spending For 2014

UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed said that half of the federal budget of Dhs46 billion will go for development and social benefits

Dubai Hotels Surge Ahead As Doha Hotels Slow Down

As Dubai hotels continue to cash in on strong demand, room rates in Doha are falling due to stiff price competition.

Dubai World Central Faces Emirates Hub ‘Conundrum’

Dubai Airports’ strategic focus now shifts to second phase operations now the new airport is open to passengers

British Prime Minister Voices His Support For Dubai Expo 2020

David Cameron, Prime Minister of the UK, gives his reasons for why the emirate should host the expo.

UAE’s Financial Advisory Businesses Buck Global Trend

Nearly three out of four UAE financial advisers are in a growth phase, a study found.

Bahrain In Early Stages Of Bank Merger Wave

The tiny kingdom’s banking industry was hit hard by the global financial crisis and, since 2011, by political unrest.

SABIC’s 2014 Outlook Improving With Q3 Profit Rise

The company’s sales in the third quarter rose nine per cent to 48.8 billion riyals over the same period in 2012.