Gitex 2013 – What To Expect

The 33rd edition of the region’s largest ICT event is set to be the biggest one yet with a focus on big data, cloud computing and mobile devices.

U.S. Passes Saudi To Become World’s Top Oil Producer

The U.S. has witnessed the fastest expansion in production over a four-year period since a surge in Saudi Arabia’s output from 1970-1974.

Serbia Hopes For Loan Talks With UAE

Last week Belgrade launched measures to trim a budget deficit estimated by the IMF at above seven per cent of output.

The UAE’s Retail Battle

Abu Dhabi is significantly ramping up its retail offering and may even steal market share away from Dubai.

BlackBerry “Still A Leading Smartphone Player In UAE”

BlackBerry is committed to investing in the UAE, writes Nick Horton, managing director for Middle East and North Africa, BlackBerry.

WEF Study Ranks UAE 24th For Human Capital

The UAE’s ranking was boosted by high scores in the education pillar and its ability to retain talent.

80% Of UAE SMEs Planning On Hiring

SMEs in the construction, IT and project management sectors are in the biggest need of new hires.

Britain Exports 50,000 T Barley To Saudi Arabia

Britain exported 42,000 tonnes of barley to Saudi Arabia during the 2012/13 season according to customs data.

Saudi Aramco Ready To Use Unconventional Gas For Power Plant

By unlocking its gas reserves, Saudi Arabia could use the fuel to power its domestic economy and allow more room for oil exports.

S.Korea Signs $5.4bn Currency Swap Deal With UAE

The arrangement lets either country swap 5.8 trillion Korean won for 20 billion dirham, or vice versa.

Dubai Property Projects Need Strong Funding

Expert says buyers should have a long-term perspective in mind when purchasing property, which would make the market more sustainable.

OPEC Crude Output At Right Level – UAE

OPEC’s September output was the lowest since October 2011, when the group pumped 29.81 million bpd.

Oman’s Bank Dhofar Q3 Net Profit Declines 10.8%

Oman’s second-largest bank by market value made a profit of OMR8.3 million

India To Become MENA’s Top Trading Destination By 2030

India will account for 14 per cent and 18.5 per cent of exports from the UAE and Saudi Arabia respectively by 2030.

Alitalia Sets Out €500m Budget Lifeline

Etihad codeshare partner Alitalia is set to receive €300 million from shareholders and €200 million from bank credits

UAE Announces Bid to Host 2019 World Energy Congress

The event, which takes place once in three years, attracts over 5,000 industry leaders.

Saudi Artisans Produce $6m Gold Laced Kiswa For Haj Shrine

The gold-embroidered, black-dyed Kiswa, a silk cover draped over the Kaaba, took eight months to produce.

Different Arab money

Malaysia, UAE Tie Up To Boost Economic Ties, Islamic Finance

The two financial hubs held a combined $181 billion in sharia-compliant banking assets as of 2011

India Sells Wheat To UAE, First Private Deal Since Late August

The UAE has purchased 30,000 tonnes of milling wheat from India.

No Cases Of MERS Virus Among Haj Pilgrims So Far – Ministry

The death toll from the respiratory virus in the Kingdom, where the strain emerged last year, has reached 51.

UAE Economy Back On Track

It’s been a landmark year for the UAE as the economy rebounds, but debt worries and nationalisation concerns still loom.

Tough Lessons: How Not To Manage Social Media

Recent incidents have proven that companies damage their reputations if they stumble on social media platforms.

Call To Naturalise Expats Stirs Anxiety Among UAE Locals

Prominent UAE commentator Sultan Sooud al-Qassemi suggested in an op-ed that citizenship could be opened to long-time foreign residents.

Dubai Properties Group Launches 450 New Villas In Mudon Community

DPG announced the new villas following the sell-out of all the initial units in its Dubailand-based residential project.

Oman Buys German Chemicals Maker Oxea

The deal was reportedly worth about 1.8 billion euros ($2.4 billion), according to sources.

Carlson Rezidor Adding Two KSA Hotels

Park Inn by Radisson Riyadh will be followed by a Radisson Blu Hotel & Residence in Jeddah

Gulf Cash Is Fuelling New Dubai Property Boom

About $40 billion worth of property projects were announced in the first half of 2013, and a further $11 billion in the two weeks before Cityscape.

Hilton Garden Inn To Debut In KSA

Hilton spots potential for mid-market brand in the Eastern Province

MENA IPO Values Down 45% In Q3 2013

The region’s sole IPO in the third quarter of the year raised $138 million, lower than the $252.3 million raised in Q3 2012.

Etihad Raises Virgin Australia Stake to 19.9%

The Abu Dhabi-based airline now holds more than 515 million shares in its equity partner airline