New Luxury Resort Planned For Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat

The Bin Otaiba Investment group has bought a 91,000-square-metre land plot on the island to develop a five-star hotel.

Bahrain: The Long Road Ahead

The island’s once vibrant economy was paralysed by violent pro-democracy protests which deterred foreign investment and crimped tourism. Where does it stand today?

Dubai’s Okku Owner To Launch Fast-Food Concepts

Markus Thesslef also reveals plans to launch a new Spanish restaurant and additional openings for Okku and Sophie’s.

Government Spending Sustains Saudi’s Office Rental Rates

Despite a strong supply of office units in the market, increased demand is boosting rents in the Kingdom.

Nakheel Repays Dhs197m To Lenders

The Dubai-based developer has $2.2 billion debt maturing in 2015.

Dubai’s DFSA, EU Regulators Tie Up To Hike Investment Flows

The regulators will supervise fund managers operating between the Dubai International Financial Centre and Europe.

Dubai Islamic Bank To Offer 100% Mortgages

The UAE lender seems to be ignoring impending regulations by the Central Bank to cap mortgages at 80 and 75 per cent.

New UAE Telco Will Cost Incumbents Profits And Jobs ­– Analysts

As the latest network sharing agreement flops, is now the time to end the UAE telco duopoly?

Thousands Of Bahrainis March Peacefully For Democratic Reforms

Police stayed away from the march, which was organised by the country’s main opposition parties.

Dubai’s F&B Sector Warned It’s In A Bubble

Markus Thesleff, owner of new restaurant Claw, is concerned the saturated industry is going to leave a lot of people with headaches.

More Flights To Operate Between UAE, China

Authorities have signed an air transport agreement to allow more flights on the UAE-China route as demand rises.

Two Qatari LNG Tankers To Head To Egypt Thursday – QNA

The fifth and last LNG shipment from Qatar is expected to be loaded next month.

Anantara Partners With Dubai Firm, Launches First Hotel In Africa

Minor Hotel Group has tied up with Dubai-based Rani Investment to expand in Africa.

Oman Development Bank Considers Islamic Window

Oman became the last country in the GCC to adopt Islamic finance in December 2012.

UAE’s Bank Of Sharjah Signs $200m Loan Refinancing

The proceeds will be used by the lender for general business purposes.

Top Dubai Banker Leaves Lazard To Start Boutique

Ali Asghar’s departure effectively means Lazard has no senior bankers in Dubai.

The Battle For Indian Forex In The UAE

Around 70 per cent of Indians in the UAE send money home. The war for their wages is hotting up.

Arabtec Denies Merger Talks With Kuwait, Saudi Firms

The Dubai contractor says there are no plans to merge with Kuwait’s Combined Group Contracting Co. and Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Oger.

Saudi Mobily Signs MoU With Atheeb Shareholders For Stake Buy

Mobile operator Mobily plans to acquire a controlling interest in loss-making fixed line operator, Etihad Atheeb.

Sembcorp Joint Venture To Launch Oman IPO On Aug 28

The $1 billion power plant will offer 33.4 million existing ordinary shares at a price of OMR1.59 per share.

SABIC Unit Plans World’s Largest CO2 Purification Plant

United Jubail Petrochemical Company, an affiliate of Saudi’s SABIC, has awarded a construction contract for the plant to Germany’s Linde Group.

Dubai Hospitals To Offer Android Tablets To Patients

Deployment of android tablets will help in building smart hospitals in Dubai, said a top DHA official.

Dubai’s Arabtec May Merge With Kuwait, Saudi Firms

The construction firm is reportedly in merger talks with Kuwait’s Combined Group Contracting Co and Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Oger.

Dubai’s Arabtec Hires Former Aldar Chief Executive

Arabtec underwent a major management shake up in February, replacing its founder and chief executive.

Dubai Utility DEWA Plans Coal-Fuelled Power Plant

The utility has issued a request for tenders for the 1200 MW plant.

Emirates To Cut Several Flights During Dubai Airport Revamp

Dubai International Airport will close runways for 80 days beginning from May 1, 2014 for a maintenance project.

Rolls-Royce Abu Dhabi Releases One-Of-A-Kind ‘Ruby’ Edition

The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe ‘Ruby Limited Edition’ will go on sale exclusively at Abu Dhabi Motors

UAE Healthcare Firm NMC First-Half Net Profit Up 17%

Increased patient flows and higher occupancy levels at helped boost business.

It’s Official: Money Does Make You Happy

A survey finds it takes more money to be considered wealthy in the UAE than it does in the United States or the UK.

EXCLUSIVE: First Look At Flydubai’s New Business Class

Dominic Ellis is the first journalist to experience the new class of Dubai’s low-cost carrier, testing everything from the cabin to duty free.