Qatar Islamic Bank Q2 Net Profit Drops 2.9%

Net profit for the three months to June 30 was 339 million riyals versus a profit of 348.9 million riyals in the second quarter of 2012.

Oman’s Bank Dhofar Aims For Merger Talks With Bank Sohar

The new entity would have total assets worth 4.13 billion rials and a market capitalisation of around $1.76 billion.

Etihad Signs Codeshare With Korean Air

New codeshare strengthens partnership with Korean Air beyond the interline and special prorate agreements inked four years ago.

Bahraini MP’s House Attacked With Petrol Bombs

No one was hurt in the dawn attack on the home of Abbas Isa al-Madi, chairman of parliament’s Services Committee.

Dubai School To Close After Hiking Fees

The Dubai American Scientific School had been rated as ‘unacceptable’ by the KHDA since the 2008-2009 educational year.

Dubai Banks Sign Dhs900m Loan For Burj Al Saram Towers

The new development will consist of commercial and residential towers as well as the Sheraton Dubai Tower Hotel.

Dubai Exchange Volumes Grow 101% In H1 2013

The sharp increase in first-half trading stems from a rise in currency volumes.

Qatar LNG Shipper Nakilat Posts Q2 Profit Drop

Nakilat made a net profit of 182.4 million riyals in the three months to June 30, compared to 204.1 million riyals in Q2 last year.

UAE Banks Seek Five-Year Grace Period

In April last year, the central bank set limits for how much commercial banks could lend to state-linked borrowers, in an effort to reduce risks.

Sheikh Ahmed: Aviation Strategy Will Drive Growth

Dubai’s aviation sector is expected to account for 32 per cent of GDP by 2020, while the sector employs over five per cent of the workforce.

UAE Central Bank Asks Lenders About Exposure To Turkey

The UAE’s financial ties to Turkey have expanded in recent years as banks look to diversify out of the region’s oil-focused economy.

Emirates Starting Daily A380 Barcelona Services In February

The 517-seat A380 will be the first permanent superjumbo service to fly into Barcelona and replaces the Boeing B777-300ER.

Soft Opening For Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort And Spa

Luxury brand’s second hotel in the city combines business and leisure.

Oman Air Opens First And Business Class Check-In

New facility provides premium passengers with a smoother start to their journeys and less waiting times

Bank Muscat Q2 Net Profit Up 8.9%

Oman’s biggest lender by market value reported a net profit of 63.1 million rials in the first half of 2013, down from the prior-year period.

Kuwait Sends $200m Worth Of Oil To Egypt

Kuwait last week joined other oil-producing Gulf states in pledging a massive aid package worth $12 billion to Egypt.

Qatar Plans To Buy 118 German Leopard Tanks

The tiny Gulf state also plans to buy 16 tank howitzers from equipment makers Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall.

Saudi Q1 GDP Growth Slows To 2.1%

The drop from 6.5 per cent a year earlier reflects a fall in Saudi crude oil output over the year.

Dubai Commands 30% Of ME Luxury Market Share

The affinity towards luxurious brands and intra-region tourism has helped boost the luxury goods market in the emirate.

Oman’s Renaissance Sells Unit To UK Interserve For $46m

The UK group bought Topaz Oil and Gas to expand its growth in the Middle East.

Kuwait Court Rejects Election Challenge, Confirms July 27 Vote

Almost constant factional infighting over the past seven years has prompted repeated elections in Kuwait.

DeVere Group Eyes Gulf Market Post Acuma Buyout

DeVere Group CEO believes that the acquisition of Acuma, a UAE-based wealth management firm, will help further their presence in the Gulf market.

Mashreq’s Retail Banking Profit To Double

The Dubai lender’s retail arm made a net profit of Dhs240 million last year.

Qatar, RWE In Initial Talks On DEA Unit

RWE said in March it was planning to offload DEA to slash capital spending and cut its multi-billion euro debts.

The Galleries’ Business Lounge Targets Jebel Ali Corporates

The 700sqm facility accommodates up to 80 people and features boardrooms, conference and meeting rooms and internet stations.

General Dynamics To Beat Out Germany For Saudi Tank Deal

Sources have said that a deal for Saudi Arabia to buy M1 Abrams tanks from General Dynamics was already in sight.

Abu Dhabi’s ADIA Invests $200m In India Real Estate

ADIA has investments of about $400-$500 million in India which includes a $50 million investment in Red Fort Capital, a real estate private equity fund.

Underwater Hotels – Unique Concept, But Are They Profitable?

Tea Ros, managing director at Strategic Hotel Consulting, examines the challenges developers face in underwater construction.

Top 10 Summer Destinations For UAE Residents

A look at popular destinations for UAE residents this summer, according to Emirates Holidays.

Bahrain’s GFH Hopes More Active Investment Will Secure Recovery

Gulf Finance House is banking on a revamped business model to revive its fortunes.