The Lowdown: Dubai’s Biggest Mega Projects

Gulf Business brings you the mammoth developments that are set to change Dubai’s landscape.

UAE Start-Ups Have ‘Strong Fundamentals For Success’

Although there are only a limited number of start-ups in the country, the ones that exist are rapidly gaining momentum, says expert.

Abu Dhabi’s Merged Property Firms To Begin Trading On June 30

Aldar Properties and Sorouh Real Estate will trade as a merged entity with a capital of Dhs7.86 billion.

Gulftainer Acquires 51% Stake In Gulf Stevedoring

The acquisition allowed Gulftainer to assume full management of three Saudi terminals, located in Jeddah and Jubail.

France Makes New Offers On Military Equipment To Qatar

France has been hoping to sign a contract to equip Qatar’s air force with Rafale fighter planes made by Dassault.

Oman Air Flight Diverted Due To Bomb Hoax

The flight from Muscat to Kuala Lumpur was diverted to Mumbai after the threat was received.

Al Nasr Sign Holman From Premier League’s Aston Villa

The Australian midfielder is believed to have agreed terms with the UAE club and will undergo a medical.

First Gulf Bank Buys Dubai Credit Card Firm For $164m

The Abu Dhabi-based lender has acquired Dubai First from the debt laden Dubai Group.

Iran Seizes Two UAE Fishing Boats In Gulf

Twelve UAE nationals were arrested after the boats allegedly crossed into Iran’s territorial waters.

Qatar Convicts Ruling Family Member Over Deadly Nursery Fire

Sheikh Ali bin Jassim al-Thani and his wife Iman al-Kuwari were sentenced on Thursday to a maximum of six years in prison.

Over 1.5 Million Saudi Workers Change Status Before Crackdown

Saudi Arabia is trying to reduce a black market in labour among the estimated nine million foreigners in the country.

Kuwait’s KIPCO Hires Rothschild To Advise TV Arm IPO

KIPCO owns 60.5 per cent of OSN and its Saudi-based partner Mawarid Group has 39.5 per cent.

New Death In Saudi From SARS-Like Coronavirus

The latest cases bring the total number infected worldwide to 70, with 39 having died since MERS was identified last year.

Saudi Not Calling All Tourists

The Kingdom has no immediate plans to open its doors completely to foreign travellers.

Saudi Crackdown On Illegal Firms Threatens Thousands

Under Saudi regulations foreign-owned businesses face a complex licensing process and are tightly controlled.

Saudi Role In Syria Driven By Fear Of Shi’ite “Full Moon”

Since the fall of Syrian rebel stronghold Qusair this month, there has been growing unease in Riyadh about the opposition’s chances.

US-Taliban Talks In Qatar Delayed

Senior Afghan officials had accused Washington on Wednesday of breaking assurances to Kabul.

BP Agrees Retail Price For Oman Gas Project

BP has already spent hundreds of millions of dollars on the project since winning the concession in 2007.

Kuwait Finance House Says 20% Capital Increase Oversubscribed

The sale will push the bank’s Tier 1 ratio towards its 17 per cent target for the end of 2013.

Local, Global Trends Boost Gulf Banks As Foreign Rivals Retrench

Gulf economies have ridden out the global financial crisis of the past five years more smoothly than many economists expected.

Taliban Confirms Talks With U.S. In Qatar On Thursday

A team of U.S. negotiators arrived in Qatar earlier on Wednesday and held a meeting with Afghan diplomats in the Qatari capital.

UAE To Try 30 Emiratis, Egyptians For Illegal Brotherhood Cell

Ties between Egypt and the UAE have been strained since the revolution that toppled veteran Egyptian ruler Hosni Mubarak.

Qatar Interested In Eurofighter, Rafale Jets

Qatar said in 2011 it wanted to replace its fleet of 12 Mirage fighter jets, possibly buying 24 to 36 units.

UAE Regulator – Bourse Merger Would Have “Many Advantages”

The UAE has revived a proposal to merge its two main bourses in a state-backed deal that could boost trading.

Oman Air Orders Five Boeing 737-900ER Planes

The order, previously logged as being from an unidentified customer, makes Oman Air the first Gulf customer for the next generation aircraft.

Flydubai To Launch Business Class In October

Premium cabin will serve passengers seeking more on-board frills and entertainment

New BlackBerry Q5 To Make Global Debut In UAE

The new BlackBerry smartphone, priced Dhs1,499 will be unveiled in the UAE on June 20.

Oman Air Flight Suffers Cockpit Window Damage

Investigation now underway into the cause of the damage on the evening flight from Muscat.

DP World Extends Maturity On $1bn Loan For Additional Year

The loan maturity has been extended to the second quarter of 2018 from the second quarter of 2017.

Oman Needs To Consider Fiscal Reforms

The sultanate’s central bank has issued a warning to the country which echoes a similar statement by the IMF last week.