UAE’s ENOC Replaces Sanctioned Iran Oil With Qatari Supplies

Emirates National Oil Co (ENOC) was the biggest buyer of Iranian condensate in 2012.

Kuwaiti Consortium Signs Contract For Oil Exploration In Iraq

Under the contract, the Kuwait Energy- led consortium will begin exploration in Basra’s block 9.

New UAE Mortgage Law Expected In Second Half Of 2013

The UAE central bank is still holding negotiations with the Emirates Banks Association and no rule has been issued as yet.

Dubai Developer Nakheel Year Profit Up 57%

Nakheel made a Dhs2.02 billion ($550 million) profit last year, on revenue up 91 per cent to 7.8 billion.

Qatar Islamic Bank Appoints New CEO

Bassel Gamal will be responsible for “all the companies and institutions affiliated to QIB inside Qatar and abroad.”

Davos: Kuwait Wealth Fund Warns Of Currency War

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Badr al-Saad fears the decline of the yen.

Kuwaiti Parliament Backs Airline Privatisation Law

Parliament first backed privatising loss-making Kuwait Airways Corp (KAC) in 2008.

Dubai Prices Two-Part $1.25bn Bond Offering

The two-tranche bond includes a $500 million 30-year conventional bond and a $750 million 10-year Islamic bond.

Kuwait To Partially Shut Mina Abdullah Refinery In Q2

The refinery, which produces 270,000 barrels per day, will be closed for maintenance from April to May.

BlackBerry 10 Buzz Builds As Launch Date Nears

The much-awaited new smartphone line-up from RIM will be launched in Dubai and five other cities on January 30.

Investcorp Buys Majority Stake In US Security Firm

The Bahraini investment firm has acquired a stake in US-based FishNet Security for an undisclosed sum.

Saudi Can Maintain Current Spending, Says Finance Minister

The Kingdom has budgeted expenditure of SAR820 billion for 2013, 19 per cent higher than the amount budgeted for 2012.

Qatar’s Hamad International Airport Opening April 1

Initially 12 airlines will fly to the new airport and Qatar Airways will move its entire operations in the second half of the year.

Greek PM To Visit Qatar To Discuss Investment

The trip follows the withdrawal of Qatar last week from a multi-billion euro tender to develop Athens’ old airport.

Bahrain’s Batelco Profit Slumps 24% In Q4 2012

The operator’s profit was hit by domestic competition and one-off charges from a cost-cutting programme.

Dubai Serviced Flats Seeing Good Growth – HSBC

The sector is receiving interest from investors because of double-digit growth.

Dubai Successfully Taps Debt Market With $1.25bn Sale

The emirate issued a $750 million 10-year sukuk, as well as a $500 million 30-year conventional bond.

Dubai’s DIFC Sees 16% Rise In Employees

Around 14,000 people are now employed in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Saudi’s Amwal Sells Stake In Education Group

Investment firm Amwal AlKhaleej says it has exited its investment in Saudi’s Al Rowad Education Group for a “very high return.”

Qatar Telecom Close To Clinching $1bn Loan

Qtel plans to use the amount to fund general business operations, sources said.

Dubai Retailer MAF Posts 10% Rise In 2012 Revenue

The company, which is expanding rapidly, aims bid for Egypt supermarket chain Metro in the first quarter of 2013.

UAE Mortgage Firm Tamweel Sees 11.3% Drop In Q4 Net Profit

The firm is currently in the process of a complete takeover by Dubai Islamic Bank.

Mortgage Caps Not Yet Imposed In UAE, Confirms Central Bank

Th central bank says it will consult commercial banks in the UAE before issuing a new ruling on lending.

Aldar, Sorouh Merger “Positive” For Market – Expert

The Abu Dhabi- based real estate developers are merging to form a new entity with Dhs47 billion in assets.

Audi Plans To Double Middle East Sales by 2020

German luxury car maker hopes to sell 20,000 vehicles per year by 2020.

Saudi Urges 50% Rise In Capital For Arab Lender

Kuwait-based Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development has a capital base of around KWD2 billion.

Dubai Eyes New Sukuk Issue, May Raise Over $1bn

The government has mandated four banks to arrange the Islamic bond, according to sources.

Zain Saudi Q4 Net Loss Narrows By 4%

The mobile company reported a new loss of SAR443 million in the fourth quarter of the year.

Saudi Telecom Q4 Profit Falls 79% On One-Off Charges

The telecoms operator faced one-off charges related to affiliates in South Africa and India.

Dubai’s Residential Rents Rise 16% In 2012

The emirate’s property market posted a strong recovery in 2012 with upward trends for sales and leasing, says CBRE report.