Qatar Airways New Sponsor For FC Barcelona

The famous Spanish club will have Qatar’s flagship airline on its shirt, replacing the Qatar Foundation.

Dubai Ruler Approves Dhs2.5bn Madinat Jumeirah Expansion

The project, slated for completion in 2015, includes a luxury five-star hotel, a villa complex and a commercial centre.

Dubai’s Drake & Scull Q3 Net Profit Falls 93%

The contracting firm was hit by higher costs and dropping contract revenue.

Barclays Denies Illegal Payment For Saudi Licence

Lender in new investigation into improper payments to win a banking licence in the Kingdom.

Omani Firm Plans To Issue Country’s First Sukuk

Al Madina Real Estate says it will issue a five year $130 million Islamic bond in Q1 next year.

Dubai’s Mashreq Says Majed Saif al-Ghurair Resigns From Board

The lender did not provide any reason for his resignation.

HSBC Gets UAE Central Bank Nod For Lloyds Acquisition

HSBC Middle East is taking over Lloyds’ retail, commercial and corporate banking business in the UAE.

Agility Reports 20% Rise In Q3 Profit

Kuwaiti logistics firm sees its net profit reach $34.54 million for the quarter even as it faces charges of fraud.

UAE’s TAQA In Q3 Loss On Higher Costs

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company blames loss on construction costs and lower gas prices.

Saudi Arabia To Fine Firms With Foreign Worker Majorities

Private sector companies will have to pay $640 a year for each excess foreigner they employ.

Omantel’s Q3 Profit Rise Limited By Costs

The Omani telecoms operator reported a net profit of $2.6 million in the third quarter of the years.

Kuwait Nominal GDP Grew 29% In 2011, Fastest Since 2005

High crude oil prices helped to boost revenue in the country, according to official data.

First Gulf Bank Signs $900m International Loan

The UAE’s second largest lender secures loan, up from original $800 million after demand from banks.

Qatar Airways Receives First Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The Middle East’s first Dreamliner aircraft arrives in Doha.

Dubai Needs Affordable Shopping Malls

Retail must accommodate middle-class tourists’ needs as their numbers rise, say experts.

Kuwait’s Global Sees Creditors Reject $1.7bn Restructuring Plan

Global Investment House looks at legal options as it undergoes its second debt restructuring in three years.

Drake & Scull Wins Contracts Worth $87 Million

The Dubai firm secures contracts in Saudi Arabia and the UAE ahead of Q3 profit announcement.

UAE Salaries To Grow 5.1% In 2013

Employees in the UAE saw average wage hikes of 5.2 per cent in 2012, says new survey.

World’s Tallest Hotel Opens In Dubai

The 355-metres tall JW Marriott Marquis Hotel opens its first tower, adding 804 rooms to Dubai.

UAE’s Crescent Petroleum To Enter Libya, Lebanon

The company is also looking to expand investment and production in Iraq, its CEO says.

UAE Toughens Law On Internet Dissent

Any person who “derides or damages” the reputation of the state or any of its institutions online will be imprisoned.

Abu Dhabi Rents Drop 6% In Q3 2012

Residential rents in the emirate continue to fall but still remain higher than Dubai, says new report.

Gulf Air Restructures Fleet To Save $2.5bn

Tough economic conditions and Bahrain unrest push Gulf Air to reduce fleet.

US To Overtake Saudi As Top Oil Producer – IEA

Forecasts suggest the States will achieve self-sufficiency in oil and gas and become an exporter by 2030.

Air Arabia Posts 126% Rise In Q3 Profit

The low-cost carrier reported a net profit of Dhs226 million in the third quarter.

Dubai Is Not Worried: Sheikh Ahmed

The emirate sees no need to recapitalise the support fund that helps state-linked bodies, said Sheikh Ahmed, head of the Supreme Fiscal Committee.

Qataris Biggest Luxury Spenders In ME

Residents in Qatar spend up to $5,000 per month on luxury goods, says new report.

Emirates Profit Surges 104% As Passenger Yield Grows

The world’s largest Arab carrier witnessed a turnaround in profits in the first half of 2012 despite continued fuel price pressures.

Saudi King To Undergo Back Operation Next Week

King Abdullah will undergo a back operation to tighten a loose ligament in his back, the royal court has said.

Bahrain’s GIB Picks Banks For Dollar Bond

Gulf International Bank picked JP Morgan Chase, NBAD, Barclays, Standard Chartered and Societe Generale to arrange the deal.