Air Berlin Declines Further Etihad Finance Help

Germany’s second-biggest carrier, almost 30 per cent-owned by Etihad, suffered a first-quarter loss before interest and tax (EBIT) of 188.4 million euros ($244.5 million).

Saudi’s Mobily Denies Asking For Help To Spy On Customers

A software engineer claimed that the company had asked him to build surveillance tools to intercept customers’ messages on Twitter.

Carlyle-Backed General Lighting Plans Saudi Share Sale

Carlyle acquired its 30 per cent stake in General Lighting for an undisclosed amount in March 2010.

Qatar Airways Wants To Be Launch Customer For 777X – CEO

Boeing said on May 2 that it had begun offering the new 777X mini-jumbo jet.

Can Dubai Become The World’s Leading Islamic Business Hub?

Dubai hopes to tap into the trillion-dollar Islamic finance industry and has ambitious aspirations to become the global hub. Can it succeed?

Dubai Inflation Remains Low In April Despite Jump In Rents

On an annual basis, inflation edged up to a two-year high of 0.9 per cent, up from 0.6 per cent year-on-year in March.

Etihad Launches Daily Service To Amsterdam

The inaugural flight carried the code of the Dutch airliner KLM as it took off for Netherlands’ capital city on Wednesday morning.

Abu Dhabi Fund Names Deutsche Bank Exec As Infrastructure Head

ADIA said John McCarthy will oversee its existing portfolio and originate new transactions.

Refinery Shutdown Forces Oman Fuel Imports

A two-month shutdown of Oman’s biggest refinery slashed Omani regular gasoline output by 42 per cent in the first quarter of 2013.

Kuwaiti Ministers Offer To Resign – State News Agency

Kuwait’s elected parliament has been caught in a long-running power struggle with the appointed government.

Dubai’s Union Properties Q1 Profit Slips 2.2%

The Dubai-listed firm made a first quarter net profit of Dhs21.9 million ($5.96 million), lower than Dhs22.4 million it posted in the period last year.

Qatar’s QPI Hopes To Extend Centrica North America Deal

Centrica and QPI said in April they would buy Suncor Energy Inc’s gas business in Canada for C$1 billion ($986.73 million) in their first acquisition.

Dubai’s Non-Oil Trade Up 16% In Q1

Non-oil trade grew to Dhs325.5 billion ($88.6 billion) in the first quarter from 280 billion in the same period last year.

EXCLUSIVE: Etihad CEO Slams Legacy Alliances

James Hogan says the Abu Dhabi carrier’s one-on-one partnerships are “easier, faster and more cost effective”.

Kuwait’s Investment Dar Offers New Settlement To Creditors

The firm is currently undertaking a KD1 billion debt restructuring plan agreed in 2011.

Virgin Among Five Bidders For Saudi Telecom Licences

The Kingdom plans to sell three mobile virtual network operator licences as part of a plan to liberalise its telecom market.

UK Backs Dubai As Expo 2020 Host

Regional diversity makes Dubai the first choice for Expo 2020 bid, says UK minister.

Drake & Scull Chief Says Will Not Sell Stake In Company

The Dubai-based contractor is currently bidding for projects worth about Dhs15 billion.

Dubai’s CBD Sets Initial Price Guidance For Debut Bond

The early guidance has the five-year bond pricing in the area of 275 basis points over midswaps.

High Land Prices ‘Threaten Dubai Hotel Pipeline’

Citymax COO says it would like to build up to five more Dubai hotels – if it wasn’t for the cost of land

UAE’s Dana Gas Q1 Profit Up 17%

During the first three months of 2013, Dana collected $41 million in receivables from Egypt and $32 million from Kurdistan.

Bahrain Telecom Group Batelco Profit Falls 17%

Bahrain’s biggest telecom group has now reported a fall in profit in 11 quarters out of 12 and has seen its market share eroded by rivals.

Dubai’s Shuaa Capital Q1 Net Loss Narrows

The investment bank said the quarterly net loss narrowed to Dhs5.9 million dirhams ($1.6 million) from Dhs8.5 million a year ago.

Saudi Arabia Confirms Four New Cases Of Deadly SARS-Like Virus

On Sunday Saudi Arabia said it had had a total of 24 confirmed cases since the disease was identified last year, of whom 15 had died.

Kuwait Airways Looking At 25 Airbus Planes

The proposal calls for state-owned Kuwait Airways to buy 25 new Airbus jets and to lease a further 13 to upgrade its fleet but needs government approval.

Kuwait MPs Plan To Question Oil Ministers

Elections in December brought in lawmakers seen as more cooperative with the government.

Tanzania Releases UAE, Saudi Citizens Held Over Church Bombing

The UAE Foreign Ministry announced that the Emiratis had been released on its Twitter account late on Sunday.

Saudi Banks To Reserve More Jobs For Locals

The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency sent banks a circular in April giving them three months to list the types of jobs that could be reserved entirely for Saudis.

Full Steam Ahead For Abu Dhabi Ports Company

The Abu Dhabi Ports Company’s ambitious Dhs26.5 billion megaproject is powering ahead and on track to establish the UAE as a global maritime hub.

UAE Salaries To Rise 6% – Morgan McKinley

The oil and gas sector, along with banking and finance, will see wage hikes.