MAF Eyes $350-500m From Bond

UAE mall developer Majid Al Futtaim Holding plans to issue a dollar-denominated bond this year.

Top 10 Global Spenders In UAE

Visitors from the UK topped the list, spending almost $500 million in 2011, according to Visa.

Etihad, SpiceJet Deny Stake Sale

Media reports had claimed that Etihad and Qatar Airways were eyeing a minority stake in the Indian budget carrier.

Saudi Women To Enter Olympics

Women athletes from the Kingdom will be allowed for the first time to compete in the London Olympics.

Kuwait Government Resigns – Sources

At least seven governments have stepped down in recent years because of political deadlock.

Qatar Predicts Slow Growth In 2013

The country’s planning authority says that GDP growth is expected to reduce to 4.5 per cent in 2013.

UAE And Brazil Trade Rising

Trade links between the two countries have never been stronger as new figures reveal the growing relationship.

Abu Dhabi Optimism Rises

The emirate has seen consumer confidence rise in the first quarter of the year, say official statistics.

ADIA Values Emerging Equities

Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund expects emerging market stocks to outperform in the long-term.

Bank Muscat Plans $251m Stake Sale

The Omani bank plans to use the proceeds from the sale to fund credit expansion and its foray into Islamic finance.

UAE Mall Developer Picks Banks

Majid Al Futtaim has begun choosing banks to arrange investor meetings ahead of a second bond issue.

Qatar Seeks $5bn Quota

The Gulf state is looking to increase it’s stake in China’s stock and bond markets along with ADIA.

Rents Rise In Riyadh and Jeddah

Residential rents rose between four to 13 per cent in the two Saudi Arabian cities, says a new study.

Dubai’s Daman Sells 22.7% Stake

The investment company, which plans to launch an IPO, raised Dhs100 million from the sale.

JAFZA Repays $2.04bn Sukuk

The free zone has repaid the Islamic loan five months early and consequently received a rating upgrade from Fitch.

UAE Signs Dhs435m Road Deals

Contracts have been signed for the construction of projects in Ras Al Khaimah and Khor Fakkan.

Qatar Buys French Luxury Hotels

Qatar plans to buy four hotels from Starwood for around $940 million, according to French media reports.

UAE’s Hormuz Bypass Opens

The new pipeline is expected to end the UAE’s dependence on the shipping route that Iran has threatened to block.

Gulf Seen Muted After MSCI Move

The UAE and Qatar have not been upgraded to emerging markets status by index compiler MSCI.

Dubai Draws Lebanese Tourists

The number of Lebanese visitors staying at Dubai’s hotels rose two per cent year-on-year during Q1 2012.

KSA IPOs Strong Despite Outlook

Although the stock market is down 14 per cent from this year’s high, investors are positive on earnings.

Oman Posts Budget Surplus

First four months of the year see the sultanate’s revenue jump by 40 per cent to 4.6 billion rials.

Kuwait Reinstates Former Parliament

Prominent opposition lawmaker resigns calling the court’s ruling ‘a coup against the constitution’.

Arkan Gets Dhs1.4bn Loan

The construction company will use the amount to refinance existing debt and fund expansion.

$20bn Gulf Fund Not Capitalised

The wealthier GCC states had planned to create an aid fund to assist Bahrain and Oman combat social unrest.

Emirates Plans To Lease Aircraft

Dubai’s flagship airline is looking at plans to lease aircraft in a deal with DNA2 and Goldman Sachs.

Jumeirah Eyes Indian Market

The luxury hotel chain group has specific discussions going on in Mumbai and Delhi, its chairman has said.

Kuwaiti Royal Sues UBS For $21.4m

The Suisse bank returns to court today in lawsuit over alleged failure of payment in $10.7 billion Zain deal.

UAE Not Pressured To Issue Bonds

The country has adequate financial resources to bridge its budget gap, a senior minister has said.

Four Seasons To Open Dubai Resort

The Canadian hotel operator announced that it will open its first resort in Dubai by mid-2014.