UAE Spa Industry Tops $10bn

The region has witnessed a growing shift towards the wellness experience.

UAE Could Launch $1bn Bond In 12 Months

The UAE will issue its first federal sovereign bond between 12 and 18 months after it is prepared.

World Developers Offered Refund

Thailand island investors on The World development have been offered a full refund.

Emirates Hires 3,800 Cabin Crew

Emirates plans to hire 3,800 new cabin staff this year, taking its total number of in-flight crew to nearly 20,000.

Dubai CFOs On Hiring Spree

The majority of financial executives in Dubai are planning to increase staff this year, according to a survey.

Dubai Bank Ratings Removal Requested

Emirates NBD requests withdrawal of Dubai Bank’s Fitch and Moody’s ratings.

GCC To Produce 10% Of World Aluminium

Investment in the GCC’s aluminium industry has reached $14 billion to date.

ADX Denies Trade Inquiry

The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange has denied reports that it’s going to investigate trading patterns of Aldar and Sorouh.

Investcorp Buys US Properties

The Bahraini investment company has acquired a portfolio of properties in the San Francisco Bay Area for $65 million.

Zain Names New CEO

The indebted telco has appointed Fraser Curley as chief executive, its third CEO in six months.

ENBD May Lay Off 15% Of Staff

According to sources, the UAE-based bank is planning to let go of its employees to cut costs. The bank has refused to comment.

Qapco, Taiwan’s CTCI Sign Deal

Qatar Petrochemical Company has awarded construction contracts worth QR604 million to expand its ethylene plant.

Dubai Mulls Essex House Hotel Sale

Government-owned Dubai Group is currently reviewing the potential sale of the Manhattan-based property.

GCC Oil And Gas Reserves Worth $65trn

The region’s hydrocarbon reserves account for almost a third of the world’s reserves, says QNB Capital.

StanChart Seeks Saudi Licence

The bank has reportedly applied for a full commercial banking licence to expand its operations in the kingdom.

Aldar, Sorouh Eye Merger

The UAE-based property developers are discussing ways to merge in a government-backed tie-up.

KIA Gets China Stock Market Quota

Kuwait’s sovereign wealth fund has obtained approval to initially invest up to $300 million in China’s securities market.

Saudi Inflation Rises

The kingdom’s annual inflation rate reached a 14-month high in February mainly because of increasing food and housing costs.

Abu Dhabi Will Issue New Hotel Licences

The emirate will not stop issuing new hotel licenses as previously reported by local media, but will be selective in the number it grants.

Sharjah Wooing Tourists

More than 1.5 million tourists visited the emirate last year, and the city is putting in several efforts to attract more visitors in the future.

17 GCC Billionaires Make Forbes List

The region’s representatives on Forbes’ annual list of the World’s Billionaires have a combined net worth of $65.4 billion.

Dubai Lynx Awards Announced

P&G was named advertiser of the year, while Y&R Dubai bagged the advertising agency of the year award.

NMC Plans London IPO

Healthcare provider NMC hopes to raise $250 million through the listing, and plans to use the funds for further expansion.

Al Baker Backs Boeing, Airbus

The outspoken head of Qatar Airways has expressed support for the planemakers as they struggle to resolve production flaws.

ENBD Issues First CNY Bond

The 750 million renminbi bond, which matures in 2015, was 5.7 times oversubscribed, the bank said.

Freeze On Bahrain’s Expat Tax May Continue

The parliament has voted to extend the suspension of the tax on foreign workers for another two years, according to reports.

ME Sukuk Volumes To Reach $14bn

The issuance of Islamic bonds in the region could reach over $14 billion this year because of increasing investor demand, according to HSBC.

Drake & Scull Wins India Contract

The utilities unit of Drake & Scull International has won the Dhs100 million contract to set up a water system for a thermal power station in India.

Bahrain Eyes Gas Imports From Russia

The Gulf state is initially planning to import the equivalent of around 3 million tonnes a year of LNG from Russia’s Gazprom.

STC Eyes Local Partner

The Saudi Arabia-based telecoms operator is keen to build a domestic partnership with a mobile virtual network operator.