World’s Richest Nation: Qatar

The Gulf country with a GDP of $88,000 in 2010 qualifies as the world’s wealthiest nation, according to Forbes.

DFM Index Books 2011 Losses Of 17%

The Dubai Financial Market, the worst performing Gulf bourse last year, managed a small fourth quarter profit.

US Eyes UAE For Military Aircraft Sale

The UAE has reportedly expressed interest in buying the V-22 Osprey, a tilt-rotor aircraft from the US.

UAE To See $15bn Deals In 2012

Construction contracts worth $15 billion will be signed in the country this year according to Ventures Middle East.

Taqa Raises $215mn From Sukuk Sale

The ten-year Malaysian ringgit-denominated Islamic bond carried a 4.65 per cent profit rate.

New App To Control Kids

The mobile app released by Norton in the UAE, will allow parents to monitor their children’s smartphone activities.

Qatar’s UDC In Investor Talks Again

The company’s plan to raise QAR160 million through a share issue had ended after an investor pulled out.

Abu Dhabi Airport Welcomes More Passengers

More than 1.1 million passengers passed through the UAE capital’s international airport during January 2012.

Air Arabia 2011 Net Profit Falls 13%

The airline’s net profit for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by seven per cent year-on-year to reach Dhs78.7 million.

Al Baraka Net Profits Rise

The Bahraini banking group reported a 10 per cent increase in full year net profits for 2011.

Etisalat To Outsource Services

The telecoms operator will not let go of any UAE citizens as part of the move, which is part of a restructuring plan to cut costs.

Saudi Faces Rising Oil Demand

The Kingdom is concerned about keeping the global oil market well supplied as demand from Asian countries increases.

Etisalat To Shut Down India JV

The decision follows the ruling of an Indian court to cancel 122 telecoms licences in the country amid a corruption scandal.

Dubai Raises $675mn For Tram Project

The proceeds from the dual-currency loan will be used to fund the first phase of the Al-Sufouh project.

Al Jaber CEO To Be Replaced: Sources

Abu Dhabi-based Al Jaber Group may hire a new CEO as part of a $1 billion restructuring plan, according to sources.

$100mn Boost For Saudi’s Al Raya

Levant Capital and Citi Venture Capital International have acquired a major stake in the Al Raya supermarket chain.

HAAD Issues Warning On Fake Products

The Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) has found that many slimming products contain dangerous drugs.

Saudi To Create $6.9bn Mining City

The integrated mining project is expected to contribute around SAR15 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP per year.

Oman Owes Gulf Air $310mn

The Bahraini carrier said that the sum has been outstanding from the time Oman pulled out of Gulf Air in 2007.

DP World Eyeing $1bn Loan: Sources

The company is reportedly in talks with banks for a loan to repay its $3 billion deal that matures in October.

Abraaj Eyeing Turkey’s Calik

Dubai-based Abraaj Capital is planning to bid for Calik Holding’s media assets, according to sources.

DIFC Looks To Asia For Growth

The financial centre welcomed 56 new companies in 2011 and is eyeing companies from emerging markets.

CME, Oman Fund Raise DME Stake

The cash injection into the Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME) has diluted the stake of Dubai Holding.

Etisalat May Restructure

The telecoms operator said it is discussing restructuring options as it struggles to stall dropping profits.

QIA Buys Credit Suisse London HQ

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund acquired the building for an undisclosed sum and has now leased it back to the bank.

ENBD Plans Renminbi Bond Sale

The bank has mandated Emirates NBD Capital, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank to arrange investor meetings.

Abraaj Acquires Aureos Capital

The transaction is set to create the world’s largest SME focused private equity group.

11.8mn Ride Dubai Metro’s Green Line

The recently inaugurated Green Line saw more than 11.8 million passengers during its first five months.

Dar al-Arkan To Repay $990mn

Saudi Arabia’s biggest property developer, Dar al-Arkan, plans to repay 3.7 billion riyals of debt this year, said CFO .

Gulf Funds Eyeing ONGC Stakes

Sovereign wealth funds from the UAE and Kuwait have reportedly agreed to buy stakes in India’s ONGC.