UAE retail chain LuLu expands into Indonesia, plans 15 outlets

The group plans to invest $300m in the first phase of expansion

Saudi-led coalition in Yemen sees victory “no matter what”

Yemeni forces and their Arab allies are fighting to oust the Houthis in a six-month war that has killed over 4,500 people

Saudi cabinet grants license to Qatari bank for first time

Qatar National Bank has been granted a license to open a branch inside the kingdom

Group of 32 countries criticises Bahrain’s human rights record

The group has expressed concerned about reports of harassment in the Gulf State

China’s SEPCO set to win gas booster project for Saudi Aramco

Under the new project called MGS 2, SEPCO will build a gas compressor station, industry sources said

Nakheel signs contracts worth Dhs 2.4bn for Nad Al Sheba project

The Nad Al Sheba project, which includes 1500 villas and serviced residences, is slated for completion in early 2018

Swiss authorities helping Oman in oil corruption probe

Swiss authorities are involved because transactions related to the probe involved Swiss financial institutions, a source said

Different Arab money

GCC economies hit by oil price drop, to grow 3.4% in 2015

The UAE and Saudi Arabia have fared better than their GCC counterparts because of economic diversification, says report

Five Saudi soldiers killed at Yemen border, fighting begins in central province

The five Saudis were reportedly killed in southern Najran province

UAE Armed Forces launch ground offensive in Yemen

An Emirati serviceman was killed during the operation, state news agency WAM reported

UAE bank FGB raises $1bn loan for general purposes

The three-year facility is structured as a bullet loan which means the principal will be repaid at the end of the term

New Filipino restaurant to open in Dubai

A survey found that less than 4 per cent of Filipino expats would pay up to Dhs 100 for a single meal

Saudi Electricity says Aug peak power load hit record high

SEC’s peak load rose by 10.2 per cent to 62,260 MW from 56,547 MW a year earlier

Abu Dhabi Ports sees 41% growth between Jan-July 2015

More than 772,000 TEUs containers were handled in the first seven months of 2015

Kuwait’s KIPCO plans $5bn real estate project

The 380,000-square-metre project is planned for the al-Daiya area

Saudi salaries up 4.5% in 2015 despite falling oil prices – report

Employees in the kingdom are expected to record a 5 per cent salary hike in 2016, the report by Hay Group found.

Commercial Bank of Dubai shareholders reject $750m Tier 1 bond plan

The bank said last month that its board had proposed the Basel III compliant bond, subject to shareholder and regulatory approval

PR agency Edelman acquires Dubai-based DABO & Co

The transaction sees the launch of a new co-branded entity – Edelman DABO – with a combined client base of 50 entities

Saudi Arabia blames winds for deadly crane collapse, opens investigation

The crane which collapsed onto one of Islam’s holiest shrines in Mecca, killed 107 people on Friday

Dubai’s IMG theme park installs 69 dinosaurs, set for 2016 opening

IMG Worlds of Adventure is set to become the world’s largest multi-brand indoor theme park when it opens

Kuwait to buy Eurofighters in a deal worth up to $9bn

Sources said the 20-year-long deal for 28 Eurofighters would be finalised “in a few weeks”

Qatar appoints first ambassador to Iraq in 25 years

Iraq’s foreign minister had said in May that Qatar would open an embassy in Baghdad

Video: At least 107 killed by falling crane at Grand Mosque in Mecca

Officials said strong wind and rains had uprooted trees and affected cranes in the area

Dubai Mall store is Bebe’s best selling unit globally

Bebe’s Dubai outlets continue to be successful mainly due to the price points offered to customers, an official said

Disagreements over scope and ownership delay Saudi solar projects

The kingdom had announced three years ago that it wanted to install 41 gigawatts of solar electricity by 2032

Dubai eyes China for lucrative incentive tourism market

The emirate hosted the International Dragon Awards in August, welcoming about 5,700 attendees

India in diplomatic row over rape case ahead of Modi’s Saudi visit

Two Nepal maids claim they were kidnapped, gang-raped and starved over several months at a Saudi diplomat’s home

No threat to $1bn Mall of Qatar project from low oil price – official

The mall, next to the stadium that is due to host the 2022 World Cup, is set to open next August

Apple’s iPhone 6S, 6S Plus expected in UAE within a month

The prices are expected to be similar to that of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus when they were launched last year

Dubai’s Union Properties seeks $123m loan to fund new project

The amount will be used to fund the 271-unit Oia residential project in the emirate