Saudi Arabia implements strict anti-smoking laws

The kingdom bans smoking in public areas and regulates tobacco sale

ENOC group CEO appointed Gulf Energy Maritime chairman

Saif Humaid Al Falasi takes over the post from IPIC’s Khalifa Al Romaithi

Saudi Electricity invites global bids for two solar plants

Each plant will generate up to 50MW using photovoltaic technology

Qatar’s Ooredoo mandates banks for US dollar bond issue

The bond is expected to be launched after investor roadshows in US, Asia, the Middle East and Europe

Emirates’ dnata acquires stake in Destination Asia

The acquisition marks dnata’s first foray into Asia’s inbound travel market

Dubai’s Meydan raises Dhs 1bn Islamic financing

The money will help strengthen Meydan’s capital structure and support new projects

Qatar Investment Authority acquires $2.5bn Singapore tower

The acquisition of Asian Square Tower 1 marks the largest single tower real estate transaction in Asia Pacific

Pilot, co-pilot die in UAE military helicopter crash

The helicopter crashed over international waters during a routine flight

Riyadh Metro project now 36% complete

Tunneling excavation work completed on the $2.27bn Green line

Dubai’s ruler approves Dhs 335m RTA Expo 2020 control centre

The new five-storey building will help manage public transport systems required for Expo 2020

New SaudiGulf airline gets licence to begin domestic flights

The new airline will be awarded a national carrier licence on June 22

Oman dismisses expats’ income tax fears

Ministry confirms it has no plans to immediately follow Saudi Arabia’s lead to raise revenue

Dubai briefly shuts airspace after unauthorised drone activity

The shutting of the airspace around noon on Saturday caused several flight disruptions

Dutch woman arrested in Qatar after reporting rape

The 22-year-old is facing charges of having an extramarital affair

Saudi may begin privatising postal system by 2017

Authorities are still studying how much of Saudi Postal would be sold

Landmark Saudi bond takes step forward

The kingdom is expected to raise at least $10bn as it seeks to tackle its burgeoning fiscal deficit

Sandstorm warning issued for the UAE

Motorists cautioned as northwesterly winds are expected to stir up dust clouds across the country

Manchester City group ready to add more clubs to roster

City Football Group chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has discussed the company’s future aspirations

Emaar requests Dhs 1m for apartment booking in Dubai’s Opera District

Prices at the 77-storey tower range from Dhs 2,800 to Dhs per square foot

Oman’s National Gas Company terminates CEO

Oman mulls opening housing market to expats

Expats can currently only buy property in the sultanate’s integrated tourist complexes

Saudi Arabia seeks partners to build 1.5 million homes

Saudi government offers property developers partnership deals to address a shortage of affordable housing

Final rules due on Saudi Arabia’s undeveloped land tax

The tax will be equivalent to 2.5 per cent of the value of the land held

IMF warns GCC governments to up deficit reduction measures

The fund said an additional substantial deficit reduction effort is required in the region

UAE approves National Tolerance Programme

Programme will be based on seven pillars and is aimed at promoting values of peaceful coexistence

Gulf Air’s losses narrow to BHD24.1m

Bahrain carrier records a 62 per cent reduction on 2014 losses

Starwood to open two new hotels in Riyadh

The properties will be located close to the King Abdullah Financial District

UAE and Saudi Arabia among world’s most attractive retail markets

The two countries are among the top markets for new retail development, according to the consultancy A.T. Kearney

World Bank lowers GCC growth forecasts

The organisation pulled back its growth predictions due to lower than expected oil prices

Abu Dhabi Financial Group to acquire Shuaa Capital stake

The firm was one of three linked to the acquisition in recent weeks

60% of Qatar’s population lives in ‘labour camps’

The findings come following a government census