Stock News: Saudi Arabia Rises On Oil, Egypt Falls On Tax Concerns

Brent crude hit a new 2015 high of $66.93 per barrel on Thursday before easing slightly on Friday.

Dubai’s Damac Launches New Hotel Villa Concept Within Akoya Oxygen

Villas range from three to six bedroom units with prices starting at Dhs1.7 million.

UAE’s EIBOR Panel To Stop Fixing Rates On Saturdays

Currently, a fixing is scheduled for every day other than Friday.

Saudi Sahara Petrochemicals Affiliate Restarting Plant

Al Waha Petrochemical had closed its propylene and polypropylene plant in Jubail for 30 days from April 1.

Kuwait’s KIPCO Q1 Net Profit Rises By 17%

Net profit in the three months to March 31 was KD12 million.

Dubai’s Drake & Scull Wins $79m Engineering Contract

The mixed use project, in Dubai, is scheduled to be completed by 2016.

Dubai’s RTA Awards Dhs475m Contract For Mega Bluewaters Island Project

The contract has been awarded to build the bridges linking the project to the mainland.

Bahrain’s GFH Says To Buy Mall In Saudi Arabia For $48m

The investment will produce an average semi-annual cash return of 12 per cent, GFH said.

Yemeni Houthis Call On UN To End Saudi Strikes

The United Nations says the conflict in Yemen has killed 600 people, wounded 2,200 and displaced 100,000 since September.

Saudi Restructures Oil Giant Aramco; Senior VP Named Acting CEO

On Wednesday, Saudi King Salman appointed Saudi Aramco’s CEO as chairman of the state oil firm and health minister.

Saudi Border Guard Killed On Yemen Frontier

Private Gharbi Rajah al-Hassan al-Mujaishi was patrolling on Thursday morning in the Hareth sector in Jizan province when he was killed.

Bahrain Central Bank Puts Bank, Insurer Into administration

the central bank did not elaborate on why it took the action against Future Bank and Iran Insurance Co.

Saudi Central Bank Says Would Welcome Insurance Mergers

A number of Saudi insurance firms have been loss-making for years because of severe competition in the market.

RBS Returns Qatar Banking licence, Country Head Departs

RBS, 79 per cent owned by the British government, is shrinking its corporate and institutional banking business in the Middle East.

Saudi’s Naimi Says Succession Changes Positive For Oil Market

King Salman named his nephew Mohammed bin Nayef, 55, and his son Mohammed bin Salman, 30, as his heirs on Wednesday.

Q&A: Aldar’s CEO On The Abu Dhabi Property Market

Aldar Properties CEO Mohamed Al Mubarak says the company is looking to launch 5,300 units over the next four to five years.

Saudis Under Time Pressure To Break Yemen Stalemate

Yemenis warn that the longer the fighting lasts, the harder it will be to restore meaningful state control.

France Says To Start Delivering Jets To Qatar From Mid-2018

Qatar had agreed to buy 24 Dassault Aviation-built Rafale fighter jets in a deal worth 6.3 billion euros.

UAE’s Topaz Says Secures $550m Loan To Refinance Debt, Expand

The loan consisted of three portions lasting between five and seven years.

Global Investment House Says Files To Relist In Kuwait

The timing for the listing would be dependent on approval from Kuwait’s Capital Markets Authority.

Nakheel’s New Dragon City Project To Begin Leasing Retail Space

The developer is offering 1.3 million sq ft of new shop and showroom space in its mixed use development.

Qatar Wealth Fund To Open New York Office As U.S. Portfolio Grows

The office opening is part of the fund’s strategy to shift its focus from Europe to Asia and the US.

High Living Costs Impact UAE Residents’ Ability To Leave An Inheritance- Survey

The majority of UAE residents want to leave behind an inheritance but only a fraction are confident of doing so, a new survey says.

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA Says Appoints Acting CFO

Grant Gillon has been appointed the acting chief financial officer of TAQA.

Oman’s United Finance Gets Acquisition Proposal From National Bank Of Oman

Any deal would require the approval of the board of directors, the shareholders and the regulators, United Finance said in a statement.

Etihad To Start Second A380 to London From May 1

Two of the airline’s three daily flights to London will now be operated by the jumbo jet.

France, Qatar Seal $7.05bn Rafale Fighter Jet Deal

The deal is reportedly for 24 Dassault Aviation-built Rafale planes with an option for 12 more.

Sharjah Aims To Attract 10m Tourists By 2021

The emirate’s tourism promotion agency said that it has outlined a clear plan to attract tourists and improve their experience.

Bahrain-Dubai Joint Venture Closes Third Bombardier Deal

The deal for the leasing of three Bombardier Q400 NextGen planes is worth $94 million at list prices.

Omantel Q1 Net Profit Rises 0.6%

Omantel said its first-quarter net profit was impacted by losses at subsidiaries.