King Salman Banks On Welfare Spending In Gloomy Oil Era

Saudi Arabia recently announced a new round of bonuses for government employees, a direction that experts believe is opposite to what it should be doing in this time of cheap oil.

Oil No More: The UAE Diversifies

The UAE is weaning itself away from oil and could be almost independent of it by 2021, say senior government officials.

Syria’s Nusra Front Mulls Split From Al Qaeda On Qatar Backing

Sources in Nusra said that Qatar is encouraging the group to go ahead with the move, which would give it a boost in funding.

Egypt Aims For Final Arabtec Housing Deal By Mid-March

Arabtec said last March that it had reached agreement with Egypt’s army to build a million homes at 13 locations around the country.

Fujairah Oil Storage Capacity May Rise 75% By 2020

The Fujairah port, which lies outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital Gulf oil export route, has seen a boom in storage facility building since late 2009.

Etihad To Launch Daily Flights To Tehran From April

The carrier currently operates three flights a week between Abu Dhabi and the Iranian capital.

Saudi King Keeps Close Hand On Oil In Remodelling Strategic Team

King Salman is clearly laying the ground for a generational shift in how Riyadh develops its energy and economic strategies.

UAE Ranked Third In Global Muslim Travel Index

The Emirates was the top destination for Muslim tourists in the Middle East, which had five countries among the top 10 in the global list.

Emirates Airline President Plans Talks In Washington Over Subsidy Row

US carriers accuse Gulf airlines of receiving more than $40 billion in government subsidies since 2004.

Qatar, Saudi, Kuwait Among Top 10 Nations Globally For Luxury Spending

Wealthy individuals in the three GCC nations especially spend on imported luxury goods and premium travel, finds new report.

Croatia Mulls Loan From UAE To Refinance Costly Debts

The loan could be worth around $2 billion and enable the EU member to refinance debt.

Sheikh Mohammed Launches Museum Of The Future In Dubai

The museum will produce futuristic inventions and support the UAE’s goals to be the most innovative country in the world.

Dubai’s Nakheel Says 90 Villa Units Delivered At Jumeirah Village Circle

The Jumeirah Village Circle villas project, launched in December 2013, sold for a combined value of Dhs275 million.

Emirates Says Has Had Extensive A380neo Discussions

Emirates has said it would look at placing an order for up to 200 A380neo jets to replace its current fleet and drive further expansion.

Mobily Shares Surge On Hopes For Indirect Government Support

The Saudi telecoms operator’s stock had been suspended for a week until Thursday.

Qatar’s Doha Bank Gets Shareholder Assent For Tier 1, Bond Plans

The sale of the bonds will take place no later than June 30.

Analysis: Eurowings To Start Low-Cost Dubai Flights

How will Eurowings’ new low-cost Dubai services fare next winter?

UAE Warns Citizens Against Travel To India Over Swine Flu Fears

The ministry has urged Emiratis who are currently in India to avoid swine flu –affected areas.

Dubai’s Emaar Properties Proposes 15% Cash Dividend For 2014

The board recommended Dhs0.15 per share to shareholders, the same as the cash payout proposed for 2013.

Falcon Private Bank Eyes Acquisitions As Industry Consolidates

Abu Dhabi-owned Falcon said that it will be open to deals in core markets such as the Gulf, Eastern Europe, Africa and South East Asia.

Qatar Airways Interested In More Airline Stakes

Qatar Airways bought a 9.99 per cent stake in International Consolidated Airlines Group (IAG) in January.

Etihad To Start Daily A380 Service To New York From December 1

The Abu Dhabi carrier currently flies the jumbo jet to London, and will soon begin A380 services to Sydney.

Dubai’s Deyaar Awards Construction Contract For Atria Project

The contract was awarded to construction firm Al Rostamani Pegel.

Emirates NBD Schedules Investor Meetings Ahead Of Potential Bond

The lender has picked six banks to arrange investor meetings across Europe starting Monday.

Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman Set To Win Asian Football Presidency Unopposed

Sheikh Salman will also secure himself a term as vice-president of soccer’s world governing body FIFA.

Abu Dhabi To Shut Two LNG Trains For Maintenance From March 15

The two 1970’s-built trains have a combined capacity of 2.1 to 3 million tonnes per annum.

Bank of Khartoum To Open First Gulf Branch In Bahrain

Bank of Khartoum has applied for a branch licence and is hoping to finalise the process of obtaining it within weeks.

Qatar Air Receives Second Airbus A350

Qatar Airways has ordered 80 of the newest European long-haul jet, which is designed to compete with Boeing 787 and 777.

Saudi Arabia Expects Oil Price To Stabilise

The minister said that the Kingdom wanted the market to stabilise but said it will not subsidise higher cost producers.

Ras al-Khaimah Eyes Sovereign Sukuk Issue – Sources

Any issue would be received well by investors as the emirate derives substantial support for being part of the UAE.