New Rules To Align UAE Insurers With European Solvency Requirements

The rules clarify policyholders’ rights and setting investment limits for the sector.

UAE’s FNC Calls For Lower Petrol Prices

A member of Federal National Council is expected to take up the issue of high fuel costs in the UAE in the backdrop of crude prices.

Dubai’s DAMAC Sees Property Price Pause In 2015, Gains After

Prices are expected to fall thanks to increased property sales taxes, stricter mortgage rules and a lack of affordability.

RAKBANK, Kalyan Jewellers Launch ‘Goldback’ Credit Card In UAE

The credit card offers users between three to seven per cent goldback on purchases made locally and internationally.

New Sugar Refinery To Start Operations In Saudi Arabia By End-2017

At full capacity, Al Reef is expected to refine 3,000 tonnes of sugar a day, and plans to export two thirds of its production.

UAE’s NBAD To Meet Investors From Tuesday For Potential Dollar Bond

National Bank of Abu Dhabi will meet investors in Asia and Europe, it said.

Prince Alwaleed’s Alarab Channel Goes Off-Air Soon After Launch

The Bahrain-based channel said that programming ceased because of “technical and administrative reasons”.

Sun & Sand Sports To Create 500 Jobs Across GCC In 2015

Gulf Marketing Group, the parent firm of Sun & Sand Sports, said that it will create up to 1,000 jobs across its brands in 2015.

Dubai Developer Damac Q4 Profit Rises 11%

Damac’s 2014 full-year profit was $937 million, up from $641.5 million in 2013, the company said.

Investcorp Eyeing U.S. Growth, Falling Euro For Buys

The firm is best known in the global space for listing luxury goods brands, such as Gucci and Tiffany & Co, but has been increasingly branching out into other sectors.

Etihad’s Passenger Growth Up 23% In 2014

The airline said that it transported around 74 per cent of the 19.9 million passengers who travelled through Abu Dhabi International Airport last year.

Saudi Electricity To Pay $149m In Bonuses After King’s Order

The company added that the bonus paid to each staff member would not exceed SAR50,000.

Bahrain’s Investcorp H1 Net Profit Rises 5%

The Bahrain-based company made a net income of $45.3 million in the second half of 2014.

Saudi Prince Alwaleed-Backed Alarab News Channel Launches

The 24-hour Arabic language news channel, based in Bahrain, will have a specific focus on Saudi affairs.

Five Minutes With…Nathalie Haddad, Founder & MD, Right Bite

The healthy fast food retailer is looking to expand across the region, says Haddad.

Saudi Aramco Stops Red Sea Deepwater Exploration Work

Aramco has put on hold its deepwater oil and gas exploration and drilling activities in the Red Sea because of high costs, sources said.

Kuwait’s Zain Q4 Net Profit Drops 35%, Misses Estimates

The former monopoly, which operates in eight countries in the MEA, made a net profit of KD33 million in the three months to Dec. 31.

Al Noor Hospitals Says No Plans To Dual List In Abu Dhabi

Al Noor’s confirmation comes after ADX chief said that most local firms listed in the London market had agreed to dual list in Abu Dhabi.

Stock News: Dubai Surges On Stronger Oil, Dividends, Saudi Payout

The Dubai benchmark jumped 4.5 per cent to close at 3,840 points, its biggest daily gain in six weeks.

Dubai’s Al Khaleej Says Has Enough Raw Sugar For This Year

The sugar refinery has 1.5 million tonnes of raw sugar, either stockpiled at the refinery or on its way to the refinery.

UAE’s Massar Solutions Postpones Floatation On Poor Demand

Less than half of the shares in the Dhs576 million IPO were taken up by investors for whom they were reserved, a report said.

Bahrain Beats UAE To Lead GCC For Economic Freedom On Global Index

However, Bahrain’s score fell while the UAE’s rose on the 2015 Index of Economic Freedom, released by Heritage Foundation and Wall Street Journal.

Saudi Kayan To Shut Several Units For Maintenance

The company, an affiliate of Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), will shut its olefins plant from Feb. 1 for almost five weeks, it said.

Dubai Police Says Efforts On To Ensure Tight Security For Expo 2020

The mega event is expected to welcome 25 million visitors, with the majority of them coming from overseas.

Abu Dhabi Bourse Suspends Three Stocks Over Technical Issue

The bourse said the issue had to do with ownership proportions.

New Saudi Regulator Says Market-Opening Plan On Track

Mohammed Al-Jadaan was named head of the Capital Market Authority in a cabinet resuffle by King Salman last week.

Saudi’s Almarai Chief Executive Resigns, New CEO Appointed

Georges Schorderet, previously the company’s chief operating officer, is taking over from Abdulrahman Al Fadley, a statement said.

Etihad Airways Launches First B787 Dreamliner Flight

CEO claims new widebody aircraft provides clear reduction in operating costs and carbon emissions

Dubai Investments Says Approves 60% Purchase Of Al Mal Capital

Dubai Investments previously said that it was close to two acquisitions, worth a combined value of Dhs400 million ($109 million).

DWC To Build Dhs120m Aerospace Supply Chain Facility

The facility will cater to the small and medium companies in the global maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector.