France nears $1.1bn Kuwait deal to sell Airbus helicopters

The contract is for the sale of 24 Airbus-built military helicopters to Kuwait

UAE’s Masdar in talks with Germany’s RWE on green energy projects – source

RWE’s CEO Peter Terium had said earlier that the company was in talks with an Abu Dhabi investor regarding joint renewable energy projects, but declined to reveal its identity.

Video: flydubai’s latest 737 takes shape in Boeing’s Renton factory

Boeing’s 737 manufacturing facility in Renton produces 42 airplanes every month

UAE fixes price of 3,500 food items before Ramadan

The ministry said that it has signed a deal with retailers to offer discounts of up to 70 per cent during Ramadan on about 4,700 essential food items.

Aluminium Bahrain gets approval for $3.5bn expansion

Construction is expected to start in 2016 and production to begin in 2019, the company said.

Emirates signs codeshare deal with Europe’s Flybe

The deal, due to be implemented in July, provides the Dubai carrier with greater access to the UK and Europe

Emirates airline says to submit response soon in Open Skies row

The official did not specify a date by which the airline would file its responses to subsidy allegations

Buyout firm Arcapita sells $640m US real estate portfolio

The portfolio includes 16 facilities and 4,000 residential units for continuing senior care, the company said in a statement.

Qatar Airways threatens to quit oneworld alliance over subsidy row

The airline’s CEO Akbar Al Baker accuses one of his American partners of blocking its expansion

DIFC announces 10-year plan, says will triple in size by 2024

The financial free zone hopes that Dubai’s financial sector will raise its GDP contribution to 18 per cent over the next 10 years

Abu Dhabi airport passenger traffic up 15.5% in April

The busiest routes in April were London Heathrow, Bangkok, Manila, Doha and Mumbai.

Qatar, UAE ranked MENA’s most productive internet economies

New report identifies Sweden as the world’s most advanced and productive internet economy

Tropical storm Ashobaa expected to have indirect impact on UAE

The storm, which could make landfall in Oman, is expected to cause sea levels to rise in the UAE’s east coast

Saudi Arabia summons Iran ambassador after poisoning of Saudis

A group of 33 pilgrims from Saudi was exposed to poison on Sunday while staying at a Mashhad hotel.

UAE leisure market to attract 45m visitors by 2021

The country’s under development theme parks are also expected to attract about 18 million visitors, a new report shows

Dubai’s Access Infra to launch solar plant in Uganda this year

The project is part of the company’s plans to develop electricity projects in 17 African countries, mainly based on renewable energy

Dubai’s non-oil business growth picks up but still weak

Construction was the best performing sector in terms of output and employment growth in May, a new survey shows

Qatar cuts 2015 GDP growth forecast, sees deficit in 2016

Oil prices remain a key risk to the outlook, which is based on average prices of $56.0 and $61.6 per barrel in 2015 and 2016 respectively

Qatar buys $1.2 bn HK Electric stake from Li Ka-shing’s firms

Power Assets said it sold a 16.53 per cent stake in HK Electric but will remain as the controlling shareholder of the power supplier

Damac awards contracts worth Dhs 2.8bn in five months

Awards include the main works packages of some of Damac’s residential units in Akoya project and its hotel apartment projects

Qatar Airways CEO sees no need for concessions to US airlines

Al Baker said Qatar Airways expects to deliver its rebuttal to the U.S. airlines’ claims in the next few weeks

Kuwait to table corporate tax bill in 2 years – finance minister

The minister expects the rate for international firms to fall and the levy on local companies to rise

Saudi regulator suspends trading in Mobily shares from Tues

The regulator has been investigating Mobily after the firm slashed 18 months of previously announced profits.

Sheikh Mohammed approves housing projects worth Dhs 3.6bn

The projects are part of Mohammed bin Rashid housing establishment and will be built for local families

UAE may give central bank role in setting monetary policy – governor

The government currently takes most decisions regarding the UAE’s monetary policy.

UAE residents spend an average of Dhs 120 per head on eating out – survey

Up to 66 per cent of UAE residents have dinner out at least once in a week, a survey by KPMG has found

Bahrain says it has broken up Shi’ite group involved in terrorism

Last year, Bahrain declared Saraya al-Ashtar and two other anti-government groups terrorist organisations.

Qatar may lose 2022 World Cup hosting rights – FIFA official

The head of FIFA’s audit and compliance committee has warned that any evidence of wrongdoing may revoke the Gulf state’s hosting rights.

Etihad Airways in expanded codeshare deal with Air France-KLM

The two carriers will share codes on more flights starting this year, opening more European cities to the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s customers.

Government to retain 75% stake in Kuwait Airways

Under a new proposal, 20 per cent of the airline’s shares will be offered to Kuwaiti citizens and 5 per cent to current and retired employees.