Chinese Firm Wins Dhs150m Contract For Falcon Island Project In RAK

China Harbour Engineering Company will carry out the marine and infrastructure works for the luxury project.

Oman’s Bank Sohar Cuts Proposed Cash Dividend On Central Bank Advice

The lender said it had revised its proposed cash payout to four per cent from six per cent.

Drop In Shale Output Caused Oil Price Rebound – Kuwait Oil Minister

He said projections showed prices might improve this year, but added that they might also stay between $50 and $60 a barrel.

Saudi Arabia Rejects Rights Criticism After Flogging Of Blogger

A statement said the Kingdom’s constitution ensured the protection of human rights because it was based on Islamic Sharia law.

Louis Dreyfus Ships Big US Ethanol Cargo To Middle East

Dreyfus is sending about 280,000 barrels of ethanol from the Port of New York to Jebel Ali in the UAE.

“Jihadi John” Link Deepens Security Unease In Kuwait

Security officials acknowledge that youths from Gulf Arab states have trekked in their hundreds to fight for ISIL in Iraq and Syria.

Saudi King Aims For New Sunni Bloc Vs Iran And ISIL

King Salman is trying to reinforce the need for unity in the Arab region and find a way to work around disagreements over the Muslim Brotherhood.

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.