UAE’s Massar Solutions Says Postpones Flotation, Cites Poor Demand

Massar will postpone the initial public offering (IPO) until oil prices are more stable, it said.

Chinese Firm OPPO Launches ‘World’s Thinnest Smartphone’ In UAE

The OPPO R5, priced at Dhs1,899, measures 4.85mm and comes with a 13MP camera.

Abu Dhabi Residential Rents Up 17% In Q4 2014

The capital has seen a rise in demand for affordable properties over the last 12 months as cost of living surged, CBRE said in a report.

Industries Qatar Q1 Shutdowns To Decrease From Year Ago

The company will close its Qatar plants for a total of 158 days in the first three months of the year, compared to 292 days of closures in 2014.

Kalyan Jewellers To Invest Dhs400m In GCC This Year, Open 12 New Stores

The Indian jewellery retailer currently operates nine outlets in the UAE and three in Kuwait.

UAE Bank NBAD To Start Market-Making On Abu Dhabi Exchange

NBAD is the first official market maker in the Gulf region, the chief executive of Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange said.

Qatar’s GIS 2014 Net Profit Doubles, Hikes Dividend

Net profit for the full year of 2014 rose to QAR1.4 billion, up from QAR677 million the year before, it said in a statement.

UAE Non-Oil Business Growth Accelerates In January

The seasonally adjusted HSBC UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index was 59.3 points last month against 58.4 in December.

DP World 2014 Gross Container Volumes Up 8% Like-For-Like

Gross volumes totalled 60 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) in 2014, driven by new developments in Britain and Brazil.

Saudi Non-Oil Business Growth Almost Unchanged In January

The seasonally adjusted SABB HSBC Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index was 57.8 points in January against 57.9 in December.

Dubai’s Arabtec Says Wins Contracts Worth $102m

Both contracts are for construction of residential villas in Dubai to be delivered in 2016, the company said.

Qatar Air Mulls Halting Japan Service Over Slots Row

The airline is “in the final stages of deliberations” about whether to withdraw the three daily services, a source said.

Saudi Arabia Has Helped Save British Lives – PM Cameron Says

Cameron said that Saudi is a valuable partner of the West in the region and has helped in the fight against terrorism.

CEO Predictions 2015: Hamad Buamim, President & CEO, Dubai Chamber Of Commerce

An important area for 2015 will be new technology and the development of Dubai’s smart economy, writes Buamim.

Dubai Financial Market Q4 Net Profit Rises 31%

DFM’s full-year profit rose 167 per cent to Dhs759.3 million.

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.