Canary Wharf Owner Tells Investors To Reject $4bn Qatar Takeover

Songbird Estates said the 350 pence per share cash offer did not reflect the value of its property of growth potential.

Banque Saudi Fransi Q4 Profit Jumps After Drop In Provisions

Banque Saudi Fransi made a net profit of SAR851 million ($226.8 million) in Q4 2014, up from SAR274 million in the same period a year earlier.

Saudi’s SAFCO Q4 Net Profit Falls 3%, Misses Forecasts

SAFCO did not provide a reason for the profit drop in the Enlgish results statement.

Saudi Cleric Condemns Snowmen As Anti-Islamic

Quoting from Muslim scholars, Sheikh Munajjid argued that to build a snowman was to create an image of a human being, an action considered sinful under Islam.

Saudi Government Studying Saline Water Conversion Corp Privatisation

Local media reported that the corporation is ready for the privatisation process and for listing on the Saudi stock exchange.

National Bank Of Abu Dhabi Hires Low As SE Asia Debt Head

Wynce Low was previously head of debt capital markets for HSBC in Malaysia.

Nakheel Forms New JV Company To Lease And Sell Properties In Dubai

The new company, created through the joint venture, will operate under the Engel & Völkers brand, the developer said.

Kuwait Plans To Spend $155bn On Projects Despite Oil Price Slide

The amount is expected to finance 523 projects over a period of five years, a senior official said.

Dubai World Says $14.6bn Restructuring Deal Has Majority Creditor Support

The new restructuring plan involves repaying early an existing $2.92 billion maturity due in 2015.

Marka CEO Says Firm To Turn Profitable In Q4, Looks At New Buys

The chief executive said that Marka was also looking at four asset purchases in the food and beverage sector,

US Preclearance At Abu Dhabi Airport Now Extended To All US-Bound Flights

The facility will now be operational for Etihad’s early morning flights, EY103 to New York JFK and EY183 to San Francisco.

Bahrain Opens Government Debt Sales Through Bourse

The new system is part of efforts by the central bank and the bourse to develop Bahrain’s capital markets and increase their contribution to economic development

Dubai Makes Parent School Contracts Mandatory In Indian, Pakistani Schools

The parent-school contract will cover refund and admission policies, school fees, health, safety provision and transportation.

Dubai’s Damac Shares Surge On Home Market Listing

Damac traded at Dhs3.19, up 14 per cent from its London close last Friday.

Stock News: Gulf Markets May Extend Gain On Strong Q4 Results

Several regional companies published positive fourth-quarter earnings.

UAE Launches New Programme To Change Lifestyles, Targets Health

The National Programme for Government Communication will run for seven years and cover health, education and the environment.

UAE Tops Global Sports Sponsorship Investment In 2014

In 2014, UAE companies, led by Emirates and Etihad, invested $163 million in shirt sponsorship, finds new report.

Venezuela’s Maduro Seeks Support From Saudi Arabia On Oil Prices

Venezuela’s international reserves have deteriorated sharply due to the tumbling oil prices which hit new lows last week below $50 per barrel.

UAE’s Al Jaber Group Confirms CEO Exit

The Abu Dhabi-based group has seen a number of management changes in the last two years.

Saudi Kayan Appoints Sabic Senior Staff Member As Chairman

Omar al-Amoudi, executive vice president of shared services at Sabic and an existing Kayan board member, took over from Mutlaq al-Morished.

Saudi’s Riyad Bank Q4 Net Profit Rises 2.9%

Operating income in the fourth quarter stood at SAR1.995 billion.

Saudi Hollandi Bank Q4 Net Profit Up 33%, Beats Forecasts

The bank cited an increase in operating income, which rose 20 per cent year-on-year, for the profit hike.

GCC Rail Projects To See Investments Worth $200bn

Rail projects across the GCC are expected to fuel intra-regional trade while helping reduce fuel consumption.

Bahrain’s Arcapita Sells $1.4bn Stake In Lusail Golf Development

The investment firm sold the development rights to a plot of land measuring 3.66 million sqm in Qatar’s Lusail City

Buying Property In Dubai May Be Cheaper Than Renting It – Report

Certain locations in the city including International City and The Greens offer cheaper monthly mortgages, finds research.

Oman May Privatise Part Of Refiner ORPIC – Minister

ORPIC runs oil refineries at Sohar and Muscat as well as aromatics and polypropylene production plants at Sohar.

Dubai Investments Says Near Completing Two Buys Worth Dhs400m

One of the purchases will be of a financial entity, with the second acquisition coming in the real estate sector.

Bureaucracy Delaying Qatar Airways Launch In Saudi – CEO

The airline is expecting to begin operations in the Kingdom in the next six to 18 months.

New Private Luxury Villas To Be Developed In Dubai’s World Islands

The series of private island villas will be located within the OQYANA World First development forming the continent of Australasia.

BMW Middle East Sales Up By 23% In 2014

The UAE accounted for 54 per cent of BMW’s sales in the Middle East, followed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.