Saudi Telco Mobily Q3 Net Profit Plunges 71%

The firm took extra provisions of SAR207 million for bad debts, slow-moving inventory and goodwill impairments on its investments.

Sheikh Mohammed Launches National Innovation Committee In UAE

The new committee will oversee the UAE’s aim to feature among the most innovative nations in the world by 2021.

Bahrain Fund Mumtalakat Sets Up $1bn Bond, Sukuk Programmes

Proceeds from the multi-currency programmes would be used predominantly to refinance upcoming maturities.

Saudi Bank NCB’s $6bn IPO 16 times Subscribed On Retail Side

The retail portion comprises 15 per cent of its stock, amounting to 300 million shares.

Bahrain Releases Prominent Activist Rajab, Next Hearing Jan. 20

Nabeel Rajab, the founder of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, is one of the most high-profile democracy campaigners in the region.

UAE Lender NBAD Names Former Barclays Veteran As Retail Banking Head

Suvrat Saigal, previously head of consumer banking at Barclays in India, takes over from George Beatty, who resigned in January.

Former Emirates NBD CEO Launches Online SME Lending Platform In UAE

Called Beehive, the marketplace claims to be the region’s first peer-to-peer (P2P) online lending platform.

Kuwait’s Burgan Bank Swings To Q3 Profit, Misses Forecasts

The bank said net profit was KD15.35 million ($52.96 million) for the third quarter of 2014, compared to a KD10.31 million loss in the same period a year ago.

Wolfgang Puck Opening At Al Maktoum International, Four Seasons Bahrain

In-demand chef plans to launch new Asian and Bar & Grill concepts next year

Drake & Scull Wins Dhs172m Contract For District Cooling Plant In Abu Dhabi

Work on the plant has already begun and is scheduled to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2015, the company said.

Dubai’s Private Healthcare Sector Will Need $1.5bn Investment By 2020- Study

A booming population, growing prevalence of lifestyle diseases and mandatory health insurance policies are fuelling the growth of private sector firms in the emirate’s healthcare industry.

Dubai’s Nakheel To Lease 5,000 Shops At Deira Islands Night Souk

The 1.9 km Night Souq, coming up on the south island, will be within walking distance of hotels, residences and the Deira Islands Mall.

Stock News: Gulf Markets Rise Sharply In Response To Global Cues

Although the long-term outlook for oil prices remains uncertain, Brent crude has stabilised around $85 a barrel in recent days.

Apple’s iPhone 5s, iPhone 5 Named UAE’s Most Popular Smartphones In Q2 2014

The iPhone 5s also registered the largest increase in its market share during the second quarter, the UAE’s telecom regulator said in its quarterly report.

Dubai’s Tecom Reveals Details Of Dhs4.5bn Investment, To Launch Innovation Hub

The freezone operator also plans to launch a start-up fund by the second quarter of 2015.

UAE Lender ADCB To Open Singapore Office

ADCB launched a representative office in London five months ago, and has two branches in India.

Strong Dubai, Weak Oil Demand Puts Saudi Arabia In Dilemma

The Kindgom is expected to raise the December prices for most of the crude grades it sells to Asia.

Egypt Signs $350m Oil, Power Financing Deals With Saudi

The total value of Saudi oil aid since July 2013 has amounted to about $5 billion.

US Probing Standard Chartered Over Dubai Banking

Authorities are investigating possible violations connected to the lender banking for Iranian-controlled entities in Dubai.

Saudi Arabia’s Sedco Capital Eyes More European Investments

The Islamic investment firm will also distribute its Luxembourg fund range via two European investment firms.

Dubai Court Orders Bank Sarasin To Pay $10.45m To Kuwaiti Investors

The financial institution and its ME unit were found to have mis-sold $200 million of investment products, a Dubai court ruled.

Saudi Bank NCB Set To Defy Global Slowdown With $6bn Flotation

NCB is offering 300 million shares to Saudi individuals and 200 million shares to the state-run Public Pension Agency.

Funds Positive On Gulf Equity Markets Despite Oil Price Slide

Survey finds 47 per cent of fund managers intend to raise their overall equity allocation to the Middle East in the next three months.

Qatar Budget Spending Falls 6.6% In Fiscal Q1, Revenue Hits Record

The central bank did not give a reason for the drop in spending, but work on some large infrastructure projects has been slowed.

Emaar Malls Group Q3 Net Profit Rises 55%

The retail and malls unit of Dubai’s largest developer made a quarterly profit of Dhs321.18 million.

Etihad Boosts India Network With Additional Flights To Mumbai, Delhi

Triple daily services will begin to Mumbai on February 15, and to New Delhi on May 1, 2015.

Sharjah Rents Up Around 18% In Q3 As Dubai’s Rental Growth Slows

The rents across Sharjah rose two per cent quarter-on-quarter during the third quarter, a new report says.

Saudi Arabia Finds Six New MERS Cases As Outbreak Grows

The recent surge in cases, now numbering 32 since the start of October, has been focused in Riyadh and the western city of Taif, authorities said.

Bahrain’s Investcorp, Mumtalakat Buy U.S. Workforce Services Firm PRO Unlimited

Investcorp did not reveal the deal value in the statement but said that the new investment will allow it to expand its business.

Saudi Telco Mobily Says Audit Committee Meeting Over Results, Shares Halted

The suspension was requested because its audit committee was meeting to consider “significant matters relating to its financial statements”, a statement said.