Dubai’s Ruler Approves Dhs2bn Creek Front Project

The project will include a floating market, hotels, restaurants, art galleries and shops for Emirati handicrafts.

UAE’s Etisalat Completes $5.7bn Maroc Tel Stake Buy From Vivendi

Etisalat has bought into Maroc Telecom through a separate legal entity, Etisalat International North Africa (EINA).

Many UAE Banks Mulling Use Of Emirates ID As ATM Cards- Official

The EIA official did not rule out the possibility of an extra charge being levied if the banks started using the Emirates Identity Cards for financial transactions.

Oman’s Bank Sohar To issue $182m Capital-Boosting Convertible Bond

The issue, which will be done as a private placement, will help boost the bank’s core capital.

Dubai’s ICD Tightens Price Guidance Ahead Of $1bn Debut Bond

Investor orders worth around $2 billion have been placed so far, a document from lead arrangers said.

US Woos High-Spending GCC Visitors

There has been a marked increase in the number of direct air connections between the two regions in the last year.

Omniyat Unveils ‘ME by Melia’ Hotel Designed By Zaha Hadid In Dubai

The hotel is part of the developer’s Dhs2.5 billion Opus project, located in the Burj Khalifa district in Dubai.

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA Q1 Net Profit Jumps 158%

The firm made a profit of Dhs274 million ($74.6 million) in the three months to March 31.

Saudi Arabia Needs To Spend $213bn On Water, Power In Next Decade

Saudi Arabia’s peak power demand during summer is approaching the total installed capacity of around 60,000 MW, a senior official said.

UAE Declares Holiday For Private and Public Sectors On May 25

Work will resume for both private and public sector workers on May 26, officials said.

Qatar’s Ooredoo Signs Islamic Loans Worth $498m

The company has agreed one-year murabahas – a sharia-compliant cost-plus-profit arrangement -with Qatar Islamic Bank, Masraf Al-Rayyan and Barwa Bank.

Bahrain Has No Date For Planned Diesel Subsidy Phase-Out

Officials had previously said that they would gradually raise the domestic selling price for diesel fuel, almost doubling it by 2017.

Emirates Says Interested In Buying Lufthansa Catering Business

Lufthansa, Europe’s largest airline by revenue, had put LSG Sky Chefs up for sale in 2012 but then abandoned the plans.

Saudi’s SABIC Sees Oil-To-Chemicals Plant Start-Up By 2020

The industrial complex is expected to help provide around 100,000 direct and indirect jobs for Saudis.

Saudi Foreign Minister Says Has Invited Iranian Counterpart To Visit

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has visited most of Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the UAE since the nuclear pact.

Lady Gaga Dubai Concert Censored To Respect Culture

Lady Gaga’s concert in Dubai is set for September 10.

Dubai Municipality, Emaar Plan Mega Beachfront Project In Dubai’s Al Mamzar

The mixed-use development is being planned around the 53-hectare Al Mamzar Lake.

WHO Meets Global Experts Over MERS Scare

Meeting will be held to discuss whether to elevate the status of the virus.

Kuwait Signs $3bn LNG Supply Deal With BP

Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) signed a $12 billion LNG supply deal with Royal Dutch Shell on Sunday.

Etihad Makes Shift To Qatar’s New Hamad Airport

The Abu Dhabi carrier flies four times daily to Qatari capital Doha.

University Of Dubai, IBM Partner To Set Up Smarter Cities Institute In Dubai

The institute will focus on skills development and research capabilities as Dubai targets becoming a ‘Smart City’.

Dubai Fund ICD Plans Sukuk, Bond Offering As Early As Wednesday

The fund aims to issue an Islamic bond with a six year lifespan and a conventional bond offering of 10 years duration.

Air Arabia Records Dhs75m Q1 Net Profit, Up 27%

The Sharjah-based low cost carrier recorded a 12 per cent rise in passenger traffic.

Dubai To Become ‘Open Air Gallery’ Under New Initiative

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed launched the first project under the emirate’s Brand Dubai initiative.

Damac Real Estate Q1 Net Profit Up 79% On Dubai Growth

The developer said that booked sales more than doubled year-on-year to $864 million in the first quarter.

UAE Outperforms Emerging Markets Driven By Non-Oil Sector Growth

The country’s manufacturing and hospitality sector have seen immense growth

Abu Dhabi’s Waha Capital Q1 Profit Jumps 78%

Waha Capital’s net profit in the three months to end-March rose to Dhs152 million($41.4 million).

Dubai Hotel Chiefs Dismiss Over Supply Fears Post Expo 2020

Although over supply fears are uncalled for, average Dubai room rates need to decrease, industry experts say.

Kuwait Minister Accused By US Of Terrorism Funding Quits – Report

The resignation comes after a senior US official allegedly claimed that Nayef al-Ajmi had “a history of promoting jihad in Syria”.

Jeddah Economic Co To Raise Funds For Kingdom City Super Tower Project

Kingdom City in Jeddah will also include mixed-use residential and commercial developments, the chief executive said.