Qatar’s Katara Hospitality Inks Deal With Starwood To Operate Milan Hotel

Katara-owned Excelsior Hotel Gallia will be a part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection portfolio, making it the brand’s seventh hotel in Italy.

Emirates Launches Fifth Daily Flight To Singapore

The Asian country has become an important gateway hub for the Dubai-based carrier.

Aldar Sees Project Completions Driving Revenue Growth

Aldar launched three new developments worth Dhs5 billion last month and said it was exploring 23 property projects.

UAE Retirement Age On Global Par At 60 – Report

Women working in the country’s public sector can retire earlier at 55, finds new Mercer report.

Saudi’s Naimi: No Plans To Reduce Output Despite Rising Exports From Iraq, Others

Saudi Arabia’s oil minister also said that total global oil demand was steady.

Slow Q1 Growth In Dubai’s Property Prices, But Rents Continue To Boom

Implementation of the federal mortgage cap seems to be most effective in cooling prices, real estate consultancy Cluttons says.

Abu Dhabi’s Ruwais Refinery To Be Commissioned By End Of Year

The expansion is planned to more than double the capacity of Ruwais refinery from 415,000 barrels a day (bpd).

Dubai Agrees $1.7bn Sale Of German Packaging Firm Mauser

Mauser was put up for sale earlier this year, having been bought by DIC from JP Morgan’s buyout unit in 2007, in a deal which valued the firm at 850 million euros.

Dubai Bourse Changes Trading Session Structure Ahead Of MSCI Upgrade

The move is expected to make closing prices more predictable and eliminate large last-minute swings, the bourse said.

Abu Dhabi’s Union National Bank Q1 Net Profit Rises 3.5%

The bank made a profit of Dhs512.1 million ($139.4 million) in the quarter, up from Dhs494.9 million a year earlier.

Dubai Contractor Drake & Scull Posts 27.1% Q1 Net Profit Drop

The firm made a net profit of Dhs45.7 million ($12.4 million) in the first three months of 2014.

UAE’s Aldar Q1 Net Triples On Handovers And Sales

The developer’s profit rose to Dhs453.4 million ($123.4 million) in the first quarter from Dhs154.3 million in the same period of 2013.

Kuwait Signs $12bn LNG Supply Deal With Shell

Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC) also plans to sign a $3 billion deal LNG supply deal with BP, a senior executive said.

Kuwait’s Burgan Bank Q1 Net Profit Up 10%

Burgan made a net profit of KD17.1 million ($60.8 million) in the three months to the end of March.

Omani Power Firms Set To Double Profits After Share Offer

The two firms’ owners aim to raise a combined $163 million through the sale of 35 per cent of each company.

Qatar Airways Moves To The New Hamad International Airport

The facility will become the new home for the national carrier of the state of Qatar.

UAE’s Just Falafel To Open 57 New Outlets In Europe

The stores, located in Europe’s Benelux region, will be operated by Wadi Degla Holding.

UAE Annual Housing Allowances Range Between $20,000 And $53,000 – Survey

Housing allowance currently stands at around 25 per cent of basic pay across most GCC countries.

Kuwait’s Americana Q1 Profit Rises 10.4%

The company, a franchise operator of restaurants including KFC and Pizza Hut, made $64.4 million in the first three months of 2014.

UAE’s Julphar Sees 19% Growth In Q1 Sales Revenues

The company’s gross profit rose almost 18 per cent to reach Dhs237.1 million in first quarter of 2014.

Abu Dhabi Targets Chinese Tourists Post Nu Skin Event

The emirate is organising a roadshow across Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

Saudi Arabia Warns Of MERS Virus Risk From Camels

More than a quarter of the 480 diagnosed with MERS in Saudi Arabia have died.

Egypt To Get More Than $3bn In Free Fuel From Saudi By August

Egypt’s government said last week that gifted fuel from Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, totalled $6 billion.

Qatar Bourse Says To List First Exchange-Traded Funds

The launch of the two funds will follow MSCI’s upgrade of Qatar to emerging market status later this month.

Dubai’s Nakheel Partners With UK’s Premier Inn For Ibn Battuta Hotel

The 372-room hotel at Ibn Battuta Mall is scheduled to open in 2016.

Dubai’s Shuaa Capital Swings To Q1 Profit

Shuaa made a profit of Dhs8.2 million ($2.23 million) in the three months to March 31, according to a bourse statement.

Etihad Rail Signs MoU With Saudi Railways Company

The agreement is expected to allow for greater collaboration ahead of the GCC Rail project.

Dhs500m Sharjah Project Set for 2017 Completion

Located 65km off the UAE coastline the island will be home to hotel apartments, villas, and a luxury five-star hotel

Dubai’s RTA Awards Dhs384m Deal For Phase II Of Water Canal Project

The second phase of the project is scheduled to be completed by 2016, RTA chairman Mattar Al Tayer said.

National Bank Of Oman Appoints New Chief Executive Officer

Ahmed al-Musalmi, who has served as deputy chief executive officer for the bank since 2011, succeeds Salaam al-Shaksy.