Dubai Index Rises To 5-Year High; Qatar Gains

The DFM General Index climbed 1.3 per cent to 3,199.88, the highest since October 2008.

ADCB, Emaar Among UAE’s Favourite Stocks

MubasherTrade report forecasts low-to-mid-single digit economic growth rates in the Middle East in 2014.

Damac Launches Tenora Serviced Apartments In Dubai World Central

The 10-storey, 270-unit tower aims to serve professionals working to build the Expo 2020 venue.

Abu Dhabi’s TDIC To Raise $500m Loan To Pay Debt

The five-year facility was obtained from a group of seven banks, said bankers.

Kuwait To Secure $1.4bn Financing For Major Power Project

The Az-Zour North Power and Desalination project is Kuwait’s first public-private partnership.

Expo 2020 Win Will Boost Dubai’s Property Market In 2014 – Developer

Mahdi Amjad, CEO of real estate company Omniyat says impact of the win was felt “from the first minute the results were announced.”

Ethiopian Workers Return From Saudi Arabia Telling of Abuse

Over 100,000 Ethiopians repatriated from Saudi Arabia since the Kingdom began deporting illegal migrants in November.

Etisalat Asks Banks To Wait For Loan Fees

The telecoms firm agreed an $8 billion loan in April to finance its acquisition of a 53 per cent stake in Maroc Telecom.

UAE, Oman Plan To Take On The Caribbean And Become Cruise Destination

Oman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are each investing in building additional cruise terminals.

Kuwait Spy Chief Worried By Turmoil In Iraq

Sheikh Thamer al-Sabah, president of Kuwait’s National Security Bureau, said his relationships with his counterparts in Iraq and Iran needed improvement.

Saudi Religious Leader Condemns Suicide Attacks

Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti condemned suicide bombings as grave crimes.

Al Jazeera Denies Report Its Cairo Office Was Raided

Reports claimed Al Jazeera’s office in the Egyptian capital had been raided and security forces arrested 11 Qatari citizens.

PS4 In The UAE – What You Need To Know

The most powerful gaming console ever goes on sale in the UAE at midnight on Thursday 12 December.

Abu Dhabi Broker ADS To Enter UK In 2014

The firm is also planning to launch an asset management and wealth management business next year.

Dubai Has Strong Potential To Be Global Media Hub

Dubai has the required production infrastructure and services to become a global media hub, says study.

Qatar Refuses To Set Deadline On Workers’ Rights Improvement

Qatar 2022 chief has said that the state is being proactive in improving its human rights record.

UAE Has 37 Billionaires With A Combined Wealth Of $45bn

The country ranks second in the Middle East in terms of both its ultra-high net worth population and overall wealth.

UAE’s TAQA To Cut Abu Dhabi Staff By 16%

The energy company hopes that the staff-cuts will result in a saving of over $20 million in 2014.

Total Inks Deepwater Drilling Deal Offshore Oman

The exploration program is expected to begin with seabed coring in 2014.

Dubai’s Nakheel Makes Dhs218m Sukuk Profit Payment

The developer said it has instructed Deutsche Bank, the registrar and paying agent for the sukuk, to pay the amount to trade creditors.

UK Introduces Electronic Visa Waiver For Emiratis

The document is issued immediately via a secure website and can be obtained online from anywhere in the world.

Kuwait’s Investment Dar Gets A Third Of Creditors To Accept Deal

The sharia-compliant investor defaulted on a $100 million Islamic bond payment in 2009.

Egyptian Forces Arrest Qataris At Al Jazeera’s Cairo Office

Four Qatari police officers were among those arrested, according to a state newspaper.

Dubai’s Model Ambitions

Will Dubai’s massive fashion industry investment propel it to the big league?

Grand Cinemas Appoints New CEO Ahead Of Expansion

The Middle East’s largest cinema group has aggressive plans to expand into Qatar and Bahrain in the coming year.

Dubai World Central, Emaar Launch Mega Project Ahead Of Expo 2020

The lifestyle development, located within DWC, will include a golf course, hotels, retail outlets and a business hub.

10 Christmas Gift Ideas In The UAE

If you are still frantically searching for that elusive “perfect” Christmas gift, Gulf Business offers tips for unique and festive gift options.

Most Overused Word On LinkedIn UAE Is ‘Responsible’

The second and third most popular buzzwords in the UAE were ‘effective’ and ‘strategic’.

Etihad Mulls investment In Alitalia

The Abu Dhabi carrier is expected to decide on whether to buy a stake in the troubled Italian airline “just before Christmas”, a source said.

Marriott Targets Four-Fold Dubai Growth On Expo 2020 Win

Global operator plans to have 10,000 rooms in the city by 2020