Policemen Injured By Bomb On Highway In Bahrain

Bahrain has experienced unrest over the past three years by majority Shi’ite Muslims demanding political reform.

Qatar Regulator Reprimands RBS For Insufficient Staff Training

Qatar Financial Centre said it has accepted an enforceable undertaking from RBS to establish a “remedial action plan.”

Etihad-Air Serbia Deal Gets Regulator’s Nod

Etihad’s chief executive confirmed that the initial loan of $40 billion to Air Serbia will be converted to equity.

Kempinski Checks Out Of Bahrain Mall

Majid Al Futtaim plans to introduce a brace of brands in the two towers which connect with the shopping centre

Obama Aims To Soothe Saudi Fears With Riyadh Visit

Washington’s preliminary nuclear deal with Iran last year caused tensions between the US and Saudi.

Nakheel Announces Two New Shopping Malls In Jumeirah Village

A one million sq ft mall in Jumeirah Village Triangle will feature a 15-screen cinema, a hypermarket and entertainment options.

Saudi’s Labour Reforms Push 50% Of Contractors Out Of Business

Labour shortage has led to a surge in wages, making it unsustainable for small and medium firms to survive in the market.

Deutsche Bahn Joins Etihad Rail In UAE Railway Venture

The JV, Etihad Rail DB, will manage operations for the first stage of the railway.

Saudi Arabia Hanco Consortium Buys Rental Firm Byrne

Saudi Arabia’s Hanco and Bahrain’s Venture Capital Bank bought Byrne for around Dhs600 million.

Exclusive: Founder Of Islamic Cartoon ‘THE 99’ Denies Knowledge Of Saudi Ban

Reports claimed that a Saudi religious body issued a fatwa banning the popular cartoon series.

Egypt’s Naeem Holding To Cross-List On Abu Dhabi Exchange

The company has given no details of the timing or size of the listing.

Dubai International Handles 5.6 Million Passengers In February

Dubai on track to overtake London Heathrow as the world’s premier international passenger airport by 2015

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA Projects Capex Of $2-2.5bn In 2014

TAQA’s chief executive told media that the firm’s capex will be “a little less than in 2013”.

Dubai Aims To Attract 500,000 Medical Tourists By 2020

Dubai’s medical tourism strategy will be carried out in phases with the first stage lasting till 2016 and the second till 2020.

UAE May Soon Approve New Companies Law, Minister Says

The new law contains articles seeking to make limited liability and joint stock companies simpler to manage and more attractive to investors.

Saudi Arabia Approves New Fund To Invest In Manufacturing

The new Saudi Arabian Company for Industrial Investment will have capital of SAR2 billion.

Dubai’s Ithmar Eyes Dhs1bn Of Gulf PE Deals

The company is looking at deals in healthcare and education.

Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Barley Reserves At Four Million Tonnes

The country imported 10.65 million tonnes of barley in 2013.

Millennium To Open 11 Hotels Across The Gulf In 18 Months

The hotel chain is focussing on Saudi Arabia and the UAE with four hotels apiece.

Dubai Lender Amlak’s Bourse Suspension To Be Lifted

Trading in shares of Amlak was suspended in November 2008 as credit markets dried up.

Dubai-Based Souq.com Raises $75m Funding From Naspers

The e-commerce site will invest the amount in boosting technology and improving its mobile offering.

First Gulf Bank Names ANZ, HSBC, Nomura For Debut 5-Yr Kangaroo

The five-year deal will be only the fourth Kangaroo transaction from a Middle Eastern bank.

Kuwait’s Agility 2013 Profit Rises 37%

Net profit in 2013 was 46.2 million dinars ($164.1 million) compared to 33.7 million dinars a year earlier.

Bahrain’s Khaleeji Commercial, Bank Al Khair Drop Merger Plans

The non-agreement on the structure and the valuation of the deal were the primary reasons to call off the merger, a statement said.

Saudi Market Recovers, Hits Five-Year High

The Saudi index, which includes several large petrochemical companies, eased throughout last week as oil prices retreated.

Qatar Airways Launching Djibouti Flights

Doha carrier looks to capitalise on Djibouti’s rising commercial profile

Christie’s Watch Auction In Dubai Nets Over $3m

A Patek Philippe men’s wristwatch, set with 42 emeralds, fetched the highest price at $341,000.

Qatar Toughens Penalties For Hiring Runaway Workers

Companies hiring illegal workers will be subject to a recruitment ban lasting two years and will be blacklisted as per new rules.

New Affordable Nokia X With Android Apps Launches In The UAE

Priced at Dhs439, the device is part of the new Nokia X family of affordable smartphones.

Emirates To Drop Clark International In The Philippines

Dubai carrier makes unusual move and decides to drop new route