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Exclusive Interview: Jon Williams, MD, Al-Futtaim Motors

Al-Futtaim Motors has been the regional partner of Toyota vehicles for almost 60 years with the Toyota Camry almost exclusively used by Dubai’s taxi fleets.

Veteran Gulf Banker Plans Investment Bank In Dubai

Emad Mansour was recently the chief executive of Doha-based Qatar First Bank.

TAQA In $240m Deal To Sell Dutch Pipeline Stake

The sale of the stake in Noordgastransport B.V. (NGT) to pension fund PensionDanmark A/S is expected to close in 2013.

Wizz Air Offers Dubai Passengers Priority Boarding

The service costs an additional €10 per flight on services to Kiev, Sofia, Budapest and Bucharest.

Etisalat In $400m Loan Tussle With Stan Chart, Citigroup

Standard Chartered has around $300 million exposure on the loan, while Citi has the rest.

Dubai Receives 7.9 Million Visitors In 9 Months

Saudi Arabia continued to be Dubai’s primary source market, recording a 31.6 per cent rise in visitor numbers.

Cobone Rebrands Its Travel Arm As Triperna

Cobone is looking to tap into the Gulf’s booming online travel industry by offering greater features.

Accor Opens Fifth Novotel In UAE

The 466-room property will target ‘new Dubai’ businesses as well as value-seeking business travelers.

Aldar Properties Nearly Doubles Q3 Profit

The Abu Dhabi builder made a profit of Dhs407.5 million compared with Dhs205.7 million in the corresponding period of 2012.

Emirates Investment Bank Reports 111% Q3 Profit Rise

The bank also reported a year to date net profit rise of 33 per cent on the same nine-month period last year.

Dubai Airshow Preview

Set in the new Al Maktoum International Airport, Dubai’s Airshow is set to be bigger than ever.

Flydubai Secures $228m Loan To Finance Six Jets

The financing is for six Boeing 737-800 aircraft three of which are scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 2014.

Arabtec Wins Dhs1.8bn Tower Contract In Dubai

The new tower, rising 369.1 metres, will be one of Dubai’s top ten tallest buildings.

Dubai’s The Entertainer Launches Mobile App

The Entertainer has been on a major expansion drive following investment by Abraaj Capital.

Dubai H1 GDP Growth Accelerates To 4.9%

Dubai’s real estate market has been rebounding from its crash while the hotel and restaurants sector grew 13.7 per cent in the first half of the year.

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA Swings To Q3 Profit

The energy firm reported a net profit of 146 million dirhams for Q3, compared with a loss of Dhs288 million in the corresponding period of 2012.

Drake & Scull’s Q3 Profit Misses Forecasts

The Dubai company reported a net profit of Dhs23.8 million for Q3, compared with a profit of Dhs3.9 million in the corresponding quarter in 2012.

UAE Begins Trial Of Egyptians, Emiratis Over Brotherhood Ties

Twenty Egyptians and 10 Emiratis are charged with setting up an illegal branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in the UAE.

Canada Backs Dubai’s Expo 2020 Bid

Canada is the latest addition to Dubai’s growing list of supporters for its Expo bid.

Emirates Starts Sialkot Services

Dubai carrier is eyeing a wide range of export opportunities.

Etisalat Buys 53% Stake In Maroc Tel For $5.67bn

Etisalat will pay Vivendi 3.9 billion euros for the stake, plus a further 300 million euros in 2012 dividends from Maroc Telecom

Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers Opens

Swiss operator’s sixth Dubai property is an “unpretentious” addition to the New Dubai scene.

Abu Dhabi Property Prices Rise 5% In Q3

Abu Dhabi’s property prices have risen throughout the year as rents have stabilised due to continued demand.

UAE Oct Business Activity Growth Slows From 29-Mth High

UAE firms saw output growth fall to 56.4 points in October from 57.9 in September, which was the strongest level in the survey’s history.

Fairmont The Palm Opens Art Suite

Rotated on a quarterly basis, the suite will be home to works selected by Showcase Gallery.

Dubai Motor Show Begins – New Supercars Unveiled

More than 600 vehicles will be on show with an expected attendance of over 100,000 visitors.

Dubai Financial Market Swings To Q3 Profit

DFM made a net profit of Dhs82.8 million in the three months to September 30, compared with a net loss of Dhs1.7 million in the same period in 2012.

Dubai’s Online Real Estate Portal To Increase Transparency

The new portal will provide information on real estate and support stakeholders across the industry.

UAE Ranks 8th In The World For Buying Global Property

A new report shows investors from the Emirates favour London, Paris and Geneva for overseas property.

UAE Banks To Get 5 Years To Obey Exposure Rules

The UAE central bank plans to restrict the amount of exposure banks can have to the debt of government-related entities.