Qatar’s Katara Hospitality Goes On InterCon Buying Spree

Qatar company teams up with IHG for first time and will invest in key European hotels to bring them back to their full glory

Oman Ruler Suspends Decision To Scrap Price Controls After Public Uproar

Under new rules announced last week, retailers and traders no longer needed to ask the government for permission to raise prices.

Egypt-Saudi Company To Invest $245m In Housing Units

Egyptian state news agency MENA said Saudi would inject $124 million dollars into the Saudi Egyptian Construction Company (SECON).

Google Plans TVs, Cars And Watches Beyond Smartphones

Google’s free Android software runs on more than three out of every four smartphones sold globally.

Kerry To Visit Saudi Arabia On Friday To Discuss Iraq and Syria

The U.S. Secretary of State will most likely meet the Saudi monarch in Jeddah.

Oman’s Electricity Holding Co Picks Advisers, Plans $2.1bn Fundraising

The firm plans to raise the amount from a loan or bond issue by the middle of next year.

Middle East Sovereigns Eye Emerging Markets For New Capital Inflow

Sovereign investors in the Middle East continue to favour alternative investments with allocations increasing across real estate and private equity.

Saudi’s Yansab Hikes Dividend For H1 2014

The figure is an increase on the SAR1.0 per share which the company paid out for the corresponding period of last year.

Samena Capital To Invest In Two Middle East Deals Post RAK Ceramics Buy

The investment firm is looking at six deals in total in the Middle East, out of which it expects to close two of them soon.

Etihad Agrees On Principal Terms To Buy 49% Of Alitalia

The two carriers have been in talks since December, but a deal has so far been elusive.

BlackBerry’s Affordable Z3 Smartphone To Launch In UAE In July

The phone, BlackBerry’s new android app-compatible model, will be priced at Dhs899.

Dubai’s Emirates Airline Suspends Flights To Peshawar

Flights are suspended until further notice and passengers will be rebooked on alternative Emirates flights, the airline said.

Oman Fund Held Talks With Bulgaria About Corpbank Rescue

The central bank seized control of Corpbank, in which Oman fund holds a share, after a run on the lender.

Nakheel Chairman: No Immediate Plans To Restart Palm Jebel Ali

The developer will announce new “big” projects later this year, confirmed Ali Rashid Lootah.

Emirates Global Aluminium Project Clears Guinea Hurdle

The adoption of the amendments clears the path for the project, which was initially delayed due to lack of funds following the financial crisis.

Dhs14,750 Antares Smartphone Launches in UAE

The luxury device from Tonini Lamborghini will be available across 10 Dubai stores from tomorrow.

Bahrain Opposition Leader Cleared Of Terrorism Charges

Khalil al-Marzouq, deputy leader of the al-Wefaq party, was charged with inciting terrorism.

Nakheel To Repay $1.5bn Debt By August, Four Years Ahead of Schedule

The repayments will be funded from Nakheel’s own resources rather than support from the Dubai government.

Saudi Zain Signs $1.2bn Supply Deals To Upgrade Network

The deal parties are Huawei, Nokia, NEC Corporation, Cisco Systems and Alcatel Lucent.

GEMS Education Appoints New Group CEO

The appointment comes as the group looks to build six more schools in the region.

Dubai Rebounds As Arabtec Slide Slows

Trading is active, suggesting the market’s tumble this week is viewed by some investors as a buying opportunity.

Different Arab money

Saudi’s Alhokair Completes SAR500m Debut Sukuk Issue

Alhokair did not give the pricing of the sukuk, which was sold in a private placement to investors in Saudi Arabia.

Dubai’s Arabtec Says Restructuring Won’t Hurt Projects

Arabtec’s shares, the most heavily traded in Dubai, plunged 53 per cent this month, dragging down the entire market.

Dubai’s Ruler Approves Expansion Of Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Under the plan, an ultra-luxury 350-room resort will be added to the existing Jumeirah Beach Hotel.

Saudi Bourse Posts 37% Drop In 2013 Profit

It attributed the decline in earnings to lower revenues from reduced average daily trading volumes.

Does Everyone Need a Financial Advisor?

Edward Mainwaring-Burton, senior financial planner at wealth management firm Acuma, explains why accepting financial advice is not unlike regular checkups at the dentist.

Qatari Owned Peninsula Paris Hotel Set For August Launch

The Peninsula Paris will be Qatari company Katara Hospitality’s 14th operational hotel.

OPEC Secretary General Says No Shortage Of Oil

Currently, the market is well-supplied and prices above $114 a barrel are the result of market nervousness, OPEC Secretary General Abdullah al-Badri said.

UAE’s Camel Chocolate Brand Al Nassma Partners With Global Duty Free Retailer

The company’s camel milk chocolates will be sold across all major duty free outlets through its listing with Gebr. Heinemann.

Hasan Ismaik Resigns As Chairman Of Dubai Interiors Firm Depa

Ismaik said he had left Depa to focus on his personal business.