Leighton Group In $78mn Hotel Deal

The 206 room, five star property will be located at the Saraya Bandar Jissah complex

Saudi Tadawul CEO Says Looking To Go Public “Soon”

The Kingdom’s stock market saw five initial public offers of shares in 2013 worth around $506 million.

Dubai’s Choithrams Inks Deal With British Retailer Tesco

Tesco frozen, dry grocery, organic food and FMCG products will available during the first stage of the rollout, the retailer said.

Dubai’s Union Properties Q1 Profit Jumps Eightfold

The company’s profits rose on the back of gains from the sale of investment properties.

ADMC To Build Business Hotel in Europe

The six storey property is set for a 2015 completion.

Middle East & Africa Visitors To Grow 11.4% Annually

The Middle East is expected to benefit from the high rate of outbound travel spend by Asian travellers, a study says.

Barwa Real Estate To Sell Project To Qatari Diar For $2bn

The deal is part of an agreement by Barwa to sell assets worth a $7.1 billion to Qatari Diar.

Saudi Group Algosaibi Seeks Truce In Debt Dispute

Saudi Arabian conglomerate Ahmad Hamad Algosaibi & Brothers’ failure in 2009 left debts estimated at more than $7 billion.

Dubai Inn Rolls Out First Phase Of Hotels

The value hotel brand plans to supply over 1,750 new hotel rooms and serviced residences.

Middle East Hotels Face Challenge In Increasing RevPar- Report

Increasing supply is set to intensify the challenge to maintain hotel’s RevPar levels.

Abu Dhabi Firm Signs Deal To Develop $9.7bn Project In Greece

The project includes the redevelopment of the former international airport in Hellenikon, Athens.

Egypt’s Economy Seen Just Meeting 2013/14 Growth Target

The country’s economy is predicted to grow 2.1 per cent this fiscal year, finds poll.

GCC’s Fiscal Surpluses To Shrink As Oil Prices Weaken

Oil prices are set to drop to $106 per barrel in 2014 and $101 next year from around $108 now.

Dubai Will Repay 2015 Debt On Time

State-linked firms are likely to repay obligations ahead of schedule.

IMF Says Dubai May Need To Do More To Avert Property Bubble

IMF official asks Dubai officials to look at stricter measures such as those used in Singapore and Hong Kong to cool property market.

JA Resorts & Hotels Targets Aggressive Expansion In Dubai

The firm is also looking to expand its Indian Ocean portfolio with potential contracts in Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Saudi’s Alkhair Capital Predicts 10% Annual AUM Growth

Alkhair, which has been operating in the Saudi market since 2009, opened an office in the Dubai last month.

Kuwait Renews Crude Oil Contracts With India’s BPCL

BPCL operates a 240,000 bpd Mumbai refinery in western India and a 190,000 bpd Kochi refinery in the south of the country.

Suez Canal Development Tender Winner To Be Announced Next Month

Bidders include Australia’s WorleyParsons, consulting firm McKinsey & Co and Japan’s Oriental Consultants.

Saudi Arabia Eyes “Qualitative” Shift In Economic Development

Economy and Planning Minister targets annual economic growth of five percent in the country’s 2015-19 development plan.

GIH Faces Kuwait Shares Suspension If It Misses AGM Deadline – Watchdog

Ultimatum a sign of the Capital Markets Authority (CMA) tightening its oversight on corporate disclosure norms in the Gulf State’s financial sector.

Saudi Econ Minister Targets 5% Annual Growth

Growth expected as a result of the country’s next five-year development plan.

Iraq Says Mobile Operators Can Launch 3G Services

Decision reverses an earlier plan to hold a multimillion dollar auction.

King Abdullah Economic City Halts Financial District Plans

Concerns that the KAEC Financial District would not be competitive have halted development.

GCC Needs To Be Educated About Cruise Holidays – Operators

The need to educate Gulf vacationers is rising as the region is growing to be a source market for cruise tourists.

Turkish Airlines Records Over 25% Passenger Growth In 2013

The airline received 48.3 million passengers in 2013.

Qatar Airways To Receive Its First A380 By Early June

Delivery coincides with the Doha-based carrier shifting its operations to Hamad International Airport

Emirates Spent Dhs20bn On Marketing In Last 20 Years – Official

The airline has allocated up to three per cent of its revenue on marketing and promotion, says senior executive.

Saudi Arabia Mulls Lifting Visa Restrictions

Saudi tourism president says the Kingdom will consider changing its policies as systems, airports and the country’s security network improves.

Dubai’s Economy To Grow Around 5% In 2014, Same As 2013

Dubai accounts for a quarter of output of the UAE’s economy.