Dubai School Operator GEMS Plans To Raise $500m From Stake Sale

The education firm has admitted it is seeking to sell a 20 per cent stake to investors.

UAE Insurance Sector Set To Grow 10% This Year

Total premiums underwritten in 2012 were Dhs26.8 billion, up 9.5 per cent over the previous year.

First Gulf Bank May Bid For Barclays’ UAE Retail Arm – CEO

British lender Barclays decided to sell its retail banking business following a strategic review of UAE operations.

Damac Awards $94m Contract To Saudi Binladin Group

The contract has been awarded for the Damac Esclusiva Luxury Serviced Apartments tower in Riyadh.

Almost 50% Of UAE Residents See Drop In Savings Over Last Six Months

Many residents also expect their personal finances to reduce or remain unchanged in the next six months, finds survey.

Lindner Depa Files $250m Claim Against New Doha Airport

The counter claim by airport interior contractor LDI accuses the New Doha International Airport of wrongfully terminating its contract.

Abu Dhabi Airport Partners With Al Ain Football Club

Under the agreement, the Abu Dhabi Airports logo will feature on Al Ain FC club kits.

Prince Alwaleed To Retain Twitter Stake, Sees IPO By Early 2014

The Saudi billionaire invested $300 million in the social media giant in late 2011.

Emaar Launches Sale Of The Address Residence In Dubai

The new property includes fully furnished serviced residences in Downtown Dubai.

Sofitel Jeddah Opening In 2014

Luxury hotel on the Corniche will seek to draw in business and leisure travellers

Siemens Wins $240m Kuwait Petroleum Contract

The company has been awarded a turnkey contract by Kuwait National Petroleum (KNPC) to supply two high-voltage substations.

Wealthy Individuals To Be Main Buyers Of Zain Iraq IPO – CFO

The telecoms operator is looking to raise more than $1 billion through its IPO next year.

Emal’s Phase II To Create 1,000 Jobs

Emal will ramp up aluminium production upon completion of its phase II expansion.

UAE Banks’ Exposure To Government Highest Since 1970s

The UAE’s banking sector has extended $42 billion in credit to the government and GREs since the 2008 crisis, says BofA.

Saudi PetroRabigh Says Complex Back Online After Power Cut

A power outage on Wednesday forced the complex to shut operations.

Bahrain’s Investcorp Acquires 25% Stake In ‘Fitness Time’ Operator

Investcorp buys stake in Saudi-based Leejam, a health and fitness club company that operates the Fitness Time brand.

Update: Shares In Dubai’s Union Properties Surge After Trade Resumes

Trading was briefly halted after the developer failed to disclose the results of a board meeting.

Sheikh Mohammed’s New Book Highlights Leadership Strategies

Sheikh Mohammed’s latest book, Flashes of Thought, talks about time management, positive thinking and creativity.

Anantara Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa Opens Today

Luxury resort will be predominantly targeting well-heeled leisure guests although a ballroom and six meeting rooms are available

Serbia Seeks To Borrow Up To $3 Billion From UAE – Official

The money will be used to repay “the most difficult debts” and regurgitate the economy, said Serbia’s deputy prime minister.

Occidental Seeks Buyers For Stake In Middle East Unit

Sources say the company could sell 30 per cent to 40 per cent of its Middle East business unit.

US, Russia Agree On Syria Weapons, Obama Says Force Still Option

The accord demands that Syrian President President Bashar al-Assad account for his secret stockpile within a week.

SocGen Avoiding Goldman Missteps With $300m Sukuk Plan

Goldman Sachs tried to follow HSBC in late 2011 with a $2 billion sukuk programme, but Islamic scholars and analysts questioned whether the bank was obeying religious principles.

UAE “Does Not Have To Provide Citizenships”

While global trends are indicative of more countries offering citizenships, the UAE is not dependant on citizenships to attract investment.

Ex-Barclays Team Plans London-Based Islamic Asset Firm

Arabesque is due to open to investors in the first quarter of 2014 and will focus on value-based investment strategies.

Saudi Khodari Sees Labour Fee Impact Continuing

In 2012 the Labour Ministry began charging companies a fee of 2,400 riyals for each foreign worker they employed above their number of Saudi staff.

Wasl Properties Announces 90 Villas For Jumeirah

Construction of the project will use green initiatives and eco-friendly systems.

Saudi Arabia “Capable For Meeting Any Demand”

Saudi Arabia produced record high volumes of crude in August as it boosted output for the second time in two years.

Kuwait To Transfer $2bn Aid To Egypt

Kuwait’s state news agency said the package would comprise a $2 billion central bank deposit, a $1 billion grant and $1 billion in oil products.

Oman-Iran Gas Pipe Unlikely Within 2 Years

Oman has been agreeing to buy gas from Iran as far back as 2005 but the two sides have never finalised terms.