Abu Dhabi’s Aldar Properties To Build 2,300 National Housing Units

The projects have a total developmental value of Dhs5.7 billion and are being fully funded by the Abu Dhabi government.

Saudi Retailer Alhokair Eyes US, UK Buys; Plans Debut Sukuk

Alhokair completed the purchase of Spanish clothing brand Blanco last month for 11 million euros.

Bahrain’s GFH To Start $3bn Tunisia Project

The financial park and real estate project had been suspended for five years.

Abu Dhabi Opens 17th Century-Style Hotel

The opulent hotel has four 71sqm Rose Suites on the 15th and 16th floor

REVEALED: Top 10 Salaries In Qatar

Qatar maintained its position as the GCC’s second highest paying nation in the 2014 Gulf Business Salary survey.

UAE’s Retail Sector To Grow 33% By 2015

Dubai’s retail industry is one of the most lucrative sectors for foreign investment, according to a new report.

Qatar’s Doha Insurance To Launch $120m Rights Issue March 17

Doha Insurance has said the capital boost would increase financial solvency and improve its credit rating.

Al Hamra Unveils $164m Falcon Island Development In RAK

Falcon Island will cater to the luxury market outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Strong Demand Spurs Emaar To Launch Second Phase Of MBR City Project

The Dubai developer will launch for sale the second phase of luxury residences at Mulberry at Park Heights.

Qatar-Backed Bloc Says To Rejoin Syrian Opposition Coalition

The 40-member bloc, which quit the 120-member coalition, said it had returned to confront what it saw as its unfair exclusion from decision-making.

Bahrain Says Foreign “Terrorists” Behind Blast That Killed Three Police

Bahrain, which has been seeing clashes between Shia and Sunni sects, accused Shi’ite Iran on Thursday of fomenting bloodshed in the kingdom.

New CEO Of Kuwait’s NBK Backs Bank’s Regional Strategy

NBK’s Islamic banking business has helped to boost profits, the executive said.

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority Launches Dhs1.1bn Smart City Project

The project in Dubai will span an area of 150,000 square metres.

Emirates Starts Daily Boston Flights

The east coast city becomes the eighth destination in the carrier’s US network

UAE’s Arabtec Agrees $40 billion Housing Project With Egypt Army

The project will cover 160 million square meters across 13 sites in Egypt for lower income individuals, a statement said.

Qatar’s Barwa Bank Names Subeai As Acting CEO

Khalid Yousef al-Subeai was previously CEO of The First Investor, Barwa’s wholly-owned investment banking unit.

Dubai 2013 Trade Growth Slows But Iran Business Stabilises

The non-oil foreign trade of Dubai rose to Dhs1.329 trillion ($362 billion) in 2013, data from Dubai Customs revealed.

Oman Court Jails Businessman To 15 Years Over Bribes

Mohammed Ali was previously sentenced to three years in jail in January over bribes made to Petroleum Development Oman.

Qatar May Face Higher Costs Of Hiring Foreign Workers – IMF

The publicity about deaths of migrant construction workers in Qatar could affect the availability and cost of hiring new workers, said the fund.

Apple’s iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S3 Remain UAE’s Popular Smartphones

The number of smartphones registered on the UAE’s networks rose by 10 per cent last year, according to official figures.

Japan Airlines Boeing 787 Makes Emergency Landing At Honolulu

The jetliner en route to San Francisco from Tokyo diverted to Honolulu after oil pressure in its right engine dropped.

Iraqi PM Maliki Says Saudi, Qatar Openly Funding Violence In Anbar

He also blamed both countries for launching Syria’s three-year civil war through al Qaeda-linked groups.

IFA Launches Dhs1bn Miami-Style Resort In Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah

The development will add around 300 units to Palm Jumeirah’s property inventory.

Caution May Return On Ukraine-Russia Crisis, Egypt Clashes Could Weigh

Regional shares were dampened last week due to the Ukrainian crisis but recovered lost ground as the situation seemed to have calmed.

Saudi Sentences 3 Suspected Militants To Death For 2003 Bombing

Saudi Arabia faced a militant insurgency from 2003 to 2006 in which al Qaeda targeted residential compounds for foreign workers and Saudi government facilities, killing dozens of people.

Dubai’s Competitive Advantage Will Not Last Forever – Experts

Dubai needs to diversify its sectors to weather future economic risks, according to experts.

Dubai’s Deyaar Plans $245m Residential, Hotel Complex

The project will comprise one residential tower and one tower of serviced apartments.

Dubai’s Rising House Prices Pose Economic Risk- Expert

Rising house prices could affect Dubai’s regional competitiveness, an expert has said.

Dubai’s Eco-friendly Mosque 85% Complete

The mosque will use LED lights, solar panels and energy saving taps to save energy.

CAPM Says Plans First IPO On Main Dubai Exchange In 5 Years

Around 55 percent of the company’s equity, or 275 million shares, will be offered to the public in the IPO at Dhs1 per share on the Dubai Financial Market, CAPM said.