Kuwait’s NBK Appoints Isam Al Sager As New Group CEO

Al Sager, deputy group CEO at National Bank of Kuwait, replaces Ibrahim Dabdoub who is retiring after three decades.

Zain Bahrain IPO Moves Closer With Notice In Govt Gazette

Under the terms of its licence, Zain Bahrain must sell 15 per cent of its shares in an IPO and list on the Bahrain bourse.

Egypt’s Deposed President Mursi On Trial On Terrorism Charges

Mursi is on trial in three cases and charged in two others.

Speed Limits: How Fast Can You Drive On Dubai’s Roads?

Speed limits on major Dubai roads remain largely unchanged, according to Dubai Police.

UAE Stock Markets Should Unify Back Offices – Abu Dhabi Bourse CEO

Rashed al-Baloushi, CEO of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, did not specify a timeframe for the proposal.

Emirates’ Long Haul Business Model Pushes Down Costs – CAPA

The Dubai-based airline sees lower unit costs compared to European carriers because of its business model, says a report from Centre for Aviation.

Dubai’s Coffee Shops Rated ‘Most Consumer Friendly’

Dubai’s retail units were assessed based on their efficiency in complaints resolution, fair pricing policies and customer opinions.

Dubai’s Deyaar To Allow Up To 25% Foreign Ownership

At present, nationals from GCC countries can own up to 49 per cent of Deyaar’s shares while foreigners from outside the GCC have been prohibited.

William ‘Bill’ Duff, Sheikh Rashid’s Financial Advisor, Dies

The British expatriate aged 92 died of natural causes in Dubai.

Dubai Remains Bullish; Global Mkts Support

Emaar Properties is expected to report its earnings in the coming days.

Six New Tenants For Qatar’s London Shard

Restaurants Oblix, Aqua Shard and Hutong moved into the tower last summer.

Moving World Cup From Qatar Counter-Productive, Says Zwanziger

Qatar has been under fire for its treatment of migrant workers in the construction industry.

India Regulator Issues Notice To Etihad On Jet Deal

The Abu Dhabi carrier may have to make a tender offer to buy the entire 25 per cent public holding in Jet.

Bahrain: Banking On Consolidation

The global financial crisis and political instability dented Bahrain’s banking sector but will a recent wave of M&A activity burn around its fortunes?

Empower

Dubai’s Empower $600m Acquisition Loan Starts Syndication -Sources

The loan, which was initially provided by four banks, is now being offered to other lenders interested in joining the deal, according to sources.

Top Tips To Maximise Your LinkedIn Profile

The professional networking site has 10 million users in the MENA region.

Dubai’s Drake And Scull Profit Rises 61% In 2013

The contractor said that its revenues reached Dhs4.9 billion last year, growing by 47 per cent from 2012.

Oman May Sell Assets, Borrow Abroad If Oil Prices Drop

Oman relies on oil and gas for 87 per cent of its budget revenue.

Retail Banking To Outpace Corporate Banking In The GCC

The GCC’s young population, economic well-being and a steadily rising GDP per capita will boost retail banking.

EU Approves Amendment To Exempt UAE Citizens From Schengen Visa

UAE officials say procedures for exemption are almost complete.

Dubai Ruler Cleared By Report Into Horse Racing Doping Scandal

A report by Lord Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police chief commissioner, cleared Sheikh Mohammed of any wrongdoing.

Zain Bahrain To Launch Stock Flotation By End June

The telecoms firm has applied to Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce for approval to become a public company.

Aluminium Bahrain Q4 Net Income Drops 74%

Aluminium Bahrain’s net income for the final three months of 2013 was 13.7 million dinars ($36.3 million).

OPEC Joins U.S. In Predicting Stronger 2014 Oil Demand

OPEC said global demand will rise by 1.09 million barrels per day this year, up about 40,000 bpd from its previous forecast.

UAE’s ENEC Gets Additional Approval For Nuclear Plants

The approval will help ensure that the units remain on schedule for commercial operations in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Different Arab money

Assets Under Management In MEA To Hit $1.5 Trillion By 2020 – PwC

The amount represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 12 per cent.

ADNOC Slashes LPG Cylinder Prices In Northern Emirates

ADNOC has reduced the gas prices for the second time in two months.

Abu Dhabi’s Aldar To Refinance $2.2bn Debt This Year

The Abu Dhabi property firm is open to bank loans as well as bonds, according to the firm’s CFO.

RAK Properties Announces Dhs151m Profit In 2013

RAK Properties has said that the company is expecting a stronger performance in 2014.

Omantel Q4 Profit Up 13% Despite Revenue Drop

Expenses for the quarter, which include wages, interconnection costs and roaming charges, reduced by 2.7 per cent.