Saudi’s SABIC Expects To Enter US Shale Market This Year

SABIC CEO Mohamed al-Mady said the investment would be in downstream operations.

Saudi Minister Says No Role For Syria’s Assad In Transition

In a speech to an international conference on Syria, Prince Saud called for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Syria.

Etihad’s Hogan To Join Virgin Australia Board

The role will include attending several board meetings each year in Australia.

National Bank Of Kuwait Q4 Net Profit Drops 48%

BK reported a full-year profit for 2013 at $844 million, down from the $1.08 billion recorded for 2012.

Dubai Retailer Majid Al Futtaim Plans To Invest $2.3bn In Egypt

The company expects to complete construction of its ‘Mall of Egypt’ project near Cairo by the end of 2015.

Dubai’s Arabtec Expands, Opens New Headquarters In Belgrade

The new office will help the company expand its presence in the wider Balkan region.

BAE Systems Says Making Progress On Saudi Price Talks

BAE lost a potential $10 billion deal to sell 60 Eurofighter jets to the UAE late last year.

Middle East CEOs’ Confidence Rises Sharply In 2014

Middle East CEOs are the most confident globally about short-term revenue growth in 2014.

UK Offers Support To Qatar For 2022

Ambassador Nicholas Hopton dismissed criticism Qatar has faced in preparation for hosting the event.

Omega Dubai Ladies Masters Deemed A Success

The Omega Dubai Ladies Masters golfing tournament continues to raise Dubai’s sporting profile.

Etihad Announces Codeshare With New York’s JetBlue Airways

Etihad will codeshare on 40 JetBlue routes within the U.S. with further codeshares planned for later in the year.

DEWA Plans No Bond Issues In 2014 – CEO

DEWA has a $1 billion bond maturing in April 2015.

Abraaj Group Acquires Majority Stake In Turkish Dairy Firm

Abraaj’s investment will help Yörsan Group grow both domestically and internationally.

Bank Dhofar Posts 3.6% Q4 Profit Hike

The lender made a net profit of 9.3 million rials in the three months to December 31.

Bahrain Deadlocked Talks Saved From Brink

Earlier this month the government said it was suspending talks with opposition groups.

Qatar’s Doha Bank Boosts Capital With Bond Sale

Doha Bank has been raising its reserves in the last year to improve its capital ratios.

TAQA Eyes Investments In Water Projects In MENA, India

TAQA aims to boost its water output by at least 120 million gallons per day in five years.

Renault Middle East Sales Up 19%

The French car company sold over 55,000 units in the region with the UAE recording the biggest increase.

UAE, New Zealand Sign Agreement To Develop Renewable Projects

The UAE and New Zealand signed an agreement to fund viable renewable energy projects in Pacific Island countries.

Kuwait’s Zain Seeks New Loan As $867m Facility Nears Maturity

The $867 million revolving facility is due to mature in March.

UAE Convicts 30 Emiratis, Egyptians Over Brotherhood Ties

The Federal Supreme Court in Abu Dhabi handed the men sentences ranging from three months and five years in prison.

Fitch: Saudi Banks’ Performance To Remain Strong In 2014

Performance of Saudi lenders is being driven by business growth and declining loan impairment charges.

Saudi’s Al Rajhi Capital Plans Sukuk Push, Sees Better Year For IPOs

Corporates and state-owned entities in Saudi Arabia raised the equivalent of $15 billion from the sale of sukuk in 2013.

Oman’s Bank Sohar Q4 Net Profit Climbs 20.5%

Bank Sohar is currently in talks with rival lender Bank Dhofar over a possible merger.

Dubizzle Co-founder: 5 Tips For Budding Entrepreneurs

JC Butler is leaving Dubai-based classified website dubizzle to return to the US.

Egypt Tourism Revenues Down 41% In 2013 Vs 2012

Egypt’s tourism sector has shrivelled since former president Hosni Mubarak was toppled by a popular uprising in 2011.

Saudi’s Healthcare Costs To Rise 30% In 2014

Saudi Arabia’s private sector hospitals are expected to hike their fees to compensate the loss of funds due to labour ministry decisions.

Kuwait’s KIPCO Picks Banks Ahead Of Potential Dollar Bond Issue

The firm is the first Gulf-based issuer to announce plans for an international bond offering in 2014.

UAE, Denmark Sign MoU To Advance Sustainability

Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark, commended the UAE for embracing renewable energy.

Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah Sees Growing Demand For Luxury Property

New report by Deloitte suggests that the Palm will remain a prime luxury beach resort destination in the emirate.