Saudi’s Dar Al Arkan May Repay $450m Sukuk Early

The $450 million Islamic bond is due to mature in February 2015.

Kuwait To Invest $676m In Italy

The announcement was made by Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, who is officially visiting the GCC.

Dubai Financial Centre Posts Double-Digit Growth For 2013

The number of active registered companies operating within the DIFC rose 14 per cent to 1,039 last year.

First Gulf Bank To Hire Investment Bankers To Grow Business

The bank has mandates for arranging loans and bonds for UAE entities totaling around $15 billion, an official said.

Hilton Garden Inn Arrives In UAE At The Double

The brace of hotels will meet the growing need for affordable accommodation in the run-up to Expo 2020

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA To Build UAE Desalination Plant

Construction is expected to start in early 2015 and commercial operations in 2017.

Trading On Dubai’s Main Stock Exchange Suspended

Trading on Dubai Financial Market (DFM) was suspended because of a system malfunction

Japan’s Tohoku Signs 15-Year LNG Deal With Qatar

Tohoku declined to provide any details on how the Qatar gas will be priced.

Islamic Bank Of Britain Gets Fresh Capital, Plans Expansion

The injection will allow IBB to grow its retail operations and develop its commercial business.

Does Apple Need A Flagship Store In The UAE?

With rivals such as Samsung promoting themselves heavily in the country, the US giant may have to step up its presence.

Emirates Starting Daily Abuja-Kano Flights

Emirates will soon serve three cities in oil-rich Nigeria

Flydubai Signs Mobile Maintenance Agreement With Boeing

The applications give technicians real-time information to speed up maintenance repairs.

Saudi Airline Flynas Targets UK And South-East Asia

One-time short-haul carrier is embarking on international expansion

Waha Capital 2013 Profit Up 43%

The firm’s total assets grew to Dhs5.2 billion from Dhs4.4 billion a year earlier.

Etihad Regional Starts Geneva-Stuttgart Flights

New route enables Stuttgart passengers to connect with Etihad’s global network via Geneva

New Tourism Fee To Be Levied In Dubai From March 31

Visitors will face an additional charge of between Dhs7 to Dhs20 per room, per night.

Kuwait Finance House Q4 Net Profit More Than Doubles

Net profit rose to 26.4 million Kuwaiti dinars in the three months to the end of December compared to 11.8 million dinars a year earlier.

Online Video Key To Monetising News Content

Brightcove CMO suggests online video is the solution for media companies looking to monetise their online offering.

Obama To Meet Saudi King To Discuss Security

Saudi Arabia’s intelligence chief has said the kingdom is looking at a “major shift” in relations with the United States.

Saudi Arabia To Jail Citizens Who Fight Abroad

The degree underscored concern about Saudis hardened by battle in Syria coming home to target the ruling royal family.

ING Shuts Middle East Asset Management Operation In Dubai

The small Dubai team managed $425 million of assets at the end of 2013.

UAE Officials See Strong Growth, Play Down Inflation Threat

The IMF raised last week its 2014 UAE growth prediction to 4.5 per cent, but warned of a potential property bubble.

UAE Says Ruler In “Reassuring” Condition After Surgery

The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince said “we have passed through a difficult crisis.”

Marriott MEA To Open 13 New Hotels By 2017

New openings include Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Rwanda and Ghana.

Nearly 50% Of Finance Sector Workers Say Emiratisation Doesn’t Add Value

A bulk of local recruitment in banks is happening at graduate level, which needs to be accompanied by a sound retention strategy.

Dubai Apartment Rents Rise 50% In 2013

Residential sales prices also shot up by 60 per cent last year, says a new report.

Flydubai Plans Benchmark-Sized Bond Issue In 2015

The amount raised will be used for the company’s general operating expenses and to fund some of its aircraft deliveries.

Arabtec Plans To Hire 10,000 Across The Middle East

The Dubai-based construction company is targeting young recruits for the new roles.

Burj Khalifa’s ‘At The Top’ Dubai’s Biggest Attraction

Saudi Arabia provided the most visitors from another GCC country.

Saudi’s Shoura Council To Reconsider 40-Hour Work Week

Saudi Arabia’s advisory body will rethink its decision about reducing working hours in the private sector following an appeal by some of its members.