Roche To Add Staff Across Middle East Offices In 2014

Swiss biotech firm Roche has said that it will increase its regional workforce from 300 to 375 in 2014.

Over One Billion Smartphones Shipped In 2013, Samsung Leads

Smartphones accounted for 55.1 per cent of all mobile phone shipments last year, says IDC.

Viceroy Dubai Palm Jumeirah secures $201m Funding

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China marks its first project financing deal for a hospitality project in the Middle East

Kuwait’s Zain Posts Flat Q4 Profit, Forex Losses Bite

Zain said foreign exchange revaluations wiped $149 million from its full-year profit.

UAE Considers Importing North American Gas

Rapidly rising demand and slow production growth have made the UAE a net importer of gas over the past few years.

UAE Education Ministry Launches Tech Hub With Etisalat

The ‘Etisalat Education Technology Centre’ will be used to focus on research and development.

Dubai Prime Home Price Growth Slows On State Cooling Measures

Dubai doubled the registration fee charged on real estate transactions to four per cent last year.

India Lifts A380 Restrictions And Gulf Carriers’ Hopes

Presently only Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore have the required infrastructure for the jumbo jets.

Dubai’s Ruler Sets Up New Body To Promote Brand Dubai

The body will be tasked with promoting the emirate as a prime destination for tourism, business, trade and entertainment.

Emirates NBD Comfortable With State Exposure – CEO

ENBD’s loans to Dubai government consist of Dhs91 billion out of a total loan book of Dhs238.3 billion.

MAF To Invest Dhs3bn In Dubai Over 5 Years

The UAE-based conglomerate reported revenue of Dhs23 billion for 2013.

Majority Of UAE Employees Work Better From Home – Survey

The survey also revealed that UAE workers preferred flexible hours to a pay hike.

Dubai’s Emirates NBD Misses Q4 Profit Forecast

A 26 per cent rise in net interest income was offset by a 40 per cent year-on-year jump in impairment allowances.

Bahraini Police, Protesters Clash After Funeral

Sunday’s violence followed the death of 20-year-old Fadhel Abbas, who died in police custody.

Dubai’s Mashreq Posts 38% Rise In 2013 Net Profit

The bank’s profit was boosted by a rise in net interest income and net fee and commission income.

Saudi Mobily Plans To Launch Piggyback Mobile Service In Q1

The telecom operator is expected to start the service via its partner, London’s Lebara Group.

Abu Dhabi Residential Real Estate Rebounds Strongly In 2013

Prime residential sales prices jumped 25 per cent in 2013, Jones Lang LaSalle said.

Infiniti Middle East 2013 Sales Up 29%

A new Infiniti showroom with full dealership facilities is planned for Mohammed bin Zayed road in Sharjah.

Emaar Launches Rasha Villa Project in Dubai’s Arabian Ranches

The Spanish-style community will include 140 villas.

Dubai Tram To Boost Property Prices In Marina

Dubai Marina has recorded a sharp upturn in investor appetite owing to its proximity to the tram.

ADCB Q4 Net Profit Jumps 40%

The bank reported Dhs879 million for the quarter, beating analysts’ estimates.

Emaar Properties Appoints Abdulla Lahej As Group CEO

The Dubai developer confirms departure of Low Ping as group CEO, says she will remain advisor to chairman Alabbar.

Emaar’s Huge Saudi Port Begins Operating

King Abdullah Economic City is a special economic zone up Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast from Jeddah.

GCC Nationalisation Schemes Creating “Ghost Workers”

Most of these schemes have failed in the past and can only be successful when accompanied by wage reforms and skill match up by locals, says new study.

Saxo Bank Launches Social Trading Website

The Danish bank hopes the new platform will ‘transform trading into a social experience’.

UAE Gives Assurances On President’s Health After Stroke

On Saturday, state media said Sheikh Khalifa had undergone surgery after suffering a stroke and was in stable condition.

Saudi Arabia Announces Strict Penalties Against Fake Nationalisation

Employers practicing fake saudisation will face five years imprisonment and a SAR10 million fine.

Saudi Mobile Subscriptions Shrink On Labour Crackdown, Haj Limits

Subscriptions dropped to 51 million as of September 30, 2013, from 56.1 million two years ago.

Raytheon Announces $1.28bn Missile Deal With Oman

The firm has been looking to secure more orders from Gulf countries to offset a projected decline in US military spending.

UAE President Suffered A Stroke, In Stable Condition

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan suffered a stroke and had to undergo a surgery.