Etihad Chief Says Will Not Be Rushed On Alitalia Decision

Alitalia is in talks with Etihad to sell the UAE carrier a large stake.

Swatch Group Reports Sales Rise Of 8.3%

The Swiss group, which owns 20 brands, saw its watches and jewellery segment grow by more than 10 per cent.

UAE PM Says Treatment Of Jailed American Was Unsatisfactory

Shezanne Cassim was detained in April and sentenced to a year in prison for making a 20-minute “mockumentary”.

Saudi Arabia Replaces Public Sector Expat Workers

All jobs previously occupied by expats will be considered vacant until qualified Saudi citizens can fill them, the ministry said.

Ajman Luxury Resort To Open February 1

Starwood will seek to attract well-heeled leisure guests to the less-developed emirate

GCC Mulls Common Water, Power Policy

Authorities are looking to reduce power and water consumption rates in the GCC, which are the highest in the world.

Abu Dhabi’s Inflation Rate Rises 1.3% In 2013

Food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for the largest rise in the emirate’s consumer price index, rising 25.9 per cent last year.

Qatar Central Bank To Sell $6.6bn In Bonds, Sukuk

The conventional bonds will be worth QAR13 billion, while the rest of the issuance will be in the form of sukuk.

Saudi’s Yansab Q4 Profit Drops 31% On Plant Shutdown

The firm made a net profit of $117.9 million in the three-month period to December 31.

Dubai Ruler Calls For Easing Of Iran Sanctions

Sheikh Mohammed urged the international community to ease sanctions against Iran, in an interview broadcast by the BBC.

Dubai Debt Deal Imminent – Bankers

The emirate was one of the first issuers from the Gulf in 2013 with a dual tranche 10-year sukuk and 30-year conventional note.

Dubai’s Shuaa Swings To 2013 Net Profit Of Dhs2.8m

The investment bank’s annual net profit increased by Dhs62 million from a net loss of Dhs59 million in 2012.

Court Sentences Leader Of 2004 Saudi Attack To Death

Gunmen killed two Americans, two Britons and an Australian at the offices of a foreign company in Yanbu.

Oman Government Official, Two Executives Jailed, Fined On Corruption Charges

Over 20 government officials and private executives from Oman’s oil industry are accused of offering or accepting bribes in exchange for contracts.

Saudi British Bank Q4 Net Profit Jumps 20%, Beating Forecasts

SABB attributed its profit rise to higher operating income.

10 Hot Consumer Trends For 2014

Anders Lindblad, president of Ericsson Region Middle East, says our bodies will become our new passwords.

Kuwait Says Oil Mkt Balance Takes Precedence Over Price Issue

Kuwait’s oil minister Ali al-Omair said the OPEC member targets 3.5 million barrels per day capacity by 2015.

Volkswagen ME Reports 30% Rise In 2013

The German manufacturer sold almost 14,000 vehicles across the region last year.

Gulf Markets Seen Steady Following Early-Year Surge

Markets in the United Arab Emirates are closed on Sunday for a religious holiday.

Alcoa Pays $384m To Settle Alba Bribery Charges

Criminal and civil allegations claimed officials were bribed for years to accept the supply of raw materials from Alcoa.

Uncertainty Over Future Running Of Abu Dhabi’s Big Oilfields

A 75-year partnership with ExxonMobil, Royal Dutch Shell, Total and BP expired on Friday.

25m Euro Gulf Investment In Irish Companies Announced

The Gulf Trade Mission was led by the Irish prime minister Enda Kenny.

Rolls-Royce Middle East Up 17% – Another Record Year

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, praises Middle East dealers and the region’s discerning customers.

Saudi Arabia Raises December Oil Output Slightly, Pumps 9.8m bpd

The Kingdom kept production in November at steady levels from October when it cut output.

Irish Firm Launches Healthcare Project In The UAE

Broadmeadow Healthcare International will deliver elderly care services through partnerships with local government agencies.

Dubai Group Appoints Former Emirates NBD Banker As CEO

Ahmed al-Qassim was a director of investment banking at Emirates NBD.

4DX Cinema Launches In The UAE

VOX Cinemas has launched 4DX enabled sensory cinemas at Mirdif City Centre and Deira City Centre.

Qantas Credit Rating Slashed By Moody’s

Dubai-linked airline recently announced the loss of 1,000 jobs.

Dubai’s Victory Heights Project Completed

Victory Heights handed over 75 per cent of its phase one villas in 2010 as Dubai recovered from a property crash.

EFG Hermes Approves $144m Share Buyback Plan

The Egyptian bank’s shares rose almost 10 per cent after the announcement of the plan.