How Did The Gulf Fare In 2013?

A look at the GCC’s performance this year and expectations coming into 2014.

UAE Firms Incur Losses Due To Poor Direct Communication

UAE professionals incurred a yearly revenue loss of 26 per cent due to lack of face-to-face meetings.

Emaar Rises To 5-Year High As Property Stocks Gain

The Dubai developer gained three per cent to reach Dhs7.57 at the close of trading, its highest since September 2008.

UK Visa Waiver To Boost UAE Tourist Numbers

The UK has been aggressively targeting the wealthy Gulf tourists through various marketing campaigns this year.

Saudi Arabia Needs $85 Brent To Balance 2014 Budget

Brent is forecast to average $104 next year, down from about $110 in 2013, Jadwa said.

Internet Privacy Tops IT Security Concerns In 2014

Recent revelations from the NSA scandal and the rising number of cyberthreats have exacerbated online privacy concerns.

Al Ain’s New Football Stadium Ready For January Launch

The Hazza bin Zayed stadium, which can accommodate 25,000 spectators, is expected to boost the emirate’s sports industry.

Gulf Bond Issuance To Surge In 2014

Experts expect issuances to reach $40-45 billion next year, compared to $28.97 billion in 2013.

UAE’s Dana Gas Receives $53m From Egypt Government

Including the latest payment, Dana Gas has received a total of $130 million from the Egyptian authorities this year, it said.

Bomb Kills 13 At Egypt Police Compound

The army said a car bomb had been used in what it called a “vile terrorist attack”.

Dubai Energy Firm Secures Dhs1bn Funding For India Power Project

Coal & Oil will use the amount to complete its 1200mw thermal power plant under construction in Tamilnadu, India.

Saudi Firm Ma’aden Awards $2.25bn Of Work On Phosphate Project

The contracts were awarded to Canadian and Asian companies concerning its new phosphate mining and production project.

Qatar Offers To Help Iran Develop World’s Biggest Gas Field

According to the IEA, the South Pars field holds around 51 trillion cubic metres of gas and some 50 billion barrels of condensate.

American Jailed In UAE For YouTube Parody Video

Shezanne Cassim, 29, has been detained since April after publishing the 20-minute “mockumentary” film.

Top 10 Most Viewed Articles In 2013

Gulf Business looks back on the articles that attracted most reader attention on our website this year.

Saudi Arabia Sets Modest Spending Rise In 2014 Budget Plan

Next year’s 4.3 per cent rise in planned spending is far smaller than the 19 per cent leap envisaged by the 2013 budget plan.

Abu Dhabi Firm Buys Stake In Australia’s Swala Energy

The deal, valued at $2.9 million, is Hayaat Group’s first investment in East African oil exploration.

Kuwait Ministers Submit Resignations To PM

The move could pave the way for a cabinet reshuffle.

Qatar Fund In Talks To Invest $200m In Indian Property

Qatar Investment Authority is holding “conversations” with Kotak Realty Fund, says source.

Top 10 Most Searched Rental Locations In Dubai

Dubai Marina topped the list of Dubai’s most searched locations to rent property in, according to propertyfinder.ae.

Revealed: Top 10 Skills That Led To Hiring In 2013

Technological expertise dominated LinkedIn’s list of skills that were in demand among professionals in 2013.

Bahrain To Double Diesel Prices By 2017 To Cut Subsidy Burden

The price will rise to 120 fils ($0.32) per litre next Jan. 14, to 140 fils in Jan 2015, 160 fils in Jan 2016 and 180 fils in Jan 2017.

Abu Dhabi-listed United Arab Bank Signs $250m Loan

The two-year loan facility will be used to fund the lender’s general business.

Dubai’s Drake & Scull Wins $109m Contract In Qatar

The firm won a deal for mechanical, electrical and plumbing work at the Mall of Qatar, which is now under construction near Doha.

Qatar To Boost European LNG Sales As Gas Trades At 7-Year High

Qatari shipments to Europe under medium- or long-term contracts will rise 22 per cent in 2014, the biggest jump since 2009.

World Powers And Iran Pause Nuclear Talks For Christmas

Experts from the six world powers and Iran have to settle the practical details of the accord.

Saudi King Appoints Son To Head Mecca Province

Prince Mishaal replaces Prince Khaled al-Faisal, who has been made education minister.

Banking Highlights In 2013: Mashreq

Digitalisation and regulation took centre stage in GCC banking in 2013, according to Farhad Irani, EVP and head of retail banking at Mashreq.

Qatar Plans First IPO Since 2010

Mesaieed Petrochemical, a unit of Qatar Petroleum, plans to launch an $880 million IPO In January.

MAF To Develop $467m Mall of Oman Project

The mall, set to become the largest shopping destination in the Sultanate, will house 350 stores.