Russia’s Putin, Saudi Prince Bandar Discuss Syria, Iran

The Kremlin said Putin and Prince Bandar discussed plans for a long-delayed international peace conference on Syria.

Saudi Must Boost Private Sector To Meet Surge In Jobseekers – IMF

Currently, more than one million Saudis work in the private sector.

Solar Power Use Will Provide Local Market Opportunities

Use of solar energy for the Middle East’s growing power needs will create strong localisation potential.

VIDEO: Emirates Launches Longest A380 Flight To L.A.

Flight EK 215 crosses the Russian Federation, the North Pole and Eastern Canada before landing in Los Angeles.

Qatar Airways To Serve Second Istanbul Airport

Doha carrier doubles up to meet growth projections beyond slot-constrained Ataturk

Abu Dhabi Hotels Witness Record Month In October

October saw 288,268 guests check into the emirate’s hotels with a 79 per cent occupancy rate, up 10 per cent on a year earlier.

Lifestyle Diseases To Cost GCC Governments $68bn By 2022

The economic burden resulting from non-communicable diseases is expected to soar in the coming years.

Egypt Returned $500m Deposit To Qatar

Qatar had been a firm backer of Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood and lent or gave Egypt $7.5 billion during the year he was in power.

Entrepreneurs Are Vital For Dubai Expo – London Business School

Dubai’s government should create an environment that will foster entrepreneurs in the coming years.

US Navy To Expand Presence In Bahrain

The Gulf state is currently home to the US 5th Fleet.

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Abu Dhabi Energy Fund IPIC H1 Net Profit Up 6.7%

IPIC, which owns stakes in companies such as Spain’s Cepsa and Austria’s OMV, made a net profit of Dhs3.2 billion.

Damac Raises $348m In London Share Sale

The Dubai developer is now valued at $2.65 billion.

Pictures: UAE National Day Celebrations

The 42nd National Day of the UAE was marked with fireworks and parades.

Kuwait Airways To Buy 25 New Airbus Jets

The airline did not disclose the value of the agreement or give details about the type of aircraft.

Bahrain PM’s Role In Disputed Aluminium Deals Probed At UK Trial

Businessman Victor Dahdaleh is on trial accused of paying some $67 million in bribes to former Alba managers.

Bahrain Court Rejects Jailed Activist’s Request For Release

Nabeel Rajab was sentenced in 2012 to two years in prison for cases related to organising and participating in protests.

Etisalat May Revive Talks To Sell Sudanese Unit To Zain

Prior negotiations between the two telcos collapsed around the start of 2013, according to sources.

Gulf Oil Exporters Battle For Asian Buyers

The competition will become even stronger if sanctions on Iran are lifted in coming months.

Majority Of UAE NRIs Send Money Home – Survey

Up to 85 per cent of non-resident Indians in the UAE remit their salaries, revealed a survey by Friends Provident.

Dubai’s Ruler: No Excuse For Delays After Expo 2020 Win

Sheikh Mohammed urges nation to accelerate growth and warns against complacency during his address on the UAE’s 42nd National Day.

Bahrain’s Ibdar Bank Eyes Larger Deals After Three-Way Merger

Ibdar was launched as a brand on Monday following the merger of Capivest, Elaf Bank and Capital Management House.

Iran To Reassert Authority At OPEC After Nuclear Deal

Western sanctions imposed in 2012 on Iran for its nuclear programme have cost the country its market share in OPEC.

Iran Says Seeks Better Cooperation With Saudi Arabia

Iran’s foreign minister said that the nuclear deal reached in Geneva on Nov. 24 should not be seen as a threat.

Zain Wants To Keep Majority Control Of Bahrain Arm After IPO

Zain Bahrain must float 15 per cent of its shares and list on Bahrain’s bourse by year-end.

Kuwait’s Wataniya Names Ex-Batelco Chief As COO

Peter Kaliaropoulos’ appointment follows that of Abdulaziz Fakhroo as the telco’s CEO in March.

UAE President Approves Dhs20bn For Development Projects

Sheikh Khalifa also commended Dubai’s Expo 2020 win during his address on the occasion of the UAE’s 42nd National Day.

Qatar’s Masraf Al Rayan Agrees Terms Of Islamic Bank Of Britain Offer

The bank did not disclose the actual terms of the offer.

Bank Muscat To Recover Pre-Paid Card Fraud Amount

The lender lost $39 million in a global pre-paid card fraud.

Prince Alwaleed’s CFO To Leave Kingdom Holding – Sources

Shadi Sadeek Sanbar has worked with the firm for over eight years and is seen as a close aide of the Saudi billionaire.

Qatar Told To Abolish Kafala System For Players Ahead Of 2022 World Cup

World players’ union FIFPro has said that Qatar must respect international standards for footballers’ contracts.