BBM Welcomes Over 20 Million New Users In First Week

BBM community grows to more than 80 million active users across BlackBerry, Android and iPhone devices globally.

Qatar Exchange Demands More Foreign Investment To Boost IPOs

The limits on foreign ownership of individual stocks have become obstacles to growth as the Gulf’s capital markets gradually become more international.

Julphar Thriving On Gulf’s Demand For Medicines

Julphar has invested heavily to feed the growing needs of the GCC’s healthcare market and ensure sustainable supply of medicines to the region.

FedEx Opens New Facility In Abu Dhabi’s Airport

The new facility will be equipped with the latest technology capable of sorting 3,000 packages per hour.

Saudi Telecom Posts 73% Profit Leap, Beats Forecast

STC made a net profit of 3.39 billion Saudi riyals in the three months to September 30, up from 1.95 billion riyals a year earlier.

Housing Shortage Poses A Dilemma For Kuwait

Kuwaiti men can apply for government housing after marriage, receiving loans that are paid off slowly.

Britain Plans First Western Country Sukuk Issue

The new proposal is less than a fifth of the size of the original and is designed to boost London’s status rather than to diversify Britain’s investor base.

Gulf Rail Project Construction Plan On Track

If the railway is completed, it could have a major impact on the Gulf economy by stimulating trade and limiting consumption of fuel for road travel.

National Bank Of Abu Dhabi Posts 8% Profit Fall

Third-quarter net profit at the lender fell eight per cent to Dhs1.04 billion from Dhs1.12 billion in the year-ago period.

GEMS Education Plans $500m Hybrid Sukuk Sale

GEMS plans to begin roadshows in the United Arab Emirates this Thursday with investor meetings scheduled in Asia and Europe next week.

UAE Hotels Record Strong Growth In August

Dubai’s overall average occupancy increased by approximately 7.8 per cent in August compared to the same period last year.

UAE Central Bank Confirms Mortgage Caps

First time expat buyers will have mortgages limited to 75 per cent of a property’s value with UAE nationals limited to 80 per cent.

Airbus Calls For 18-Inch Seat Width On Long Haul Flights

Research revealed that a minimum seat width of 18 inches improved passengers’ sleep quality by 53 per cent.

Qatar Airways Says A350 Delivery On Schedule

The A350, designed to compete with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and the larger Boeing 777, staged its maiden flight in June.

Dubai International Passenger Traffic Up 13.1% In September

Traffic for the first nine months of the year stands at 49.4 million, up from 42.6 million for the first three quarters in 2012.

United Ups Digital As Gulf Competition Rises

US carrier to focus more on attracting international business and improving digital connectivity.

UAE Banks Are Taking Too Many Risks – IIF

The international body cautioned the UAE to be proactive in framing policies that would insulate the economy from major problems.

Samsung Unveils Dhs2,499 Gold Galaxy S4 In UAE

The Korean company is launching two gold editions of the feature-packed Galaxy S4.

Al Ain Football Club Signs Nike Partnership Deal

The American sports wear giant will become the official kit supplier to the UAE side.

Saudi’s Kingdom Holding Posts 1% Q3 Net Profit Rise

The firm, owned by billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, attributed the profit gain to an increase in gains on investments

Dubai’s Emirates NBD Eyes Turkey Buy Amid Foreign Expansion

The lender aims for 20 per cent of its revenues to come from overseas markets in five years

Etisalat’s Q3 Net Profit Drops 18%, Misses Forecasts

The firm’s capital spending and operating expenses each rose by about a third.

UAE’s First Gulf Bank Posts 13% Q3 Net Profit Gain

The lender, majority-owned by Abu Dhabi’s ruling family, made a net profit of Dhs1.19 billion for the three months ended Sept. 30

Dubai Holding Arm Plans To Sell Stake In Rivoli Group

Dubai International Capital is in negotiations to sell its 18 per cent stake in Rivoli Group to Saudi-based Al Rajhi Capital, say sources

Saudi Religious Leader Urges Youths Not To Fight In Syria

The Kingdom has backed the rebels battling President Bashar al-Assad

The Euro Crisis Floors Politicians, Save Merkel

Merkel was the only European politician to remain steadfast and outperform the global crisis, says Joe Hawa, chief market analyst, Alpari ME.

Kuwait’s PM Says Welfare State Is “Unsustainable”

The International Monetary Fund has repeatedly warned against rising government spending in OPEC member Kuwait.

Kuwait Bourse To Launch Derivatives Trading Next Year

A Kuwaiti investment firm has already expressed interest in trading options.

UAE Declares Nov 2 As Islamic New Year Holiday

Private sector employees will now resume work from Sunday, November 3.

Qatar Airways To Begin Flights To DWC, Sharjah

Starting from 1 March 2014, the carrier will fly twice daily flights into both destinations.