Saudi Minister Says Nitaqat Hiked Nationalisation By 15%

Around 723,000 Saudi nationals have been employed through the Nitaqat system.

Dubai Government To Hike Staff Pay By Up To 100%

Selected employees will receive salary hikes of between 30 to 100 per cent, the government has said.

Two Saudis Back From Guantanamo Face ‘Rehab’ For Militants

Muhammad Husayn Qahtani and Hamood Abdulla Hamood were repatriated after spending 11 years in Guantanamo.

Dubai’s Retail Market Not Saturated – MAF CEO

The retailer plans to invest over $1 billion annually over the next five years on expanding its business.

Surging Saudi Fuel Use A Bigger Threat Than US Shale Oil

The growing domestic demand for hydrocarbons, exacerbated by low prices, is the key long-term challenge faced by the Kingdom, said Jadwa Bank.

Bahrain’s GFH Names Rayes As Permanent CEO – Statement

Hisham Al Rayes had been acting CEO since March 2012.

MENA Governments Urged To Develop Mobile Apps

Governments in the region must create well-designed apps that allow citizens to connect frequently and directly with them, says study.

Dubai Sells Stake In Landmark Miami Hotel To Turnberry

Dubai World had paid $375 million in 2008 for its 50 per cent stake in Fontainebleau Miami Beach.

OMD Wins Media Network of the Year 2013

With 100 per cent client retention and growth nudging 10 per cent, OMD wins top award from Campaign magazine.

Dubai’s Arabtec Denies Drake & Scull Merger Speculation

Shares in Drake & Scull, which are up 93 per cent year-to-date, have been buoyed by the merger speculation.

Saudi Hollandi Bank Plans Bonus Share Issue

The lender plans to boost its share capital to SAR4.76 billion to help support its growth and capital base.

Nine Officials, Executives Accused Of Corruption In Oman

The charges, mostly involving infrastructure projects, were outlined in six trials that opened on Sunday.

Saudi Developer ACWA Signs $472m Bridge-To-Sukuk Financing

The loan will act as a bridge financing until the company launches a sukuk issue in 2014.

Qatar Launches Mega Bridge Project Ahead Of World Cup 2022

Construction of the Sharq project will start in 2015 and completion will be by 2021.

TAQA Receives UK Approval For North Sea Development

The Morrone field is expected to initially produce over 3,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

UAE’s Low-Income Earners Found To Save More

The survey found that low-income earners saved two per cent more than the UAE’s general population.

Emirates Starts A380 Mauritius Services

Emirates signs 10-year commercial co-operation with Air Mauritius as part of A380 access deal.

Emaar Shares Fall 3.3%, Most In A Month

Dubai’s benchmark index declined 1.6 per cent, paring the surge for the year to 93 per cent.

BP Signs Deal To Develop $16bn Oman Shale Gas project

The Khazzan gas project aims to extract around one billion cubic feet (bcf) per day of gas from deep under central Oman.

Qatar Raises 2013 Economic Growth Forecast To 6%

GDP growth in the world’s top liquefied natural gas exporter is forecast to ease to 4.6 per cent in 2014.

Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah Targets December 24 Soft Opening

Hilton’s top-end brand will reach out to tourists and corporates

Qatar’s CBQ Eyes Local Bank Tie-Ups, Bonds To Fund Infrastructure

The lender, which recently bought a 74.2 per cent stake in Turkey’s Alternatifbank, is also open to further foreign acquisitions, says CEO.

UAE Ranked World’s 11th Biggest Clothing Importer

UAE’s strong growth in its retail sector is expected to boost the country’s apparel industry.

UAE’s Bank of Sharjah Sees 25-30% Profit Growth In 2013, 2014

The bank benefited this year from lower bad loan provisioning and the writing back of existing impairments.

Bahrain Economic Growth Slows To 4.6% In Q3

The oil sector contributed about 45 per cent of output growth, thanks to higher crude prices on global markets.

Villa Resort Opens On Sir Bani Yas Island

Couples can now get even closer to the wildlife and island’s distinctive environment.

Qatar Airways Provides Online Tourist Visas

One-month visas can now be booked online priced $55 per person

Kuwait May Impose Corporate Income Tax on National Companies

Foreign companies in Kuwait pay a 15 per cent tax.

UAE Nationals Exempt From EU-Schengen Visa

The decision has been passed by the EU Council of ministers, but requires final approval from the European Parliament.

UAE Nears Debt Listing Rules To Boost Sales: Islamic Finance

The Securities and Commodities Authority has circulated draft rules that treat sukuk and non-Shariah compliant debt separately.