Al Habtoor Chairman Backs Dubai Expo Win

Real estate veteran Khalaf Al Habtoor says Dubai will quash rivals in November.

Low-Cost Filipino Carrier Begins Dubai-Manila Services

The new service will offer the 500,000 Filipino expats in Dubai more travel options during peak periods.

Dubai’s Damac Launches Trump Estates For Akoya

The new scheme will house over 100 mansions and sit alongside an 18-hole PGA Championship golf course.

Different Arab money

GCC Markets Grow Due To Economic Diversification

The UAE is expected to grow strongly owing to the recovery of sectors like financial services and construction.

Qatar’s Doha Bank Seeks Shareholder Nod For $549m Tier 1 Notes Sale

The lender is planning to hike its paid-up capital by 50 per cent.

UAE’s Taqa Gets Approval For Kurdistan Oilfield Development

The TAQA-operated block is expected to initially produce around 30,000 barrels of oil per day.

Saudi’s Riyad Bank Q3 Net Profit Up 18.8%

The bank said it made SAR998 million in the three months ending September 30.

Rents Rise 20% In Abu Dhabi As Relocation Takes Effect

Average sales prices have also gone up, but there’s no bubble in sight, says Asteco report.

Gold Edges Up As US Shutdown Drags On

The near-week long shutdown has raised fears that the Congress may struggle to raise the debt ceiling by October 17.

UAE Announces Eid Al Adha Holidays

Private sector employees get three days off from October 14-16.

Abu Dhabi vs. DIFC: Battle Of The Freezones?

Will Abu Dhabi’s new financial zone look to rival its Dubai neighbour? Or will collaboration between the two be a wiser move for the region?

US Debt Default Could Affect GCC

A potential US government debt default could lead to dollar depreciation and reduced business confidence.

Cityscape Global 2013: What To Expect

This year’s event will cover more than 25,000 sq metres, an increase of 50 per cent on last year and Cityscape’s largest size in four years.

The Changing Landscape of Saudi Arabia’s F&B Industry

International food event to showcase Kingdom’s market potential.

UAE Financial Heads Woo London’s City Bankers

Despite a lack of local knowledge, UAE financial heads are increasingly looking to recruit top tier talent from the UK.

Zaha Hadid To Design ME by Meliá Dubai

Strikingly designed hotel aims to open in the Burj Khalifa district in 2016.

Dubai To Build World’s Largest Man-Made Lagoon

The lagoon will be situated in Mohammed bin Rashid City’s District One community and will cover 40 hectares of land.

UAE’s Ajman Bank Sacks Chief Executive

Ajman Bank, one of the smaller lenders in UAE, announced it had hired Mohammed Zaqout as chief executive on April 8.

Qatar Petroleum Plans Global Expansion Drive

An expansion abroad would likely see the state-owned company buying assets abroad.

Saudi Arabia Not Worried About U.S. Debt Limit

Most of Saudi central bank’s net foreign assets are believed to be denominated in U.S. dollars, and much of that amount is in the form of U.S. Treasury bonds.

Etihad Wins India Cabinet Approval For $330m Jet Stake

The deal had been delayed due to scrutiny by Indian regulators and also due to opposition from some politicians.

Bahrain To Try Opposition Leader For Inciting Terrorism

Khalil al-Marzouk was detained in mid-September by police investigating what authorities called his promotion of terrorism.

Dubai Aims To Be World Centre For Islamic Business

Dubai wants to become a top centre for the issuance and trading of Islamic bonds, aiming to rival the main hubs of Kuala Lumpur and London.

Banking On Gulf Wealth: Private Banking Special Report

The region’s private wealth industry is enjoying accelerated growth, as nationals bring their cash home to roost and domestic riches grow.

Dubai IPOs Signal Recovery But Market Wants Bigger Listings

The most recent listing on either of Dubai’s two stock markets occurred in early 2009, when construction firm Drake & Scull listed.

Salalah Embarks On Massive Infrastructure Development Drive

The once-sleepy port city has put itself on the map by expanding its infrastructure and cultivating thriving global companies.

Private Banking Special: Arjuna Mahendran, Emirates NBD

Emirates NBD has lowered its bad debts forecasts and paid back Dhs7.8 billion of crisis-era funding to the Ministry of Finance.

Iran President’s Phone Call With Obama Stirs Hardline Suspicions

Rouhani, who took office in August, had the supreme leader’s approval for his move to build bridges with Washington.

Private Banking Special: Arnaud Leclercq, Lombard Odier

Lombard Odier plans to increase its assets in the Middle East to 20 per cent of its global business by the end of 2017.

UAE Start-Up GlamBox Secures $1.36m Funding

The new financing will be used to speed up plans for regional expansion, with GlamBox hoping to deliver its first products to Saudi before the end of the year.