LIVE: Updates From Gitex 2013

Gulf Business brings you all the news from the region’s biggest ICT event.

Dubai Smart Government Launches Several New Apps During Gitex

The new launches form part of the new Smart City initiative announced by Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed.

Dubai’s Ruler Announces New ‘Smart City’ Plan

The new plan aims to make government services quick and efficient through the use of hi-tech smart devices.

Freed Lebanese, Turkish Hostages Fly Home After Deal

The nine Lebanese hostages were seized by Syrian rebels in May 2012

Oman’s Galfar Engineering Rights Issue 96% Subscribed

The Omani construction company raised OMR13.29 million through the issue.

Arab States Urge Saudi To Keep U.N. Security Council Seat

The Kingdom refused its newly won council seat condemning the UN body’s double standards on the Middle East

Gulf’s Social Media Usage Transforming Brand Engagement

High levels of internet penetration and social media usage are transforming customer strategies and brand engagement in the Middle East.

Hope Glimmers For Demoralised Egyptian Tourist Industry

Visitors are gradually returning to Egypt after the worst civil violence in the country’s modern history.

EXCLUSIVE: Etihad CEO “We Choose Not To Launch New Aircraft”

The cautious move has paid dividends this year as Etihad escaped 787 and A380 problems.

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MENA’s Private Equity To Pick Up In 2014

According to a Deloitte survey, confidence among private equity professionals in exits via IPOs has increased.

ENEC CEO Highlights Nuclear Energy Safety On Global Stage

Mohammed Al Hammadi has said the UAE has taken efforts in educating its public about the fundamentals of nuclear energy production.

Why The Twitter IPO Isn’t Worth Tweeting About


Optimistic assumptions pave the way for an expensive investment, says Professor Nuno Fernandes, director of IMD’s program Strategic Finance.

Fifa U-17 World Cup Kicks Off In The UAE

The host side takes on Honduras at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium on the first day.

iPad 5 And New iPad Mini Launch Expected Next Week

The new iPad Mini is expected to come with a retina display and possibly in a range of colours.

Sky News Arabia Has Lost Contact With Crew In Syria

At least 39 journalists were killed and 21 kidnapped in Syria last year by both rebels and government forces.

Potline At Massive Saudi Smelter Shut Down

Repairs at the $10.8 billion facility could stretch well into next year.

Gitex 2013 – What To Expect

The 33rd edition of the region’s largest ICT event is set to be the biggest one yet with a focus on big data, cloud computing and mobile devices.

Arab Spring Haj Pilgrims Talk Politics Despite Heavy Security

There was an undercurrent of frustration with the instability brought about by the Arab Spring uprisings.

BMW Middle East Reports Record Q3 Growth

Bahrain and Kuwait have led the region this year in terms of sales while the 5 Series has been the group’s bestselling model.

Coutts Announces Advisory Board For Middle East

The private lender’s growth plans for the Middle East are more aggressive than in other parts of the world.

U.S. Passes Saudi To Become World’s Top Oil Producer

The U.S. has witnessed the fastest expansion in production over a four-year period since a surge in Saudi Arabia’s output from 1970-1974.

Serbia Hopes For Loan Talks With UAE

Last week Belgrade launched measures to trim a budget deficit estimated by the IMF at above seven per cent of output.

The UAE’s Retail Battle

Abu Dhabi is significantly ramping up its retail offering and may even steal market share away from Dubai.

BlackBerry “Still A Leading Smartphone Player In UAE”

BlackBerry is committed to investing in the UAE, writes Nick Horton, managing director for Middle East and North Africa, BlackBerry.

WEF Study Ranks UAE 24th For Human Capital

The UAE’s ranking was boosted by high scores in the education pillar and its ability to retain talent.

80% Of UAE SMEs Planning On Hiring

SMEs in the construction, IT and project management sectors are in the biggest need of new hires.

Britain Exports 50,000 T Barley To Saudi Arabia

Britain exported 42,000 tonnes of barley to Saudi Arabia during the 2012/13 season according to customs data.

How Business Powers Polo – And Vice Versa

In an exclusive on-the-field interview, Ron Wahid, CEO of RJI Capital, reveals how polo and business go hand-in-hand in the English countryside.

McLaren Readies For Middle East P1 Deliveries

The British car marker will deliver 10 per cent of its 375 hypercars to the region.

18% Of GCC Spending Five Hours A Day On Touch Devices

A study by Acer found that 50 per cent of children in the region own at least one touch enabled device.