MENA CEOs Confident About UAE and Saudi Growth

Despite a bullish outlook on sales growth by MENA CEOs, employment levels are expected to remain flat with businesses adopting a cautious approach.

Abu Dhabi Energy Firm TAQA Swings To Q2 Loss

TAQA’s results were weighed down by derivatives and hedging exposures and a slump in income from its oil and gas business.

DP World Says H1 Consolidated Volumes Down 5.7%

The port operator’s volumes dropped in Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Kuwait’s Ruler Pardons People Convicted Of Insulting Him

Dozens of Kuwaitis have been charged with insulting Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, especially online.

IMF Warns Dubai On Debt, Surging Property Prices

Dubai property prices have soared around 35 per cent from a year ago in June, according to estimates, triggering fears of another bubble.

Eid Holidays Announced For UAE’s Government Sector

Government offices will be shut from Wednesday, August 7.

Ooredoo Q2 Net Profit Soars 44% To $253.5m

The Qatari telecoms firm saw increased revenue from the group’s units in Iraq and Indonesia.

Saudi Website Editor Sentenced To Seven Years In Prison, Lashes

Raif Badawi started the “Free Saudi Liberals” website to discuss the role of religion in Saudi Arabia.

Indians Invest Dhs8bn In Dubai’s Property Market In H1 2013

Foreign investments in Dubai’s real estate market increased 73 per cent from H1 2012 to reach Dhs32 billion.

Is Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner “Doomed”?

Bad publicity around the aircraft is just media-created hype and all the glitches will iron out gradually, says analyst.

Dubai Issues Decree To Repay Investors In Cancelled Property Projects

The emirate is setting up a special legal committee to settle disputes related to projects officially cancelled by RERA.

Jet Rotana To Operate Thrice Weekly Flights from Abu Dhabi To Dubai

Tickets for a roundtrip between the emirates are priced at Dhs150.

UAE Online Job Postings Fall 31% Annually – Monster

Healthcare job opportunities in the UAE were up by eight per cent from last year but chemicals industry jobs plunged 14 per cent.

Saudi’s $22.5bn Metro Project Aims To Shift Economy Beyond Oil

Six rail lines carrying electric, driverless trains and extending 176 kilometres in Riyadh are to be completed by 2019.

Bahrain’s Investcorp Annual Profits Surge 56%

Investcorp made a net profit of $104.9 million in the 2013 fiscal year ended in June.

StanChart Hires Ex-Morgan Stanley Banker For Middle East Push

Sarmad Lone has joined the British lender as its regional head for global corporates for the MENAP region.

Salini Impregilo Team Wins $6bn Saudi Metro Project

The firm’s attributable net income from the deal will equal around 29 per cent of the $4.9 billion estimated for civil works.

Kuwait’s Emir Reappoints PM After Election

Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah has been asked to form his new cabinet.

Jet Wins Key Approval For Etihad Deal, With Conditions

India’s foreign investment regulator gave conditional approval to the $379 million deal.

Emaar Reports Flat Net Profit For First Half Of 2013

The Dubai developer made a net profit of Dhs1.23 billion, up marginally from Dhs1.22 billion in H1 2012.

Dubai June Airport Passenger Traffic Up 17.5%

Passenger traffic was aided by Emirates airline’s tie-up with Australia’s Qantas.

Dunia Finance Posts 91% Profit Increase For H1 2013

Dunia posts Dhs55.6 million profits; Dhs166.4 million revenues

Formula One Teams Schedule 2014 Tests In Middle East

Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain are under consideration to hold the tests.

Pictures: Timeline Of Boeing 787 Dreamliner Problems

Qatar Airways grounded one of its Dreamliners earlier this week after a technical glitch.

Is Bahrain’s Gulf Air Finally On A Flight To Recovery?

The airline, undergoing a restructuring process, said that year-on-year losses reduced by over 50 per cent in the first half of 2013.

Sharjah Rents Soar By 16%, As Dubai Residents Migrate

Apartments in areas like Al Nahda and Al Majaz recorded a rental hike, while villa price hikes varied depending on location.

Omnicom-Publicis Groupe Merge To Be Biggest Ad Firm

The merger of France’s Publicis and US-based Omnicom is expected to create a saving of $500 million.

Prince Alwaleed Says Saudi’s Oil Dependence Is Cause For “Worry”

In an open letter to Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi, Prince Alwaleed said oil demand from OPEC states was declining.

Saudi Arabia Awards $22.5bn Contracts To Build Riyadh Metro

The project is the world’s largest public transport system currently under development, said Saudi officials.

Bahrain Orders Tougher Penalties Ahead Of Protests

Bahrain’s lawmakers agreed to proposals including stripping those who commit or call for ‘terrorism crimes’ of their nationality.