Emirates Launches Luxury Private Jet Service

Emirates Executive launches at a time when business aviation is seeing a rise in regional demand.

Commercial Bank Of Qatar Appoints New CEO

The lender has named Abdulla Saleh al-Raisi as its chief executive officer.

Arabtec Appoints Former Burj Khalifa Exec As COO

Nabil Al Kendi was appointed COO of the Arabtec’s group of construction companies, a subsidiary of Arabtec Holding.

Dubai Hotel Occupancy Falls As Peak Season Winds Down

As the peak season for hospitality winds down, average occupancy across UAE and Saudi hotels witness a slight decline.

Dubai Contractor Drake Q2 Profit Rises 63.1%

Drake reported a net profit of Dhs52.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, compared with a profit of Dhs32 million in the corresponding quarter in 2012.

Dubai Establishes Design and Fashion Council

The council will create a strategy to develop Dubai’s fashion industry and support existing events in the sector.

Saudi Arabia Bars Sudan’s Bashir From Entering Airspace

It was not clear whether Bashir was on his way to the inauguration of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Saudi Electricity Signs $3.4bn Contract With S.Korea’s HHI

Hyundai Heavy Industries will build a power plant with 2,640 megawatts of capacity in Shuqaiq.

Kuwait’s Kout Buys British Roadside Dining Chain Little Chef For $23m

The Kuwaiti form bought Little Chef from private equity firm RCapital.

UAE Experts Call For Sustainable Buildings To Combat Energy Demand

Experts advocate the use of solar technology to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency.

Abu Dhabi’s ADPC Pumps Dhs17m Into Port, Leisure Facilities

The investment in Marfa Port will be used to develop the port’s infrastructure and maritime leisure facilities.

Saudi Arabia To Spend $800m On Land For Riyadh Metro

Last week the government awarded $22.5 billion in contracts to three foreign-led consortia for the metro system.

UAE Fuel Stations Resume Credit Card Payments

Card payments, suspended in 2007, will resume with a charge of Dhs2 for all fuel purchases made.

Dubai Developer Deyaar Q2 Net Profit Rises 47%

Deyaar, one of the worst hit during Dubai’s property market crash, posted a second quarter net profit of Dhs27.3 million.

China Completes Construction On World’s Second Tallest Tower

Shanghai Tower will reach up to 632 metres high, around 200 metres shorter than Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.

Dubai Property Brokers Net Dhs785m In Commission In H1 2013

The value of commissions, earned by property intermediaries, companies and individuals helps in assessing the value of growth in the real estate sector.

Qatar Despatches First LNG Shipment For Egypt

Doha has promised Egypt five LNG shipments in total to help meet its energy needs.

Kuwait Forms New Cabinet, Names Al-Shamali Oil Minister

The July 27 parliamentary election brought in an assembly seen as more amenable to the government.

Iranians May Have Abducted Briton In Dubai -UK Government Source

Abbas Yazdi, a British-Iranian citizen, was reported missing on June 25.

Qatar May Alter Foreign Policy But No U-Turn Expected

The tiny state provided much of the armed muscle behind the Arab rebellions.

Luring Emirati Talent To Finance Remains A Challege

Attracting Emirati talent into the finance sector will be a long haul process.

Steely Agenda: Gulf States Aim High In Aluminium Market

The Gulf is striving to tap its cheap energy supply to become a global aluminium heavyweight, writes Peter Shaw-Smith.

Review: Canon EOS 100D

The world’s smallest and lightest camera packs in a lot of punch.

Bahrain King Toughens Anti-Terrorism Laws, Rights Groups Cry Foul

A protest movement in Bahrain has called for rallies on August 14.

Middle East Carriers Record 12.1% Passenger Growth In June

Global passenger demand showed a year-on-year growth of six per cent.

Waldorf Astoria Opens First Hotel In UAE

Hilton’s ultra-luxurious brand has opened a 346-room hotel in Ras Al Khaimah.

Etihad Says Jet Deal Deadline Extended Until Aug End

The Abu Dhabi carrier is awaiting Indian regulatory approval to acquire a $379 million stake in Jet Airways.

UAE’s Etihad To Acquire 49% Stake In Serbia’s JAT Airways

Under the deal signed with the Serbian government, Etihad will provide a $40 million loan facility to JAT.

DFG Sells 30.5% Stake In Malaysia’s Bank Islam

The sale transaction worth $550 million concluded on July 31.

BAE Sees Multi-Billion Dollar Saudi Jet Deal Agreed In Second Half

BAE has been locked in pricing negotiations with Saudi Arabia over the Gulf state’s order of 72 jets since 2007.