Etihad Raising ME And Subcontinental Services

Extra flights to Amman, Cairo, Islamabad and Muscat this summer are designed to improve network-wide connectivity.

Jeddah’s Islamic Development Bank Sells $1bn Sukuk

The senior, unsecured notes priced at a profit rate of 1.535 per cent, arranging banks said.

UBP Snaps Up Lloyds International Private Banking Arm

Lloyds also said on Wednesday that it would close its business in Dubai and intended to withdraw from South Africa.

UAE Revives Plans To Build Currency Mint

The UAE’s currency, the dirham, is currently printed overseas in countries such as the UK and France.

Bomb Injures Seven Policemen In Bahrain

At least four other policemen were less seriously hurt in the attack in Bani Jamra village.

Oman Considers Dollar Bond Issue In 2014 – Central Bank

The non-OPEC oil exporter’s only previous international bond was a $225 million Eurobond sold in March 1997.

Tom & Jerry, Batman Perfumes To Hit UAE Shelves

Warner Bros licenses regional operator to market the themed fragrances in the Middle East.

Emirates Secures $160m Sponsorship Deal With Real Madrid

The new four-year deal promotes the Dubai-based carrier to main shirt sponsor of the club from the 2013/14 season.

Al Zarooni Drops Appeal Against Eight-Year Ban

The 37-year-old Emirati was last month found guilty of administering anabolic steroids to 15 horses in the Godolphin stable.

Abu Dhabi Fastest Growing City In ME, Africa

The MasterCard Cities Index report showed the UAE’s capital has a growth rate of 16.1 per cent in relation to visitor numbers.

Almarai Plans To Boost Capital By 50%

The Saudi dairy firm will distribute bonus shares in a move approved by its shareholders.

Saudi Finance Minister Says 2013 Growth Will Top 4.4%

The International Monetary Fund forecasted Saudi Arabia’s GDP growth at 4.4 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent in 2012.

Canadian Visa Waiver To UAE Effective From June 1

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird confirmed the news in Ottawa.

Foreign Workers Queue To Quit Saudi Arabia

Earlier this year the kingdom began to crack down on the many foreign workers who violated their visa terms.

Kuwait Inks $514m Refinery Upgrade Deal With S.Korea’s Daelim

The work is due to be completed within three years at the refinery.

Ex-RBS MidEast And Africa CEO Joins Abu Dhabi Bank

Penney, who resigned from RBS in March, will join First Gulf Bank as head of its expanding wholesale banking division.

UAE Starts Building Second Nuclear Power Plant

The plant is expected to begin commercial operations in 2018.

Middle East CEOs More Confident Than Global Peers

While 17 per cent of regional CEOs are more confident than their global counterparts, they are seven per cent less sure than last year.

Antique Apple-1 Fetches Record $671K

The market for old Apple computers is heating up, with prices steadily increasing.

Gold Stuck Below $1,400 As Stocks And Dollar Firm

The dollar index was up 0.2 per cent, while European stocks gained 1.2 per cent.

Emirates To Restart Tripoli Flights In September

Resumption of services after two years will benefit passengers with connections within the GCC, Indian Subcontinent, Far East and West Asia

UAE’s Solar Power Capacity To Reach 20GW by 2030

Proper regulatory and policy frameworks are required to reach this potential, says expert

Oberoi Dubai Targets June 15 Launch

Luxury Indian chain’s first UAE property is poised to open its doors next month.

Bahrain Bans Political Groups From Contacting Hezbollah

The move comes a day after Bahrain’s foreign minister called the head of the Shi’ite Muslim group a “terrorist”.

Saudi King Hands National Guard Ministry To Son

Prince Miteb’s promotion bolsters his credentials within the ruling al-Saud family.

Qatar Plans $5.5bn Island To House World Cup Fans

Barwa Real Estate unveiled plans for Oryx Island, which would feature luxury villas, a water park and five floating hotels using cruise ships.

Kuwait’s Shamali Named Acting Oil Minister

Mustapha al-Shamali is Kuwait’s long-serving finance minister.

Kuwait Grants Oman $2.5bn In Development Aid

The Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development will supply the amount in annual installments over a 10-year period.

Indians In UAE Spend Heavily On Rent – Survey

Children’s education and travel are some of the other key expenses for NRIs in the UAE, finds new study.

Emirates And CAE Open Second Flight Training Centre

New facility at Dubai Silicon Oasis will initially house five full-flight simulator training bays