Qatar Islamic Bank Q1 Profit Drops 25%

The Islamic lender made a net profit of 291.1 million riyals ($79.99 million) during Q1, compared with 387.7 million riyals in the same period a year ago.

Dubai’s Greens Locality Sees 40% Rent Rise In Q1

The recent escalation of leasing and sales prices in the emirate is concerning, says report.

Gold Rises 1%, Holds Near One-Week High

Both cash gold and futures sank to around $1,321 on April 16, their lowest in over two years.

Qatar Resumes Gains, Dubai Boosts To New High

In Dubai, heavy buying of mid-cap stocks pushed the index up 1.6 per cent to its highest close since November 2009.

MENA’s E-commerce Explosion

The region’s leading e-commerce players are braced for growth in 2013 following a wave of venture capital last year.

Abu Dhabi Plans Financial Free Zone, May Compete With Dubai

The area, known as the Abu Dhabi World Financial Market, is scheduled to come up on the emirate’s Al Maryah island, say sources.

Oman Telco Nawras Posts 21% Drop In Q1 Net Profit

The company said increased depreciation arising from network modernisation had impacted its net profit.

Qatar Airways Targets May 15 Dreamliner Return

The first of its four daily London flights, QR075, is currently listed as a Dreamliner service on its booking engine – as is the return flight (QR076).

Five Minutes With…Rohini Gehani, CEO, Rivaage Boutique

As the world gets smaller individuals have more access to designers and couture items, says Rivaage Boutique founder.

ENOC To Complete $142m Oil Terminal By End-2013

The oil storage terminal, with a storage capacity of over 141,000 cubic metres, will have a direct pipeline connection with the Dubai airport.

Dubai Property Deals Hit Dhs44bn In Q1 2013

The value of real estate transactions in the emirate rose 63 per cent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2013.

Saudi Kayan Restarts Plant Shut For Maintenance

The SABIC unit shut its ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol plant for scheduled maintenance.

Etisalat May Buy Maroc Telecom Stake

A statement from Etisalat on Friday could reinforce speculation among some investors that it will also buy the state’s holding.

Saudi May Confiscate Unused Land For Housing

A shortage of land in big cities has frustrated efforts to build half a million homes – a project ordered by King Abdullah in 2011.

ENBD’s Departing CEO: Foreign Expansion Won’t Slow

Rick Pudner was speaking at the bank’s Q1 results days after the lender announced he would step down this year.

How To Trade Stocks And Shares In The UAE

Before you jump headfirst into the local equity markets, it’s important to gain knowledge of the companies, industries and economy you’re buying shares in.

Etihad Bets On India In Pricey Jet Airways Deal

The success of Etihad’s bet will depend on the capacity of the two airline heads to stay on friendly terms, writes Reuters’ Una Galani.

Review: LG Optimus L9 P768

Priced at Dhs999 in the UAE, the mid-range android smartphone comes packed with features.

Does The GCC Ignore Halal Cosmetics?

Some experts say the GCC suffers from a lack of local halal certification bodies, as buyers opt for European rivals.

Etihad Signs Codeshare Deal With Air Canada

The UAE reinstated a visa waiver for Canadian citizens in April which it withdrew amid a dispute over landing rights more than two years ago.

Low Wages Deter Emiratis From Accounting Careers

The lure of higher salaries along with shorter working hours and more holidays has seen a large number of Emiratis opting for a public sector career.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Posts 5% Rise In Q1 Profit

The lender posted a net profit of Dhs903 million ($245.8 million) in the three months to March 31, up from Dhs861 million in the prior-year period.

M&A Deal Values In MENA Up 100% In Q1

The value of mergers & acquisitions in the region rose to $14.6 billion in the first quarter of the year, finds Ernst & Young.

Kuwait Says Will Scrap Media Bill If Editors Object

The media law was passed by the government this month but still needs the approval of parliament.

DP World Q1 Consolidated Volumes Down 6.4%

DP World handled 6.2 million TEU in the quarter, compared to 6.6 million in the year-earlier period.

Boeing Shrugs Off Dreamliner Woes With 20% Q1 Profit

Net income spike provided some respite for the company after the much-publicised grounding of its Dreamliner programme.

Emirates NBD Q1 Profit Jumps 31%

The Dubai bank made a net profit of Dhs837 million in the three months to March 31 compared to Dhs641 million last year.

Dubai To Temporarily Close Godolphin Stable

Sheikh Mohammed said that no horse will run from the Newmarket stable until he is sure the yard is clean.

Oman Central Bank To Help Boost Lending To SMEs

Supporting smaller firms is a key part of the government’s economic policy but lending growth hit a 22 month low in February.

Arabtec To Buy EFECO Unit For $45m

Emirates Falcon Electromechanical Co specializes in the electro-mechanical building services sector.