Dubai Developer Nakheel Year Profit Up 57%

Nakheel made a Dhs2.02 billion ($550 million) profit last year, on revenue up 91 per cent to 7.8 billion.

Qatar Islamic Bank Appoints New CEO

Bassel Gamal will be responsible for “all the companies and institutions affiliated to QIB inside Qatar and abroad.”

Davos: Kuwait Wealth Fund Warns Of Currency War

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Badr al-Saad fears the decline of the yen.

Top Economies Face LNG Price Spike

As demand for liquefied natural gas rapidly rises across the world, supply is starting to dwindle, say experts.

Revealed: Top Swimming Pools In The Middle East

The region isn’t short of stunning poolsides but which ones drench the competition? Dominic Ellis rounds up some of the Gulf’s top watering holes.

Global Economy To Remain Stalled in 2013, Say CEOs

PwC survey reveals that only 36% of CEOs worldwide are ‘very confident’ of their company’s growth prospects in the next 12 months.

Gold’s Bull-Run Seen Topping Out In 2013/14

The average spot gold price is expected to stand at $1,775 an ounce in 2013, 6.4 per cent higher than last year’s average, says Reuters survey.

Kuwaiti Parliament Backs Airline Privatisation Law

Parliament first backed privatising loss-making Kuwait Airways Corp (KAC) in 2008.

Slideshow: Middle East Car Sales Boom In 2012

Most car brands posted a double-digit sales growth in the region.

Ladies’ Watches Given Greater Focus

Luxury brands at SIHH are realigning their positions in the Middle East.

Dubai Prices Two-Part $1.25bn Bond Offering

The two-tranche bond includes a $500 million 30-year conventional bond and a $750 million 10-year Islamic bond.

Kuwait To Partially Shut Mina Abdullah Refinery In Q2

The refinery, which produces 270,000 barrels per day, will be closed for maintenance from April to May.

BlackBerry 10 Buzz Builds As Launch Date Nears

The much-awaited new smartphone line-up from RIM will be launched in Dubai and five other cities on January 30.

Investcorp Buys Majority Stake In US Security Firm

The Bahraini investment firm has acquired a stake in US-based FishNet Security for an undisclosed sum.

Saudi Can Maintain Current Spending, Says Finance Minister

The Kingdom has budgeted expenditure of SAR820 billion for 2013, 19 per cent higher than the amount budgeted for 2012.

Qatar’s Hamad International Airport Opening April 1

Initially 12 airlines will fly to the new airport and Qatar Airways will move its entire operations in the second half of the year.

Lewis Hamilton To Wear IWC In 2013

An unnamed source at SIHH confirms Hamilton will no longer endorse TAG Heuer.

Greek PM To Visit Qatar To Discuss Investment

The trip follows the withdrawal of Qatar last week from a multi-billion euro tender to develop Athens’ old airport.

Bahrain’s Batelco Profit Slumps 24% In Q4 2012

The operator’s profit was hit by domestic competition and one-off charges from a cost-cutting programme.

Dubai Serviced Flats Seeing Good Growth – HSBC

The sector is receiving interest from investors because of double-digit growth.

Dubai Successfully Taps Debt Market With $1.25bn Sale

The emirate issued a $750 million 10-year sukuk, as well as a $500 million 30-year conventional bond.

Dubai’s DIFC Sees 16% Rise In Employees

Around 14,000 people are now employed in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

Ralph Lauren’s Bugatti Inspires Watch Making

Meanwhile Roger Dubuis sources inspiration from the legend of King Arthur.

Saudi’s Amwal Sells Stake In Education Group

Investment firm Amwal AlKhaleej says it has exited its investment in Saudi’s Al Rowad Education Group for a “very high return.”

Qatar Telecom Close To Clinching $1bn Loan

Qtel plans to use the amount to fund general business operations, sources said.

Dubai Retailer MAF Posts 10% Rise In 2012 Revenue

The company, which is expanding rapidly, aims bid for Egypt supermarket chain Metro in the first quarter of 2013.

UAE Mortgage Firm Tamweel Sees 11.3% Drop In Q4 Net Profit

The firm is currently in the process of a complete takeover by Dubai Islamic Bank.

Mortgage Caps Not Yet Imposed In UAE, Confirms Central Bank

Th central bank says it will consult commercial banks in the UAE before issuing a new ruling on lending.

Aldar, Sorouh Merger “Positive” For Market – Expert

The Abu Dhabi- based real estate developers are merging to form a new entity with Dhs47 billion in assets.

Audi Plans To Double Middle East Sales by 2020

German luxury car maker hopes to sell 20,000 vehicles per year by 2020.