Dubai Approves New Budget; Spending Set At Dhs34.1bn

Government expenditure is up six per cent from 2012, while revenues are forecast to rise 7.8 per cent in 2013.

Banking Special: Robust Performance In Saudi

Saudi’s behemoth banks were flush with capital in 2012.

Nakheel Awards $136m In Contracts For Villa Project

Arabtec and SS Lootah have been awarded the contracts for the Dubai developer’s Jumeirah Park development.

Germany, Saudi Close To Signing 100m Euro Arms Deal

Reports say the Kingdom wants to buy 100 of the Dingo armoured vehicles over the longer term.

Saudi Arabia To Issue Bonds For Jeddah, Riyadh Airports

The Kingdom’s aviation authority launched its first sukuk in 2012 and raised SAR15 billion to fund the Jeddah airport development.

Etihad Exceeds 2012 Target; Carries Over 10m People

The Abu Dhabi airline is set to achieve a 22 per cent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers.

World Oil Markets: Is US Set To Overtake OPEC?

As US crude production rises, is OPEC’s influence on global oil markets in danger of waning?

Qatari Growth Slows As Energy Sector Sluggish

The Gulf state’s real GDP rose 3.9 per cent in the third quarter of the year, according to official data.

UAE Central Bank Limits Home Loans To Foreigners

Foreigners buying real estate in the UAE can now only get a loan for up to 50 per cent of the property’s value, say sources.

Emirates Gears Up for Double Daily A380s to New York and Paris

The expansion dovetails with the opening of Concourse A, the world’s first purpose-built A380 concourse, at Dubai International Airport in January

Most Popular Stories In 2012

Gulf Business rounds up a list of the 20 most popular stories on our website this year.

Saudi Arabia’s 2012 Budget Surplus At Record 14.2% Of GDP

2013 revenue projected at a conservative SAR829 bn, according to Emirates NBD, as spending on education and healthcare to increase.

Results: UAB Clocks In 32% Profit Rise

UAE-based bank to add 10 new branches in 2013; move headquarters to Sharjah, says CEO.

Emirates And CAE Investment Tops $260 million

The Emirates CAE Flight Training Centre services over 200 aviation clients and trains more than 10,000 pilots and technicians a year

Kuwait Inflation To Keep Falling In 2013

The Gulf state’s inflation rate will slow to 4.1 per cent next year, says central bank chief.

Saudi Arabia Sets Record Budget For 2013

The government plans to spend $219 billion in 2013, 19 per cent higher than the amount budgeted for 2012.

New Airline Operating Licences In Saudi May Take 3-6 Months

Qatar Airways and Bahrain’s Gulf Air have become the first foreign airlines to obtain carrier licences in the Kingdom.

Banking Special: Steady Progress In The Gulf

Many Gulf banks recorded slightly better performance in 2012 but regional differences are apparent. Overall, the region has swerved the ongoing global growth weakness.

Special report: Where To Invest In 2013 – Real Estate

Steven Morgan, head of country at Cluttons UAE discusses the outlook for the regional property sector.

Qatar Airways Sues German Emirati JV For $600m

Airline claims Lindner Depa Interiors was to build 19 airport lounges at New Doha International Airport by the summer “but failed to complete the project on time”

Banking Special: Bahrain Remains Challenged

The country faces political problems and a hangover from banks that were affected in the global economic crisis.

Global Demand To Boost GCC Debt Market In 2013 – StanChart

Attractive interest rate levels and abundant secondary liquidity in the market are expected to drive demand.

Emirates Signs Five-Year Partnership With ATP

As part of the deal, Emirates will become the official airline of the ATP World Tour and the new title sponsor of the ATP Rankings.

Abu Dhabi Eyes More Indian Tourists In 2013

The emirate’s tourism authority is holding a five-city road show in India in January.

Toyota Wants To Settle Acceleration Case For $1.1 Billion

The Japanese automaker is seeking to move past the biggest safety crisis in its history by paying $1.1 billion to settle lawsuits.

World Economic League Table 2013

The latest edition of the Centre for Economics and Business Research World Economic League Table (WELT) for 2013 reveals some interesting moves as the world’s richest powers jockey for position.

Dubai’s Ruler Inspects New Emirates’ A380 Terminal

The new facility at Terminal 3 of Dubai’s International Airport is scheduled to receive its first flight in January 2013.

Oil Jumps To 9-Week High On US Fiscal Talks

President Barack Obama plans to hold budget talks on Thursday aimed at averting the so-called fiscal cliff.

Egypt’s Leader Signs Contentious Constitution Into Law

President Mohamed Mursi has enacted a new, bitterly contested constitution, which won about 64 per cent majority in a two-stage referendum.

Special report: Where To Invest In 2013 – Currency

William Berridge, FX strategist at Barclays reveals the expected trends in the currency market.