Abu Dhabi Sees Hotel Revenues Rise 6% In 2012

The emirate welcomed over 2.3 million hotel guests last year, up 13 per cent from 2011.

Emirates Targets Japan Exports Growth

New services to Haneda Airport will provide Japanese exporters and passengers more flexibility when connecting to the airline’s global network.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Picks Banks For Bond Issue

The UAE-based lender plans to launch a conventional bond in the coming few days, say sources.

UAE’s ADNOC Supplying Fuel To Emarat Stations

The handover will save Emarat around Dhs80 million every month.

Qtel CEO Addresses Telecoms Gender Divide

Dr Nasser Marafih uses the World Economic Forum in Davos to highlight the issue.

Dubai Ranks Third Largest Passenger Airport

Airport beats forecasts by one million and has London’s Heathrow “firmly within its sights”.

Saudi Maaden To Shut Fertilizer Plant For Maintenance

The mining firm plans to close a diammonium phosphate fertilizer plant for three weeks.

UAE, Turkey Trade Up 197% In H1 2012

Trade exchanges between the two countries reached $5.3 billion during the first half of the year.

Abu Dhabi Property Merger Seen Completed June 30

Property firms Aldar and Sorouh agreed on an all-share merger last week creating a company with $13 billion in assets.

Obama Struggling Over Whether To Intervene In Syria

U.S. President: “In a situation like Syria, I have to ask: can we make a difference?”

Kuwait MPs Target Financial Help For Citizens

The proposal would be the first time Kuwait has given out financial aid.

Oman Telco Nawras Extends Profit Slump For Q4

The firm reported a Q4 net profit of 10.3 million rials, down from 11.9 million in 2011.

Qatar’s CBQ Posts 19% Q4 Profit Jump, Missing Estimates

The bank earned 447 million riyals in Q4. Analysts had forecast profit of 452.4 million riyals.

UAE To Highlight Expo 2020 Bid At WEF In Davos

The Higher Committee will use the World Economic Forum to promote Dubai’s bid.

Dubai May Ease Restriction For Foreign Investors

International investors may be allowed to start businesses in the UAE in partnership with nationals from the wider GCC region.

UAE’s ENOC Replaces Sanctioned Iran Oil With Qatari Supplies

Emirates National Oil Co (ENOC) was the biggest buyer of Iranian condensate in 2012.

Kuwaiti Consortium Signs Contract For Oil Exploration In Iraq

Under the contract, the Kuwait Energy- led consortium will begin exploration in Basra’s block 9.

Twitter Announces New Partnership In MENA Region

The micro-blogging site has made its first business move in the region, teaming up with Connect Ads.

New UAE Mortgage Law Expected In Second Half Of 2013

The UAE central bank is still holding negotiations with the Emirates Banks Association and no rule has been issued as yet.

Retailer SPAR To Enter Middle East

The company aims to have 30 stores in the region by end of 2015.

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.