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.

Russia Unveils $25bn Oil Link To Pacific

The East Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline aims to expand sales to the US and cement Russia’s place as a dominant force on international crude markets.

UAE Bad Loan Provisions Drop For First Time Since Crisis

Provisions set aside for specific NPLs fell slightly to Dhs65.3 billion at the end of October from Dhs65.4 billion in September.

Air India Expands GCC Operations In 2012, Looks To Grow

The Indian carrier recently launched the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft between Dubai and New Delhi.

UAE’s United Arab Bank Obtains $125m Club Loan

The loan amount will be used for general corporate purposes.

Brent Climbs Above $109, US Budget Talks Eyed

Investors are hoping for a last minute deal in the US to avert the so-called fiscal cliff.

Gold Slips On US Budget Woes, Jewellers Buy

The precious metal is still on track for a 12th straight year of gains.

Egypt Slaps New Controls On Travelling With Cash

Travellers going to and from the country can now carry only up to $10,000 in cash.

Iraq’s Asiacell Seeks To Raise $1.35bn From IPO

Asiacell will sell 67.503 billion shares at a price of at least 22 Iraqi dinars per share.