Dubai Property Rents Up 17% In 2012

This year witnessed a turnaround for the emirate’s struggling real estate sector.

Second Hilton Garden Inn for Riyadh

The 130-room Hilton Garden Inn Riyadh Andalusia will be the mid-tier brand’s third property in the Kingdom

First ibis Opens In Saudi Arabia

First internationally branded three-star economy hotel in the Kingdom will be followed by many more as main hospitality groups target demand for affordable stays

Russia’s Largest Bank Signs Deal With Invest AD

The agreement between the Abu Dhabi financial services firm and Sberbank is expected to facilitate more investment in both the regions.

Local Investors Plough Cash Back Into Regional Real Estate

Dubai is the top choice for regional high net worth individual investment.

Moody’s Downgrades Three Dubai Banks

The international agency has cut ratings for three lenders in the emirate, and put a fourth on review.

Dassault To Grow Middle East Fleet By 10%

Its best-selling Falcon 7X features a 5,950nm range which can serve most city pairs demanded by business aviation travellers

Qtel Picks JP Morgan To Direct Maroc Telecom Bid

Group owner Vivendi is selling 53 per cent of its stake in the Moroccan mobile operator.

Ocean View Hotel Opening December 22

Located along The Walk, the 341-room property will contain five restaurants and bars

Dubai’s DAE Cancels Order For 5 Boeing 747-8 Freighters

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise had earlier ordered 10 747-8 planes and also has orders for seven 777 freighters.

Dubai Hotels See 87.1% Occupancy In October

Hotels in neighbouring Abu Dhabi posted a decline in occupancy and profit rates, says new survey.

Saudi Mobily Resumes Selling Pre-Paid SIM Cards After Suspension

The telecoms operator faced a two-week ban on SIM card sales over provisioning requirements.

Egypt President Scraps Decree That Sparked Protests

The constitutional referendum will go ahead next week despite calls for its postponement.

Top 10 Global Cities For Hotel Investment In 2012

Dubai features among the top 25 global destinations for hotel investment in 2012, according to a new report.

Saudi Businesses Fear Impact Of Foreign Workers Fees

The government has started imposing fees on companies that hire more foreign than local workers.

Dancing With The Dragon: China And The UAE

UAE banks are gunning for a slice of the growing Chinese economy.

Dubai World Central Events To Take Flight

MEBA conference will shine the spotlight on new airport – ahead of business aviation operations starting mid-2013

Gulf Air CEO Resignation: What Happens Now?

Following the resignation of the CEO of Gulf Air, Samer Majali, this week, where does the airline find itself as it approaches 2013?

StanChart Sees $330m Iran Fine, Profit Rise Erodes

The lender already paid $340 million to New York’s Department of Financial Services in Q3 2012.

Emirates Flight Training Academy Targets 2014 Launch

Dedicated facility at Dubai World Central Airport will help meet demand surge for professional pilots

flydubai Shows Hollywood HD Movies

The low-cost carrier is the launch customer for the ‘Fiber-To-The-Screen’ system by Lumexis, enabling HD movies to be shown simultaneously in every seat back.

Where To Invest In 2013 – With Merrill Lynch

Johannes Jooste, head of strategy for EMEA at Merrill Lynch, advises equities over fixed income.

Best Western Opens All-Suite Hotel In Bahrain

The chain is in the midst of an aggressive Middle East expansion with new hotels in Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and another property coming up in Bahrain

World’s Top 10 Most Powerful People

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah ranks among the top 10 most powerful people, according to Forbes’ latest list.

Air Arabia Launches Services to Iraq’s Basra

The low-cost carrier will fly three times a week between Sharjah and Basra.

Rivals Clash As Mursi Deputy Seeks End to Egypt Crisis

Five people were killed and 350 injured in clashes outside Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi’s palace.

BofA Names Nomura’s Ghafur As MENA Head

Bank of America Merrill Lynch is looking to improve its regional banking operations.

Qatar Airways Launches Warsaw Flights

The carrier has started four-times weekly services between Doha and Warsaw.

US Investigation Into Saudi Banking Licenses

The US Department of Justice is investigating if the alleged Barclays’ bribes were replicated at other banks.

Dubai Taxis To Apply Salik Charges

People using taxis in Dubai will have to start paying the Dhs4 toll from January.