Almarai In $4.2bn Investment Plan

The five-year plan will fund the expansion of the Saudi Arabian dairy company and boost its product innovation.

Emirates May Refinance Bond

The Gulf airline may refinance a $550 million sukuk, though repayment in cash is still an option.

Improved Water Service For UAQ

Committee approves Dhs755 million infrastructure projects in the UAE’s East Coast and UAQ.

Saudi Needs Spectrum Change

Freeing up spectrum for Saudi’s telecoms operators may add $95.5 billion to the economy by 2025, said GSMA.

ADNOC Acquires EMARAT Stations

Abu Dhabi oil company signs agreement for EMARAT’s fuel stations across five emirates in the UAE.

Dubai First Launches Skyy Miles

The credit card global rewards currency model works for all airlines and covers all routes, the firm said.

DIFC Deposits Continue To Grow

Warnings for oil consumption and equities markets amidst growth of deposits and loans from DIFC companies.

Mashreq CEO: ‘UAE Banks Were Wrong’

Exclusive: Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair blamed a greed culture and a desire for growth for lurching the UAE banks into crisis.

UAE Plans Multiple Entry Visa Permit

The country plans to introduce multiple entry visas for cruise tourists by September this year.

Flydubai Gets $172m Financing

The amount, secured from a unit of Standard Chartered Bank, will be used to buy two new aircraft.

Saudia Catering Unit To Launch IPO

Saudi Arabian Airlines has got approval to list 30 per cent of its catering unit on the Kingdom’s stock exchange.

IP – GDF Suez Deny Monopoly Issues

Exclusive: Utility company International Power-GDF Suez does not face market concentration in the ME.

Bahrain Rents Slump

Residential rents in some areas have fallen to 2005/ 2006 levels, and occupancy levels have reached as low as 30 per cent.

JAFZA To Repay $2bn Sukuk Early

A majority of JAFZA’s stakeholders have consented to the early redemption of the Sukuk, due in November.

Kingdom Holding Sells $200m Hotel

Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Company will retain its stake in the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel.

Omani Bank IPO Attracts $1.77bn

Bank Nizwa, the country’s first Islamic bank, will be listed on the Muscat Securities Market on June 12.

HSBC’s Oman Merger Halted

Trading shares of Oman International Bank also stopped due to $5.20 million claim.

Facebook, Banks, Sued Over IPO

Investors have accused the company of hiding weakened growth forecasts ahead of its $16 billion IPO.

MENA Banks Need Capital Boost

A new report states that 20 per cent of MENA banks need capital to meet the Basel III banking requirements.

Nationals Snap Up Qatar Property

Real estate projects in Qatar are not yet seeing an interest from global investors, say industry experts.

Bahrain To Issue $1.25bn Bond

The Gulf state plans to issue the bond in the second or third week of June, a central bank official said.

Etisalat To Cut Rates By 30%

UAE telecoms operator Etisalat will reduce international call tariffs from the second half of 2012.

The Ascent Of Aluminium

The GCC’s share of global aluminium production could reach ten per cent by 2022, but the sector faces hazards.

Emirates NBD Appoints CEO

Mohammad Kamran will head up two of Emirates NBD’s subsidiaries including Capital Limited.

Qatar’s Property Market Stabilises

As Cityscape Qatar begins, experts say that despite oversupply in the market, demand is catching up.

Facebook To Open Dubai Office

The social network eyes regional advertisers as a new source of investment following the firm’s IPO last week.

Revealed: Fantasy Arab Football Team

Gulf Business takes a look at several Arab-funded football clubs and picks a fantasy team purely of Arabian funding.

TAQA Eyes Turkey Investments

The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) is studying energy investments in Turkey.

New Guidelines For Saudi Journalists

Journalists in the Kingdom have to be accredited by the Saudi Journalists Association, the Cabinet has said.

Facebook Shares Down Already

Tumbling shares wipe billions off Facebook price two days after IPO amid accusations of a poorly constructed listing.