State Spending Could Spur Oman’s Tiny Bourse

Oman’s stock index rose 1.2 per cent last year and outperformed Qatar and Bahrain.

New Route Boosts Dubai-Georgia Trade Links

FlyGeorgia has begun services to Dubai, its fourth Middle East route

Bounced Cheques Remain Criminal Offence For UAE Expats

Officials clarify that the UAE rule of decriminalising bounced cheques only applies to UAE nationals.

Dubai Telco Du Signs $100m Financing Deal

The telecoms operator plans to use the funds for the future growth of its business.

Etihad Close To Buying Stake In India’s Jet Airways

The Abu Dhabi-based airline is in final stages to acquire a part of the Indian carrier, say sources.

Global Banks Rethink Middle East Model As Deals Slump

International banks are shrinking their regional businesses as deal activity dries up.

Banking Special: Assets And Profits Soar In Qatar

High oil and gas prices and a large-scale infrastructure programme buttressed Qatar’s banking sector in 2012.

Oman To Create 20,000 Govt Jobs This Year- Minister

The government spent $780 million to create 36,000 jobs for Omanis last year.

UAE’s New Mortgage Rule Will Deter Property Investors – Experts

The UAE central bank recently issued a ruling to limit home loans to foreigners at 50 per cent of the property’s value.

Concourse A Opens At Dubai International

EK003, which took off at 1439 from Dubai to London Heathrow, became Concourse A’s first flight.

Qtel Buys Further $360m Stake In Tunisian Telco

Qatar telecom, along with its Kuwaiti arm Wataniya, now owns a 90 per cent stake in Tunisiana.

TAQA Buys 53.2% Stake In Iraqi Kurdistan Oil Block For $600m

Abu Dhabi National Energy Co(TAQA) confirmed that production was expected to begin in 2013.

Kingfisher Plays Down License Expiry

The license withdrawal shows regulators remain concerned by the airline’s funding plans and it is another blow for the carrier which had hoped to mark the new year with a return to operations

Qatar Airways Rebuts LDI Denials

German Emirati joint venture company Lindner Depa Interiors (LDI) denied delaying the opening of the New Doha International Airport.

Brent Rises Toward $112 As US Approves Fiscal Deal

Brent crude prices were also buoyed by promising data from top energy consumer China.

US Fiscal Cliff Avoided: President Obama Hails Deal

The Senate-backed deal was passed late on Tuesday in the House of Representatives.

Top Cities For Middle Eastern Property Investors

Property investment company IP Global lists the prime global locations for regional real estate investors and explains why they are attractive hotspots.

Saudi PetroRabigh Refinery Halted For 20 Days

A power cut on Saturday has forced the refinery to stop all operations.

Oman Boosts 2013 Spending To $33.5bn

Spending on education, health, housing and social welfare has been boosted by 22 per cent in this year’s budget.

Banking Special: Stable Times For The UAE

The UAE is well capitalised but banking asset quality remains a concern.

Expats Who Bounce Cheques No Longer Risk Prison In UAE

UAE courts have stopped sentencing debt defaulters to prison since last month, say reports.

Oman Awards $108.5m Airport Contract To US Firm

The sultanate is expanding the Muscat airport’s terminal building and the airfield.

US Senate Approves Deal To Avert Fiscal Cliff Crisis

The agreement is now pending a vote in the House of Representatives.

Saudi To Develop Midyan Gas Field In 2013

Saudi oil minister Ali Naimi confirms that the natural gas field will start production within “short period.”

Abu Dhabi Foreign Trade Up 37.6% In 2011

Exports rose 38.5 per cent to Dhs416 billion, driven by a rise in oil prices.

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.