France, Qatar Seal $7.05bn Rafale Fighter Jet Deal

The deal is reportedly for 24 Dassault Aviation-built Rafale planes with an option for 12 more.

Sharjah Aims To Attract 10m Tourists By 2021

The emirate’s tourism promotion agency said that it has outlined a clear plan to attract tourists and improve their experience.

Bahrain-Dubai Joint Venture Closes Third Bombardier Deal

The deal for the leasing of three Bombardier Q400 NextGen planes is worth $94 million at list prices.

Omantel Q1 Net Profit Rises 0.6%

Omantel said its first-quarter net profit was impacted by losses at subsidiaries.

Qatar’s Ooredoo Q1 Net Profit Falls 43%

The telecoms firm had reported declining profits in four of the previous six quarters.

Abu Dhabi Sovereign Wealth Fund To Buy HK Hotels In $2.4bn Deal

A JV formed by New World and ADIA will buy stakes in three Hong Kong hotels.

Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way: The New DIFC Wills & Probate Registry

DIFC’s new Wills and Probate Registry gives non-muslims certainty in inheritance matters.

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Saudi Arabia Bans Poultry Meat From Canadian Province Ontario

The ban was imposed due to the presence of avian influenza on three Ontario farms.

ISIL Militants Killed Two Tunisian Journalists Kidnapped Last Year In Libya

Sofian Chourabi and Nadhir Ktari were kidnapped about eight months ago.

Kuwait Seeking Around $10bn Loan For Clean Fuels Project

The project will upgrade and expand two of the Gulf Arab state’s largest existing refineries.

Saudi Arabia Trains Yemeni Tribal Fighters In War Against Houthis

So far the fighting and air strikes have killed over 1,000 people since the bombings started on March 26.

Kuwait Stock Regulator Plans Changes To Align Market With Global Norms

Kuwait’s regulator is looking to improve the investment environment in the country.

Bahrain Sentences Man To Death For Killing Policeman -Agency

The court also sentenced 11 other suspects, most of them in absentia, in the same case to terms ranging from 10 years to life in jail.

UAE Ranks In Top Three For Connectivity, ICT Usage – Report

Huawei’s 2015 Global Connectivity Index ranked the Emirates for its strong support for mobile adoption and widespread access to information and communication systems.

UAE Bank NBAD Expects Costs To Jump 10.9% In 2015 – CFO

The lender reported a marginal increase in first-quarter net profit.

Yemen Government To Request Membership In GCC -Official Yemeni Spokesman

A spokesperson said that the country will present a plan in Saudi Arabia next month, requesting membership into the GCC.

GCC Countries Could Save $17.7bn From Diversification – EY

Gulf countries must develop sectors such as construction that help boost the rest of the economy, the report says.

Bahrain’s Batelco Hit By Competition And Currency Effects

The company made a net profit of BD14.2 million dinars in the first quarter of 2015.

Tech Firm IBM Expands ME Presence, Opens Kuwait Office

The new office will act as a sales and customer service hub for IBM’s offerings in the region.

Nakheel’s Net Profit Rises 115% In Q1 2015

The company attributed the growth in profits to a strong performance by its development business.

Dubai Investments Posts 6.5% Q1 Net Profit Rise

The conglomerate said its net profit was Dhs282 million in the first quarter of 2015.

Dubai’s Emaar Malls Q1 Net Profit Rises 32%

The unit made a net profit of Dhs433 million in the first quarter of 2015.

UAE Bank NBAD’s First Quarter Net Profit Hampered By Costs

NBAD made a net profit of Dhs1.42 billion in the first quarter of 2015.

Dubai’s ENBD Sets Pricing For $500m 5-yr Bond At Midswaps Plus 150 bps

The size of the issue was capped at $500 million and books exceeded $650 million with more accounts to respond.

Turkish Retailer Boyner Says Qatar’s Mayhoola To Buy $332m Stake

oyner Perakende is a subsidiary of Boyner Group, a non-food retail conglomerate.

Saudi Al-Bassam, Sumou Holding To Set Up $751m Fund To Invest In Turkey

The group is aiming to work with state firms such as TOKI, Emlak Konut and Kiptas.

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Oman Fund, Spanish Firm To Finance Spanish Companies Abroad

The new fund will focus on companies interested in doing business in Oman as well as other Gulf countries, East Africa, and South and Southeast Asia.

Saudi King Orders One-Month Salary Bonus For Security Personnel

The state news agency did not say how much money would be disbursed for the bonus, but it is likely to be sizeable.

Abu Dhabi’s NMC Health Acquires Two UAE Medical Firms

The company has acquired Abu Dhabi-based Americare Group and Sharjah-based Dr. Sunny Healthcare Group.

UAE Finance Execs Hiking Pay To Retain Top Talent – Survey

One third of companies in the country have increased counter offers to avoid losing key employees, finds Robert Half survey.