Qatar Exchange CEO Sees 2 IPOs, 4 ETFs In 2015

The exchange is working with the central bank to set up a market for corporate bonds.

Saudi’s Riyad Capital Predicts 25% Growth In AUM Over Several Years

The Riyadh-based firm currently manages about $8 billion in assets, largely in equities-related areas.

Nshama Launches Second Batch Of Townhouses In Town Square Project

Hayat consists of 730 townhouses in a mix of three and four bedroom units, located at the centre of the development.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Dismisses Saudi Worries About Iranian Control

Saudi Arabia, the main regional rival of Shi’ite Iran, fears Tehran’s growing influence in Iraq, whose government is Shi’ite-led.

Emirates Says Has Not Received Any Query From US Govt On Subsidy Issue

The airline will go through the report and send its official response shortly, says senior official.

Solar Plane Aiming For First Round-The-World Flight Lands In India

The Solar Impulse 2 arrived in the west Indian city of Ahmedabad after a flight of about 15 hours over the Arabian sea from Muscat in Oman.

Habtoor Grand Eyes European Guests From Autograph Tie-Up

Partnership provides Habtoor with greater access to global markets and Marriott with a direct beach offering

Microsoft Launches Lumia 532 In The UAE

The affordable smartphone phone will be priced at Dhs385 in the UAE and come with a number of free accessories.

Dubai’s Amlak Finance Posts 2014 Profit Rise On Debt Restructuring

Amlak’s net profit attributable to equity holders rose to Dhs58.9 million ($16 million) in 2014 from Dhs48.2 million a year earlier.

UAE-Based YahClick Inks Deal With South Africa’s SKA Project

The deal will see YahClick provide data services to the SKA project, an international initiative to build the world’s largest radio telescope.

Oman Bourse May See Two Initial Share Sales Before Summer

The listing of family-owned businesses has been a key aim of bourses across the Gulf region, including Oman.

Qatar Moves Fiscal Year-End, Reforms Budget Policy

The changes are contained in a financial system law issued on Tuesday by the emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

Qatar’s Bourse Says Working On Margin Trading, FTSE Index Upgrade

The country’s upgrade to emerging market status last year helped to increase average daily turnover by 160 per cent, a senior official said.

Houthi Leader Accuses Gulf States Of Backing Al Qaeda In Yemen

Abdel-Malek al-Houthi accused Gulf states of providing arms and funds to Al Qaeda in Yemen, helping them to flourish in the country.

Sweden To End Defence Agreement With Saudi Arabia

The decision came after Saudi Arabia blocked a speech by Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom at a meeting of the Arab League in Cairo.

Qatar’s Ooredoo Q4 Net Profit Slumps On Foreign Units

The company attributed the slump in profit to foreign exchange losses in Indonesia and higher costs in its Myanmar and Algerian business.

Qatar Says To Begin Rebuilding 1,000 Homes In Gaza

Qatar had previously said that it would provide $1 billion in reconstruction assistance for Gaza.

Inmates Injured In Clashes At Bahrain Prison -Rights Group

The rights group said that the disturbance at the prison was sparked by an assault by security guards on family members trying to visit relatives held at the remote facility.

UAE’s Sharjah Islamic Bank Prices $500m 5 Year Sukuk – Leads

The bond was priced at a spread of 110 basis points over midswaps and carried a profit rate of 2.843 per cent, the document said.

King Salman Pledges To Maintain Stability, Create Jobs

In his first major public speech, the king vowed to create more private sector jobs and deal with all security challenges.

Jordan’s King Abdullah Urges EU To Fight “Islamophobia”

The king said that European governments must promote “mutual respect” and an “inclusive society”.

Kuwait’s Tamdeen Group Launches $700m Mixed Use Project

The project will include a mall, two high-rise residential towers, one furnished apartment tower, a marina and a five star hotel.

Smartphone Maker InnJoo Plots 1m MEA Sales In 2015, Reveals New Device

InnJoo, which launched in the Middle East last year in partnership with e-commerce site Souq.com, has sold 300,000 devices over the last six months.

Oman’s Bank Dhofar Cuts Proposed Cash Dividend On Central Bank Advice

The bank did not explain the reasoning behind the recommendation, but said it would increase its bonus share issue to 15 per cent from 10 per cent.

Blocked Online, ISIL Supporters Launch CaliphateBook

The site 5elafabook.com, which resembled Facebook but appeared unfinished, went live on Sunday then went offline again a day later.

Bahrain Refinery Expansion To Cost Some $5bn, Online By 2019

The increase in refinery’s capacity according to the current plan is from 260,000 barrels per day to 360,000, the minister said.

Kuwait OPEC Governor: Expects OPEC To Continue Policy

OPEC decided at its last meeting in November to keep production unchanged, rather than cutting it to support sliding oil prices.

Video: Workers Stage Strike In Downtown Dubai Over Wage Issues

Hundreds of labourers from the Fountain Views project gathered in Downtown Dubai to demand bonuses, eyewitnesses said.

Human Rights Or Business? Saudi Defence Accord Sparks Storm In Sweden

Analysts say the Swedish government’s change of tack in foreign policy could jeopardise billions of dollars in sales, particularly for defence-related companies

Dubai’s Union Properties Proposes First Cash Dividend Since 2002

The board also proposed a five per cent bonus share issue for 2014.