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.

Apple Debuts $17,000 Watch, Some Waiting For Killer App

Investors and analysts agreed that Apple would sell millions to fans but questioned whether it had a “killer app” that would engage a broader audience.

Revealed: Top 10 Salaries In Saudi Arabia

Average salaries in Saudi Arabia rose seven per cent to reach $12,978.3 per month in the Gulf Business 2015 Salary Survey.

Sidelined In Tikrit, U.S. Says War On ISIL Will Be Won

Washington has been training and equipping the Iraqi army to fight back the ISIL militants.

Saudi Kayan Names Abanmai As President

Abanmai has previously served in several executive posts at SABIC and its affiliates, a bourse filing said.

France Wants UN Security Council Meeting On Minorities In Middle East

Laurent Fabius said that he would chair the meeting which would discuss the problems of Christians and other minorities in the region.

Video: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Hands On

A brief look at Samsung’s new flagship smartphone.

Saudi’s Safco Gains Regulatory Nod For $222.2m Bonus Share Issue

Safco will raise its capital from SAR3.33 billion to SAR4.16 billion ($888 million-$1.11 billion), according to a filing on the bourse website.

First Tryp Hotel In UAE Opens

Wyndham’s brand enters the underserved select-service mid-market

Dubai’s Dnata Buys Majority Stake In UK-Based Holiday Firm

The company did not disclose the value of the deal or the exact size of the stake it purchased.

UAE Beat Iran To Win 2019 Asian Cup Hosting Rights

The UAE has staged events such as the 2009 and 2010 FIFA Club World Cups and the FIFA under-17 World Cup in 2013.

Oil, Gas Industry May Cancel $1trn Projects On Price Fall -Aramco

Aramco executive said that the $1 trillion figure included projects that might merely be delayed, not just those that could be cancelled outright.