UAE tops MENA ranking on global index measuring rule of law, crime

The Emirates retained the top spot in adherence to order and security helping it reduce crime, a new study says

Saudi’s Mobily names former MTN exec Farroukh as CEO

Mobily said that the new CEO has “a proven track record of success in the area of financial management, audit and operations”

Just du it

Tolga Aykut discusses climbing the corporate ladder with du chief commercial officer Fahad Al Hassawi

Why businesses need a strategy for big data

Companies should adopt a more calculated approach to their big data projects

Saudi says Riyadh determined to confront Iranian expansion in region

Saudi actions had helped reduce the interference of Tehran and its regional clout in Yemen and other countries, the Kingdom’s foreign minister said

Saud al-Faisal, Saudi foreign minister for 40 years, dies

Prince Saud was the world’s longest-serving foreign minister when replaced on April 29 by Adel al-Jubeir, the then-ambassador to Washington

Oil may have further to fall due to oversupply – IEA

The International Energy Agency (IEA) said it expected global demand growth to slow next year to 1.2 million barrels per day from 1.4 million this year

Saudi Arabia issues first sovereign bonds since 2007, more to come

The government sold SAR15bn ($4 billion) of bonds to local banks this year, according to a senior official

Dubai property market: Flight towards affordability

Affordable housing has become the new buzzword in Dubai’s property scene. Why?

Greece launches tourism charm offensive in UAE

Minister says potential ‘Grexit’ will have no impact on the tourism industry

Human

Expo 2020 could face major cyber security issue – expert

Tom Leighton, CEO of tech firm Akamai, says online security is a major challenge for high-profile events across the world

Saudi bank NCB posts 2.6% drop in net profit, misses forecasts

NCB reported a net profit in the second quarter of 2015 of SAR 2.36bn ($629m)

UAE finds 99.88% compliance for midday break rule

The ministry of labour said that 11 firms were fined for flouting the midday work ban

Dnata to handle 20m passengers in Dubai airport this summer

The travel service firm is expecting to handle over 50,000 flights and 30 million bags in the months of June, July and August at Dubai airport

Emirates confirms halting ticket sales by travel agents in Greece

The airline’s sales office in Athens will remain open for bookings, it clarified

UAE stock market regulator chief said to be retiring

Abdullah al-Turifi is a founding member of the Securities and Commodities Authority

Dubai’s non-oil businesses see sluggish growth in June

Business confidence in the emirate remained high despite a slower rate of increase in new orders and growth in June

Sheikh Mohammed: Dubai hits first goal of strategy to become Islamic economy hub

Dubai has overtaken Malaysia and London for the listing of Islamic bonds on its exchanges

Qatar National Bank Q2 net profit rises 10%, beats forecasts

QNB, aiming to become the largest bank in the MEA by 2017, said loans and advances rose 9.2 per cent in the first half of the year

Oman takes legal action against Bulgaria over bank collapse

Oman’s biggest sovereign wealth fund owned a 30 per cent stake in Corporate Commercial Bank

Saudi regulator accepting applications from credit rating agencies

Agencies which apply before the end of August will be allowed to operate until they receive a licence

Dubai house rents to fall by 4% in 2015- report

Dubai is unlikely to see a steep growth in rents as the market stabilises, a new report says

DIFC Courts says 447% rise in value of claims in first half of 2015

The average value per claim in the Court of First Instance increased 490 per cent to Dhs 106.4m

Oman plans $600m solar energy plant to save on gas use

Construction of the first phase of the plant, ultimately expected to generate 1,021 megawatts, will start this year

Marka signs Dhs 31m franchise deal for ice cream brand Morelli’s Gelato

Post the deal, Marka plans to open 17 Morelli’s outlets in the MENA region by 2020

Saudi’s Mobily unlikely to stabilise before next year – chairman

The company has been rocked by accountancy issues which have forced it to restate financial statements dating back to 2013

US-led coalition launches new counter-terrorism centre in Abu Dhabi

The Sawab Centre will use direct online engagement to counter terrorist propaganda used to attract foreign fighters to ISIL’s cause

Tunneling work begins on mega Riyadh Metro project

The 176 km six-line driverless network is scheduled for completion in 2019

Three senior staff at UAE’s Arabtec quit, new CFO appointed

The changes follow a series of management upheavals at the company since June last year

UAE Central Bank issues braille currency notes for Dhs 500, Dhs 5

The new tactile features will be engraved in bleed-off intaglio printing on the edge of the banknotes’ short sides