Luxury Belgian chocolatier Godiva plans major UAE, Saudi expansion

The company aims to double the number of outlets in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the next six to 12 months

Emirates Global Aluminium says to cut 4% of workforce

The move, which would see around 250 support positions eliminated, is aimed at creating a leaner entity and increasing competitiveness.

Abu Dhabi ruler issues law to regulate property market

According to the decree, all real estate developments must be registered with the government along with sales transactions listing the buyer.

Royal Enfield opens first store in Dubai

The store will sell Enfield’s popular bikes such as the Bullet, the Continental GT 535cc café racer, the Rumbler and the retro street model Classic.

Abu Dhabi’s Royal Jet gets $117m loan to fund aircraft buys

The two Boeing 737-700 BBJ aircraft are due for delivery in September and December

Emirates airline sees more opportunities to fly in Europe

CEO Tim Clark says governments, airports and organisations in Europe frustrated with local airlines have asked Emirates to start offering international service

France nears $1.1bn Kuwait deal to sell Airbus helicopters

The contract is for the sale of 24 Airbus-built military helicopters to Kuwait

Different Arab money

Sovereign wealth funds turn to internal fund management

Sovereign wealth funds in the Middle East have the highest return expectations of sovereign funds globally

UAE’s Masdar in talks with Germany’s RWE on green energy projects – source

RWE’s CEO Peter Terium had said earlier that the company was in talks with an Abu Dhabi investor regarding joint renewable energy projects, but declined to reveal its identity.

Video: flydubai’s latest 737 takes shape in Boeing’s Renton factory

Boeing’s 737 manufacturing facility in Renton produces 42 airplanes every month

UAE fixes price of 3,500 food items before Ramadan

The ministry said that it has signed a deal with retailers to offer discounts of up to 70 per cent during Ramadan on about 4,700 essential food items.

Aluminium Bahrain gets approval for $3.5bn expansion

Construction is expected to start in 2016 and production to begin in 2019, the company said.

Emirates signs codeshare deal with Europe’s Flybe

The deal, due to be implemented in July, provides the Dubai carrier with greater access to the UK and Europe

Emirates airline says to submit response soon in Open Skies row

The official did not specify a date by which the airline would file its responses to subsidy allegations

Buyout firm Arcapita sells $640m US real estate portfolio

The portfolio includes 16 facilities and 4,000 residential units for continuing senior care, the company said in a statement.

Qatar Airways threatens to quit oneworld alliance over subsidy row

The airline’s CEO Akbar Al Baker accuses one of his American partners of blocking its expansion

DIFC announces 10-year plan, says will triple in size by 2024

The financial free zone hopes that Dubai’s financial sector will raise its GDP contribution to 18 per cent over the next 10 years

Abu Dhabi airport passenger traffic up 15.5% in April

The busiest routes in April were London Heathrow, Bangkok, Manila, Doha and Mumbai.

Qatar, UAE ranked MENA’s most productive internet economies

New report identifies Sweden as the world’s most advanced and productive internet economy

Tropical storm Ashobaa expected to have indirect impact on UAE

The storm, which could make landfall in Oman, is expected to cause sea levels to rise in the UAE’s east coast

Saudi Arabia summons Iran ambassador after poisoning of Saudis

A group of 33 pilgrims from Saudi was exposed to poison on Sunday while staying at a Mashhad hotel.

Gulf governments agree on gradual reduction of telecom roaming fees

Cuts to fees on calls and text messages would be introduced from April 1, 2016

GCC countries need to slash public spending – World Bank

Budgets have been buckling under the pressure of bloated public sectors and lavish welfare spending since oil prices dropped last year.

Israel concerned about U.S. arms to Gulf states to deter Iran

Israel says that it has to maintain the qualitative edge in the regional arms race as Gulf states build up their defense capabilities.

UAE leisure market to attract 45m visitors by 2021

The country’s under development theme parks are also expected to attract about 18 million visitors, a new report shows

Dubai’s Access Infra to launch solar plant in Uganda this year

The project is part of the company’s plans to develop electricity projects in 17 African countries, mainly based on renewable energy

Dubai’s non-oil business growth picks up but still weak

Construction was the best performing sector in terms of output and employment growth in May, a new survey shows

Qatar cuts 2015 GDP growth forecast, sees deficit in 2016

Oil prices remain a key risk to the outlook, which is based on average prices of $56.0 and $61.6 per barrel in 2015 and 2016 respectively

Qatar buys $1.2 bn HK Electric stake from Li Ka-shing’s firms

Power Assets said it sold a 16.53 per cent stake in HK Electric but will remain as the controlling shareholder of the power supplier

Damac awards contracts worth Dhs 2.8bn in five months

Awards include the main works packages of some of Damac’s residential units in Akoya project and its hotel apartment projects