Etisalat-Owned Maroc Telecom’s 2014 Profit Up 5.6%

Increased revenues from its African subsidiaries helped the company post a strong profit.

Oil Prices Dip As Worries Over US Oversupply Drag

Brent futures dropped below $60 a barrel and U.S. contracts hovered around $50.30.

Emaar Launches Residential Project ‘Acacia At Park Heights’ In MBR City

The development features 479 residences and is located within Dubai Hills Estate.

Saudi Telecoms Regulator Cuts Call Connection Fees By 40%

The move is seen as mostly benefiting Zain Saudi, the smallest of the Kingdom’s three mobile network operators.

UAE’s Abraaj Group Buys Stake In Turkish Online Retailer Hepsiburada

No purchase price or stake size was disclosed.

Stock News: Gulf Markets Stall As Oil Gives Up Gains

Dubai’s stock index fell 0.8 per cent as most stocks declined.

Qatar Islamic Bank Approves Up To $1.37bn Tier-1 Sukuk Issuance

The sale would be in accordance with Basel III banking rules and the final amount and currency of the offering would be decided by the board at a later date.

Dubai Marina Blaze Pushes Case For Home Insurance In The UAE

The UAE has an extremely low home insurance penetration rate with just six per cent of the population insured against emergencies, experts say.

New Defense Secretary Hosts U.S. Gathering On ISIL Strategy

Carter’s meeting at a U.S. Army camp in Kuwait comes against the backdrop of a fierce debate inside the United States about the U.S. strategy.

ISIL Militants Claim Attacks On Iranian Ambassador’s Residence In Libya

The attack come two days after the group claimed responsibility for a double suicide bombing that killed more than 40 people in the eastern town of Qubbah.

Sisi Tries To Reassure Egyptians Despite Host Of Challenges

The former army chief dedicated a major portion of his speech to financial patrons UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Dubai Refiner ENOC Hires M&A Team, Close To $1.5 bn Loan -Sources

The state-owned company might use some of the proceeds from a $1.5 billion long-term loan for its expansion plans.

Dubai’s Rents To Soften In 2015 Due To Increasing Supply

About 12,000 apartments and over 2,000 villas will be added to the city’s existing inventory in 2015, Asteco said.

Ahli United Bank Q4 Net Profit Jumps 37.6%, Proposes Flat Dividend

The bank’s net attributable profit for the last quarter of 2014 was $106.2 million.

Bahrain’s Al Baraka Says Q4 Net Income Up 12.5%

The bank made a net attributable profit of $36 million for the last quarter of 2014.

With Solar Costs Falling, GCC Govts Should Speed Up Projects – Expert

Regional governments should ditch existing, outdated roadmaps for installing solar, says expert.

Saudi Aramco Extends Bidding For Unconventional Gas Work -Sources

The project will involve building processing facilities, wellheads and pipelines for gas in Turaif.

Bahrain’s Batelco Names Hinnawi Acting CEO After Whelan Departure

Ihab Hinnawi had been chief executive of Jordan’s Umniah, an operator which is 96 per cent owned by Batelco.

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan’s Twitter Followers Cross 1m

Sheikh Hamdan is now the second most followed leader in the UAE on Twitter after Dubai’s Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Saudi Ma’aden Restarts Ammonia Plant After Maintenance

Ma’aden shut the facility in Ras Al Khair from January 23 for about 30 days.

Qatar-Japan Consortium To Study Projects In Turkey’s Afsin Elbistan

The grouping will evaluate projects in the Turkish region including the development of lignite power plants.

Louis Berger JV Bags $79m Project Management Deal For Doha Metro

The contract involves providing management consultancy services for all elevated and at-grade sections of the metro project.

Cheap Oil Cuts Kuwait Nine-Month Budget Surplus 26% – NBK

If Brent crude stays at its current level of around $60 a barrel in the coming year, some believe Kuwait could run a budget deficit.

Kuwait’s KIPCO Q4 Net Profit Gains 2%, Raises Cash Dividend

Net profit in the three months to Dec. 31 was KD14.3 million.

UAE’s Arabtec Wins $253m Of Saudi Oil And Gas Work

The projects include upgrading liquefied gas and refinery facilities for national oil firm Saudi Aramco, the company said.

Ten Workers Killed In Abu Dhabi Building Fire

The blaze gutted the two-storey building, which contained seven shops on the ground floor.

UN Team Investigates Saudi Surge In Cases Of Deadly MERS Virus

The virus has infected close to a thousand people, killing some 360 of them – the vast majority in Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait’s Agility Plans Up To $100m Africa Spend In 2015

Target markets include Ghana, Mozambique, Angola and Nigeria, as they are benefiting from blossoming oil and gas sectors.

Emirates Hires Banks For UK-Guaranteed Sukuk Of Up To $1bn

Sources said the deal could close by the end of the first quarter.

Rent Vs Buy: The Rapid Rise Of The Aviation Leasing Market

An industry veteran gives his insights into the little discussed aviation leasing market.