UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim Confirms CEO Iyad Malas’ Resignation

Alain Bejjani, currently chief corporate development and brand officer, has been appointed as the group’s new chief executive.

UAE Mulls Lower Petrol Prices

Suhail Mohammed Al Mazroui told the Federal National Council that the government has submitted a proposal to the cabinet that will enable consumers to benefit from lower oil prices.

UAE’s Massar Solutions Says Postpones Flotation, Cites Poor Demand

Massar will postpone the initial public offering (IPO) until oil prices are more stable, it said.

Egypt Could Free Jailed Journalist Fahmy Within Hours – Al Jazeera

Fahmy’s colleague, Peter Greste, an Australian citizen, was released on Sunday.

Chinese Firm OPPO Launches ‘World’s Thinnest Smartphone’ In UAE

The OPPO R5, priced at Dhs1,899, measures 4.85mm and comes with a 13MP camera.

Abu Dhabi Residential Rents Up 17% In Q4 2014

The capital has seen a rise in demand for affordable properties over the last 12 months as cost of living surged, CBRE said in a report.

Industries Qatar Q1 Shutdowns To Decrease From Year Ago

The company will close its Qatar plants for a total of 158 days in the first three months of the year, compared to 292 days of closures in 2014.

Kalyan Jewellers To Invest Dhs400m In GCC This Year, Open 12 New Stores

The Indian jewellery retailer currently operates nine outlets in the UAE and three in Kuwait.

UAE Bank NBAD To Start Market-Making On Abu Dhabi Exchange

NBAD is the first official market maker in the Gulf region, the chief executive of Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange said.

Qatar’s GIS 2014 Net Profit Doubles, Hikes Dividend

Net profit for the full year of 2014 rose to QAR1.4 billion, up from QAR677 million the year before, it said in a statement.

UAE Non-Oil Business Growth Accelerates In January

The seasonally adjusted HSBC UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index was 59.3 points last month against 58.4 in December.

DP World 2014 Gross Container Volumes Up 8% Like-For-Like

Gross volumes totalled 60 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) in 2014, driven by new developments in Britain and Brazil.

Saudi Non-Oil Business Growth Almost Unchanged In January

The seasonally adjusted SABB HSBC Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index was 57.8 points in January against 57.9 in December.

Dubai’s Arabtec Says Wins Contracts Worth $102m

Both contracts are for construction of residential villas in Dubai to be delivered in 2016, the company said.

Al Jazeera Journalist Relieved To Be Free, Calls For Release Of Colleagues

Australian Peter Greste was released on Sunday after 400 days in a Cairo jail while his colleagues still remain in jail.

Qatar Air Mulls Halting Japan Service Over Slots Row

The airline is “in the final stages of deliberations” about whether to withdraw the three daily services, a source said.

Saudi Arabia Has Helped Save British Lives – PM Cameron Says

Cameron said that Saudi is a valuable partner of the West in the region and has helped in the fight against terrorism.

OPEC+meeting

OPEC Delegates Cautious Over Oil-Price Rebound

Some OPEC members say that prices are likely to remain high in the first half of this year.

Dubai Sugar Refinery Back Shipping To Iraq After Disruption Last Summer

Al Khaleej’s supply to Iraq was affected last summer as conflict in the country escalated with IS overrunning Mosul.

Dubai Financial Market Q4 Net Profit Rises 31%

DFM’s full-year profit rose 167 per cent to Dhs759.3 million.

New Rules To Align UAE Insurers With European Solvency Requirements

The rules clarify policyholders’ rights and setting investment limits for the sector.

UAE’s FNC Calls For Lower Petrol Prices

A member of Federal National Council is expected to take up the issue of high fuel costs in the UAE in the backdrop of crude prices.

Dubai’s DAMAC Sees Property Price Pause In 2015, Gains After

Prices are expected to fall thanks to increased property sales taxes, stricter mortgage rules and a lack of affordability.

RAKBANK, Kalyan Jewellers Launch ‘Goldback’ Credit Card In UAE

The credit card offers users between three to seven per cent goldback on purchases made locally and internationally.

Egypt Court Sentences 183 Muslim Brotherhood Supporters To Death

The men were convicted of playing a role in the killings of 16 policemen in the town of Kardasa in August 2013.

New Sugar Refinery To Start Operations In Saudi Arabia By End-2017

At full capacity, Al Reef is expected to refine 3,000 tonnes of sugar a day, and plans to export two thirds of its production.

UAE’s NBAD To Meet Investors From Tuesday For Potential Dollar Bond

National Bank of Abu Dhabi will meet investors in Asia and Europe, it said.

Prince Alwaleed’s Alarab Channel Goes Off-Air Soon After Launch

The Bahrain-based channel said that programming ceased because of “technical and administrative reasons”.

Sun & Sand Sports To Create 500 Jobs Across GCC In 2015

Gulf Marketing Group, the parent firm of Sun & Sand Sports, said that it will create up to 1,000 jobs across its brands in 2015.

Dubai Developer Damac Q4 Profit Rises 11%

Damac’s 2014 full-year profit was $937 million, up from $641.5 million in 2013, the company said.