Islamist Group Rejects UAE Terrorism Designation

The International Union of Muslim Scholars urged the UAE to remove it from a list of 85 banned groups that the country had named this week.

No Direct Impact On Saudi Budget From Oil Slide – Minister

With the price of Brent crude oil now below $80 a barrel, down from around $115 in June, the Saudi government may post a budget deficit next year.

Qatar Says Will Reform Kafala Sponsorship Law By 2015

Qatar’s labour and social affairs ministry said that it is currently reviewing new labour laws but did not provide any details.

Islamist Group Rejects UAE Terrorism Designation

The UAE recently published a list of 85 groups that it labelled as terrorist organisations in a drive against “terrorist crimes”.

UAE Central Bank Governor Says Bank Lending Within Prudential Ratios

The loan book on a gross basis has risen about eight per cent during nine months of this year.

Five Minutes With.. Nguyen Nguyen, GM, Trung Nguyen Franchising

Vietnam’s largest coffee grower is plotting 100 locations across MENA over the next 10 years, according to Nguyen Nguyen, general manager, Trung Nguyen Franchising Corporation.

India Urges Higher Pay For Millions Of Gulf Workers

The recommended minimum monthly salary has risen to SAR1,200 in Saudi, and to Dhs1,500 in the UAE.

Saudi Arabia, UAE And Bahrain End Rift With Qatar, Return Ambassadors

The three countries withdrew their ambassadors from Qatar in March, accusing it of undermining their domestic security.

Kuwait Cabinet Calls For Steps To Address Oil Price Slide

Benchmark brent crude dipped to a four-year low of under $80 per barrel last week, compared with a June high above $115.

Souq.com Plots MENA Black Friday Sales Weekend

MENA Online retailer looks to follow the success of behemoth Alibaba, which generated $9 billion worth of e-commerce sales during China’s recent Singles Day.

Kuwait To Sell Dow Chemical’s Petchem Venture Shares To Public -Exec

Dow Chemical announced last week that as part of a $7-$8.5 billion divestiture plan, it would reduce its equity positions in all of its Kuwaiti ventures.

Nakheel And Souq Residences Reach Agreement On Palm Jumeirah’s Golden Mile

The agreement ends a four-year legal row between Nakheel and IFA Hotels And Resorts, which prevented retailers from occupying spaces they paid for on the Palm Jumeirah’s retail strip.

Soft Opening For Four Seasons Resort Dubai

UAE’s first Four Seasons blends leisure and business around an ‘understated’ luxury theme

Emirates Launches iPhone App

Dubai airline launches mobile app on iOS first while work is underway on an Android version

G20 Commits To Higher Growth, Fight Climate Change; Russia Isolated Over Ukraine

Several Western nations warned Russia of further sanctions if it did not withdraw troops and weapons from Ukraine.

Iran Oil Minister Slams Producers For Not Cutting Output

Zanganeh did not name the countries but he may have been referring to Saudi Arabia, a dominant force within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Islamic State Claims It Has Beheaded U.S. Hostage Kassig

The video did not show the beheading but showed a masked man standing with a decapitated head covered in blood lying at his feet.

Dubai Launches Index To Monitor Intellectual Property Protection

The index will monitor the level of intellectual property rights protection in the emirate by gauging satisfaction levels among the business community for the existing laws.

Bahrain’s Ahli United Bank Says IFC To Convert Debt Into Shares

The bank did not disclose how much debt would be converted, however 118.61 million new ordinary shares with a value of $0.8431 per share would be issued to IFC subject to regulatory approval.

Ajman-Based R Hotels To Invest Dhs500m In New Four-Star Resort On Palm Jumeirah

The project, slated to open by the fourth quarter of 2016, will feature 259 rooms and modern recreational facilities.

Saudi Finance Minister Says Oil Must Be Left To Supply And Demand

Saudi Arabian Finance Minister Ibrahim Alassaf was replying to a question on whether the recent plunge in oil prices was on the G20 agenda.

Stock News: Arabtec Drags Down Dubai With Poor Q3 Results

Dubai’s index slipped 0.3 per cent as Arabtec dropped 2.8 per cent and was one of the most heavily traded stocks on the bourse.

Saudi’s Ma’aden Says $1.5bn Rights Issue To Start Tuesday

Shares will be sold at SAR23 each, with shareholders eligible to purchase one new share for every 3.8 shares they currently own.

Sheraton Doha Reopens After Refurbishment

Katara Hospitality’s investment restores Doha icon to former glory while catering to modern travellers

Dubai’s Arabtec Q3 Net Profit Falls 32% As Costs Rise

The builder reported a profit of Dhs68.7 million ($18.71 million) in the third quarter of 2014, down from Dhs100.8 million in the corresponding period of 2013.

Dubai’s Drake & Scull Q3 Net Profit Falls 10%, Beats Estimates

The firm made a net profit attributable to shareholders of Dhs21.4 million ($5.83 million) in the third quarter of 2014, down from Dhs23.8 million in the year-earlier period.

Abu Dhabi’s Eshraq Properties Approves 10% Share Buy-Back

The company made a net profit of Dhs109.3 million in the third quarter of 2014, down from Dhs140.8 million in the year-earlier period.

Saudi Crown Prince Says Kingdom Continues With Its Balanced Oil Policy

The comments come ahead of a pivotal OPEC meeting on Nov. 27, where producers will consider whether to cut output in order to shore up prices that have dived more than 30 per cent.

EU Commission Clears Etihad’s 49% Buy Of Italian Airline Alitalia

To secure approval Etihad and Alitalia agreed to give up airport slots on the Rome-Belgrade route as Alitalia and Air Serbia, are the only carriers offering direct flights on that route.

Italian, Qatari Funds Make First Investment In Italian Food

Under the deal signed last week, the IQ Made in Italy joint venture will buy a 28.4 per cent stake in Inalca.