Kuwait Economy Grew Last Year, Stats Office Says, Contradicting IMF

The widely differing numbers underline the difficulty of finding reliable economic statistics in the Gulf, where many governments have not developed extensive systems for collecting data.

Kuwait’s Agility Q3 Net Profit Rises 8%

The firm made a profit of KD13.04 million ($44.8 million) in the third quarter of 2014.

Saudi Oil Output Steady; OPEC Sees Lower 2015 Demand For Its Oil

In a monthly report , OPEC forecasted that demand for the group’s oil will drop to 29.20 million barrels per day (bpd) next year — almost one million bpd less than its current levels.

EU To Approve Etihad’s 49% Buy Of Alitalia -Sources

The sources said the EU antitrust authority had accepted the airlines’ offer to give up some airport slots on the Rome-Belgrade route to facilitate rivals.

Dubai Developer Damac To Focus On Gulf As Q3 Profit Jumps

The property firm said that it will focus on countries such as Saudi Arabia while avoiding conflict-prone states such as Egypt and Syria.

Kuwait’s Americana Posts 33.6% Q3 Net Profit Jump

The firm made KD10.9 million ($37.45 million) in the third quarter of 2014.

Al Etihad Credit Bureau Begins Issuing Credit Data To Individuals

UAE residents and citizens can now obtain their credit reports from the Al Etihad Credit Bureau’s website or customer service centres for a nominal fee.

Emirates Airline Profit Rises 8% In Half Year

High passenger loads shield airline from external factors but group profit impacted by dnata

Iran Oil Minister Meets Kuwait Emir On Weak Oil Prices

Iran’s oil minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh discussed the developments in the oil market with Kuwait’s emir, the Iranian news agency reported.

Lamprell Gets $365m Rig Contract From Abu Dhabi’s NDC

Lamprell’s shares rose as much as 5.8 per cent to 150.25 pence in morning trade, following the announcement.

Dubai Lender ENBD Launches $1bn Bond At Tight End Of Guidance

Pricing of the bond tightened on high investor demand, with orders topping $3 billion, according to the arrangers.

Kuwait 6-Month Budget Surplus At $31bn, Spending Behind Plan

The major oil exporter’s public spending was 6.12 billion dinars in April-September, below 11.61 billion dinars originally planned for the period.

Shares In Biggest Saudi Bank Jump 10% On Listing

The state-owned bank revealed that the portion for retail investors was 23 times subscribed, with a total of 1.25 million subscribers.

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA Q3 Net Profit Falls 27%

The firm cited a higher effective tax rate for the decrease in profit.

UAE’s Dana Gas Q3 Profit Rises 36%

The company received $71 million in cash from operations and cash collections in the third quarter.

Bahrain’s Gulf Finance House Swings To Q3 Profit

The firm suffered $3.2 million loss in the same period last year.

Qatar Emir Issues Summit Invite Amid Strains Over Islamists

Diplomats say preparations for the annual gathering of the GCC have become indicative of an unprecedented rift between Gulf Arab states over Doha’s backing of Islamists.

OPEC Delegates Start Whispering About Potential Oil Cut

International oil prices have fallen by around 30 per cent since June, as fast-rising U.S. shale production has contributed to growing supplies.

Aluminium Bahrain Q3 Profit Jumps 502%

The smelter made a third-quarter net profit of BD29.5 million ($78.25 million) in the three months to Sept. 30, up from BD4.9 million in the year-ago period.

Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Lifts Arabtec Stake To 34.9%

The trade, which made Aabar the biggest shareholder in Arabtec, was done at a price of Dhs5 per share, compared to the stock’s closing market price of Dhs4.26.

UAE’s Mubadala Petroleum Says Second Thai Oilfield Starts Production

Output is expected to reach a peak rate of around 15,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) as the wells are completed at the Manora oil field, the company said.

Dubai Will Need 51 New Schools By 2020 – Report

A booming population, rise in income levels and improved returns on investment in education are boosting growth in Dubai’s school sector.

Dubai Aviation Corp To Meet Investors Ahead Of Potential Sukuk

The firm, also called flydubai, has picked seven banks as arrangers, a document from lead managers showed.

Saudi’s MMG Seeks Up To SAR900m In Claims To Survive

The company said in September this year that its accumulated losses as of August 31 stood at SAR2.689 billion, equivalent to 215 per cent of its paid-up capital.

Saudi Arabia To Introduce Credit Rating Agency Rules In Sept 2015

The rules, which outline the conduct, activities and supervision of credit rating agencies, will help to develop the country’s capital markets.

Kuwait Seals 2015 Gasoil Term At $1.30/bbl Premium, Down 42%

The middle distillates market was hit by high supplies this year compared to last, which may have affected the term premium.

Qatar’s Economy Not Affected By Lower Oil Prices -Emir

Qatar’s economy depends heavily on state spending funded by the coutnry’s gas exports but energy prices still appear far from levels that would stress government finances.

UAE Oil Minister Says OPEC Has Not Contributed To Oversupply

The official said that the oversupply is mainly caused by shale oil revolution in the market.

Abu Dhabi’s Bildco Tumbles After Q3 Loss Widens

Bildco posted a loss of Dhs10.8 million ($2.9 million) in the three months to Sept. 30, compared with a loss of Dhs7.7 million in the same period a year earlier.

Microsoft Unveils First Lumia Smartphone Without Nokia Name

Loaded with its latest Windows Phone 8.1 operating system, the Lumia 535 and Lumia 535 dual SIM will be priced at around 110 euros (about $137) before taxes and subsidies.