Qatar Budget Spending Falls 6.6% In Fiscal Q1, Revenue Hits Record

The central bank did not give a reason for the drop in spending, but work on some large infrastructure projects has been slowed.

Emaar Malls Group Q3 Net Profit Rises 55%

The retail and malls unit of Dubai’s largest developer made a quarterly profit of Dhs321.18 million.

Etihad Boosts India Network With Additional Flights To Mumbai, Delhi

Triple daily services will begin to Mumbai on February 15, and to New Delhi on May 1, 2015.

Sharjah Rents Up Around 18% In Q3 As Dubai’s Rental Growth Slows

The rents across Sharjah rose two per cent quarter-on-quarter during the third quarter, a new report says.

Saudi Arabia Finds Six New MERS Cases As Outbreak Grows

The recent surge in cases, now numbering 32 since the start of October, has been focused in Riyadh and the western city of Taif, authorities said.

Bahrain’s Investcorp, Mumtalakat Buy U.S. Workforce Services Firm PRO Unlimited

Investcorp did not reveal the deal value in the statement but said that the new investment will allow it to expand its business.

Saudi Telco Mobily Says Audit Committee Meeting Over Results, Shares Halted

The suspension was requested because its audit committee was meeting to consider “significant matters relating to its financial statements”, a statement said.

Britain’s Cameron Appeals To Qatar Emir For More Investment

Britain’s prime minister asked Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to consider further funding to help Britain’s push to develop cities in the north of the country.

Kuwait’s Burgan Bank Gets Regulator Approval For $74.8m Rights Issue

The lender said it plans to issue 216 million new shares and that the rights issue will raise its paid-up capital by KD21.6 million.

Microsoft Launches Wearable Fitness Device For $199

The wrist-worn device has sensors that monitor pulse rate, measure calorie burn and track sleep quality, Microsoft said in a blog post.

UAE Climbs Up In World Bank’s Ease Of Doing Business List

The UAE was also one of the top 10 countries globally which improved its rankings in the ease of doing business list as it introduced around 20 economic reforms over the last year.

Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom Holding Q3 Net Profit Rises 20.5%

Kingdom made a net profit of SAR265 million ($70.6 million) in the three months ended Sept. 30, compared to SAR219.9 million in the same period a year earlier.

Barclays Sued By Saudi Developer For $10bn

Jadawel International, a unit of London-based MBI International Holdings Inc., claims Barclays “hatched a fraudulent scheme” to secure the rare Saudi banking license, selling out Jadawel in the process.

Major New Saudi-Sinopec Refinery To Export In December

Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Co (Yasref) refinery started trial runs in September and originally planned its first exports by November.

Abu Dhabi New Financial Zone Hires Regulatory Chief From Singapore

Richard Teng, most recently chief regulatory officer at the Singapore Exchange, will be CEO of the regulator at the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

Commercial Bank Of Qatar Q3 Profit Surges

The lender reported a 79 per cent rise in third-quarter profit, beating analysts’ expectations.

Almost 28% Of UAE Residents Use Credit Cards, Loans To Pay Off Debts

There has been a 20 per cent year-on-year surge in the number of UAE residents using credit cards or loans to pay off their current debts, a new survey says.

Dubai’s Emirates Receives 100th 777-300ER From Boeing

The airline is the world’s largest operator of the 777 range developed by US-based Boeing.

Dubai’s Godolphin Buys Majority Stake In Dewhurst Winner Belardo

Godolphin did not disclose the size of the share or its price.

Bahrain’s Batelco Posts 40% Rise In Q3 Net Profit

Batelco attributed the profit rise to strong contributions from the group’s international operations.

Emaar Properties Q3 Profit Rises 21% Despite Revenue Drop

Revenue for the quarter was Dhs1.98 billion, down from Dhs2.35 billion a year ago.

Halal Vaccine Market To Be Worth $1.1bn By 2030- Expert

Experts say that halal pharmaceuticals could be commercially viable due to the growing number of Muslim consumers across the globe.

Don’t Panic, OPEC Secretary General Says After Oil Price Fall

The price of benchmark North Sea Brent crude has dropped more than a quarter from a high above $115 per barrel in June.

Bank Muscat’s Islamic Unit Plans Maiden Sukuk In Q1 2015

The lender has received regulatory approval for the issue, which would help fund its expansion.

Etihad, Alitalia Offer Concessions In Bid For EU Approval For Stake Deal

The European Commission said on its website that it would decide by Nov. 17 whether to clear the deal.

UAE’s Amanat Holdings Says $374m IPO Fully Covered Within First Week

Amanat intends to use 70 per cent of the funds from the IPO to invest in healthcare and education.

Nakheel Leases Beachfront Space For 17 F&B Outlets On Palm Jumeirah

The spaces are available in Azure Residences and Club Vista Mare, two beachside residential and recreational projects.

UAE’s Etisalat Q3 Net Profit Rises 22%

Almost half of Etisalat’s third-quarter revenue came from its international operations.

Exclusive First look: Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai

Fifth Sheraton in Dubai has World Trade Centre delegates firmly in its sights

Qatar’s Tasweeq To Slash Condensate Exports In 2016

Tasweeq will cut exports to 350,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the current levels of 500,000 bpd.