PineBridge Buys 50% Stake In Turkish Therapy And Rehab Chain

The stake in Romatem is PineBridge’s second investment in Turkey and its third deal in the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA Projects Capex Of $2-2.5bn In 2014

TAQA’s chief executive told media that the firm’s capex will be “a little less than in 2013”.

North America Impairment Pushes Abu Dhabi’s TAQA Into 2013 Loss

TAQA said that the impairment did not affect the company’s ability to continue operations or service its debt.

Dubai Aims To Attract 500,000 Medical Tourists By 2020

Dubai’s medical tourism strategy will be carried out in phases with the first stage lasting till 2016 and the second till 2020.

Gold Off 1-Month Low, But US Rate Hike Fears Cap Gains

Some gold investors have turned bearish after comments last week from U.S. Federal Reserve chief that suggested interest rates could rise sooner than many had expected.

UAE May Soon Approve New Companies Law, Minister Says

The new law contains articles seeking to make limited liability and joint stock companies simpler to manage and more attractive to investors.

Yahoo Maktoob Redesigns Homepage, Boosts ME Football Coverage

The company recently launched an Arabic football app and the Yahoo Fantasy Premier League in Arabic.

Saudi Arabia Approves New Fund To Invest In Manufacturing

The new Saudi Arabian Company for Industrial Investment will have capital of SAR2 billion.

Virgin’s Branson Confirms Gulf Funding For Cruise Ship Project

Branson was looking for potential Middle East investors for his $1.7 billion cruise ship project, according to media reports.

Dubai’s Ithmar Eyes Dhs1bn Of Gulf PE Deals

The company is looking at deals in healthcare and education.

Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Barley Reserves At Four Million Tonnes

The country imported 10.65 million tonnes of barley in 2013.

Millennium To Open 11 Hotels Across The Gulf In 18 Months

The hotel chain is focussing on Saudi Arabia and the UAE with four hotels apiece.

Dubai Lender Amlak’s Bourse Suspension To Be Lifted

Trading in shares of Amlak was suspended in November 2008 as credit markets dried up.

Dubai-Based Souq.com Raises $75m Funding From Naspers

The e-commerce site will invest the amount in boosting technology and improving its mobile offering.

First Gulf Bank Names ANZ, HSBC, Nomura For Debut 5-Yr Kangaroo

The five-year deal will be only the fourth Kangaroo transaction from a Middle Eastern bank.

Kuwait’s Agility 2013 Profit Rises 37%

Net profit in 2013 was 46.2 million dinars ($164.1 million) compared to 33.7 million dinars a year earlier.

Servcorp Targets Gulf Expansion

The declaration by Servcorp’s CEO was followed by the first public announcement confirming 120 day ‘hassle free’ business licenses will be made available in Dubai.

Just Falafel Opens First Australian Outlet

The 1,291 square-foot restaurant will be located in Parramatta, Sydney, the company said in a statement.

Fake US Ship Spotted In Gulf Is A Movie Set, Iranian Media Say

The New York Times, quoting U.S. intelligence, said last week that the Iranians were building a mock-up of a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Bahrain’s Khaleeji Commercial, Bank Al Khair Drop Merger Plans

The non-agreement on the structure and the valuation of the deal were the primary reasons to call off the merger, a statement said.

Saudi Market Recovers, Hits Five-Year High

The Saudi index, which includes several large petrochemical companies, eased throughout last week as oil prices retreated.

Qatar Airways Launching Djibouti Flights

Doha carrier looks to capitalise on Djibouti’s rising commercial profile

GCC Rift Looms Large Ahead Of Arab League Summit

Iran and Syria are the main issues for discussion at the summit, scheduled to take place in Kuwait on March 25-26.

Qatar Toughens Penalties For Hiring Runaway Workers

Companies hiring illegal workers will be subject to a recruitment ban lasting two years and will be blacklisted as per new rules.

New Affordable Nokia X With Android Apps Launches In The UAE

Priced at Dhs439, the device is part of the new Nokia X family of affordable smartphones.

Emirates To Drop Clark International In The Philippines

Dubai carrier makes unusual move and decides to drop new route

Dubai Investments To Lift Foreign Ownership Cap To 35%

Foreign investors now hold 13.7 per cent of Dubai Investments’ shares out of the total 20 per cent allowed, bourse data showed.

Dubai’s Emirates Reit Sets IPO Price Range At $1.36-1.56

The company will issue as many as 110.3 million new shares with an over-allotment option of 16.5 million additional shares.

Dubai Introduces Real Estate Contracts To Regulate Transactions

The new agreements will help avoid problems that arise from misinterpretation of the documents, a statement said.

Bomb Blast In Bahrain’s Sitra Village Injures Policeman

It was not immediately clear who planted the bomb or the extent of the damage.