Frequent Flyer Schemes Revamped As Airlines Struggle To Grow Profits

Frequent flyer programmes, with their rich customer data, have become a currency of their own.

As Etihad Finally Signs Deal With Alitalia, What Next?

Etihad has set out its “roadmap” to return the troubled Italian carrier to profit by 2017.

The Arabtec Question

Shares of Dubai-based construction firm Arabtec’s went on a roller-coaster ride last month, taking the wider Dubai Financial Market down with it. What went wrong?

Rising Interest Rates May Revive Appetite For Islamic Commodity Deals

Islamic finance has developed alternative inter-bank tools, but higher interest rates are expected to boost murabaha trading, luring back western borrowers looking for cheap finance.

Aftermath: The MH17 Tragedy

As global aviation body IATA puts responsibility for airspace risk assessment on governments, analysts say urgent action is needed.

India’s New Budget Misses Investors’ Expectations

The first budget by the new Narendra Modi-led government in India left many experts and the markets confused about its lack of specifics.

UAE Turns To Smart Payments

The UAE is fast becoming a cashless society, thanks to a smart governance push and the advent of more secure payment technologies.

Abu Dhabi: A Star In The Making?

Wooing Hollywood and Bollywood producers with generous financial rebates, Abu Dhabi is steadily heading towards its aim of becoming a global film hub.

Rifts Between Qatar, Egypt May Complicate Search For Gaza Truce

The violence in Gaza has now killed more than 500 Palestinians as well as 18 Israeli soldiers and two Israeli civilians.

Saudi Bourse Opening May Double Fund Flows To Gulf

Other Gulf markets will also lure more foreign investment if the Saudi market opens, experts say.

Opening Up Saudi’s Bourse to Foreigners Will “Transform” Market

The move is expected to be in place in the first half of 2015, according to the Kingdom’s financial regulator.

Will Murky UAE Markets Face Stricter Regulation After Arabtec Debacle?

The Securities and Commodity Authority said a new “technical committee” would ensure the integrity of share trading and prevent any manipulation of stock prices.

Upgrade Or No Upgrade, UAE and Qatar Keep Frontier Investor Fanbase

UAE and Qatar stock markets rallied sharply over the past year in anticipation of the upgrade to emerging market status by index compiler MSCI.

Ambition, Investor Greed Fuel Rise And Fall Of Dubai’s Arabtec

The Dubai construction firm lost almost 50 per cent of its stock value after stakeholder Aabar cut its stake and former CEO Hasan Ismaik resigned.

Middle East Tech Start-Ups Lure Large VC Funds

The Middle East is catching the eye of venture capitalist (VC) firms eager to cash in on the growing number of tech start-ups in the region.

Are Banks Prepared For Another Dubai Property Bubble?

Dubai’s property market is showing signs of overheating, but banks seem better insulated this time around, say experts.

Shale Boom Confounds Forecasts As US Set To Pass Russia, Saudi Arabia

Forecasts for U.S. shale oil production vary from an increase of 7.5 million barrels per day by 2020 – almost doubling current domestic output of 8.5 bpd.

Gulf Banks Start To Muscle In On Global Bond Deals

The global financial crisis has made the cash-rich Gulf more attractive to overseas bond issuers as a source of investment funds.

Growing Concern In Muslim World About Islamist Militancy – Survey

Support for violent tactics such as suicide bombing has fallen in many countries but significant minorities still approve of them, a survey showed.

Arabtec’s Shaky Foundations Dent UAE’s Credibility

Dubai-based Arabtec has not provided any serious explanation for what is happening, says Reuters columnist Una Galani.

Experts Call For Better Regulation Of GCC Stocks Post Arabtec Saga

Arabtec debacle on the stock market reveals the crack among bourse regulations in the Gulf

It’s Asian Bonds, Not Equities, That Are Too Rich

The tricky part for investors is to precisely time their exit from bonds.

Different Arab money

Growth In UAE, Saudi, Qatar Drawing Global Funds To Set Up Shop

Nomura Asset Management and Lazard Asset Management have opened new offices in Dubai this year.

Bahrain Struggles With Unrest, Competition To Remain Business Hub

Following unrest in the country, some foreign financial firms have moved staff to Dubai.

Saudi’s King Abdullah Economic City Pivots To Tourism

King Abdullah Economic City, the Kingdom’s mega project, is shifting focus to become a local tourism hub from its initial plans of being a financial centre.

Gulf’s Billions Insulate Economies, Markets From Iraq Turmoil

Experts say that the Gulf’s efforts in building up its financial resources on the back of high oil prices as a defence against regional instability is paying off.

Is Another Property Bubble Looming Over Dubai?

Dubai house prices posted the fastest year-on-year rise of any of the world’s major markets in January-March, soaring 27.7 per cent.

Saudi MERS Response Hobbled By Institutional Failings

Saudi health sources and international virologists have highlighted poor communication, lack of accountability and inadequate state oversight in the Kingdom.

Why The Middle East’s Ultra Wealthy Are Seeking Second Citizenship

Second citizenship offers greater stability and security, tax efficiency and ease of travel, among other benefits, say experts.

Tourism In The Middle East Fights Back Despite Turmoil

After being hit hard by the Arab Spring and the Syrian civil war, the Middle East’s troubled tourism markets are fighting back even as political hurdles remain.