Passing On The Parcel

Boosted by the GCC’s rapid industrialisation, courier firms are posting robust growth in the region.

Have I Got News For You

As Sky News Arabia and Al Arab add to the region’s existing basket of Arabic news channels, can they gain marketshare?

Dubai: The Shopper’s Paradise

As malls in Dubai announce massive expansion plans, experts express no concerns and say shoppers will come.

Is The Property Market Back?

The UAE’s main property developers posted gains in Q1 2012. But are we really out of the woods?

MENA M&A Market Rebounds

The regional merger and acquisition (M&A) market bottomed out last year, say experts.

Gulf Tablets Set To Soar

Out of all handheld consumer technology, tablets have the most glittering future, say experts.

Courting Appeal

Dubai’s financial court is revving up efforts to become the home to international dispute hearings.

BT Expands MENA Presence

The UK-based telco sets its sights on the region’s young and growing population.

UAE Banks Falling Short – Experts

UAE banks will have to stop ‘yesteryear’ practices if they are to survive future competition.

ME Holds $500m In Start-Up Funds

Regional investors are ready to provide up to half a billion dollars to promote new businesses in the Middle East, say industry experts.

Iran Could Survive Sanctions

Tightening sanctions against Iran look set to shrink its economy but it won’t be a knock-out blow.

Political Risks To Watch In KSA

Changes in the royal line have raised questions about the direction and pace of gradual economic and social reforms.

Gulf Banks Shut Out US Clients

Obama’s intrusive regulations are simply too much trouble.

M&A Activity Yet To Fulfill Promise

While much of the region is overbanked, there’s little hope for mergers anytime soon.

Bahrain: Challenges On Many Fronts

The island nation faces sluggish growth and a rise in non-performing loans due to political turmoil.

Saudi Arabia: Strength At The Top

Strong government regulation and hefty public spending have buoyed the Kingdom’s banking sector.

GCC Banks In Good Position For Basel III

Banks are focusing on building Tier 1 capital to meet stringent global liquidity regulations.

GCC Retail Banking Expands

Difficult conditions mean banks are spreading their retail wings to attract customer deposits and loans.

Kuwait: Market Still Lacks Real Momentum

Banks are slowly recovering from the 2008 fallout, but the impact of a recent government funding drive remains to be seen.

Qatar: Punching Above Its Weight

Massive public spending and impressive GDP growth spell a bumper year for Qatari banks.

Oman: Steady As She Goes

Increased consumer lending and new Islamic banks will put the country on a solid footing for 2012.

Private Jet Usage Soars

The Arab Spring boosted private jet travel as diplomats and business leaders engaged in peace talks.

Jordan And Morocco To Join The GCC?

The Arab spring has reignited interest in Jordan and Morroco joining the GCC but not all the member countries agree.

The Demise of Independent Islamic Scholars?

After years of pressure, Islamic scholars in the Gulf are finally modernising their operations, much to the delight of Western financial organisations

An End To Saudi’s Housing Woes?

With only around 10 per cent of Saudi’s currently owning their home, the new mortgage laws could be set to boost real estate firms, banks and society overall.

IPO No Go

Low liquidity and weak confidence continue to dampen the Gulf’s IPO pipeline. Stringent local market guidelines must be relaxed to improve cashflow.

Gold Rush

As the global economy reels from fresh Euro and US woes, the gold price is set for a dizzying ascent.

Independence Day

The region welcomes its first non-executive director ‘match-making’ service as it strengthens corporate governance regulation.

Is The GCC Buying Out Lebanon?

Gulf real estate players are pumping money into Lebanon and playing an ever-larger hand in the nation’s landscape.

A Tale Of Two Countries

Gulf Business Investigates how the global crisis affected Oman Cyprus, two very different landscapes with similarly challenging property cycles.