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Fire Damages Qatari-Owned Historic Paris Hotel

The damage came as workers were putting final touches to a renovation by the owner, a brother of Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the former emir of Qatar.

London Remains Safe Haven For Middle East Property Investors

However, GCC investors are looking beyond traditional luxury hotspots such as Mayfair and Knightsbridge.

Etihad Nears Deal To Invest In JAT Airways

Last month the Abu Dhabi carrier and JAT signed a preliminary agreement over a possible equity investment.

Saudi Arabia Calls On EU To Arm Syrian Rebels

The European Union lifted restrictions on arming the rebels in May. Britain and France said they would not send weapons before August 1.

Telecom Italia Denies Report On Qatari Talks

Reports suggested that telecoms operator was in talks with Qatari funds to sell a stake in its fixed-line business.

Kuwait Fund Says More Than Doubled UK Investment In Past 10 Years

Kuwait Investment Authority, which has around $342 billion assets under management, has increased investment in Britain to over $24 billion.

Qatar Airways To Operate Dreamliners To Scandinavia

The Doha-based airline will operate the Boeing 787 on services to the capital cities of Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

France and Qatar Launch New $394m Fund To Invest In French SMEs

Qatar had earlier planned to invest 50 million euros into businesses in French suburbs.

France Makes New Offers On Military Equipment To Qatar

France has been hoping to sign a contract to equip Qatar’s air force with Rafale fighter planes made by Dassault.

Germany’s DEG To Invest $188m In MENA Firms

DEG has a current portfolio of 160 million euros in the MENA region but has not been very active since 2011.

BAE Hopeful For UAE Eurofighter Decision This Year

Dassault’s Rafale jets and the BAE Systems-backed Eurofighter have been locked in competition for the deal to replace at least 60 of the UAE’s Mirage fleet.

Etihad In ‘Advanced’ Equity Talks With JatAirways

Etihad has wasted no time in taking its commercial relationship to the next level, after starting daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Belgrade on Saturday

Qatar Sells Back 10% Porsche Stake To Founding Families

Porsche was forced to sell the stake to Qatar Holding in 2009 as a way to prop up its strained finances.

Dubai-Based Businessmen Named In HM Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Mark Beer becomes an OBE and Joseph Tabet an MBE, in recognition of their work to promote UAE-UK ties

Airbus 350 Successfully Completes First Test Flight

The new wide body offering from Airbus is set to rival Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

EU To Levy 4.7% Duty On Jet Fuel Imports From Middle East

The new duty comes after the European Union removed the Gulf states from its generalised scheme of preferences.

Emirates Plans Indoor Aviation Theme Park In London

The 330 square metre facility will highlight operations and achievements of commercial air travel.

Lufthansa Open To Future Co-operation With Gulf Airline

The German airline’s CEO Christoph Franz said that Lufthansa may enter a partnership, but there was “no rush.”

UBP Snaps Up Lloyds International Private Banking Arm

Lloyds also said on Wednesday that it would close its business in Dubai and intended to withdraw from South Africa.

Emirates Secures $160m Sponsorship Deal With Real Madrid

The new four-year deal promotes the Dubai-based carrier to main shirt sponsor of the club from the 2013/14 season.

UK Expats – Are You Liable To Tax Back Home?

The UK’s new residency criteria could have major consequences for some expats, says James Thomas, regional director at Acuma Independent Financial Advice.

Qatar Sovereign Fund Buys Stake In Russian Bank VTB

Qatar Holding, along with Azerbaijan’s SOFAZ and Norges Bank Investment Management, invested $479-639 million each in VTB.

Carrefour Sells Stake In Middle East Venture To MAF For $683m

Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarkets operates 50 hypermarkets and 44 supermarkets under the Carrefour name.

France To Invest $25m In Africa, Middle East Embassy Security

The country’s mission in Libya was targeted by a car bomb in April.

Oman Air Orders Three Airbus A330 Aircraft

The order, which will bring Oman Air’s A330 fleet to a total of 10 aircraft, is thought to be worth around $720 million.

Regional Exclusive: Armani Profit Up 20%

China and Europe boosted Italian fashion giant’s revenues to $2.7 billion in 2012.

Britain’s Islamic Bank BLME Seeks Stronger Gulf Ties – CEO

The Bank of London and The Middle East plans to open an office in Dubai this year to help boost its capital markets.

Qatar Holding, Italy Fund Eyeing Versace

In April, Versace CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris said the house may consider opening the company to outside investors to help fund expansion

Storm Clouds Over The Euro

Persistent problems weigh heavy on Europe

Air Berlin Declines Further Etihad Finance Help

Germany’s second-biggest carrier, almost 30 per cent-owned by Etihad, suffered a first-quarter loss before interest and tax (EBIT) of 188.4 million euros ($244.5 million).