Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Needs To Revise Jet Airways Deal

Etihad is reportedly in talks to buy a 24 per cent stake in Jet for up to $330 million, say sources.

Almost 60% Of UAE Firms To Hire In Q1 2013

Up to 57 per cent of companies in the UAE are definitely or probably hiring new personnel in the coming three months, finds new survey.

Abu Dhabi’s Aabar Seeks $2bn Loan Refinancing

The company borrowed heavily to build up holdings in a number of major companies, including carmaker Daimler.

Saudi Maaden Restarts Fertiliser Plant

The mining firm shut down the plant for three weeks for maintenance.

Etisalat In Talks Over $8bn Loan For Maroc Telecom Bid

The UAE telecoms firm is planning to finance a bid for Vivendi’s 53 per cent stake in Maroc Telecom.

Saudi’s Kingdom Holding Buys Stake In Chinese Online Retailer

Kingdom Holding already has investments in China’s entertainment and hotel sectors.

UAE’s Air Arabia Q4 Profit Up 6%

The earnings fell short of analysts’ estimates as revenues for the quarter rose 18 per cent.

UAE Mulls New Labour Law For Private Sector

The change will be used to encourage more Emiratis to work in the private sector.

Male Grooming Goes Back To 1847

Negin Fattahi-Dasmal, founder and CEO of The Grooming Company, explains the success behind the region’s first male-only grooming parlour.

Geopolitical Sanctions Weigh On Dubai Consumer Banking

The emirate is sensitive to the issue given its geographical positioning to countries targeted by sanctions.

Dubai’s New Island Project Will Boost Property Market

The emirate has announced plans to build a Dhs6 billion island project that will include the world’ largest ferris wheel.

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank To Begin Bond Meetings

The UAE lender said earlier this week it had mandated lead arrangers for the $500 million issue.

Oman Posts $8.4bn Budget Surplus For 2012

The surplus is equivalent to 12 per cent of the sultanate’s 2011 GDP.

Bahrain’s Alba 2012 Profit Slumps 54% On Lower Prices

Aluminium Bahrain blamed higher energy costs for the decline in income.

Qatar May Invest Up To $3.5bn In Russian Bank VTB

VTB, Russia’s second largest bank, could issue the Qatari wealth fund with $1.5 billion of new equity, says report.

Abu Dhabi Rents Fall 14% In Q4 2012

Lack of properly developed infrastructure and operational facilities remain off-putting for certain segments of the market, says new report.

Dubai Approves $1.6bn Island Plan

Bluewaters Island development will include the world’s largest ferris wheel.

UAE Rejects Easing Of Foreign Ownership Rules

The council rejected a clause that would allow foreign parties to own stakes of up to 100 per cent in companies.

Saudi Sipchem Signs $280m Refinancing Deals

The first instalment is due to be repaid in the second half of 2013.

Drake & Scull 2012 Net Profit Drops 41.8%

The construction firm attributed the drop to growth in its civil business and the establishment of new offices in Iraq and India.

UAE’s Gulf Capital Buys Stake In Oilfield Services

Gulf Capital, which has around $1 billion in assets under management, did not provide financial terms.

What Happened To Bahrain Air?

Saj Ahmad, aviation expert, says forcing the carrier’s closure may not necessarily benefit Gulf Air.

Flydubai Announces First Net Profit Since Launch

HH Sheikh Ahmed reveals Dubai’s new Al Maktoum International airport is to be inaugurated in October this year.

Kuwait Watchdog Urges Better Islamic Finance Oversight

The number of Islamic financial firms which obey religious principles has increased substantially in Kuwait.

Bahrain Air Shuts Down Blaming Political Unrest

The privately owned airline was flying to around a dozen locations in the Middle East.

Qatar Boosts Tiffany & Co Stake To 8.7%

The Qatar Investment Fund first acquired a 5.2 per cent stake in April last year.

Bahrain Expects Sharp Rise In 2013 Economic Growth

The kingdom’s Economic Development Board estimated GDP grew 3.9 per cent in 2012, up from 1.9 per cent in 2011.

Mashreq Sees 10-15% Profit Rise In 2013

Chief executive Abdulaziz Al Ghurairis optimistic about the bank’s performance this year.

Tabreed’s Unit Plans Dhs549m District Cooling Plant in Saudi

The Saudi affiliate of Abu Dhabi-based utility Tabreed is developing a 55,000 RT project in Mecca.

Damac Launches Partnership With Fendi

The announcement marked a rare public appearance from the chairman of DAMAC, Hussain Sajwani.