Fitness First to create 300-400 new jobs

Health club chain on an aggressive expansion spree across the Middle East with a target of 100 clubs in the next five years.

OPEC Oil Output Drops In July On Iran

Supply from OPEC members fell by 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) in July to 31.2 million bpd, a survey has found.

Olympics: Saudi Judo Athlete Allowed To Wear Hijab

Wojdan Shaherkani had refused to take part in the judo competition if she was not permitted to wear the hijab.

Nakheel H1 Revenue Up 112% at Dhs3.1bn

The Dubai-based developer posts first half profits of $208.82 million, up 36 per cent from the same period last year.

Dubai Airport’s June Passenger Traffic Up

The busy airport saw a rise in footfall of 13.7 per cent for the first half of the year to 27.93 million with air cargo also increased.

UAE’s Du Posts 57% Rise In Q2 Profit

The telecoms operator made a net profit of Dhs325.5 million in the second quarter of the year.

GCC To Award $65.5bn Construction Deals In 2012

The UAE accounts for the largest share of the region’s construction market, according to new research.

Aluminium Bahrain Q2 Profit Falls 49%

Bahrain’s Alba said that second quarter net profit dropped due to lower prices and higher gas costs.

Olympics: Saudi Judo Player To Quit If Hijab Banned

Wojdan Shaherkani, one of Saudi’s two female athletes at the Olympics, will withdraw from the games over the hijab ban, her father has said.

Emaar profit rises 45% to Dhs1.2 bn, led by retail

Property giant Emaar reports 2012 profit rise citing Dubai’s strengthening economy.

Buy Now Before UAE Rents Go Up

Dubai Property oversupply is vanishing fast, says Peter Cooper, editor of Arabianmoney.net

Etisalat To Offer Shares To Foreign Investors

The UAE telecom operator has ruled out any new investments until 2014.

Saudi Women’s Olympic March Draws Praise, Blame

This is the first time that the Kingdom is allowing female athletes to compete in the Olympic Games.

Emaar Buys Dubailand Plot, Plans New Development

Dubai-based property developer Emaar plans to create a mixed-use development in the area.

UAE’s Agthia Posts 38% H1 Profit Rise

The food and beverage company made a net profit of Dhs56 million during the first half of the year.

Azerbaijani Bank Plans Qatar Presence

International Bank of Azerbaijan, the country’s largest lender, hopes to start operating in Qatar in the first quarter of 2013.

Etisalat May Take Majority Stake In Mobily

UAE’s leading telecoms company may also look to raise its stakes in other affiliates with high population markets.

Dubai Rents Rise 2% In Q2

Average residential rents for both villas and apartments in the emirate increased during Q2 2012, says new study.

Dubai’s Aramex Q2 Profit Rises 14%

The logistics firm said weakness in Egypt and investment costs in new African operations weighed on its results.

DIFC Benefits From “Safe Haven” Status

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) economy posted a ‘GDP’ of $3.13 billion in 2011, up seven per cent from 2010.

Dubai’s DEWA Says No Plans For Bond

The utility company is not planning to issue a bond despite a drop in borrowing costs, its CEO has said.

Vodafone Qatar Reports Narrower Q1 Loss

The Qatari operator made a first quarter loss of $32.49 million, an improvement on the $32.6 million Q1 loss last year.

Zain Buys Further Stake In Saudi Unit

The Kuwaiti telecoms operator now owns 37 per cent of Zain Saudi following a weak response from other shareholders.

Top UAE Lenders Beat Q2 Estimates

Three of the country’s largest banks have all posted positive results with First Gulf Bank reporting a 14 per cent profit rise.

Qatar Buys More Xstrata Shares Amid Standoff

Qatar Holding takes its stake in the company up to 11 per cent, as talks with Glencore are stuck in deadlock.

ADCB Q2 Profit Beats Estimates

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank posted a net profit of Dhs733 million for the second quarter of the year.

PineBridge Opens New MENA HQ In Bahrain

The new office of the global asset management company will be headed by ex-Mumtalakat CEO, Talal Al Zain.

Dubai Starts Tenancy Registration At Post Offices

Residents can now complete residential and commercial tenancy contract registration at select post offices.

Abraaj Names New CEO For Aureos

The private equity firm announced that Tom Speechley, senior partner at Abraaj, will take over as the CEO of UK-based Aureos.

National Bank of Abu Dhabi Posts 2% Q2 Profit Rise

NBAD, the largest bank by market value in the UAE, saw second quarter profit grow on higher net interest income.