Home next World next Middle East

Middle East

Kingdom Holding Plans Bond Sale

The Saudi company owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal plans to tap debt markets through sale of either conventional or Islamic bonds.

Standard Chartered Sees UAE Growth

While the bank’s income from the country rose seven per cent last year, expenses also increased by six per cent.

Noor Islamic Has Ended Ties With Iran

Dubai-based Noor Islamic Bank clarified that it has ended all business relations with Iranian banks.

US Targets Dubai Bank Over Iran

Noor Islamic Bank has reportedly been forced to cut off its banking business with Iran by the US Treasury.

Mumtalakat Head Quit Over Differences

The head of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund reportedly resigned because of differences with the board.

New System To Check Prices In UAE

The Ministry of Economy will now be able to monitor the flow of essential goods and their prices across the country.

$293mn Boost For Saudi SME’s

The Saudi Industrial Development Fund has reportedly approved 13 loans to start nine new projects in the kingdom.

Lacoste Builds ME Brand Presence

The brand hopes to increase its regional visibility by continuing to sponsor events like the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship.

Abraaj Consortium Eyes Viking

The UAE-based private equity firm is holding talks to acquire Viking, an integrated oilfield service company.

Almarai May Increase Pepsi JV Stake

The Saudi dairy company is currently in talks Pepsico to up its 48 per cent stake in IDJ, their joint venture firm.

UAE Traffic Fatalities Drop In 2011

The number of people killed in traffic accidents fell by 12.8 per cent last year, according to the interior ministry.

Mumtalakat Head Resigns

Talal Al Zain is leaving Bahrain’s $9 billion sovereign wealth fund to set up an investment firm.

Mannai’s 2011 Profits Soar

The Qatari conglomerate saw net profits for the year increase by 21 per cent year-on-year to reach $76.6 million.

ABC Islamic Bank Nets $8.1mn Profit

ABC Islamic Bank announced a net profit of $8.1 million for 2011, based on lower provisioning.

Investcorp Close To Selling US Mall

The mall is part of a mixed-use development project located in Bellevue, Washington, that Investcorp invested in five years ago.

Nomura To Offer Tadawul Access

The Japanese bank has received approval to offer foreign investors access to Saudi Arabia’s bourse.

World’s Richest Nation: Qatar

The Gulf country with a GDP of $88,000 in 2010 qualifies as the world’s wealthiest nation, according to Forbes.

DFM Index Books 2011 Losses Of 17%

The Dubai Financial Market, the worst performing Gulf bourse last year, managed a small fourth quarter profit.

US Eyes UAE For Military Aircraft Sale

The UAE has reportedly expressed interest in buying the V-22 Osprey, a tilt-rotor aircraft from the US.

UAE To See $15bn Deals In 2012

Construction contracts worth $15 billion will be signed in the country this year according to Ventures Middle East.

Taqa Raises $215mn From Sukuk Sale

The ten-year Malaysian ringgit-denominated Islamic bond carried a 4.65 per cent profit rate.

New App To Control Kids

The mobile app released by Norton in the UAE, will allow parents to monitor their children’s smartphone activities.

Qatar’s UDC In Investor Talks Again

The company’s plan to raise QAR160 million through a share issue had ended after an investor pulled out.

Abu Dhabi Airport Welcomes More Passengers

More than 1.1 million passengers passed through the UAE capital’s international airport during January 2012.

Air Arabia 2011 Net Profit Falls 13%

The airline’s net profit for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by seven per cent year-on-year to reach Dhs78.7 million.

Al Baraka Net Profits Rise

The Bahraini banking group reported a 10 per cent increase in full year net profits for 2011.

Etisalat To Outsource Services

The telecoms operator will not let go of any UAE citizens as part of the move, which is part of a restructuring plan to cut costs.

Saudi Faces Rising Oil Demand

The Kingdom is concerned about keeping the global oil market well supplied as demand from Asian countries increases.

Panel Meets To Discuss Gulf Union

The high-profile GCC Commission studying the formation of the Gulf Union is holding its first meeting in Riyadh.

Etisalat To Shut Down India JV

The decision follows the ruling of an Indian court to cancel 122 telecoms licences in the country amid a corruption scandal.