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Saudi Blogger Deported From Malaysia

The columnist fled Saudi Arabia after his comments on Twitter caused an outrage in the kingdom.

Etihad Reports $14mn Net Profit

This is the first time that the UAE airline, started eight years ago, has recorded a profit.

Batelco Sells STel Stake

The Bahraini telecoms operator will receive $174.5 million, the same amount that it paid to purchase the stake in the Indian firm.

Dhs2.1bn Surplus For Dubai Municipality

The civic body said that cost-cutting measures were implemented to achieve a budget surplus in 2011.

Damas Hires Nomura For Deal

Doha-based Mannai is planning to buy 58.8 percent of Damas in a deal estimated to be worth around $445 million.

Dolphin Raises $1bn From Bond Sale

Abu Dhabi’s Dolphin Energy will use the proceeds to meet its refinancing needs.

DGCX Volumes Rising

Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange saw volumes increasing 95 per cent year-on -year in January.

Consumer Confidence Drops

Confidence decreased substantially in Saudi Arabia during the last quarter of 2011, according to Nielson.

Emirates Eyes $517mn Loan

The airline is planning an Islamic loan facility to fund two of its planes, according to reports.

UNB’s Q4 Net Profit Drops

The Abu Dhabi lender’s profits fell 19.2 per cent to Dhs135 million during the fourth quarter of 2011.

MENA M&A Deals Rise 4%

According to Ernst &Young, deal values in 2011 dropped by 28 per cent year-on-year to reach $31.7 billion.

The National Investor Sheds Workforce

Abu Dhabi-based investment firm may shed more than half of its staff.

Etisalat May Sell African Towers

The telecoms operator might also share infrastructure facilities with other carriers.

UAE, Qatar Stop Trade Finance To Iran

The move follows the stringent financial and trading sanctions imposed by the US and EU on Iran.

UAE To Cap Credit Card Interest Rate

The UAE’s central bank is reportedly planning to limit credit card interest rate at 18 per cent annually.

Qatar’s GDP Grew 19% In 2011

According to the IMF, Qatar’s economy is expected to grow six per cent in 2012.

Oman Plans 230km Gas Pipeline Project

The pipeline will supply gas to the town of Duqm and is estimated to cost around $200- 220 million to build.

UK Brand George To Launch In ME

Lebanon’s Azadea Group will bring the fashion label to the Middle East later this year.

Saudi Can Cover Oil Shortages

The kingdom’s oil minister has said that rising domestic demand will not affect crude oil exports.

UAE To See 4% Growth in 2012

According to the country’s Economy Minister, the Arab Spring has spurred growth in the UAE.

QIA To Buy Credit Suisse London HQ

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is expected to acquire the property in a “few weeks.”

Oman May Sell Crude To Sri Lanka

The country is scrambling to find an alternative to its threatened primary supply from Iran, Oman’s oil minister has said.

Increasing Sales For Volkswagen ME

The German car company delivered 11,000 vehicles in the region during 2011, recording a 21 per cent sales growth for the year.

Bahrain Airshow Nets Deals

The signing of $930 million worth of trade deals at the Bahrain International Airshow has raised expectations for 2014.

GCC Tourists Boost Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has recorded its most successful year ever in terms of hotel guest arrivals with some 2,111,611 visitors.

ME Witnesses E-Commerce Boom

Online shopping is surging in the Middle East as local buyers get comfortable using credit cards over the internet.

Kingdom Budget Surplus

Saudi Arabia almost doubles income forecast, announcing a budget surplus of $81.6 billion for 2011.

Bearish 2011 For UAE Stock Markets

The value of shares traded reached its lowest level since 2004.

Google Growing In MENA

Gulf Business attends Google’s groupie day in Dubai and chats with managing director, Ari Kesisoglu.

GCC Railways On Track?

Billion-dollar railway projects are finally gaining momentum in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.