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Filipino fast food chain Jollibee to open 100 stores across the GCC by 2020

The company’s Dubai Mall outlet is its most financially successful restaurant worldwide

Abu Dhabi bank NBAD to invest $10bn in sustainable businesses

The amount will be used to finance environmentally sustainable projects over the next 10 years

UN chief launches humanitarian financing report in Dubai

Ban Ki-moon unveils landmark report in presence of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Value of GCC project contract awards to drop 15% in 2016 – report

GCC governments have slashed spending as oil prices continue to plummet

More than half of UAE residents say their salary is too low to save money

Another third of cash-strapped employees cannot save a single dirham a month

German court overturns ruling on Etihad- Airberlin codeshare dispute

The UAE carrier has now been allowed to continue operating 26 of the 31 airberlin codeshare flights for the winter schedule

Banking on money centre lenders in 2016

US money centre banks will outperform as interest rates rise in 2016, writes Matein Khalid

Exclusive Interview: OSN CEO on the new golden age of television

From competition with YouTube and censorship in the Middle East, OSN CEO David Butorac talks candidly across a broad range of issues

Predictions 2016: Lulu Group chairman and MD Yusuffali M.A.

The retailer has aggressive expansion plans for the GCC this year, confirms Yusuffali

A week in the life of Kivanc Eralp

La Serre Bistro and Boulangerie’s procurement manager spends much of his week eating and meeting

Dubai’s RTA seeking more than $2bn for expo 2020 metro expansion – report

Work on the extension is planned to begin in April

Video gives first look at Dubai Safari as construction nears completion

Clip posted on Instagram gives sneak preview into hotly-anticipated attraction

Two new cases of MERS virus confirmed in Abu Dhabi

The affected individuals are currently receiving medical care, authorities said

Property insurance premiums could rise in UAE after fire accidents

Dubai specifically has seen a spate of fire accidents in recent years

Man killed in hoverboard accident in Dubai

This is the second hoverboard-related death reported in the UAE, and the first in Dubai.

New visa charge could bring Oman $43m each year

Extra visa fees will need to be paid by companies following new charge by Royal Oman Police

UAE hopes to earn revenues of up to Dhs 12bn by introducing VAT

The country plans to begin levying value added tax in 2018

Xiaomi launches in Middle East, aims to be fifth in terms of sales within a year

Devices from the world’s fourth largest smartphone manufacturer will be sold exclusively through Etisalat in the UAE

Al Jazeera America to shut down by April

Qatar-based Al Jazeera Media Network plans to expand digital outlet in the US

Obama: Middle East undergoing “transformation”; ISIL conflict not world war III

The US President urges for continued fight against ISIL in his final State of the Union speech

Wyndham to open four new Ramada hotels in the Middle East

Wyndham’s Ramada Resort Dead Sea and Ramada Jeddah Corniche are already open while its two properties in Bahrain are set to open on March 31, 2016.

The Middle East’s state of knowledge

Knowledge levels in the Middle Eastern countries differ vastly but experts hope that a new index could help bridge the gap

Sennheiser plans Middle East expansion ahead of$55,000 headphone launch

The German audio specialist has seen double digit growth in the region

Dubai’s ruler meets Microsoft CEO Nadella, discusses smart city plans

Satya Nadella met with Sheikh Mohammed in Dubai and held talks on collaboration

Saudi cuts diplomatic ties with Iran after embassy attack in Tehran

Iranian diplomats and staff have been asked to leave the kingdom, as a row over Saudi’s execution of a Shia cleric escalates

Emaar appoints Dutco to restore fire-damaged Address hotel

The developer said that a team of consultants was already at the site but did not reveal when the hotel is expected to reopen

What to expect from Dubai Shopping Festival 2016

Retail slowdown could mean bigger discounts with ‘part-sale’ already starting at 30 per cent

Oman cuts spending, budget deficit to reach $8.6bn in 2016

State spending is estimated to fall 11 per cent in 2016 to reach OMR 11.9bn as oil prices squeeze finance

Logistics – one of the keys to a successful Dubai expo

Innovation in logistics and transport will be key to a successful Expo 2020, writes Mohammad Alkhas

Adapting to Darwinian forces across the business landscape in 2016

Low commodity prices, weakening currencies and slowing growth in China will continue to impact businesses