Middle East Investment Banking Fees Up 72% In Q2 2014

Investment banking fees in the region reached $237.9 million in the second quarter of this year, a new report finds.

Kuwait’s Zain Says Court Lifts Freeze On Zain Iraq Earnings

Zain’s Iraqi unit was sued by a local telecommunications firm over the $1.2 billion acquisition of rival operator Iraqna from Egypt’s Orascom Telecom in 2007.

FIFA World Cup Was Biggest Social Media Event Ever – Facebook

Up to 350 million users generated a record Facebook “conversation” with three billion posts, comments and likes.

Etihad To Start Daily San Francisco Flights

San Francisco becomes Etihad’s sixth US destination.

Citi To Pay $7bn To Settle Securities Investigation

The settlement, signed over the weekend, caps months of negotiations.

Airbus Unveils Revamp Of A330 Passenger Jet

The A330neo will have a range increase of up to 400 nautical miles, with room for up to 10 extra seats in the cabin.

UAE’s Abraaj Group Buys Stake In Tunisian Hospital

Abraaj’s investment will help increase patient capacity, add new services and ramp up human resource training in the hospital.

Aujan Coca-Cola Buys Majority Stake In Lebanon’s NBC

National Beverage Company (NBC) manufactures and distributes Coca-Cola, Pampa, and other products in Lebanon.

Private Banks Not First Choice For Wealthy – StanChart Report

The majority of high net worth business owners prefer consulting lawyers and accountants over their private banks for planning their wealth transfer to their successors, a new study finds.

Abraaj Investment Management Makes Bid Approach To Egypt’s Bisco Misr

The affiliate of Abraaj Capital is seeking to buy at least a 51 per cent stake in the Egyptian snack maker.

Gulf Capital Invests $30m In GCC School Operator EKI

The investment is expected to help Evolvence Knowledge Investments Limited (EKI) to expand its offerings in the region.

Egypt Tries Crude Swaps To Import Crucial Foreign Oil

Egypt has been largely unable to buy crude oil in the international market for more than a year due to a domestic subsidy scheme.

Exclusive Interview: Frits Van Paasschen, Starwood CEO

Starwood’s global president and CEO plots the next phase of the hotel chain’s ambitious Middle Eastern expansion.

Shale Boom Confounds Forecasts As US Set To Pass Russia, Saudi Arabia

Forecasts for U.S. shale oil production vary from an increase of 7.5 million barrels per day by 2020 – almost doubling current domestic output of 8.5 bpd.

UAE Opens New Consulate In Toronto

The move is expected to boost trade and business ties between the UAE and Canada.

Qatar Cuts Stake In London Stock Exchange By A Third

Qatar sold the shares at 1,915 pence each as part of its portfolio management, a source said.

Etihad Signs Partnership With Philippine Airlines

The agreement covers codeshare flights, loyalty programmes, airport lounges and the coordination of airport operations.

India’s New Budget Targets Growth, Jobs

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also raised limits on foreign investment in defence and insurance ventures to 49 per cent from 26 per cent.

Qatar Slashes Stake In London Stock Exchange Group

Qatar Holding is set to slash its 15 per cent stake in the owner of the London Stock Exchange by a third.

U.S. Blacklists UAE Firm For Flouting Sanctions On Syria

Sharjah-based Pangates supplied petroleum products to Syria from 2012 to April this year, the U.S. Treasury Department said.

BMW Middle East Reports A 25% Increase In Sales For The First Half Of 2014

A total of 15,797 BMW and Mini vehicles were sold in the region with the UAE accounting for half of total sales.

London’s Residential Properties Continue To Woo Middle East Investors

The city’s political stability and rising demand from a burgeoning workforce have been instrumental in attracting international investment to its property market, a new report says.

Emirates Firms Up Boeing 777X Order

Deal first announced as a commitment at the 2013 Dubai Airshow has now been finalised

Djibouti In Legal Dispute With DP World Over Port Concession

DP World owns one-third of Djibouti’s Doraleh Container Terminal.

UAE Citizens To Travel Visa-Free To Kazakhstan From July 15

Kazakhstan is introducing a 15-day visa-free regime for citizens from 10 countries.

Emirates To Drop Kiev Flights

Dubai carrier decides to call time on Ukraine service which launched in January

UK Regulators Quiz Airbus Staff Over Saudi Corruption Allegations

The UK’s Serious Fraud Office reportedly questioned and arrested four former and current employees at Airbus unit GPT Special Project Management.

India, UAE Discuss Strategic Oil Storage Lease – Sources

ADNOC is reportedly planning to take up to two million tonnes capacity in India.

Etihad Seals Codeshare With Brazilian Airline Gol

Deal provides Abu Dhabi carrier with access to Gol’s domestic network as well 14 destinations across Latin America

Senior Iraqi Army Commander Killed In Battle

The official was killed “when mortar rounds fell” in the Ibrahim Bin Ali area, a military spokesman said.