Qatar Not Considering Bid For Marks & Spencer – Source

Reports claimed Qatar Investment Authority was seeking a consortium for an £8 billion takeover of the British retail store.

Trade Between Arab Region, Brazil Hits $26bn In 2012

Trade flows between the regions increased by 3.26 per cent in 2012 compared to the previous year.

Libya Halts Telco Management Contract – Etisalat CEO

Etisalat is keen on winning the contract to run state-owned Libyan Post, Telecommunication and Information Technology Co.

MENA’s Great Job Squeeze

With high youth unemployment, the Arab world is facing its biggest timebomb yet.

Qatar Seeks Partners for $12.1bn Marks & Spencer bid

Qatar Investment Authority has reportedly approached several large private equity houses to jointly bid for British retailer Marks & Spencer.

REVEALED: Top 10 Middle East Advertisements In 2012

A cross-section of the best print, TV and integrated ad campaigns from across the region.

Emirati Female Entrepreneurs On The Rise

Men still 2.8 times more likely to start a business in MENA as the UAE ranks 22nd on a global survey for ease of setting up a company.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Launch: The Countdown Begins

The new smartphone is reportedly powered by a new processor and said to include a unique eye-scrolling feature.

FAA Approves Dreamliner Test Flights

But no timeframe has yet been given as to when Dreamliners will return to service globally, and the FAA has warned additional testing may be necessary.

Obama Picks New US Ambassador To Libya

Deborah Jones, a former ambassador to Kuwait, has been appointed to the post.

Egypt Court To Hear Appeal On Sunday Over Vote Ruling

A body representing the state said it had lodged an appeal with the Administrative Court against its ruling last week.

Sovereign Wealth Funds To Hit Record $5.6 Trillion By Year-End

SWF assets grew eight per cent in 2012 to reach $5.2 trillion, says study.

Societe Generale’s Egypt Arm Net Income Up 3%

Last month Egypt’s financial regulator approved an offer by Qatar National Bank for NSGB.

Broker FIS Says Relocating Ship Futures To Dubai

Managing director John Banaszkiewicz says the broker will take advantage of Dubai’s proximity to Asia.

“Be Brave,” Global Creative Head Tells ME Advertisers

Erik Vervroegen, international creative director, Publicis Worldwide, a judge at the Dubai Lynx Awards, says regional work is “world-class.”

OPEC Sees Oil Demand Downside Risk, Rising Supply

OPEC, the source of more than a third of the world’s oil, expects the U.S. economy to expand by 1.7 per cent in 2013.

Gulf States Buy Stake In Virgin Mobile’s Middle East Unit

Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and GIC will be the joint largest shareholders in Virgin Mobile Middle East & Africa.

Abu Dhabi In Nearly $7bn Oil Investment In Malaysia

The emirate has signed an agreement for a petroleum storage facility in Malaysia’s Johor state.

Emirates Sends A380 Signal To Mauritius

Special service marks island’s 45th anniversary of independence – and serves as a capacity-raising hint from the airline

UAE Consumer Confidence Lowest In The GCC

The country scored much lower than the other Gulf states on the latest MasterCard Index of Consumer Confidence.

Dusit Gears Up For Regional Expansion

Its second Dubai property falls under the rapidly growing dusitD2 brand, which targets young and successful business and leisure travellers

Obama Meets Arab American Leaders Before Middle East Trip

Obama met about 10 leaders on Monday to seek input for his meetings in the region.

UK Government Promotes London As Islamic Finance Hub

More than $34 billion worth of Islamic bonds have been issued through the London Stock Exchange.

Nomura’s EMEA CEO To Leave Bank

John Phizackerley had previously said he planned to beef up staffing at the lender’s Dubai office.

GCC Tourists Spend Dhs2,440 Per Head In The UK

Visitors from Qatar and Kuwait were found to be the biggest spenders.

Qatar Picks Sarkozy To Lead Wealth Fund

France’s ex-President would take a non-executive role to help direct where to invest $650 million.

Qatar Says No More Aid To Egypt For Now

Qatar has been a key source of foreign aid to Egypt since its 2011 revolution giving $5 billion.

Gold Bounces From 2-Week Low As Stimulus Seen To Continue

Better-than-expected US jobs data helped push spot gold up 0.2 per cent to $1,580.66 an ounce.

Abraaj Buys Stake In Palestinian Games Firm

UAE-based Abraaj Capital invests undisclosed sum in Anoud Games through its Palestine Growth Capital Fund.