Why BMW Shares Will Outperform Daimler

Chinese consumers will drive auto revenues in 2013, says Matein Khalid, fund manager in a royal investment office.

GCC’s Islamic Banking Assets’ Growth Slows To 14%

Growth in 2012 was up on 2011, far outperforming conventional banking assets’ growth of 8.1 per cent.

US Imports Of Saudi Crude Oil Up Nearly 300,000 bpd Last Week

Shipments to the US from OPEC’s top producer had dipped earlier in the year.

Leeds United Owner Says Seeks Investors, Not Buyer

The statement conflicts with comments made by its Bahrain-based parent Gulf Finance House.

Obama Talks Tough On Syria, Counsels Patience With Iran

The long-running Middle East peace process took a back seat at the start of Obama’s four-day tour.

Emirates Signs 5-Year Sponsorship Deal With Barcelona Open

As part of the deal, the airline will have promotional rights to branding and digital elements of the tennis tournament.

YouTube Users In MENA Can Now Monetise Original Content

The video-sharing website has started its partner programme in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt.

IATA Raises Profit Outlook For World’s Airlines

The International Air Transport Association expects the industry to make a net profit of $10.6 billion this year.

UAE Oil Firm Lamprell Fined Dhs13.3m By London Regulator

The UK’s Financial Services Authority said Lamprell failed to inform the market of its deteriorating financial position on time.

Dubai-Based GFH Capital In Talks To Sell Leeds United Soccer Club

GFH Capital purchased the club from majority shareholder Ken Bates at the end of last year.

US Fertilizer Firm Enters Phosphate Joint Venture In Saudi Arabia

US-based Mosaic Co plans to invest up to $1 billion in a joint venture with Saudi firms Ma’aden and SABIC.

Top 10 Busiest Airports In The World

A country’s global aviation reach is at the top of its bragging rights, with these airports seeing more passengers than any others.

Occidental Sees $200m Q1 Hit Due To Qatar Maintenance

First-quarter sales volumes will be down by around 40,000 bpd partly due to production issues in the MENA region.

Qatar’s CBQ To Buy 71% Of Turkey’s Alternatifbank

The value of the transaction is seen at around $460 million.

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.