Gulf’s Mixed Takaful Rules Hurting Margins

Lack of coordination among regulators is making life difficult for takaful operators, says insurance rating agency.

Tunisian Government Dissolved After Critic’s Killing Causes Fury

Chokri Belaid, a left-wing lawyer, was gunned down on Wednesday, leading to street protests across the country.

Prepare For Bear Market In Bonds – Coutts Middle East

The private bank’s chief investment officer warns of losing money in Islamic bonds this year.

Emirates Signs Five-Year Partnership With F1

Emirates boss Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said the deal was worth “above $10 million”.

Barclays’ Bosses Duck Qatar Questions

UK authorities have been investigating the bank’s fundraising from Qatar at the height of the 2008 financial crisis since July.

Qatar Steel Awards Siemens $38m Contract

Qatar Steel, a subsidiary of Industries Qatar, launched a $5.7 billion aluminium plant in December 2009.

Lufthansa Halts Libya Flights Due To Security Worries

This is the second time this year that flights to a Libyan city have been cancelled due to security concerns.

Bentley Reports Record Year For Middle East

The Continental GT and GTC W12 continued as the brand’s most popular models in the region.

Oil Edges Up Towards $116 As Europe Concerns Fade

Brent crude has gained four per cent so far in 2013 and reached a more than four-month high above $117 on Friday.

MENA M&A Deal Values Rise 42%, Volumes Fall 4% In 2012

The value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals in the region reached $44.8 billion last year, says new study.

Tough Diamond: Exclusive Interview With Tiffany & Co CEO, Mike Kowalski

The global boss of Tiffany & Co, Mike Kowalski, plans to put the sparkle back into lost earnings with a focus on emerging markets.

Mercedes-Benz Reports Record Year In Middle East

Vice President at the automotive company announces 13 new car lines in the next seven years.

US Business Jet Maker Nextant Targets ME Buyers

Directors have been touting the Nextant 400XT jet to regional entrepreneurs and HNWIs this week

Infiniti Red Bull Racing Unveil RB9

The world champions use a new livery in recognition of its new title partner.

Barclays Finance Director Lucas, Top Counsel To Retire

The British bank, battling with a series of scandals, has appointed headhunters to find suitable replacements.

Bonding Time In Islamic Finance

The Gulf is set for another bumper year of the sukuk.

Gulf States Hand Morocco First Chunk Of $2.5bn Aid Package

Sources said Morocco had finalised the agreement with the GCC states during a summit in Riyadh last month.

Exclusive: Kaspersky CEO Rules Out IPO

Eugene Kaspersky rejects public listing but says cyber terrorism is a growing reality.

BlackBerry Launches New BB10

Simultaneous launches took place around the world including in Dubai.

BlackBerry 10 Launches Today: Will RIM Survive?

The new range of BlackBerry smartphones are expected to determine the future of Canada-based Research In Motion (RIM).

Kuwait Pledges $300m In Syria Aid At Donor Meeting

The UN is seeking up to $1 billion in aid for Syrian refugees outside the country and $500 million for humanitarian work inside the war-torn country.

High-Profile Islamic Finance Firm Dar Al Istithmar Closes

Most of its staff moved to Khalij Islamic, another investment firm with offices in London and Dubai, says sources.

Qatar To Invest $1.34bn In Greek SMEs

The Greek investment scheme is similar to a Qatari plan to invest in Italian companies.

Qatar Puts Hold On £3bn Chelsea Barracks Plan

The UK economy has given the Gulf state reasons to be concerned about the development.

Abu Dhabi’s TAQA Seals $1.4bn Financing For Morocco Plant

The financing for the Jorf Lasfar plant is the largest in over a decade for an international project in Morocco.

Islamic Finance Grows Up

Islamic banks must confront the regulators to grow their products.

Emirates Targets Japan Exports Growth

New services to Haneda Airport will provide Japanese exporters and passengers more flexibility when connecting to the airline’s global network.

Qtel CEO Addresses Telecoms Gender Divide

Dr Nasser Marafih uses the World Economic Forum in Davos to highlight the issue.

UAE, Turkey Trade Up 197% In H1 2012

Trade exchanges between the two countries reached $5.3 billion during the first half of the year.

Obama Struggling Over Whether To Intervene In Syria

U.S. President: “In a situation like Syria, I have to ask: can we make a difference?”