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?”

Twitter Announces New Partnership In MENA Region

The micro-blogging site has made its first business move in the region, teaming up with Connect Ads.

Retailer SPAR To Enter Middle East

The company aims to have 30 stores in the region by end of 2015.

Davos: Kuwait Wealth Fund Warns Of Currency War

Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Badr al-Saad fears the decline of the yen.

Revealed: Top Swimming Pools In The Middle East

The region isn’t short of stunning poolsides but which ones drench the competition? Dominic Ellis rounds up some of the Gulf’s top watering holes.

Global Economy To Remain Stalled in 2013, Say CEOs

PwC survey reveals that only 36% of CEOs worldwide are ‘very confident’ of their company’s growth prospects in the next 12 months.

Gold’s Bull-Run Seen Topping Out In 2013/14

The average spot gold price is expected to stand at $1,775 an ounce in 2013, 6.4 per cent higher than last year’s average, says Reuters survey.

Ladies’ Watches Given Greater Focus

Luxury brands at SIHH are realigning their positions in the Middle East.

BlackBerry 10 Buzz Builds As Launch Date Nears

The much-awaited new smartphone line-up from RIM will be launched in Dubai and five other cities on January 30.

Lewis Hamilton To Wear IWC In 2013

An unnamed source at SIHH confirms Hamilton will no longer endorse TAG Heuer.

Greek PM To Visit Qatar To Discuss Investment

The trip follows the withdrawal of Qatar last week from a multi-billion euro tender to develop Athens’ old airport.

Ralph Lauren’s Bugatti Inspires Watch Making

Meanwhile Roger Dubuis sources inspiration from the legend of King Arthur.

Audi Plans To Double Middle East Sales by 2020

German luxury car maker hopes to sell 20,000 vehicles per year by 2020.

Richard Mille Unveils 2013 Watches

The Swiss watchmaker unveils its timepieces for the new year at the SIHH in Geneva.

Etihad Signs ‘Multimillion Dollar Deal’ With Sydney Opera House

Abu Dhabi airline become the cultural icon’s exclusive international airline partner

Exclusive: Masdar Eyes Investment In South Africa

South African energy minister says Abu Dhabi- based Masdar has expressed interest in the African nation’s renewable energy programme.

Algeria Ends Desert Siege With 23 Hostages Dead

The siege at the gas plant in the Sahara desert began on early Wednesday.