Bank Muscat Plans $251m Stake Sale

The Omani bank plans to use the proceeds from the sale to fund credit expansion and its foray into Islamic finance.

Qatar Seeks $5bn Quota

The Gulf state is looking to increase it’s stake in China’s stock and bond markets along with ADIA.

Obama Calls Morsy On Win

Egypt’s newly-elected President receives support from US equivalent as does his rival Shafik.

Morsy Declared Egypt’s President

The Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsy has promised a moderate, modern Islamist agenda for Egypt.

Rents Rise In Riyadh and Jeddah

Residential rents rose between four to 13 per cent in the two Saudi Arabian cities, says a new study.

Dubai’s Daman Sells 22.7% Stake

The investment company, which plans to launch an IPO, raised Dhs100 million from the sale.

Tracking Qatar’s Next Move

Qatar’s government is hoping that its nascent non-oil sector will keep the economic engine running.

UAE Signs Dhs435m Road Deals

Contracts have been signed for the construction of projects in Ras Al Khaimah and Khor Fakkan.

Qatar Buys French Luxury Hotels

Qatar plans to buy four hotels from Starwood for around $940 million, according to French media reports.

Egypt Braces For New President

While official election results will be announced today, the Brotherhood’s Morsy is expected to win.

UAE’s Hormuz Bypass Opens

The new pipeline is expected to end the UAE’s dependence on the shipping route that Iran has threatened to block.

Gulf Seen Muted After MSCI Move

The UAE and Qatar have not been upgraded to emerging markets status by index compiler MSCI.

Brent Prices Hit 18-Month Low

Poor outlook for the US economy and rising supply pushed oil prices to around $92 per barrel on Thursday.

Dubai Draws Lebanese Tourists

The number of Lebanese visitors staying at Dubai’s hotels rose two per cent year-on-year during Q1 2012.

Oman Posts Budget Surplus

First four months of the year see the sultanate’s revenue jump by 40 per cent to 4.6 billion rials.

Kuwait Reinstates Former Parliament

Prominent opposition lawmaker resigns calling the court’s ruling ‘a coup against the constitution’.

Arkan Gets Dhs1.4bn Loan

The construction company will use the amount to refinance existing debt and fund expansion.

$20bn Gulf Fund Not Capitalised

The wealthier GCC states had planned to create an aid fund to assist Bahrain and Oman combat social unrest.

Jumeirah Eyes Indian Market

The luxury hotel chain group has specific discussions going on in Mumbai and Delhi, its chairman has said.

UAE Not Pressured To Issue Bonds

The country has adequate financial resources to bridge its budget gap, a senior minister has said.

Four Seasons To Open Dubai Resort

The Canadian hotel operator announced that it will open its first resort in Dubai by mid-2014.

Landmark Enters Healthcare

The retail and hospitality conglomerate moves into the healthcare industry with the launch of medical clinics.

Good And Bad Of Arab Spring

Latest study shows the effects of the political and social unrest on the economies of the GCC.

Brent Touches 17 Month Low

Oil prices briefly fell below $95 a barrel on Tuesday on Eurozone worries, but bounced back again.

ENOC Unit Gets $100m Financing

The amount will be partly used to construct a fuel pipeline from Jebel Ali to the Dubai Airport.

DSI Wins Dhs96m Oman Deals

UAE contractor Drake & Scull International has secured a series of MEP contracts in Oman.

Top MENA Picks For Retailers

The UAE ranks highest in the region for global retail expansion, says a report by A.T. Kearney.

Gulf Markets To Lose Monday Gains

The appointment of Prince Salman as heir apparent in Saudi Arabia may lift the markets temporarily.

Fitch Cuts HSBC VR Rating

The rating agency has cut the bank’s Middle Eastern arm’s rating from BBB+ to BBB, due to flat NPL ratio.

Kuwait Suspends Parliament

Kuwait’s ruler has suspended the parliament for one month amidst rising political tension in the country.