Qatar Budget Surplus Hits $1.4bn

Qatar posted a surplus of QAR5.1 billion in the third quarter of its 2011/12 fiscal year.

UN Issues Eco-Warning

Over-consumption and globalisation are leading to unprecedented levels of eco-damage, says the UNEP.

Global Gains Steady Gulf Bourses

As world markets rally to Spain’s bond sale the Gulf region sees shares and oil improve.

DGCX Trading Up 259% In May

Trading volumes at the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange amounted to $32.67 billion in May this year.

MEA Wealth Up 4.7% In 2011

New report shows the region has the highest proportion of offshore wealth in the world and many HNWIs.

Samsung Eyes Mobile Top Spot

Exclusive: Eros, Samsung’s UAE distributor, says that the brand will soon lead the country’s mobile market.

Saudi Posts 5.9% Q1 GDP Growth

The Kingdom’s GDP growth during the first quarter of 2012 reduced slightly compared to the fourth quarter of last year.

Bank Of Palestine Launches In Dubai

Exclusive: Palestine’s largest bank to launch Dubai office in 2013 to serve 200,000 Palestinians.

Oman LNG Eyes 20% Output Rise

The company currently produces around eight million tonnes of liquefied natural gas a year.

Saudi Domestic Tourism To Grow

Official statistics reveal that local tourism in the Kingdom will grow five per cent during summer this year.

World’s Top 10 Givers

Gulf Business rounds up a list of the most generous philanthropists from across the world.

Dubai Stops ‘One Cheque’ Rents

A new survey finds that most landlords in Dubai now allow tenants to pay in two or four cheques.

Qtel Raises Asiacell Stake

Qatar Telecom will pay $1.47 billion to increase its stake in Iraqi operator Asiacell to 60 per cent.

Islamic Finance Innovation “Slow”

The Islamic finance industry needs to create new and diverse products to grow, says Noor CEO Hussain Al Qemzi.

Microsoft Warns Of Flame Virus

The American computer giant has warned Middle East PC users of the virus penetrating the region.

MENA English Speakers Earn More

English speakers in the region can earn three times more than those who don’t speak the language, says study.

Etihad Buys Virgin Australia Stake

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad buys a four per cent stake in the Australian airline for an undisclosed price.

Emirates Launches Vietnam Route

Dubai-based Emirates Airline has begun a non-stop daily flight service to Ho Chi Minh City.

Soros: 90 Days To Save Euro

Billionaire investor George Soros warns European authorities to act quickly or risk the Euro collapsing.

UAE Confirmed As IRENA HQ

The country has signed a ‘permanent headquarters’ agreement with the renewable energy agency.

UAE Cuts 2012 GDP Growth Forecast

The UAE’s GDP will grow at around three per cent this year, the country’s economy minister has said.

Euro Effect Hits Dubai Bourse

Dubai’s general index drops two per cent to five-month low amid growing fears of the Eurozone and Iran.

DIFC Unit Gets $1.04bn Loan

DIFC Investments has secured a five-year syndicated loan to repay its Sukuk maturing this month.

Saudi Plans SAR1bn Projects

The Kingdom has approved municipal projects worth SAR1 billion to be implemented across the country.

HSBC Gets Nod For Oman Merger

The European lender has received approval to merge its Omani business with Oman International Bank.

Etihad Launches Brazil Flight

The Abu Dhabi-based airline announced that it will operate daily flights to Sao Paulo from June next year.

Saudi Unlikely To Cut Oil Supply

Despite oil prices falling below $100 a barrel, Saudi Arabia will not cut supplies anytime soon, say experts.

Abu Dhabi Airport Posts 22% Growth

Over 1.2 million travellers passed through the Abu Dhabi International airport during April 2012.

Mubarak Sentenced To Life

Celebration and anger as the former ruler of Egypt goes to jail for his crimes during the uprising last year.

Oman To Top GCC GDP Rankings

The sultanate has the potential to top the GDP rankings for the region, bettering its wealthy neighbours.