Cityscape Preview: Abu Dhabi Q1 Rents Drop

Experts say that residential rents in the emirate fell up to 18 per cent during the first quarter of the year.

Bahrain F1 Race Goes Ahead Despite Protests

The Gulf country is hosting the Formula One Grand Prix amidst increasing protests on the streets.

Containing Iran

The latest round of sanctions have placed Iran under unprecedented pressure, but will they really work?

Kingdom Holding Records 11.3% Q1 Profit Rise

Prince Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Company said that net income during the first quarter of the year reached SR100.8 million.

Abu Dhabi Sees 3.4m Passengers in Q1

Abu Dhabi International Airport saw 21.2 per cent increase in traffic year-on-year.

Arabtec Wins $60m Deal From Aabar

The contract includes the construction of a residential development in Abu Dhabi.

Dubai’s Foreign Trade Hits Dhs1.1 trillion

India is the emirate’s top trading partner, according to the customs authority.

Abu Dhabi To Exit Daimler

Abu Dhabi’s investment fund Aabar is reportedly looking to exit its its stake in the German carmaker.

Turkey Rising

As Turkey looks to the GCC for investment, the country’s upwards trajectory is turning heads, writes Peter Shaw-Smith.

Qatar Lends Tunisia $500m

The five-year loan will boost Tunisian government finances, according to its central bank.

Revealed: The World’s Top Ten Retail Nations

The UAE is the world’s second most popular country for global retailers, according to property adviser CBRE.

HSBC Merges Oman Branch With OIB

The European bank will hold a 51 per cent stake in the new entity, which will be renamed HSBC Bank Oman SOAG.

Saudi Booms But Closing Deals Is Challenging

While experts say the Kingdom is the best performing market in the region, they also warn investors to be patient while doing deals.

Banque Saudi Fransi sets up $2bn Sukuk

The bank reported a ten per cent year-on-year rise in first quarter profit earlier this year.

SABIC Sees Drop In Q1 Profit

Saudi Basic Industries Corp recorded a five per cent year-on-year fall in net profit during the first quarter of the year.

Tamweel Posts 33% Drop In Q1 Profit

The UAE-based mortgage lender recorded a net profit of Dhs18 million during the first quarter of the year.

UAE Urges Iran To End Island Standoff

The UAE Foreign Minister has said that the dispute with Iran concerning Abu Mousa could spiral into an international issue.

Nokia Has 46% ME Handset Share

Nokia leads handset sales, but Apple secures top spot for mobile advertising impressions.

Mubadala To Manufacture Parts For Boeing

This is the first time Boeing has signed a direct outsourcing deal for parts production in the Arab region.

World Bank Picks New President

The decision to appoint Jim Yong Kim, an American, to the top post has been criticised by developing nations.

NBK Posts $292m Q1 Net Profit

National Bank of Kuwait reported a 0.3 per cent rise in Q1 profits year-on-year.

Giordano Unveils Expansion Plans, Web Store

Global fashion store will launch 14 more regional stores this year.

Dubai’s Residential Market Back On Track

Property prices in the city are hitting early 2008 levels, and the rental market is also positive, says a new report.

Nakheel Posts 33% Rise In 2011 Profit

The Dubai-based developer reported a net profit of Dhs1.3 billion for 2011.

Bahrain Is “Not Syria” Says Circuit Boss

Formula One teams taking part in the Bahrain Grand Prix will not be at risk, circuit chairman Zayed Al Zayani has said.

Bank Muscat Q1 Net Profit Up 20%

Bank Muscat, Oman’s largest lender by market value, posted a net profit of $86.7 million for the first quarter of the year.

SABIC Approves SR15bn Dividends

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation will be distributing a dividend of SR5 per share to shareholders for 2011.

Saudi’s Al-Tayyar Group Plans 30% IPO

The travel firm had to cancel a similar sale two years ago due to a lack of demand.

Al Ghurair appointed DIFC Authority chairman

Mashreq bank chairman Abdul Azuz Al Ghurair is also vice chairman of DIFC’s higher board of directors.

Dubai Issues 17% More Licences In March

The majority of the licences were issued to businesses in the tourism sector, said Dubai’s Department of Economic Development.