QNB Buys Stake In Libyan Bank

Qatar National Bank has acquired a 49 per cent stake in Libya’s Bank of Commerce and Development for an undisclosed sum.

Courting Appeal

Dubai’s financial court is revving up efforts to become the home to international dispute hearings.

Saudi Denies Reports of Sweden Arms Plant

The Kingdom stressed that it has not signed any deal with Sweden to help build a weapons factory in Saudi.

GCC States Plan Meet Over Disputed Island

The meeting in Riyadh will discuss the dispute between the UAE and Iran over Abu Musa island, sources said.

UAE Central Bank Posts Dhs3.7bn Net Profit

The bank plans to distribute 55 per cent of its 2011 net profit to the ministry of finance, reported WAM.

Oil Market Fundamentals Easing: IEA

Increasing output from OPEC and slow global demand are easing fundamentals, said the International Energy Agency.

Mubadala Reports $1.1bn Net Loss

The Abu Dhabi-based investment company attributed the loss to negative fluctuations in its financial investments.

Arabtec Nominates Aabar Execs To Board

Dubai-based builder Arabtec has nominated four top Aabar executives to its board.

Saudi GDP Grew 6.6% In Q4 2011

The Kingdom’s oil sector expanded 6.1 per cent during the fourth quarter of the year.

Bahrain Grand Prix Doubts Persist

Despite officials confirming that the race is Bahrain is still on, many teams expect it to be called off amid security concerns, say reports.

QIA Plans $10bn Indian Investment

Qatar Investment Authority said it is looking to invest $10 billion in India, but is waiting for policies to change in the country.

Sheikha Lubna Eyes China Investment

The two countries are set to strengthen bilateral trade ties, according to the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade.

Oman May Issue $518m Bonds

Oman plans to issue sovereign bonds worth OR200 million this year, but is waiting for the right time, according to officials.

Saudi Banks Post Rise In Q1 Net Profit

Al Rajhi Bank, SABB, Saudi Hollandi Bank and Banque Saudi Fransi recorded a rise in net profit during the first quarter of the year.

Kuwait To Launch $65.6m Trading System

The new system will help in the trading of financial instruments such as derivatives and Sukuks.

Kuwaiti Tweeter Gets Seven Year Jail Term

A Kuwaiti court ruled that the man’s comments on Twitter caused sectarian divisions in the country.

Drake & Scull Won Dhs1.3bn Deals In Q1

The UAE-based construction company will eye major contracts in Qatar this year.

Facebook Buys Instagram In $1bn Deal

The social networking site confirmed that the rival photo-sharing app will not be integrated into Facebook.

Saudi Leads In Job Creation

Around 77 per cent of Saudi firms are planning to hire more staff this year, according to a new survey.

QNB Posts 17.4% Q1 Net Profit Rise

Qatar National Bank recorded a net profit of $549 million during the first quarter of the year.

Dubai Duty Free Picks Banks For Loan

The airport retailer has chosen Dubai Islamic Bank, HSBC and Emirates NBD to arrange its $1.1 billion loan facility.

Oman Air Reports $285.6m Loss

The carrier said that the loss was “justified” and blamed it on the rising fuel prices.

Qatar’s Xstrata Stake Worth $2.65bn

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) currently holds a five per cent stake in global mining and metals company Xstrata.

GCC Produces Record Aluminium Supply

Annual production in the GCC could reach five million tonnes by 2014.

Arab Billionaires Worth $121.3bn

Saudi Prince Alwaleed topped the list of regional billionaires released by Forbes with a fortune of $18 billion.

UAE Banks Falling Short – Experts

UAE banks will have to stop ‘yesteryear’ practices if they are to survive future competition.

TAQA Sells Tesla Motors Stake

Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) booked a profit of $113 million on the sale.

Deutsche Bank’s Azzam Steps Down

Top finance guru Henry Azzam leaves MENA chairman role, citing no reasons.

Almarai Reports $64.5m Q1 Net Profit

The Saudi-based dairy company said that net profits for the first quarter of the year rose 2.9 per cent year-on-year.

Formula One’s FIA Monitoring Bahrain

The International Automobile Federation (FIA) said that it was keeping a close watch on the escalating violence in Bahrain ahead of the grand prix on April 22.