Zain Confirms Dividend Issue

The Kuwait telco also said it would back a subscription by its Saudi affiliate.

Arab Multinationals Spread Wings

The GCC is among the least economically integrated regions in the world. But that is changing.

Supply Offsets Iran: Brent Nears $124

Oil edges down as US crude stocks offset Iran fears.

DP World Profit Rises to $683 Million

The UAE-founded international ports company has cut its debts.

DIB Repays $750 million Sukuk

The bank said that it repaid the five-year Sukuk from its own resources.

More Saudis Seek Unemployment Benefits

The number of beneficiaries has risen by 170 per cent from December 2011.

Saudi Plans Ambitious Nuclear Programme

The Kingdom is planning to spend more than $100 billion to establish 16 nuclear energy plants in the country.

Dubai Drydocks To Restructure $2.2bn Loan

Dubai’s ship building unit will ask its syndicated lenders to sign a lock-up agreement.

Global Shoppers Spend $497m During DSF

Interestingly, visitors from Russia were the biggest spenders in the UAE during the Dubai Shopping Festival, according to Visa.

JAFZA Eyes Loan Launch

Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone is planning to launch a syndicated loan to partly refinance its $2 billion Sukuk maturing in November.

World Oil Import Bill May Hit $2trn

The International Energy Agency has warned that if crude oil prices don’t fall, oil import bills may soar to record levels this year.

Pension Fund Will Benefit UAE Expats

As officials in Dubai complete the study for an expatriate pension scheme, experts say that the move will protect workers and improve the economy.

Ex-Mumtalakat Head Joins PineBridge

Talal Al Zain, who recently resigned from Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, has been appointed as the CEO of PineBridge’s MENA operations.

RBS Shares Rise After Abu Dhabi Takeover Talks

Britain is reportedly holding talks with Abu Dhabi to sell a part of its stake in Royal Bank of Scotland.

UK No.1 Internet-Based Economy

The internet contributes more to the UK economy than any G20 country.

Mubadala Buys $2bn Stake In Brazil’s EBX

The move marks the first significant direct investment by the Abu Dhabi fund in Brazil and Latin America, it said.

Dubai Rents Rise In 2012

The rental rates for apartments and villas rose by one per cent in Q1 2012 compared to Q4 2011, according to Asteco.

UAE Mulls Uniform Corporate Tax Rate

A study is being conducted to check the economic impact of the move, which will introduce a single tax rate across the seven emirates.

ME Holds $500m In Start-Up Funds

Regional investors are ready to provide up to half a billion dollars to promote new businesses in the Middle East, say industry experts.

Emirates NBD Approves 20% Dividend

Emirates NBD said that its shareholders had approved a cash dividend of 20 fils per share for 2011.

Al Futtaim Gets $500m Egypt Mall Loan

The Mall of Egypt will be one of North Africa’s largest shopping centres.

Arab Spring Surge in EU Asylum Seekers

More than two million people left their MENA homes due to the 2011 unrest.

DP World To Repay $3bn Loan Early

The port operator has said that it will pay off its loan, which matures in October, six months ahead of schedule.

Dubai Falls Behind Abu Dhabi For Fraud Detection

While the UAE capital has taken stringent measures to ensure compliance, Dubai and the other emirates are still lagging behind, say experts.

MAF Holding Reports 10% Revenue Increase

Dubai-based mall and hotel firm pulls in profits amid MENA Arab Spring turmoil.

Emaar Apt Sales Fell 85% In 2011

The Dubai-based property developer saw overall revenues for 2011 falling by 33 per cent compared to 2010.

First Gulf Lends $350mn to AKT

The UAE lender’s loan will help Indonesian coal producer AKT to meet its working capital needs.

Emirates ID to Replace Labour Card

Employed UAE residents will not need a labour card from the end of June, an official from the labour ministry has confirmed.

Abraaj Buys 50% Stake In The Entertainer

Abraaj is making the acquisition through its subsidiary, Riyada Enterprise Development.

UAE Hotels See 80% Occupancy

The occupancy rate for hotels in February reduced by 2.4 per cent year-on year, according to STR Global.