UAE, Qatar Stop Trade Finance To Iran

The move follows the stringent financial and trading sanctions imposed by the US and EU on Iran.

UAE To Cap Credit Card Interest Rate

The UAE’s central bank is reportedly planning to limit credit card interest rate at 18 per cent annually.

Qatar’s GDP Grew 19% In 2011

According to the IMF, Qatar’s economy is expected to grow six per cent in 2012.

Oman Plans 230km Gas Pipeline Project

The pipeline will supply gas to the town of Duqm and is estimated to cost around $200- 220 million to build.

UK Brand George To Launch In ME

Lebanon’s Azadea Group will bring the fashion label to the Middle East later this year.

Saudi Can Cover Oil Shortages

The kingdom’s oil minister has said that rising domestic demand will not affect crude oil exports.

UAE To See 4% Growth in 2012

According to the country’s Economy Minister, the Arab Spring has spurred growth in the UAE.

QIA To Buy Credit Suisse London HQ

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is expected to acquire the property in a “few weeks.”

Oman May Sell Crude To Sri Lanka

The country is scrambling to find an alternative to its threatened primary supply from Iran, Oman’s oil minister has said.

Oil Quandary for South Africa

South Africa, a large importer of Iranian oil, is assessing the impact of international sanctions.

Investors Optimistic On Africa

More than one in two institutional investors see Africa as an attractive region to invest in over the next decade.

Japan’s Trade Deficit Raises Concerns

The country’s first trade deficit since 1980 raises questions how Japan will finance its huge public debt.

Increasing Sales For Volkswagen ME

The German car company delivered 11,000 vehicles in the region during 2011, recording a 21 per cent sales growth for the year.

Bahrain Airshow Nets Deals

The signing of $930 million worth of trade deals at the Bahrain International Airshow has raised expectations for 2014.

New Brazilian CEO Is Top Oil Woman

Maria das Gracas Foster will oversee a $225 billion investment proposal to more than double Petroleo Brasileiro’s oil output.

GCC Tourists Boost Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi has recorded its most successful year ever in terms of hotel guest arrivals with some 2,111,611 visitors.

RIM CEOs Step Down

Jim Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis are replaced as Google and Apple take BlackBerry market share.

Facebook Extends Sharing Service

The social networking site will now let users know what their friends are doing on other sites.

McDonald’s Extends IOC Deal

The fast food giant will continue sponsoring the Olympic Games for another eight years.

ME Witnesses E-Commerce Boom

Online shopping is surging in the Middle East as local buyers get comfortable using credit cards over the internet.

Kingdom Budget Surplus

Saudi Arabia almost doubles income forecast, announcing a budget surplus of $81.6 billion for 2011.

Saudi, Spain Sign $8.2bn Rail Deal

The Spanish consortium won the bid to build the second phase of the HHR.

Bearish 2011 For UAE Stock Markets

The value of shares traded reached its lowest level since 2004.

Google Growing In MENA

Gulf Business attends Google’s groupie day in Dubai and chats with managing director, Ari Kesisoglu.

GCC Railways On Track?

Billion-dollar railway projects are finally gaining momentum in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.

MENA CIOs Enter Boardrooms

Gulf techies are way ahead of their global peers says IBM, as the MENA region pushes for fast growth.

SMEs Fight for Funding

As the UAE climbs into steady recovery, is it any easier for small businesses to access bank lending?

Arabs Target Mining Sector

The region is doubling its mineral production with the aim of creating jobs and digging up new profits.

Gulf Banks Shut Out US Clients

Obama’s intrusive regulations are simply too much trouble.

Dark Clouds Over Lebanese Banks

The turmoil in the Arab region will affect Beirut’s financial sector, says Matein Khalid, fund manager in a royal investment office.