All six GCC nations plan simultaneous VAT adoption in January 2018

The Gulf states are aiming to introduce a 5 per cent value-added tax

Kuwait welcomes Iran’s readiness for dialogue with the GCC

Any talks are likely to help resolve civil wars in Syria and Yemen, says senior Kuwaiti official

Salaries in the Middle East to see slight increase in 2017

The strongest salary growth of 3 per cent is expected in the procurement and supply chain sector

Lower liquidity not driving drop in GCC sukuk volumes

Complexity related to the sukuk issuance process is a major hindrance, says S&P

Corporate governance standards among GCC firms lag global levels

Lagging governance standards can deter international investors from looking for opportunities in the GCC, finds S&P report

White House puts Iran ‘on notice’ after missile launch

Iran confirmed it had tested a new missile but said it did not breach the nuclear accord

US drone strike kills two suspected al Qaeda militants in Yemen

A US commando died and three were wounded during a dawn raid on Sunday in Yemen

Airlines at Beirut implement measures in line with Trump travel ban

Trump has banned entry of refugees and nationals of seven Muslim-majority countries

Americans with Iran visas can enter the country – Iran foreign minister

Iran said it would stop US citizens entering the country in retaliation to Washington’s visa ban

UAE Air Force helps destroy Iranian military drone in Yemen

Yemeni forces detected the aircraft during surveillance

US travel curbs decried as ‘unjust, insulting’ in the Middle East

Would-be travellers have reported chaotic disruption to their plans

Trump’s order halting immigrants from seven Muslim countries hits roadblock

A federal judge said stranded travellers could stay in the country

Gulf states slide on Transparency Corruption Index

Annual index indicates growing corruption across the Gulf region

Rights advocates slam Trump plans to stop receiving Muslim immigrants

Trump is also expected to order a multi-month ban on allowing refugees into the United States

Airline

Middle East airlines see strongest growth in passenger demand in Nov

Regional carriers saw a 12.2 per cent increase in international passenger demand

Iran receives Saudi invitation to discuss haj arrangements

Iran boycotted the haj last year after hundreds died in a crush at the 2015 pilgrimage

Iran to expand military spending, develop missiles

The plans could put Iran on a collision course with the incoming Trump administration

Former Iranian President Rafsanjani dies at 82

His death ahead of May’s presidential elections is a blow to moderate president Hassan Rouhani

IranAir gets first passenger jet from Airbus under sanctions deal

The Airbus A321 jetliner is expected to be delivered later this week

Human

Local talent can drive GCC’s cyber security industry

Cyber security companies are now looking to develop talent locally

Top 10 cars in Dubai: How insured are they?

Top 8 predictions for the GCC’s automotive industry in 2017

From VAT to new technologies, several factors will impact the automotive industry this year

Britain’s finance minister Hammond to meet GCC leaders this week

Hammond is aiming to expand economic and investment relationships with the Gulf

MENA startups received $870m funding in 2016 – report

The amount represents an increase of 424 per cent compared to 2015, according to Magnitt

Lebanese newspaper As-Safir closes after 42 years

The newspaper suffered from falling revenues and Lebanon’s political and sectarian problems

Several foreigners dead in Istanbul nightclub attack

The attack took place at the Reina nightclub early on Sunday

Iranian airliner returns to Tehran airport after engine failure

Taban Airlines’ aircraft turned back “due to technical failure”

Saudi soldier dies in cross-border firing from Yemen

Sultan bin Ayed Farhan Al-Sharari died of injuries on Saturday

Saudi extends visit visas for Yemenis

Yemeni expatriates will have their visitor ID cards valid for an additional six months

Osama bin Laden’s son denied entry to Egypt

Omar, 34, Osama bin Laden’s fourth-eldest son, was travelling with his British wife from Doha

Winning in the age of commoditisation— three imperatives for GCC players

Bjorn Ewers reveals how Gulf companies can rethink their strategies to make the most of commoditisation