Banque Saudi Fransi Q1 Net Drops 13.3%

The kingdom’s fifth-largest bank by market cap said it made $182.4 million in the three months ending March 31.

Telco Zain Bahrain Must Complete Share Sale By Year-End – Regulator

Zain Bahrain has been instructed to sell 15 per cent of its shares in the IPO and list on Bahrain’s bourse.

Union Properties Shareholders’ Approve $109m Debt Extension

The Dubai-based property developer’s loan has been extended until August 20, 2017.

Oman’s Sohar 2 And Barka 3 Power Plants Fully Operational

The two new plants will together add 1,500MW of power to the sultanate’s current existing capacity of 4,500MW.

Qatar Airways Chief Hopes Dreamliners Fly Again In April

The Gulf airline has an order for up to 60 Boeing 787s, 30 firm orders plus an option to buy 30 more.

Arabtec Shareholders Approve Capital Raise

Arabtec replaced its chief executive last month in a management shake-up led by Aabar, its largest shareholder.

Saudi Awards Jubail Fuel Oil Tender To Shell International Trading ME

The Kingdom has awarded up to 400,000 tonnes of cracked fuel oil to SITME.

Thousands Of Bahrainis Protest Before Formula One

The Gulf Arab state has been hit by unrest since pro-democracy protests broke out in early 2011.

Qatar Has ‘No Global Mission To Conquer The World’

Experts say the country’s sovereign wealth fund is only focussed on investments with high returns.

Qatar Airways’ new Chicago Flights ‘worth $200m annually’

City of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the service will generate more than $200 million in economic benefits annually

UK Property Developers Woo ME Buyers

New exhibition in Dubai to feature luxury London properties that are not yet marketed even in the UK.

Abu Dhabi Fund Mubadala Swings Back Into Profit In 2012

The fund made a profit of Dhs455 million in 2012, compared with a loss of Dhs3.2 billion in 2011.

Dubai Police Unveil Lamborghini Aventador Patrol Car

The $500,000 vehicle will ‘help to facilitate policing on highways’ as it’s capable of a top speed of 350 km/h.

Emirates Starting Stockholm Flights

Emirates targets growing bilateral trade links and outbound Swedish leisure traffic

FIA Must Take Clear Stance On Bahrain – Damon Hill

The grand prix was cancelled in 2011 but went ahead last year despite calls by activists in Bahrain and campaigners abroad for teams not to race.

Serbia Hints Etihad May Invest In JAT Airline Next Week

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad is mulling the acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in the indebted Serbian airline.

Bill Clinton: Dubai In “Strong Position” To Win Expo 2020 Bid

The former US President says the emirate’s model of “shared prosperity” is an inspiration for the Middle East.

Zain Says Bahrain Unit Gets Approval For IPO

Kuwaiti telecoms operator Zain holds a 56.3 per cent stake in Zain Bahrain.

Mashreq Sues ING Over Losses Tied To ‘Roach Motel’ Debt

The Dubai-based lender is accusing Netherlands-based ING of losing 40 per cent of a $108 million investment.

Abu Dhabi Firm Al Jaber CFO Resigns Amidst Debt Talks – Sources

The conglomerate is currently in the midst of a $4.5 billion debt restructuring.

Etihad’s Jet Stake Deal Delayed Until August

The Abu Dhabi-based carrier is eyeing up a 24 per cent stake in the Indian airline, valued at around $330 million.

Spring GITEX Shopper Offers Glimpse Of Main Event

The shorter GITEX technology event in March indicated 2013 will be dominated by tablet computers, mobiles and accessories.

Kuwait Investigating Plan To Extract Shale Gas

The OPEC member produces three million barrels of oil per day but its gas production is relatively low.

Damac Announces Launch Of New Project, Lincoln Park, In Dubai

This is the developer’s fourth project launch so far this year.

Qatar Throws Egypt $3bn Lifeline Amid IMF Talks

The gas-rich Gulf state has already provided Cairo with $5 billion in loans and grants since Egypt’s Islamist President Mohamed Mursi was elected last year.

Gulf Capital Unit Buys Stake In Turkish Diagnostic Firm

Techno Group Investment Holdings bought a 75 per cent stake in Turkish firm Dogu Tip for an undisclosed sum.

Saudi’s Top Bank Al Rajhi Q1 Profit Up 2%

The lender’s profit was boosted by a jump in both lending and customer deposits portfolio.

Emaar Boss Will Not Take Write-Downs On Amlak Investment

Mohammed Alabbar was speaking at Emaar’s AGM where shareholders approved a 10 per cent cash dividend.

Etihad CEO: “We Cannot Catch Emirates”

James Hogan, CEO of Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways says it is not about being the biggest, but about being the smartest.

Qatar’s Doha Bank Seeks To Double Foreign Profits By 2015 – CEO

The lender recently opened an office in Australia, and plans to open one in Sharjah.