Etihad Airways eyes $1bn through debut bond issue

The Abu Dhabi airline is planning to launch its bond through a unit or special purpose vehicle

UAE Banks Federation approves mobile wallet programme

The programme needs to have a final approval from the UAE Central Bank before it goes live, the federation said

UAE sets up moon sighting committee for Ramadan, announces public sector timings

Employees at ministries and other federal authorities will work from 9am to 2pm during Ramadan

Bahrain jails 57 for plotting bomb attacks

The accused were charged with plans to bomb various sites across Bahrain and for receiving training to carry out such acts from a foreign country

Abu Dhabi’s new financial freezone starts accepting licence applications

Abu Dhabi Global Market is preparing for its launch in the second half of 2015

Saudi Arabia to reconsider applying Nitaqat system in select sectors

The government said that it will rethink quotas in some sectors which failed to attract citizens due to the nature of work involved

Open skies with GCC crucial for US economy – senior Boeing official

Three US carriers are calling for an end to the US’ open skies agreement with the UAE and Qatar over a subsidies row

Kuwaiti opposition figure arrested, sent to serve two-year jail sentence

Musallam al-Barrak, a former member of parliament, has long been at odds with the authorities over changes made in 2012 to the election law.

Will the Tadawul’s opening be a turning point for Saudi’s economy?

The region is holding its breath as Saudi Arabia finally opens up the Tadawul to foreign investors, but are the doors fully ajar?

Crunch time coming for Saudi campaign as options narrow in Yemen

Riyadh may soon have to face a choice: accept the de facto control of its foes over Sanaa and cut a deal, or keep fighting with the risk of Yemen sinking into total chaos.

Dubai hotels: Doors wide open, but are people coming?

Dubai’s hotel operators have traditionally seen high levels of occupancy. But with currency devaluation and growing supply, how is the industry coping?

Saudi Aramco says no cut in oil exports despite local demand

The company officials said while Chinese oil demand was stabilizing, the highest growth was likely to come from India in the second half of this year.

Nakheel makes Dhs220m sukuk profit payment

The profit payment will be made to all sukuk holders on June 15, 2015 against the sukuk issued amount of Dhs4.4 billion

Dubai hotels saw revenues drop between Jan-Apr – EY

The recent drop in oil prices along with a decrease in travel from Russia and Europe caused the slump

Gulf states defend Qatar 2022 World Cup

The UAE’s and Qatar’s official news agencies said Gulf information ministers had called Qatar’s winning of the hosting rights “a success for all the states of the GCC”.

Jean-Georges Dubai Opens JG Dining Room

Michelin-star chef’s arrival raises the stakes in city’s competitive F&B scene

Luxury Belgian chocolatier Godiva plans major UAE, Saudi expansion

The company aims to double the number of outlets in the UAE and Saudi Arabia in the next six to 12 months

Emirates Global Aluminium says to cut 4% of workforce

The move, which would see around 250 support positions eliminated, is aimed at creating a leaner entity and increasing competitiveness.

Abu Dhabi ruler issues law to regulate property market

According to the decree, all real estate developments must be registered with the government along with sales transactions listing the buyer.

Royal Enfield opens first store in Dubai

The store will sell Enfield’s popular bikes such as the Bullet, the Continental GT 535cc café racer, the Rumbler and the retro street model Classic.

Abu Dhabi’s Royal Jet gets $117m loan to fund aircraft buys

The two Boeing 737-700 BBJ aircraft are due for delivery in September and December

Emirates airline sees more opportunities to fly in Europe

CEO Tim Clark says governments, airports and organisations in Europe frustrated with local airlines have asked Emirates to start offering international service

France nears $1.1bn Kuwait deal to sell Airbus helicopters

The contract is for the sale of 24 Airbus-built military helicopters to Kuwait

UAE’s Masdar in talks with Germany’s RWE on green energy projects – source

RWE’s CEO Peter Terium had said earlier that the company was in talks with an Abu Dhabi investor regarding joint renewable energy projects, but declined to reveal its identity.

Video: flydubai’s latest 737 takes shape in Boeing’s Renton factory

Boeing’s 737 manufacturing facility in Renton produces 42 airplanes every month

UAE fixes price of 3,500 food items before Ramadan

The ministry said that it has signed a deal with retailers to offer discounts of up to 70 per cent during Ramadan on about 4,700 essential food items.

Aluminium Bahrain gets approval for $3.5bn expansion

Construction is expected to start in 2016 and production to begin in 2019, the company said.

Emirates signs codeshare deal with Europe’s Flybe

The deal, due to be implemented in July, provides the Dubai carrier with greater access to the UK and Europe

Emirates airline says to submit response soon in Open Skies row

The official did not specify a date by which the airline would file its responses to subsidy allegations

Buyout firm Arcapita sells $640m US real estate portfolio

The portfolio includes 16 facilities and 4,000 residential units for continuing senior care, the company said in a statement.