Northern Emirates Offer Cost Haven In Booming UAE

Investment in the UAE is now flowing northward as a result of government policies and in response to rising costs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Oman Industrial Conglomerate Orpic Signs $2.8bn Loan

The money will be used to fund various Orpic projects, including an expansion plan for its refinery in the industrial city of Sohar.

UAE Telco Operator Du Aims For Double-Digit Revenue Growth In 2014

Chief executive Osman Sultan was bullish on the company’s prospects despite a slow net profit growth of 4.5 per cent in the first quarter.

Dubai Islamic Bank In Talks For 40% Stake In Indonesian Lender -CEO

The bank’s chief executive declined to name the acquisition target.

Kuwait’s Al Ahli Bank Appoints Former Gulf Bank Head As CEO

Accad joins Ahli, a medium-sized lender, from Kuwait’s Gulf Bank where he resigned as CEO last year.

Sofitel Dubai Downtown Opens Its Doors

Luxury brand’s third Dubai property blends French culture and art and targets business and leisure travellers given the proximity to DIFC and Dubai Mall

Bank Of Sharjah Q1 Profits Rise 13%

The lender said that it continued to grow its loan book in Q1 2014 while maintaining the structure of its balance sheet with high levels of liquidity and capital.

Bahrain’s GIB Sets Guidance On 2bn Saudi Riyal Floater -IFR

The issuer completes investor meetings for the deal on May 5 and settlement is scheduled for May 11.

UAE’s FNC Passes Anti-Money Laundering Act

Under the law, individuals found guilty of money laundering will face a jail term of ten years along with a fine ranging from Dhs100,000 to Dhs500,000.

Saudi-French Alliance Wins $2bn Bus Deal For Riyadh Metro

The 10-year deal will be linked to the city’s railway project and will handle the procurement, operation and maintenance of the buses.

Dubai Islamic Bank Q1 Net Profit Doubles

The bank made Dhs636.6 million ($173.3 million) in the opening three months of the year, it said in a statement.

Expo 2020 A “Once In A Life Time Opportunity” To Lure Emiratis To The Private Sector – Report

The mega event could shift the balance of employment away from the public sector, a new report says.

UAE Telco Du Q1 Net Profit Rises 4.8%

The firm made a net profit of Dhs490.3 million ($133.49 million) in the three months to March 31.

Qatar’s Ooredoo Q1 Net Profit Rises On Asset Sale

The telco made a net profit of 887 million riyals ($243.62 million) in the three months ended March 31, it said in a statement.

Oman Regulator Gives Nod For Power Plant Share Sales Worth $163m

Both companies, which became operational in April 2012, are owned by mostly foreign consortiums.

Saudi Telco Mobily Seeks 20% Stake In Landline Firm Atheeb

Mobily signed a memorandum of understanding in August with four of Atheeb’s founding shareholders to buy a controlling interest in the firm.

Dubai Lender Mashreq Posts 35% Rise In Net Profit

The lender made a net profit of Dhs575 million ($156.6 million) in the opening three months of 2014, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Abu Dhabi’s Louvre Displays Treasures At The Paris One

Backers hope the pieces, once returned to Abu Dhabi, will help create a cultural hub in the Gulf Arab state.

Kuwait Regulator Extends Corporate Governance Deadline

The rules include separating the positions of chairman and chief executive, prompt disclosure of information to the market, and establishing internal controls and risk management.

Subsidies Draining Kuwait’s State Budget -Minister

Subsidies in the major oil producer are expected to cost 5.11 billion dinars ($18.2 billion) next fiscal year to cover items like fuel and energy.

Dubai Developer Deyaar’s Q1 Net Profit Soars

Deyaar made a quarterly consolidated net profit of Dhs52.1 million ($14.2 million) compared to Dhs19.4 million in the same period in 2013.

Saudi Arabia Starts Payout To Minority Investors In Ailing Telco

A royal decree last May ordered the liquidation of the firm, which never launched services despite making a winning SAR1 billion bid for a fixed telecom licence in 2007.

Giordano To Open 40 New Stores By 2015

The fashion retailer is planning to expand across locations in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central and Southern Asia.

Dubai’s Arabtec To List Shares Of Building Unit In Abu Dhabi

Arabtec is trying to evolve from a local contractor into a multinational development company as its finances are boosted by a recovery in Dubai’s property market.

National Bank Of Abu Dhabi Confirms Burdett As CFO

Burdett joins from Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, where he was finance head of its international and institutional banking business.

Bahrain’s Batelco Q1 Net Profit Rises 8%

The former monopoly made a net profit of 14.5 million dinars ($38.46 million) in the three months to March 31.

Arabtec Scraps Cash Portion Of 2013 Dividend For More Stock

The company had earlier proposed a cash dividend of Dhs0.1 ($0.03) per share plus bonus shares worth 30 per cent of its share capital.

Dubai’s Arabtec To Carry Out Multiple Acquisitions By 2018 – CEO

The contractor has won a series of deals in the region recently, including the development of Abu Dhabi’s main airport and the building of a Louvre Museum.

Qatari Fund Buys UK’s Heritage Oil For $1.6bn

Heritage said that it was recommending a 320 pence per share cash offer, which represented a 25 per cent premium to its closing price the day before the approach was announced.

Abu Dhabi Hotel Revenues Rise 11% In Q1 2014

Guest numbers in the emirate’s hotels and hotel apartments soared 32 per cent in Q1 2014, authorities say.