Qatar National Bank Q1 Net Profit Rises 13.7%

The lender’s profit was boosted by strong loan growth related to extensive construction spending in Qatar.

Saudi Telco Regulator To Re-Tender Piggyback Mobile Licence On Zain Saudi’s Network

Saudi’s Communications and Information Technology Commission named Dubai-based Axiom Telecom as the provisional winner last year.

Nakheel’s Q1 Profit Up 28% To Dhs629m

The Dubai developer said it handed over 400 units during the first quarter of the year.

UAE Plans Law To Regulate NGOs

The law is expected to be ready by 2015, according to a UAE federal minister.

Emirates To Cut Three Kiev Flights

The reduction follows ongoing political unrest in Ukraine.

Saudi Authorities Asked To Allow Sport For Girls In Public Schools

A ban on sports in private girls schools was officially lifted last year.

UAE’s Julphar Inks Five-Year Deal With Global Pharma Firm Merck

Under the deal, Julphar will manufacture MSD products related to diabetes, asthma, allergy, pain and inflammation.

Abu Dhabi Residential Rents Up 20% In Q1 2014

The UAE capital recently removed its five per cent rent cap, which is already impacting rates, says CBRE report.

Second-In-Line To Saudi Throne Denounces Banks -Media

There were no indications that the comments by deputy crown prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz would be followed by any concrete policies against banks in Saudi Arabia.

UAE Named World’s Largest Foreign Aid Donor In 2013

The UAE’s official development assistance amounted to $5.2 billion in 2013, up 375 per cent from 2012.

Saudi Records 11 Cases Of MERS Virus In Jeddah

Two of the patients died, six have recovered, while three are undergoing treatment, the official Saudi Press Agency reported.

IMF Revises UAE Growth Forecast To 4.4% For 2014

Rising real estate prices and the Expo win are expected to boost UAE’s economic growth, says IMF.

Saudi British Bank Q1 Profit Rises 14%

The bank said it made 1.08 billion Saudi riyals ($287.97 million) in the three months ending March 31.

Saudis Keeps May Crude Supply Steady To 2 Asia Buyers -Sources

Saudi Arabia has supplied full contractual volumes to most Asian buyers since late 2009.

Can Dubai Become The Capital Of The Islamic Economy?

Marketing expert Prof Laurent Marliere considers challenges to make Dubai the hub of the emerging Islamic economy.

Dubai’s Limitless Asks Creditors For More Time To Repay $1.2bn Debt

Limitless, a former property arm of Dubai World, restructured the Islamic debt facility in October 2012.

UAE Central Bank To Launch Overnight Lending Facility On Apr 15

The Interim Marginal Lending Facility will allow lenders to use certain assets as collateral to swap for one-day loans.

Saudi Arabia’s Crude Oil Output Drops To 9.566m bpd In March

The world’s largest oil exporter and OPEC heavyweight supplied 9.899 million bpd in February.

Kuwait Boosts Oil And Diesel Supplies To Egypt

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation will provide Egypt with 85,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

UAE Transport And Public Sector Most Targeted by Spam, Malware In 2013

Two thirds of UAE companies were targeted with spam in 2013.

Abu Dhabi Among Global Top 20 Cities For Mall Development

The UAE capital has 778,000 sq m of new retail space in its development pipeline, says CBRE.

Royal China: Business Lunch Review

A relaxing Chinese dining experience amid the hustle and bustle of DIFC.

Arab Youth: UAE Is The Best Country To Live In

The Gulf state was also voted a model nation worldwide by the majority of Arab youth in annual survey.

Dubai’s DGCX To Launch Agricultural Contracts In Q1 2015

Large volumes of some agricultural goods such as wheat, rice and pulses are re-exported through Dubai.

Dubai Tells Global Bankers To Expect Another Boom

The emirate organised its first big investor roadshow since the crisis in London.

Five Minutes With… Alvaro Silva-Santisteban F, Director, Peru Trade Office – UAE

Peru hopes to double trade with the UAE this year, according to the head of the Trade, Tourism and Investment Office of Peru in the UAE.

Etihad Nears Extension Of Air Berlin Partnership; Still Looking At Alitalia

The Gulf carrier is expected to give a proposal to the Italian airline soon to start formal talks on the potential investment.

Emirates NBD May Write Back Dubai World Exposure

The Dubai lender provisioned five per cent of its total Dhs9 billion ($2.5 billion) exposure to Dubai World.

Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth Cruise Ship To Make Debut Call In UAE

Cruise liner Queen Elizabeth will arrive on April 17 at Zayed Port as part of a 2014 World Cruise programme and will spend a day in Abu Dhabi.

UAE Company Marka To Launch IPO In Dubai, Plans DFM Listing

The 12-day offer of 275 million shares at Dhs1 each, represents 55 per cent of the company’s capital.