Abu Dhabi Airport Welcomes More Passengers

More than 1.1 million passengers passed through the UAE capital’s international airport during January 2012.

Air Arabia 2011 Net Profit Falls 13%

The airline’s net profit for the fourth quarter of 2011 increased by seven per cent year-on-year to reach Dhs78.7 million.

Tackling Runaway Rent

Do landlords in the UAE have a legal recourse to retrieve fees from absconding tenants?

Al Baraka Net Profits Rise

The Bahraini banking group reported a 10 per cent increase in full year net profits for 2011.

Etisalat To Outsource Services

The telecoms operator will not let go of any UAE citizens as part of the move, which is part of a restructuring plan to cut costs.

Syria’s Banks Facing Turmoil

Unrest in Syria is causing chaos at the country’s banks, which posted bumper profits last year.

Getting The Right Private Banker

Recruiting private bankers in the Gulf is no easy matter. The region has some of the highest staff turnover rates in the world.

Saudi Faces Rising Oil Demand

The Kingdom is concerned about keeping the global oil market well supplied as demand from Asian countries increases.

Etisalat To Shut Down India JV

The decision follows the ruling of an Indian court to cancel 122 telecoms licences in the country amid a corruption scandal.

Dubai Raises $675mn For Tram Project

The proceeds from the dual-currency loan will be used to fund the first phase of the Al-Sufouh project.

ILF Engineers Wins DEWA Contract

DEWA has awarded ILF Engineers a consultancy contract for two solar projects, including its $3.26 billion energy park.

Abu Dhabi Hotel Demand Is A ‘Concern’

The capital emirate’s initial plans are being redrawn with much longer completion dates announced.

Al Jaber CEO To Be Replaced: Sources

Abu Dhabi-based Al Jaber Group may hire a new CEO as part of a $1 billion restructuring plan, according to sources.

$100mn Boost For Saudi’s Al Raya

Levant Capital and Citi Venture Capital International have acquired a major stake in the Al Raya supermarket chain.

Oman Owes Gulf Air $310mn

The Bahraini carrier said that the sum has been outstanding from the time Oman pulled out of Gulf Air in 2007.

DP World Eyeing $1bn Loan: Sources

The company is reportedly in talks with banks for a loan to repay its $3 billion deal that matures in October.

Abraaj Eyeing Turkey’s Calik

Dubai-based Abraaj Capital is planning to bid for Calik Holding’s media assets, according to sources.

DIFC Looks To Asia For Growth

The financial centre welcomed 56 new companies in 2011 and is eyeing companies from emerging markets.

CME, Oman Fund Raise DME Stake

The cash injection into the Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME) has diluted the stake of Dubai Holding.

UAE Digital Banking Rises

Google found nearly half of the UAE uses the web for online banking and research.

HLG Wins $515mn Habtoor Contract

The Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG), part of Australian firm Leighton, will work on the $1.3 bn Habtoor Palace project.

Etisalat May Restructure

The telecoms operator said it is discussing restructuring options as it struggles to stall dropping profits.

QIA Buys Credit Suisse London HQ

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund acquired the building for an undisclosed sum and has now leased it back to the bank.

ENBD Plans Renminbi Bond Sale

The bank has mandated Emirates NBD Capital, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank to arrange investor meetings.

Australia Launches Mega GCC Drive

Victoria’s $16.5 billion tourism industry has benefitted from Emirates’ marketing efforts, which include the Melbourne Cup

Abraaj Acquires Aureos Capital

The transaction is set to create the world’s largest SME focused private equity group.

ME’s Wealthy On The Rise

The region may even top the world in terms of growth of wealthy individuals this year, according to experts.

11.8mn Ride Dubai Metro’s Green Line

The recently inaugurated Green Line saw more than 11.8 million passengers during its first five months.

Dar al-Arkan To Repay $990mn

Saudi Arabia’s biggest property developer, Dar al-Arkan, plans to repay 3.7 billion riyals of debt this year, said CFO .

Gulf Funds Eyeing ONGC Stakes

Sovereign wealth funds from the UAE and Kuwait have reportedly agreed to buy stakes in India’s ONGC.