UNB’s Q4 Net Profit Drops

The Abu Dhabi lender’s profits fell 19.2 per cent to Dhs135 million during the fourth quarter of 2011.

MENA M&A Deals Rise 4%

According to Ernst &Young, deal values in 2011 dropped by 28 per cent year-on-year to reach $31.7 billion.

Gold Steady; Watches Greece

Markets were subdued even as Greece delayed its decision regarding a new bailout.

Etisalat May Sell African Towers

The telecoms operator might also share infrastructure facilities with other carriers.

Citi To Increase Dividends

Prince Alwaleed, Citigroup’s biggest individual shareholder, said that he expects the bank to increase dividends this year.

Prince Alwaleed: The World Is Not Enough

Exclusive: The founder of Kingdom Holding Company on plans, power and profits.

World’s Tallest Tower In Dubai

Tameer Princess Tower is the highest residential building on earth at 414 metres.

UAE, Qatar Stop Trade Finance To Iran

The move follows the stringent financial and trading sanctions imposed by the US and EU on Iran.

IATA: 2011 Demand Grew

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that full year 2011 passenger demand rose 5.9 per cent.

UAE To Cap Credit Card Interest Rate

The UAE’s central bank is reportedly planning to limit credit card interest rate at 18 per cent annually.

Qatar’s GDP Grew 19% In 2011

According to the IMF, Qatar’s economy is expected to grow six per cent in 2012.

MAF Launches $400mn Sukuk

The mall operator is undertaking several new projects across the Middle East this year.

Oman Plans 230km Gas Pipeline Project

The pipeline will supply gas to the town of Duqm and is estimated to cost around $200- 220 million to build.

Bahrain’s Gulf Air To Downsize

The airline’s CEO said that it was unlikely that the struggling carrier would be dissolved or sold.

UK Brand George To Launch In ME

Lebanon’s Azadea Group will bring the fashion label to the Middle East later this year.

NBK Posts Flat 2011 Profits

The Kuwaiti bank reported a net profit of KD302.4 million in 2011 compared to KD301.7 million in 2010.

Bagging The World

Sibylle Schoen, CEO of luxury brand Aigner, tells Aarti Nagraj the story behind her success.

Saudi Can Cover Oil Shortages

The kingdom’s oil minister has said that rising domestic demand will not affect crude oil exports.

UAE To See 4% Growth in 2012

According to the country’s Economy Minister, the Arab Spring has spurred growth in the UAE.

QIA To Buy Credit Suisse London HQ

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is expected to acquire the property in a “few weeks.”

Oman May Sell Crude To Sri Lanka

The country is scrambling to find an alternative to its threatened primary supply from Iran, Oman’s oil minister has said.

Batelco Records 8% Fall In 2011 Profits

The Bahraini firm saw its subscriber base increase by 20 per cent year-on-year in 2011.

Oil Quandary for South Africa

South Africa, a large importer of Iranian oil, is assessing the impact of international sanctions.

Investors Optimistic On Africa

More than one in two institutional investors see Africa as an attractive region to invest in over the next decade.

Kuwait Partners With Total for China JV

The $9 billion refinery project in China is expected to produce 300,000 barrels per day of crude oil.

Japan’s Trade Deficit Raises Concerns

The country’s first trade deficit since 1980 raises questions how Japan will finance its huge public debt.

Apple Dominates Global Tablet Market

Shipments of 15.4 million iPads in the fourth quarter of 2011 gave Apple a 58 per cent market share.

Kuwait To Privatise Stock Exchange

The move will make the bourse the second publicly traded stock exchange in the region.

Tim Hortons Hot For The UAE

Alicia Buller catches up with Paul House, executive chairman of iconic Canadian cafe, Tim Hortons

Increasing Sales For Volkswagen ME

The German car company delivered 11,000 vehicles in the region during 2011, recording a 21 per cent sales growth for the year.