Gulf governments agree on gradual reduction of telecom roaming fees

Cuts to fees on calls and text messages would be introduced from April 1, 2016

GCC countries need to slash public spending – World Bank

Budgets have been buckling under the pressure of bloated public sectors and lavish welfare spending since oil prices dropped last year.

Israel concerned about U.S. arms to Gulf states to deter Iran

Israel says that it has to maintain the qualitative edge in the regional arms race as Gulf states build up their defense capabilities.

UAE leisure market to attract 45m visitors by 2021

The country’s under development theme parks are also expected to attract about 18 million visitors, a new report shows

Dubai’s Access Infra to launch solar plant in Uganda this year

The project is part of the company’s plans to develop electricity projects in 17 African countries, mainly based on renewable energy

Dubai’s non-oil business growth picks up but still weak

Construction was the best performing sector in terms of output and employment growth in May, a new survey shows

Qatar cuts 2015 GDP growth forecast, sees deficit in 2016

Oil prices remain a key risk to the outlook, which is based on average prices of $56.0 and $61.6 per barrel in 2015 and 2016 respectively

Qatar buys $1.2 bn HK Electric stake from Li Ka-shing’s firms

Power Assets said it sold a 16.53 per cent stake in HK Electric but will remain as the controlling shareholder of the power supplier

Damac awards contracts worth Dhs 2.8bn in five months

Awards include the main works packages of some of Damac’s residential units in Akoya project and its hotel apartment projects

U.S. and Middle East airlines trade accusations on subsidy claim

Three major US airlines are trying to persuade their government to alter the “Open Skies” agreements with the UAE and Qatar

Qatar Airways CEO sees no need for concessions to US airlines

Al Baker said Qatar Airways expects to deliver its rebuttal to the U.S. airlines’ claims in the next few weeks

Kuwait to table corporate tax bill in 2 years – finance minister

The minister expects the rate for international firms to fall and the levy on local companies to rise

Saudi regulator suspends trading in Mobily shares from Tues

The regulator has been investigating Mobily after the firm slashed 18 months of previously announced profits.

Sheikh Mohammed approves housing projects worth Dhs 3.6bn

The projects are part of Mohammed bin Rashid housing establishment and will be built for local families

UAE may give central bank role in setting monetary policy – governor

The government currently takes most decisions regarding the UAE’s monetary policy.

Mobile data traffic in Middle East and North East Africa to grow 14 times by 2020

Mobile subscriptions in the region are expected to grow by 6 per cent between 2014 and 2020 while LTE subscriptions are expected to triple in 2015 alone.

UAE residents spend an average of Dhs 120 per head on eating out – survey

Up to 66 per cent of UAE residents have dinner out at least once in a week, a survey by KPMG has found

Bahrain says it has broken up Shi’ite group involved in terrorism

Last year, Bahrain declared Saraya al-Ashtar and two other anti-government groups terrorist organisations.

Gulf airlines’ standards ‘much better’ than international peers – Dubai Airports CEO

Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways are winning the global aviation race because of high standards rather than subsidies, says Paul Griffiths

Qatar may lose 2022 World Cup hosting rights – FIFA official

The head of FIFA’s audit and compliance committee has warned that any evidence of wrongdoing may revoke the Gulf state’s hosting rights.

Oil prices fall as OPEC keeps production high

OPEC agreed on Friday to stick to its policy of not limiting its output, which currently stands above 30 million barrels per day.

Etihad Airways in expanded codeshare deal with Air France-KLM

The two carriers will share codes on more flights starting this year, opening more European cities to the Abu Dhabi-based airline’s customers.

Government to retain 75% stake in Kuwait Airways

Under a new proposal, 20 per cent of the airline’s shares will be offered to Kuwaiti citizens and 5 per cent to current and retired employees.

Saudi Supreme Court upholds blogger’s sentence

Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1,000 lashes, a 10-year jail term and a fine of SAR 1 million last year.

Dubai’s IMG awards construction contract for City of Arabia project

The deal to construct the Avenue 353 villa project has been awarded to McFadden International Construction Group.

Saudi-led air strikes kill 44 in attack on Yemeni army compound

More than 100 people, including civilians, were also wounded in the attack, according to reports.

Saudi Arabia arrests 45 suspects in mosque bombing case

The arrests come after the government declared a reward for helping nab the suspects in the mosque bombing case and for providing information about future attacks.

UAE’s National Drilling Co. signs $543m in deals for 14 new rigs

One offshore and one onshore rig will be manufactured in the UAE as part of the deals.

Boeing on track to deliver flydubai’s first 737 MAX in 2017

Testing of the new aircraft is slated to begin in the first half of 2016.

Emirates obtains naming rights for UK’s Spinnaker Tower

The structure, situated in Portsmouth, will be renamed Emirates Spinnaker Tower and rebranded in red.