Swiss Private Bank UBP To Boost ME Operations After Coutts Buy

The Middle East currently accounts for 12 per cent of the bank’s global operations.

Dubai’s Noor Bank May Sell Debut Sukuk After Setting Up $3bn Programme

Noor Bank said its sukuk programme had been arranged by itself as well as Citigroup and Standard Chartered.

Property Investments In GCC Hit $2.8bn In 2014

Real estate investments in the GCC were much lower compared to the region’s massive outbound spend of $14 billion last year.

Iran’s Zarif Lays Out Four-Point Plan To Solve Yemen Conflict

Iran proposed a ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, an intra-Yemeni dialogue, and a broad-based government to end the conflict.

Kout Food Joins Delisting Queue In Sagging Kuwait Stock Market

The company’s board said it would ask shareholders to vote on the matter, just a day after Bahrain’s Gulf Finance House said it was considering leaving the Kuwaiti bourse.

National Bank of Kuwait Q1 Net Profit Up 15%, Beats Estimates

Net profit was $319.5 million in the first quarter of 2015, a statement said.

Nokia In Talks To Buy Alcatel-Lucent

The Finnish and French companies said they were in “advanced discussions” on a “full combination.”

Different Arab money

Mideast Sovereign Funds Cut Outbound Property Purchases 31% In 2014 – CBRE

SWFs cut their international investment last year because of the plunge of oil prices, a report by CBRE said.

Qatari Banks, Southwest Securities Plan Islamic Finance Venture In China

Qatar National Bank and Qatar International Islamic Bank have signed an MoU for the venture.

Ahli United Bank To Issue Tier 1 Bonds, Meet Investors From Thursday

The lender chose Goldman Sachs, HSBC and Morgan Stanley to arrange investor meetings for the bonds.

Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura Port Reopens After Shutdown

The port was shut on Monday because of poor visibility and strong winds.

Dubai Issues New Law On Lost/Abandoned Property In Emirate

Those finding abandoned plots of land in Dubai are required to report the property to the police within 48 hours.

Cyber Attacks Targeted At UAE Increase – Report

Symantec also reported a slight increase in cyber criminals exploiting online IT vulnerabilities in the country.

Russia’s Lukoil Last To Leave Saudi Arabia’s Search For Gas

Lukoil was the last company left active in the consortia of international oil firms Saudi Arabia invited in 2003-2004 to search for gas.

Saudi’s Yansab Q1 Net Profit Slumps 48.7%, Misses Forecast

The firm made a net profit of 285.1 million riyals ($76 million) in the first quarter of 2015.

Pakistan PM To Intensify Diplomatic Efforts To Solve Yemen Conflict

The country has faced the ire of its Gulf allies after refusing to lend military support to Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.

Saudi British Bank Q1 Net Profit Up 3.2%, Beats Forecasts

The bank, an affiliate of HSBC Holdings, said it made SAR1.12 billion in the three months ending March 31.

Saudi Bank Samba Sees 3.1% Q1 Net Profit Gain

The bank attributed its increase in net profit to higher total operating income.

Oman’s PDO Says To Increase Oil Output 5% In Four Years

State-controlled Petroleum Development Oman plans to invest over $40 billion in its projects by 2019.

Majority Of UAE Residents Use Funds From Bonus To Pay Debts, Bills

Emiratis are the most likely to spend their bonus amounts while Indian expats are most likely to invest their bonus payments in a savings scheme, a new survey says.

Saudi Repeats Would Need Cooperation To Improve Oil Prices

The Saudi cabinet also affirmed that the Kingdom is not in competition with shale or other high-cost oil supplies.

Total Pulls Out Of Oman Offshore Exploration Block

The French oil company failed to make commercially attractive discoveries in the block.

Bahrain-Based Retailer Jawad Raises $235m Loan

The group is the franchise operator of clothing brand Mango and restaurant chains Papa Johns and Burger King in the Gulf.

Miami-Based Delano Hotel To Open In Dubai

Delano Dubai, 110-key deluxe hotel apartments, will be a part of a mixed-use resort development The8 in Pam Jumeirah.

Bad Weather Shuts Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura Port

Ras Tanura port is a major oil operations centre for Saudi Aramco.

Dubai’s DGCX To Set Date In Two Weeks For Launch Of Spot Gold

The exchange is still in talks with a local bank about the contract.

UAE Islamic Insurers Considering Mergers

A committee to oversee Islamic insurance is set to be established in the UAE by the end of this year to help standardise the sector.

Pakistani Minister Accuses UAE Of “Hurling Threats” Over Yemen Row

The UAE’s foreign affairs minister had rebuked Pakistan for not participating in the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Iran Suspends Saudi Arabia Pilgrimage Over Sexual Assault Allegations

The suspension comes as two Iranian teenagers were allegedly assaulted by Saudi security officers during their pilgrimage.

Cayan Group Reveals Property Projects Worth Dhs3.1bn In Dubai, Saudi

The company’s latest portfolio of projects includes residential properties in Riyadh and Dubai and a commercial tower in Riyadh.