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Aujan Coca-Cola Buys Majority Stake In Lebanon’s NBC

National Beverage Company (NBC) manufactures and distributes Coca-Cola, Pampa, and other products in Lebanon.

Private Banks Not First Choice For Wealthy – StanChart Report

The majority of high net worth business owners prefer consulting lawyers and accountants over their private banks for planning their wealth transfer to their successors, a new study finds.

Abraaj Investment Management Makes Bid Approach To Egypt’s Bisco Misr

The affiliate of Abraaj Capital is seeking to buy at least a 51 per cent stake in the Egyptian snack maker.

Gulf Capital Invests $30m In GCC School Operator EKI

The investment is expected to help Evolvence Knowledge Investments Limited (EKI) to expand its offerings in the region.

Egypt Tries Crude Swaps To Import Crucial Foreign Oil

Egypt has been largely unable to buy crude oil in the international market for more than a year due to a domestic subsidy scheme.

Exclusive Interview: Frits Van Paasschen, Starwood CEO

Starwood’s global president and CEO plots the next phase of the hotel chain’s ambitious Middle Eastern expansion.

Shale Boom Confounds Forecasts As US Set To Pass Russia, Saudi Arabia

Forecasts for U.S. shale oil production vary from an increase of 7.5 million barrels per day by 2020 – almost doubling current domestic output of 8.5 bpd.

U.S. Blacklists UAE Firm For Flouting Sanctions On Syria

Sharjah-based Pangates supplied petroleum products to Syria from 2012 to April this year, the U.S. Treasury Department said.

BMW Middle East Reports A 25% Increase In Sales For The First Half Of 2014

A total of 15,797 BMW and Mini vehicles were sold in the region with the UAE accounting for half of total sales.

London’s Residential Properties Continue To Woo Middle East Investors

The city’s political stability and rising demand from a burgeoning workforce have been instrumental in attracting international investment to its property market, a new report says.

Senior Iraqi Army Commander Killed In Battle

The official was killed “when mortar rounds fell” in the Ibrahim Bin Ali area, a military spokesman said.

Different Arab money

Jeddah-Based IDB’s New Infrastructure Fund Aims To Help GCC Firms Expand

The fund launched by the Islamic Development Bank has $750 million in commitments from Saudi, Bahrain and Brunei.

Egypt’s Sisi Says He Wishes Al Jazeera Journalists Were Deported, Not Tried

An Egyptian court handed down prison sentences of seven to 10 years to three journalists last month.

UAE Visitors Spent $1.145m In First Two Weeks Of FIFA World Cup- Visa

Middle East travellers have spent around $2.7 million on their visa cards since the start of the tournament, the payments provider said.

How To Market During Ramadan

Retailers and brands will have to rethink their strategies during the holy month, writes Olga Kudryashova, planning director at advertising agency Cheil MENA.

Gulf Banks Start To Muscle In On Global Bond Deals

The global financial crisis has made the cash-rich Gulf more attractive to overseas bond issuers as a source of investment funds.

More People, Less Water Mean Rising Food Imports For Egypt

Even as Egypt wrestles with dwindling water from its only major source, the Nile, it pushes farmers to grow more to supply the country’s costly subsidised food programme.

30 Seconds On The Business Of…Digital Media Market

Gulf Business speaks to Ali Nehme, managing director-digital, Starcom Mediavest Group, Middle East and North Africa.

Applebees Adds 20 More Outlets To Its Middle East Portfolio

The American chain already has 34 outlets in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and the UAE.

GCC To Spend $150bn On Education – Report

The number of students in the GCC region is expected to grow at a 3% annually between 2013 and 2020 to reach 13.7 million, a new study says.

Mall Of Egypt On Track To Open In Jan 2016 – MAF Properties CEO

Political unrest in Egypt is not affecting work on the mall, confirms George Kostas, CEO of UAE-based retailer Majid Al Futtaim Properties.

Alwaleed’s Kingdom Holding Forms JV To Invest In Africa

The joint venture will invest in direct private equity opportunities in African firms with a focus on consumer driven sectors.

Microsoft Says Disrupts Cybercrime Rings With Roots In Kuwait, Algeria

The operation targeted traffic involving malicious software known as Bladabindi and Jenxcus, which were written and distributed by developers in Kuwait and Algeria.

Bahrain, Oman Most Vulnerable To Fall In Oil Prices

Increasing dependence of the GCC states on oil revenues poses a rising credit risk, a new survey by S&P says.

Dubai’s Expo 2020, Qatar World Cup To Boost Demand For Skilled Workers

Niche skill sets and specific areas of expertise will shape the demand for a particular cadre of executive talent.

Egypt’s Sisi Approves Revised Budget With Deficit At 10% Of GDP

Boosted by billions of dollars in aid from Gulf Arab countries, Egypt’s 2013/14 budget deficit was set to shrink from some 14 per cent the year before.

Egypt’s EGAS Expects Delay In Gas Import Terminal

The terminal, slated to arrive in September, is now expected in October or November, according to sources.

Experts Call For Better Regulation Of GCC Stocks Post Arabtec Saga

Arabtec debacle on the stock market reveals the crack among bourse regulations in the Gulf

Global Cruise Giants Eye Gulf Markets

Apart from being an attractive cruise destination, the Gulf is also rapidly becoming a source market for cruise tourism, experts say.

Exclusive: Tonino Lamborghini Plots GCC Hotel And Retail Expansion

The luxury Italian brand’s plans include flagship stores and more than one regional hotel.