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Cashing In On The GCC’s Electronics Boom

With the GCC’s electronics industry witnessing extraordinary growth, competition and challenges loom large, according to retailer Emax.

Egypt Approves New 10% Capital Gains Tax On Stock Market Profits

The tax is part of the first phase of income tax reforms in the country expected to bring in 10 billion Egyptian pounds.

With Sisi Voted President, Will Egypt See A Rise In GCC Investments?

The Gulf states have pledged billions of dollars worth of aid to Egypt since former President Mohamed Mursi’s ouster last year.

Egypt’s Sisi Sweeps To Victory In Presidential Vote

The former army chief captured 93.3 per cent of votes cast as counting nearly came to a close, judicial sources said.

Hikma Buys Boehringer Injectable Drugs Business For Up To $300m

Hikma has also entered into an exclusivity arrangement with Boehringer to potentially acquire all of the assets of the Ben Venue manufacturing facility in Bedford, Ohio.

Egyptians Slow To Vote On Extra Day To Shore Up Sisi

Former army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi faces only one rival – leftist Hamdeen Sabahi.

Exclusive: Hotel Star Rating System Obsolete, Says Starwood CEO

Brand was already more important than star rating up to a decade ago, according to Starwood’s president and CEO.

Internet Users In the Middle East To Reach 197m by 2017

Internet penetration will increase to 51 per cent from 32 per cent in 2012.

Iran Confirms First Two Cases Of MERS

One of the patients is in critical condition and the other is currently receiving treatment, authorities said.

MENA M&A Deals Down, But Companies Positive About Volume Growth – Report

Acquisitions are expected to make up a smaller portion of revenue growth value for the current fiscal year, but companies are upbeat about M&A volume growth, according to EY.

Sisi Poised To Win Presidency As Egyptians Vote

Three years after the uprising against Hosni Mubarak, the vote is set to restore a pattern of rule by men from the military.

UAE, Egypt Award Deals To Build Two Wheat Silos

The silos project is part of the UAE’s $4.9 billion aid package announced in October.

Former Army Chief Sisi Poised For Victory In Egypt Election

Sisi’s sole competitor is Hamdeen Sabahi, a leftist politician who finished third in the 2012 election.

UAE To Continue Political, Economic Support To Egypt After Poll

The UAE has welcomed Sisi’s rise and the army’s crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood.

Calling All Telecoms Firms In The Middle East

Regional telecom operators are grappling with new business models and growing competition. Enterprise provider SAP says it can help.

30 Seconds On The Business Of… Electronic Payment Solutions

Gulf Business speaks to Raghu Malhotra, division president, Middle East and North Africa, MasterCard.

UAE Calls For Greater Coordination In GCC Economic Integration Plans

The comments were made at the 24th meeting of the GCC Ministerial Committee for Planning and Development in Kuwait.

Iran President Says Nuclear Talks At Tough Juncture, Deal Possible

The lack of progress in talks that ended last week in Vienna had raised doubts over a breakthrough by the July 20 deadline.

Iranians Arrested For “Happy” Video Freed

The six youngsters were detained for what police called their “obscene” behaviour, one of them said in an online posting.

Ousted Egyptian Leader Mubarak Gets 3 Years Jail For Embezzling Millions

Mubarak has been under house arrest at a military hospital since August.

Al Jazeera Warns Life Of Its Journalist Jailed In Egypt Is At Risk

Abdullah Elshamy, one of four reporters being held in Egypt, has been on hunger strike since Jan. 21 to protest against his detention.

Kuwait’s Emir To Visit Iran, Turn “New Page” In Ties

Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah will visit Iran on May 31-June 1 at the invitation of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Saudi Arabia Closes Embassy In Libya Due To Security Concerns

Heavily armed gunmen stormed Libya’s parliament on Sunday demanding its suspension.

Egypt Court Jails More Than 160 Brotherhood Supporters

Security forces have detained thousands of Brotherhood supporters since the military deposed president Mohamed Mursi last July.

Value Of GCC Construction Projects To Jump 92% In 2014 – Study

Total value of building construction expected to reach $128.5 billion, with the medical sector getting the biggest market share.

Pay-TV Operator OSN Has “No Current Plans” To List Shares – CEO

KIPCO, OSN’s parent company, had indicated that an IPO was expected to happen this year.

New Indian PM Narendra Modi Will Boost Trade Links With The GCC

Narendra Modi’s BJP party won the 2014 Indian elections with a landslide majority.

Why Is Bank Lending To GCC SMEs Low?

Poor financial reporting and an absence of credit bureaus are hindering SME lending.

French Investment Bank Natixis Plans Middle East Hiring Spree

Natixis currently has around 40 staff in Dubai, as well as a small representative office in Egypt.

UAE Says No Plans For More Financial Aid To Egypt For Now

The UAE and other Gulf states promised more than $12 billion in loans and donations to support the Egyptian economy after Mursi’s removal.