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Damac Begins Work On $100m Iraq Project

The Dubai-based developer announces start of work on Princess Tower, a 26-storey furnished apartment complex in Baghdad.

Gulf Wealth Funds Raising Private Equity Investments

Average allocations to PE by the region’s developmental wealth funds have increased by 33 per cent in the last 12 months.

Britain’s Islamic Bank BLME Seeks Stronger Gulf Ties – CEO

The Bank of London and The Middle East plans to open an office in Dubai this year to help boost its capital markets.

Fairmont President: New Hotels For UAE And GCC

Hotels in Ajman, Fujairah and the delayed resort in Abu Dhabi will open alongside new projects in Riyadh and Amman.

Where Are Oil Prices Headed In 2013?

US growth remains weak, the European debt crisis is dragging on and instability is affecting the Middle East’s oil supply.

Gold Jewellery Demand In Middle East Up By 15%

Asian and Middle Eastern markets drive growth in global demand in gold jewellery.

Egypt Says Disputes With DAMAC Are Resolved

DAMAC filed an international arbitration case against Egypt in 2011 over the conviction of its chairman and owner, Hussain Sajwani.

Cohn & Wolfe Takes Minority Share In WPP Sibling BPG

The new agency, to be called BPG Cohn & Wolfe, is the latest move in the international company’s expansion plans to grow across the region, India and Southeast Asia.

GCC Family Businesses Urged To Form Governance Structure

Succession planning is a major challenge affecting many of the region’s family businesses.

Struggling Singapore Airlines Fights Back Against Gulf

With a market value of $11 billion, Asia’s second biggest airline desperately needs growth. Profit slumped nearly 70 per cent in the year to March 2012.

Sudan Sugar Firm To Export Animal Feed To Gulf

Sugar plant Kenana is mainly owned by the governments of Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Carlyle Buys Stake In Jordanian Food Company Nabil

Carlyle raised $500 million in 2007 for its debut fund in the region. The fund now has five companies in its portfolio including Saudi Arabia’s General Lighting Co.

UAE Ministry Issues Lebanon Travel Warning

Emirati citizens advised not to travel to the popular Arab country after a demonstration by pro-Assad Syrians in Sidon.

Brazil Aims To Multiply Investments From UAE

The country is mainly eyeing investments in energy, logistics and infrastructure.

Indian Companies, GCC Banks In Global Cyber Heist

Rakbank suffered a $5 million coordinated heist at ATMs around the world in December while Bank of Muscat lost $40 million in February.

Tensions Rise In Northern Iraq Oil Dispute

Kurdistan thumbs its nose once more to Federal Iraq in a long-running feud that threatens to boil over

Intercontinental Hotels Group Targets Long-Stay Guests

IHG will open its first Staybridge Suites in Beirut in July and a contract should be signed in Dubai “pretty soon”.

OPEC Appoints Saudi In Top Research Post Over Iranian Candidate

Saudi Aramco’s Omar Abdulhamid was appointed as the head of research, the second most senior post at OPEC.

Low-Cost Carriers ‘Are The Future Of Aviation’

Industry leaders from flydubai, Lufthansa and Boeing discuss the future of low-cost travel at Arabian Travel Market.

Thailand Woos Middle East Honeymooners

The Southeast Asian nation hopes to see a five per cent annual growth in Middle East travellers.

Exclusive: Rotana To Launch Residences Brand

The first property under the new brand is due to open on The Pearl, Qatar in September.

Arabian Travel Market 2013 – Day 1 Roundup

The most important news and announcements from the opening day of the region’s biggest travel event.

SriLankan Airlines Posts 26% Rise In ME Passengers

The national airline carried a total of 463,999 passengers in the last year.

Citi Taps Wealthy Middle Eastern Family Firms

Citi’s family office unit is part of the private bank business which manages over $250 billion in assets and serves over a third of the world’s billionaires.

Many In Muslim World Want Sharia As Law Of Land

Study finds over three-quarters of Muslims in MENA and South Asia want sharia courts to decide family law issues such as divorce and property disputes.

Leading Through The Biggest Change In The Gulf

Are you and your organisation ready for the future business environment?

“All Megatrends In Favour Of Africa” – Experts

The first day of the third Annual Investment Meeting in Dubai began with a heavy focus on investment in Africa.

Dubai Retailer MAF Close To Finalising Egypt Supermarket Deal

Majid Al Futtaim is eyeing the acquisition of Mansour Group’s Metro chain and discount grocery store Kheir Zaman.

Does The GCC Ignore Halal Cosmetics?

Some experts say the GCC suffers from a lack of local halal certification bodies, as buyers opt for European rivals.

M&A Deal Values In MENA Up 100% In Q1

The value of mergers & acquisitions in the region rose to $14.6 billion in the first quarter of the year, finds Ernst & Young.