IMF: Dubai Will Meet Debt Obligations

The International Monetary Fund’s regional report warns unemployment figures and diversifying economies are still an issue.

Qatar National Bank To Start India Operations

The state-owned lender expects to begin operations in the third quarter under the name of QNB India Private Limited.

Aramco Awards Midyan Gas Project To India’s L&T

The project, estimated to be worth less than $300 million, is due to come online in mid-2016.

Regional Exclusive: Armani Profit Up 20%

China and Europe boosted Italian fashion giant’s revenues to $2.7 billion in 2012.

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.

Yahoo To Buy Tumblr For $1.1bn – Reports

The boards of both companies have reportedly approved the deal, expected to be announced on Monday.

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.

Qatar Holding, Italy Fund Eyeing Versace

In April, Versace CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris said the house may consider opening the company to outside investors to help fund expansion

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.

Storm Clouds Over The Euro

Persistent problems weigh heavy on Europe

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.

Air Berlin Declines Further Etihad Finance Help

Germany’s second-biggest carrier, almost 30 per cent-owned by Etihad, suffered a first-quarter loss before interest and tax (EBIT) of 188.4 million euros ($244.5 million).

Sudan Sugar Firm To Export Animal Feed To Gulf

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

Etihad Launches Daily Service To Amsterdam

The inaugural flight carried the code of the Dutch airliner KLM as it took off for Netherlands’ capital city on Wednesday morning.

Qatar’s QPI Hopes To Extend Centrica North America Deal

Centrica and QPI said in April they would buy Suncor Energy Inc’s gas business in Canada for C$1 billion ($986.73 million) in their first acquisition.

UK Backs Dubai As Expo 2020 Host

Regional diversity makes Dubai the first choice for Expo 2020 bid, says UK minister.

Nokia Lumia 925 UAE Launch In Early September

The smartphone manufacturer will launch the device in Europe and China in June, with other markets following shortly.

Oil Slips Below $103 As IEA Sees Market Easing

US shale oil will help meet most of the world’s new oil demand in the next five years, says International Energy Agency.

Tanzania Releases UAE, Saudi Citizens Held Over Church Bombing

The UAE Foreign Ministry announced that the Emiratis had been released on its Twitter account late on Sunday.

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.

SARS-Like Virus In Saudi Can Pass Person-To-Person

A virus from the same family triggered the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome that swept the world after emerging in Asia and killed 775 people in 2003.

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.