UK Government Promotes London As Islamic Finance Hub

More than $34 billion worth of Islamic bonds have been issued through the London Stock Exchange.

Nomura’s EMEA CEO To Leave Bank

John Phizackerley had previously said he planned to beef up staffing at the lender’s Dubai office.

GCC Tourists Spend Dhs2,440 Per Head In The UK

Visitors from Qatar and Kuwait were found to be the biggest spenders.

Qatar Picks Sarkozy To Lead Wealth Fund

France’s ex-President would take a non-executive role to help direct where to invest $650 million.

Qatar Says No More Aid To Egypt For Now

Qatar has been a key source of foreign aid to Egypt since its 2011 revolution giving $5 billion.

Gold Bounces From 2-Week Low As Stimulus Seen To Continue

Better-than-expected US jobs data helped push spot gold up 0.2 per cent to $1,580.66 an ounce.

Abraaj Buys Stake In Palestinian Games Firm

UAE-based Abraaj Capital invests undisclosed sum in Anoud Games through its Palestine Growth Capital Fund.

Lebanon’s Revised 2013 Budget Sees $3.48bn Deficit

The revised version cuts spending by more than $1 billion from an earlier draft budget.

Arab Spring Brings New Buyers For Bulletproof Cars

There is no shortage of rich individuals and governments who suddenly feel they need a little extra protection.

Pétanque Passion Comes To Dubai

The French game is quickly gaining appeal all over the world.

Logistics Firm DHL Announces Dhs100m Dubai Facility

The new facility is expected to open in the third quarter of 2014.

Shared 2022 World Cup Is ‘Crazy’ – UAE Soccer Chief

UEFA president Platini has suggested Qatar shares the 2022 World Cup throughout the Middle East and moves it outside of Summer.

UAE’s Etisalat Sees 2013 Revenue Of Up To $9.4bn

The asset disposals are expected to result in a net gain of $151 million for DP World and help boost its capital levels.

UAE-US Trade Up 34.6% In 2012, Hits Dhs91bn

The UAE’s imports from the US equalled around $22.57 billion, up roughly $6.7 billion over 2011.

Lyon Targets Daily Flight To Dubai

The city of Lyon is in talks with the UAE to boost tourism and green tech trade.

VOX Cinemas In Middle East Expansion

The chain has opened a new venue in Dubai’s Mercato Mall as it attempts to become the region’s largest operator.

Rosetta Stone To Open First Middle East Office

The global language-learning company is to set up shop in Dubai, amid several new school announcements at GESS.

Dow Hits Record High, Surges Over 126 Points

The gains came as investors poured money into blue-chip stocks on signs of an improving US economy.

Kenya Airways To Fly Dubai-Hong Kong

New route provides some competition for Emirates and follows recent codeshare agreement with Etihad

Special Report: GCC Luxury Watch Market

Strong growth projections, new models and boutique openings signal a rosy 2013 for luxury watches.

Oil Falls On Slowing Chinese Economy, Ample US Supply

U.S. crude has fallen around $8 per barrel over the last month.

Court Rules Kuwait Venture To Pay $2.48bn To Dow Chemical

Kuwait’s Petrochemical Industries Co (PIC) pulled out of a $17.4 billion joint venture deal in late 2008.

WEF Energy Report Leaves Out OPEC Members

The top 50 list of countries adjusting to future energy sources does not include any OPEC states.

McDonald’s Arabia: “No Horsemeat In Our Products”

Products are tested externally and internally to ensure that “quality is maintained” says regional head.

Starwood Relocates Global HQ To Dubai In March

With 80 per cent of Starwood’s pipeline coming from rapidly growing markets, President says it’s not possible to lead a truly global business “from a boardroom in Connecticut”

REVEALED: GCC Asian Expats Earn 26% Less Than Western Peers

Asians in the Gulf are taking home over a quarter less than Westerners, with HR experts controversially saying wages ‘link back’ to home countries.

Emirates’ Perth Flights Go Triple Daily

Latest capacity increase means the airline’s services have grown more than five-fold since it first flew to Perth in 2002

GCC’s Appeal Sees Rise In M&A Deals

Regional M&A activity spiked in 2012 as global investors looked outside the West.

REVEALED: Qatar, Saudi CEOs On Highest GCC Salaries

The Gulf Business 2013 Salary Survey reveals which countries reward CEOs with the biggest pay packages.