Lloyd’s Of London Targets Islamic Insurance Market

Lloyd’s will target Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to gain a foothold in Islamic insurance market.

Obama To Meet With GCC Leaders In May

The summit will be an opportunity for Obama to discuss concerns about the deal reached with Iran and the military campaign in Yemen by the Gulf countries.

Boeing Sees F/A-18 Middle East Export Decision Soon

The company declined to name the country involved but it is widely reported to be Kuwait, which is considering renewing its fleet.

New Yemen VP Says He Hopes To Avert Saudi Invasion

President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi named Bahah, a former prime minister and diplomat, as his deputy this week in an attempt to widen support for his government.

BMW Courts Middle East Market For Its Hybrid Line-Up

The German carmaker thinks that there is a market for hybrid and electric cars in the Middle East, no matter the cost of fuel or the love for SUVs.

Jumbo Jets Airbus A380, Boeing 747 Face A Make Or Break Year

There were zero orders placed by commercial airlines for new Boeing 747s or Airbus A380s last year.

Emirates Launches Second Daily A380 To London Gatwick

Capacity rise on key London route coincides with arrival of its 60th A380 aircraft

ADNOC To Start Monthly Oil Product Deliveries To Egypt Next Week

The Egyptian government had said state-owned EGPC will buy 65 per cent of its oil product import needs from ADNOC in 2015.

Brent Crude Oil Hits 2015 High As US Output Slows

Brent crude touched a 2015 high of above $63 per barrel on Thursday.

Almost 75% Of GCC Women Say Not Treated Equally At Work- Survey

A new study reveals that majority of women in the GCC feel disadvantaged at work due to prevalent gender inequality.

Yemeni VP Hopes Arab Coalition Will Not Deploy Ground Forces

Bahah also called on the armed forces to support the “legitimate” government in exile.

Speculation Over Saudi-India Oil Deal As Talks Drag On

Saudi Aramco and India’s Reliance Industries have not yet concluded a term contract to import diesel and gasoline.

UN Yemen Envoy To Step Down, May Be Replaced By Mauritanian -Source

Jamal Benomar had recently irked Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations for his handling of so far unsuccessful peace talks between Houthi rebels and Yemeni government.

Qatar Expects VW CEO May Go After Falling Out – Handelsblatt

The QIA, which holds two seats on VW’s 20-member supervisory board that appoints and dismisses executives, has been looking to solve the leadership crisis at Volkswagen.

Yemen War Puts 2015 Crop At Risk, Food Stocks Shrink -UN Agency

With most people living off the land and about 90 per cent of Yemen’s water resources used in agriculture, Yemenis are especially vulnerable when conflicts disrupt farm production.

Etihad Airways Added $1bn To Europe’s Economy In 2014

The airline’s capital spending on aircraft and other aviation equipment pumped in $2.6 billion to the European economy last year while supporting 28,100 jobs.

Qatar Launches First Chinese Yuan Clearing Hub In Middle East

The centre is expected to facilitate greater cross-border renminbi investment and financing business and boost trade between China and the region.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince To Meet Obama At White House Next Week

The National Security Council said the meeting is scheduled for next Monday.

Swiss Private Bank UBP To Boost ME Operations After Coutts Buy

The Middle East currently accounts for 12 per cent of the bank’s global operations.

Property Investments In GCC Hit $2.8bn In 2014

Real estate investments in the GCC were much lower compared to the region’s massive outbound spend of $14 billion last year.

Iran’s Zarif Lays Out Four-Point Plan To Solve Yemen Conflict

Iran proposed a ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, an intra-Yemeni dialogue, and a broad-based government to end the conflict.

Nokia In Talks To Buy Alcatel-Lucent

The Finnish and French companies said they were in “advanced discussions” on a “full combination.”

Different Arab money

Mideast Sovereign Funds Cut Outbound Property Purchases 31% In 2014 – CBRE

SWFs cut their international investment last year because of the plunge of oil prices, a report by CBRE said.

Qatari Banks, Southwest Securities Plan Islamic Finance Venture In China

Qatar National Bank and Qatar International Islamic Bank have signed an MoU for the venture.

Total Pulls Out Of Oman Offshore Exploration Block

The French oil company failed to make commercially attractive discoveries in the block.

Pakistani Minister Accuses UAE Of “Hurling Threats” Over Yemen Row

The UAE’s foreign affairs minister had rebuked Pakistan for not participating in the Saudi-led coalition fighting Houthi rebels in Yemen.

UAE-Australia Trade Grows 18% In 2014

Trade has been buoyed by increased ‘bellyhold’ aircraft capacity from Emirates, Qantas and Etihad Airways.

Private Equity House Abraaj Closes $990m Sub-Saharan Africa Fund

The new African fund will focus on well-managed, mid-market firms in sectors most likely to benefit from demand driven by the rapid expansion of the middle class.

Iran Denies Military Advisors Captured In Yemen

Local militiamen in Aden said on Saturday they had captured two Iranian military officers advising Houthi rebels.

Saudi Arabia Dismisses Iran Calls For Yemen Ceasefire

Saudi and its Arab allies began air strikes against Iranian-allied Houthi militia fighters in Yemen more than two weeks ago.