Zain Iraq Says To Launch 3G Mobile Services By Jan 2015

Zain and its rival Asiacell had baulked at government demands to pay $307 million for 3G spectrum for seven to eight years remaining on their $1.25 billion mobile licences awarded in 2007.

Iraqi President To Visit Saudi Arabia Amid Hopes Of Diplomatic Thaw

An improvement in ties between Riyadh and Baghdad could help strengthen a regional alliance against Islamic State militants.

Don’t Panic Over Oil Price Drop, Situation Will Fix Itself – OPEC Head

Abdullah al-Badri said both producers and consumers would be happy with oil prices in a broad range around $100 per barrel.

Starwood Partners With Emirates Skywards

Both operators’ premium travellers will now be able to enjoy mutual benefits, earning points and rewards.

Japan Agrees To Extend UAE Crude Storage Deal

The agreement allows UAE easy access to Asian markets while giving Japan priority access to reserves if Japan is in short supply of crude.

Qatar Fund May Up Bid For Canary Wharf Owner Songbird

Songbird rejected an initial approach on Friday, saying the 295-pence a share offer significantly undervalued the company.

Dubai Insulated From Oil Price Slide Due To Economic Diversification – S&P

Dubai’s diversification into sectors such as trade, tourism, real estate will ensure that it enjoys favourable economic conditions.

Dubai Expo 2020 Team Visits Milan Ahead Of World Expo 2015

Expo 2015 Milan is themed around the issue of tackling global food and hunger challenges.

Iran, US, EU Hold Nuclear Talks In Oman

The discussions are taking place just two weeks before a self-imposed November 24 deadline for reaching a comprehensive deal.

Stock News: Qatar, UAE Stocks Rise After MSCI Index Review

Shares in Dubai’s Emaar Properties and Dubai Islamic Bank, whose weightings also increased, rose 2.5 and 1.6 per cent respectively.

Egypt Received $10.6 bn From Gulf Last Fiscal Year -Minister

Of about 74 billion Egyptian pounds of aid received in the 2013-14 fiscal year, 53 billion pounds was in the form of petroleum products, with the remaining 21 billion pounds coming as cash grants.

OPEC Concerned, Not Panicking About Oil Price – Badri

Abdullah al-Badri said it was up to OPEC member countries to decide how to respond to the oil price drop.

Saudi Arabia Is Not Declaring An Oil Volume War (Yet)

Aramco cut December crude prices to US refiners to maintain its market share, writes Reuters market analyst John Kemp.

Can Tehran Seize The Day?

The menace of ISIL has presented Iran with an opportunity to liberate its economy from sanctions by emerging as a responsible regional power that Washington and Riyadh can work with. Can it seize the opportunity?

Olympics- Give Middle East A Chance, Says Asian Olympic Chief

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the president of the Olympic Council of Asia, said the World Cup could be a catalyst for positive change in the Middle East.

French Lawmakers Seek Clarity On Qatar Tax Breaks

Currently, Qatari investors are exempt from taxes on profits made when they sell properties purchased in France.

Emirates To Launch Fourth New York Service

Third A380 service provides more choice for passengers connecting later in Dubai, and flying onwards in America

Amsterdam’s OCI To Spin Off Construction Business, List In Egypt, UAE

The new company is expected to be named Orascom Construction.

Egypt Receives $1bn Grant From Kuwait

Gulf countries have stepped in to help Egypt since the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Mursi last year.

Abraaj Buys Into Southeast Asia’s Wine Scene

The deal is Abraaj’s fourth investment into Southeast Asia’s food and beverage industry.

MENA IPOs Raise $1.7bn In Q3 2014

There were a total of three IPOs in the MENA region during the third quarter with the Emaar Malls Group (EMG) listing being the largest in 2014, the report said.

RBS Says Reviewing Options After Middle East Corporate Loan Book Sale

The statement from the bank was issued following a Bloomberg News report about RBS hiring PricewaterhouseCoopers to sell its Middle Eastern corporate loan book.

Gold, Silver Slump To Fresh Four-Year Lows

A strong dollar, on a seven-year high against the Japanese yen, kept investors away from safe-haven assets.

Middle East Carriers Record Strongest Rise In Sept Air Travel – IATA

Regional airlines recorded a passenger demand growth of 15.8 per cent in September 2014, compared to a year ago, said IATA.

Billionaire Nassef Sawiris To Ramp Up Egypt Investments After Tax Win

He said the first would be a multibillion-dollar project related to the power sector in partnership with a Middle Eastern group.

Sudan Says In Talks With Qatar Over Natural Gas Imports

The African nation hopes to get shipments as early as next year to use in generating power.

Kuwait To Raise Crude Oil Exports To Egypt, Could Send Diesel

Kuwait has said it would ship around two million barrels of crude oil a month to Egypt, giving it priority as a buyer ahead of sales from storage into the Mediterranean market.

Facebook Cashing In On Video Ads As MENA Users Reach 74m

The social networking website is tapping in on its recently introduced video features to attract more advertising revenues.

UAE Remains Top Pick For Middle Eastern Property Investors – Survey

The levelling-off in the market is however prompting investors to explore other asset classes, said the JLL survey.

China Makes ICBC Yuan Clearing Bank For Qatar

China has appointed clearing banks for Taiwan, Singapore, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Luxembourg and Seoul in the past two years.