#Breaking News

Oman To Top GCC GDP Rankings

The sultanate has the potential to top the GDP rankings for the region, bettering its wealthy neighbours.

Nakheel Posts Q1 Profit

The Dubai-based developer’s first-quarter revenue rose 159 per cent to Dhs1.35 billion in the first quarter of the year.

DIFC Unit To Sign $1bn Loan

The loan will be partly guaranteed by the Dubai government, according to sources.

ME Airlines See 16% Growth

Passenger demand in the region grew 16 per cent year-on-year in April, according to the IATA.

Abu Dhabi Bank Opens UK Branch

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank’s UK branch, located in an upscale development, hopes to target wealthy Gulf clients in Britain.

Oil Hits Seven-Month Low

Crude oil prices dropped to nearly $100 per barrel fueled by fears about the Eurozone crisis.

Facebook Has 45m MENA Users

The social networking site has opened an office in Dubai to try and boost advertising revenues from the region.

Yum! Restaurants Double To 2,800

Taco Bell is to join KFC and Pizza Hut as a recognised restaurant brand in the Middle East, says CEO.

Qatar Arrests Five Over Mall Blaze

Five management staff from the Villagio Shopping Mall have been detained over the incident that killed 19 people.

Kuwait’s Global Posts Q1 Loss

Kuwait’s Global Investment House saw its net loss narrow to $39.3 million in the first quarter of 2012.

Zuckerberg Drops Off Billionaires List

The Facebook CEO has lost $1.5 billion in the last five days, losing his spot among the world’s 40 richest people.

Qatar Safety Questioned

A day after a shopping mall blaze killed 19 people, two more fires have broken out in the country.

Saudi Issues Travel Warning

The Kingdom has warned its citizens not to travel to Yemen due to increasing insecurity in the country.

Oil Down On Eurozone Worries

Price of crude oil has dropped on Eurozone debt worries and likelihood of Greece leaving the currency.

Almarai In $4.2bn Investment Plan

The five-year plan will fund the expansion of the Saudi Arabian dairy company and boost its product innovation.

Emirates May Refinance Bond

The Gulf airline may refinance a $550 million sukuk, though repayment in cash is still an option.

Dubai’s Economy Grew 3.4% In 2011

Improving tourism and strong trade flows helped the emirate’s GDP reach Dhs306.2 billion last year.

Qatar To Spend $49bn This Year

The Gulf state reveals its budget for the 2012/2013 fiscal year, estimating a surplus of QAR28 billion.

Improved Water Service For UAQ

Committee approves Dhs755 million infrastructure projects in the UAE’s East Coast and UAQ.

Saudi Needs Spectrum Change

Freeing up spectrum for Saudi’s telecoms operators may add $95.5 billion to the economy by 2025, said GSMA.

19 Killed In Qatar Mall Fire

Ministry officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire and are investigating the incident.

ADNOC Acquires EMARAT Stations

Abu Dhabi oil company signs agreement for EMARAT’s fuel stations across five emirates in the UAE.

Dubai First Launches Skyy Miles

The credit card global rewards currency model works for all airlines and covers all routes, the firm said.

DIFC Deposits Continue To Grow

Warnings for oil consumption and equities markets amidst growth of deposits and loans from DIFC companies.

Mashreq CEO: ‘UAE Banks Were Wrong’

Exclusive: Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair blamed a greed culture and a desire for growth for lurching the UAE banks into crisis.

Flydubai Gets $172m Financing

The amount, secured from a unit of Standard Chartered Bank, will be used to buy two new aircraft.

Saudia Catering Unit To Launch IPO

Saudi Arabian Airlines has got approval to list 30 per cent of its catering unit on the Kingdom’s stock exchange.

MENA Residents Become Richer

Survey shows majority of residents are either the same or better off than this time last year.

Bahrain Rents Slump

Residential rents in some areas have fallen to 2005/ 2006 levels, and occupancy levels have reached as low as 30 per cent.

JAFZA To Repay $2bn Sukuk Early

A majority of JAFZA’s stakeholders have consented to the early redemption of the Sukuk, due in November.