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52% consumers still pessimistic over 2010 - poll

Arabian Business survey shows only 8% are more confident than previous quarter.





GCC urged to form alliances to beat downturn

HSBC's chief economist says move would sharpen competitive edge amid crisis.





Abu Dhabi inflation falls to 20-year low

UPDATE 1: Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi says rate for first 10 months of 2009 was below 1%.





GCC company earnings down 23% in Q3 - Markaz

Kuwait Financial Centre report shows continuing impact of global downturn in region.





Air Arabia sees tough conditions continuing

Company official says aviation industry likely to remain depressed until Q2 of 2010.





Abu Dhabi's maximum rent rise set at 5%

New rules also see contract extended from 4 to 5 years in bid to stabilise market.





UAE banks set aside AED4bn for bad loans in Q3

Central bank data shows largest quarterly jump in provisions this year.





Bahrain real estate market held back by delays, traffic - CBRE

Report says Gulf state has 'tremendous' potential for property investors.





Free legal advice move 'too little, too late' - poll

Arabian Business poll reveals 68% are dismissive of new Dubai real estate plan.





Kuwait's Zain posts 52.8% drop in Q3 net profit

Arab world's third largest telco hit by high financing costs, currency fluctuations.





EXCLUSIVE: UAE's Hard Rock hotel plans face big delays

Dubai project set for two year delay, while Abu Dhabi hotel plan held up for 12 months.





Kuwait's population stable as expats hit by job losses

Around 3.4m living in Gulf state, private sector takes brunt of fall in worker numbers.





Saudi inflation down to lowest rate in more than two years

Data shows kingdom inflation at 3.5% in Oct, down nearly 1% on previous month.





Union Properties posts Q3 loss

UPDATE 1: Dubai's third largest developer posts lost of $41.3m, compared to $61m profit in Q3 2008.





'Financial panic is behind us'

World's most admired investor thinks last year's financial panic is thing of the past.





Mideast nations most positive about global rebound - survey

UAE residents have highest trust level in government to manage crisis.





Gulf economy to grow 6.2% in 2010 - EFG Hermes

Investment firm sees positive GDP growth on higher oil prices, production levels.





'Slow recovery' seen for UAE construction sector

UPDATE 1: Report also says Mideast likely to see shift from luxury to affordable homes.





Bahrain real estate residential sales see 52% drop

Research firm DTZ says recovery in property market will be slow due to rising supply.





TAQA posts 88% slump in Q3 net profit

UPDATE 2: Vice chairman says new committee has been set up to oversee strategy.





Saatchi & Saatchi chief warns of global unrest in 2010

CEO Kevin Roberts says stimulus not working, wave of crime and violence to come.





Zain expects $1bn shortfall on 2009 revenue target

Kuwaiti mobile operator's CEO says global crisis will have impact on performance.





Kuwait's Global posts $19.6m Q3 loss

Investment bank's losses narrow by 81%, says it needs to restructure estimated $1.75bn of debt.





Bahrain office rents drop 20% in 2009

New CB Richard Ellis report also says residential sector was 'static' in Q3, little change in prices.





32% Qatar infrastructure projects delayed

Public Works Authority chief admits problems with contractors on various projects.





59% say Deyaar job cuts just tip of the iceberg

Arabian Business poll reveals widespread pessimism on future UAE job prospects.





Japanese builders owed billions for Dubai work - official

Japanese consul general says firms facing 'serious debt problems' amid payment issues.





Dubai hoteliers 'need to get real on room rates'

Arabian Adventures chief says city is still expensive compared to rest of the world.





New committee to rule on real estate sector dud cheques

Dubai ruler issues decree in bid to settle disputes over bounced cheques in property sector.





Dubai house prices fall 4% in past six months

Deutsche Bank report says rate of price decline slowing, concerns over supply.