RELATED STORIES

Talent is 'new oil' in Middle East

WEFME: Region must improve education to prevent 'brightest and best leaving our shores', forum hears.





Zain to enter Mali by year-end

WEFME: Kuwait-based telecom could also seal agreements in two more African countries, chief exec says.





Air Arabia predicts revenues of $408mn in '08

WEFME: Low-cost carrier expects to carry up to 4mn passengers this year - CEO.





Duke of York slams protectionism toward wealth funds

WEFME: No reason for countries to restrict investment by SWFs, Prince Andrew says.





Bahrain wealth fund to offload local assets

WEFME: Mumtalakat planning to buy into foreign firms, deal in North America, Asia.





Alghanim plans Asia expansion, eyeing US

WEFME: Kuwaiti conglomerate to push into Malaysia, Thailand; looking at intellectual property deals in US.





Agility growth hit by record oil prices

WEFME: Skyrocketing oil prices have had 'dampening effect' on growth in global market, chairman says.





Iraq claims to have more oil than Saudi Arabia

WEFME: Deputy PM says foreign firms are lining up to invest in war-ravaged economy.





Jazeera predicts revenues of $200mn in '08

WEFME: Kuwaiti budget carrier eyeing revenue growth of at least 50%, chief says.





Zain to raise up to $5bn in Europe listing

WEFME: Kuwait-based telecom may sell a part of the whole company or international unit.





Savola to pour $100mn into agribusines

WEFME: Saudi group eyeing investments in Ukraine, Brazil or Egypt, CEO says.





Sawiris in talks with US firms on Weather

WEFME: Egyptian billionaire looking to sell 10% of Italian holding company, expects deal within weeks.





H&M to open women-only department store

WEFME: Swedish retail giant plans first Saudi store staffed entirely by women for women.





Courtroom battle looms in Deyaar saga

WEFME: Authorities have enough evidence to take fraud case to court - chairman.





'Ordinary' Arabs to retake Internet

WEFME: Online explosion will show world that region is just like anywhere else, says Wikipedia founder.





Bush tries to dispel Arab doubts

WEFME: US president attempts to convince allies Middle East peace agreement can be reached this year.





Aramex revenues to hit $607mn this year

WEFME: Middle East's largest courier expects revenues to increase around 25%, chief executive says.





90mn jobs needed in Mideast over next 20 years

WEFME: Franchise king Alshaya says jobs needed as population booms.





Amlak boosts profit growth outlook

WEFME: Islamic mortgage firm lifts 2008 forecast to at least 80%, from 70% previously - chairman.





Bahrain, Qatar mull spending cuts

WEFME: Officials say Gulf Arab states must rein in spending in order to tackle record inflation.





Tecom in talks with Dell over joint venture

WEFME: Dubai-owned investment firm also expects to make three acquisitions this year.





Bush to reassure sceptics on peace push

US president to insist he 'firmly believes' peace deal can be reached - advance text of speach.





Bush confident of future Palestinian state

UPDATE 3: US president says he is 'absolutely committed' to defining Palestinian state.





Kuwait's Alshaya to chair World Economic Forum

WEFME: Franchise king first Kuwaiti national to chair prestigious forum in the Middle East.





GCC defends dollar peg, single currency deadline

Gulf finance ministers deliver upbeat messsage in face of soaring inflation.





Saudi's first sovereign wealth fund nears approval

$5.3bn SWF to act as 'investor focusing on maximising long-term rates of return'.





Bush announces Saudi trip

US president to make second visit to region this year, stopping off in Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.





Oil risks hitting $200 on dollar slide

Opec president does not rule out crude reaching $200 a barrel even though supply adequate.





Report urges dialogue between Islam and West

Greater integration with Muslim world seen as threat by 60% of citizens across Europe.





Omniyat star named Young Global Leader

WEF honours Mehdi Amjad for outstanding achievements and 'potential to shape the future'.