Project developer says it has had ‘positive response’ from high-end European retail brands
Author Archives: Staff Writer
Swiss-Belhotel inks deal to run two Riyadh hotels
Company signs agreement with Al Jumaiah Group to manage properties which are due to open next year
Nakheel says 90% of Warsan Souk leased to Emiratis
Dubai developer announces deals for most of 1,000 shops and over 30 restaurants at new retail project
Dubai Properties to offer discounts on selected projects
Developer announces plan to hold special sales event as part of celebrations for UAE’s National Day
Brazil food giant eyes rise in Middle East revenues
Poultry producer BRF aims to increase regional revenues to at least 20% of its total income by 2020
Zain Saudi proposes 45% capital reduction to shareholders
Telecoms operator seeks approval to eliminate all accumulated losses up to September 30
Why PE’s back in vogue in the Middle East
Confidence is returning to the Gulf’s private equity market after local investors took a hit after the global financial crisis.
Africa: The final frontier
$32.5bn of foreign direct investment will flow into Africa this year. So why are investors ignoring the daunting headlines?
Focus: Why youth unemployment is an even bigger threat to the region than ISIL
Mohammed Mahfoodh Al Ardhi got his early training as a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force of Oman and recently was unveiled as the new executive chairman of Bahrain-based investment firm Investcorp
Quincy Jones doc to have world premiere at Dubai film festival
Documentary based on ‘Tomorrow-Bokra’ charity single was directed by Emirati filmmaker Ahmed Abdulqader
UK firm wins contract for Doha Oasis mixed-use project
Faithful+Gould to provide management services for project comprising housing, retail and one of the largest indoor amusement theme parks
GCC to see $72bn construction projects completed by end-2014
New research says Saudi Arabia and the UAE to command the largest market share of completed projects
Pakistani actress says to appeal blasphemy jail verdict
Veena Malik, currently in Dubai, says she will return to Pakistan next month after being sentenced to 26 years in prison
Virgin Mobile switches on new telco services in Saudi Arabia
Company’s chief executive says it will bring simplest and most transparent prepaid, postpaid packages to the kingdom
Qatar World Cup opponent mulls FIFA presidency bid
Chilean Harold Mayne-Nicholls was head of technical committee which warned against holding World Cup in Gulf state
UAE recalls Irish ambassador amid staff mistreatment claims
Ministry of Foreign Affairs says allegations that domestic workers were ill-treated in Dublin will be investigated further
Saudi Arabia wins case for no OPEC output cut
Gulf oil producers led by Saudi Arabia override calls from poorer OPEC member for action to halt oil price slide
Dubai World said to set meetings to put new deal to all creditors
Sources say state-owned conglomerate will hold talks in London on Dec 1 and in Dubai a week later
Bahrain’s Batelco said to hire Citigroup to sell Jordan unit
Sources say telco is looking to sell Umniah which is Jordan’s No 3 mobile operator
Indian workers stranded with no pay in Saudi Arabia
Forty five Indian workers have reportedly not been paid for four months; now stuck in labour camp
Theo Paphitis: Why I left Dragon’s Den
We sit with the business mogul who shares with us his best entrepreneurial advice and his new found passion in business.
UAE dirham at one-year low vs US dollar as oil price slumps
Speculation grows that slumping oil prices could lead Gulf states to ditch currency pegs to the dollar
UAE Debt Settlement Fund waives defaults worth over $408m
3,482 people benefit from the fund which helps citizens who face difficulties in settling their debts
Saudi gov’t to allow runaway expats to avoid jail
Expats must meet certain conditions before being allow to leave Gulf kingdom – report
Kuwait looks to cut number of expat driving licences
New amendments to reduce traffic jams include minimum salary and university qualification requirement
UAE’s Dana Gas in talks with Egypt over revising gas prices
Discussions come as Egyptian authorities have been negotiating with a number of international energy firms
Arabtec board changes slow $40bn Egyptian housing deal
Egypt’s housing minister says negotiations to implement massive building project has been impacted by shake-up
SMEs
Revealed: Winners of 2nd Arabian Business StartUp Awards
The event highlights the biggest achievers and self-starters within the UAE’s growing start-up and SME sector.
Dubai film festival confirms funding in place for next 5 yrs
Stars Emily Blunt and Kelsey Grammer, Eva Longoria set to attend this year’s event
Exclusive: Emirates exec reveals why the Dubai airline ditched FIFA
Emirates Group vice-president Gary Chapman said it wasn’t only concerns over the corruption allegations for its decision not to renew World Cup sponsorship
Dubai launches $20m global promotional campaign
‘See you in Dubai’ celebrates the attractions of the emirate
Egyptian inquiry into political violence seeks changes to protest law
Gov’t is investigating acts of violence after the army toppled President Mohamed Mursi in July 2013
Sarah Jessica Parker to launch new accessories brand in Dubai
‘Sex and the City’ actress will make appearances at Bloomingdale’s and Harvey Nichols.
Prince Alwaleed claims victory in Forbes libel case
Saudi royal sued US magazine over claims he dishonestly manipulated the share price of Kingdom Holding
LEAKED! Sony Xperia Z4, Z4 Ultra specs
Sony is expected to officially launch the new models in Las Vegas in January
Saudi to be launch market for new 7up revamp
New visual identity and global campaign will eventually be rolled out in 140 markets worldwide
Aviation
Dubai private jet expo to have 50 business aircraft on display
MEBA show will have many aircraft that will be in the region for the first time.
Abu Dhabi opens rollercoaster-themed restaurant
Food at the Yas Mall outlet is delivered in pods that loop around 30 rollercoaster tracks
Malls, malls, malls… what on earth is a man supposed to do?
Handbags, jewellery, lingerie and even toys; why a trip to your local shopping mall spells bad news for the male population
“We have to live either $80 or with $60,” says Kuwait oil minister
Oil prices fall to 4-year lows as OPEC production cut looks unlikely
Pilot jailed for ‘lewd act’ on Dubai hotel balcony
American national had previously been warned of similar behaviour
Qatar said to run covert desert training camp for Syrian rebels
Sources say camp is being used to train the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and other moderate rebels
Your guide to this year’s Dubai International Film Festival
11th Edition of festival to open with Stephen Hawking Biopic “The Theory of Everything”
Ex-Arabtec CEO said to plan sale of remaining stake
Source says Hasan Ismaik will only offload the shares, worth around $540m, if he is paid at least AED5 per share
Kuwait court cuts insider trading fine against Al Ahli Bank chairman
COurt of Appeal reduces penalty imposed on Ahmed Yousef Behbehani to $343,500
Abraaj raises Bisco Misr offer after Kellogg counter bid
Dubai-based private equity firm is seeking to take over Egyptian cake and biscuit marker
UAE minister says no need to panic after oil price slump
Oil minister Mohammed al-Mazroui agrees with Saudi Arabia that the market will ‘fix itself ultimately’
HSBC to refund UAE, Bahrain, Oman customers for excessive fees
Banking giant says it is taking action after charging excessive foreign currency fees on debit and credit card transactions
Doha expats paying ‘considerably’ more for rent than they can afford
Average Doha expat is forking out 34% of their salary on housing due to the city’s huge undersupply – Colliers
Qatar Airways to sponsor new Premier Tennis League
Doha carrier teams up with new league which kicks off later this week; features top names like Federer, Djokavic and Murray
Kuwait’s Mabanee to invest $910m in mall extension
Real estate firm announces plan for fourth phase of its The Avenues mall development
New delays said to hit Saudi Aramco’s Jizan refinery
Industry sources say contract disagreement with South Korean builders is delaying refinery construction
Abu Dhabi Int’l posts 17% rise in October passenger traffic
Airport operator says 1.68m passengers used hub; cargo activity also rises by 16% last month
Emiratis in private sector jobs to get public sector salaries, benefits
New law being prepared by Ministry of Labour aims to encourage more UAE nationals to work in the private sector – report