Riyadh Development Higher Commission plans historic, administrative, economic and cultural districts
Author Archives: Staff Writer
MasterChef Australia showcases Dubai as culinary hub
Emirates Airline and Qantas team up with TV programme to highlight Dubai’s food credentials
Middle East’s first supperclub reviewed
Amsterdam’s globally acclaimed dining franchise opens its first branch in the region. Does it live up to its reputation?
Saudi’s Dar Al Arkan eyes overseas projects, new malls
Exclusive: Chairman says firm is considering moves into hospitality, education and healthcare
US teacher deported from Bahrain over tweets
Comms ministry says Erin Kilbride published articles deemed to incite hatred against gov’t
Nearly 80 killed in Baghdad car bombs
Over 150 others wounded in attacks on people celebrating end of Ramadan
UN says too early to link camels to Saudi deaths
Further research is needed to identify specific source of Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome
Airports need to review nighttime curfews – Etihad CEO
In some cases curfews were introduced up to 50 years ago and need changing, says James Hogan
Bahrain protests
Bahrain’s PM issues warning ahead of protests
Prime minister accuses anti-government protesters of seeking to foment chaos
BA apologises after ‘mayhem’ on Riyadh flight
British Airways said to promise compensation after faulty plane returns twice to Saudi airport
Summer World Cup in Qatar ‘impossible’, says FA chief
New FA chairman Greg Dyke adds his voice to concerns about staging tournament in Gulf
Dubai’s property bubble puzzle
Daniel Shane questions how effective plans will be to reimburse investors in failed projects
Buying in Balk
Etihad Airways’ acquisition of 49 percent in Serbia’s JAT Airways is the latest sign of warming trade and diplomatic relations between the UAE and Balkan country
Liquid gold
With its multiple partnerships and subsidiaries, Nakilat represents Qatar’s marine industry at its best, helping to diversify the Gulf state’s economy and supporting its oil and gas sector at the same time. Arabian Business meets Muhammad Ghannam, Nakilat’s managing director, to see how this industry works and why it will take Qatar forward
Saudi donates $100m to UN counter-terrorism centre
King makes announcement during Eid Al-Fitr address following the end of the holy month of Ramadan
Qatar fund launches four new projects in Japan
Plans include a science facility, sporting facilities and project for upcoming entrepreneurs
Abu Dhabi-backed Carlyle Group returns to profit in Q2
US private equity firm says it has $49bn to spend but good deals in the US are scarce
Argentinian Lisandro set to join Qatar’s Al Gharafa
Striker Lisandro Lopez will leave French Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon
US set to reopen Gulf embassies on Sunday
Eighteen of the 19 US embassies and consulates closed due to terrorist worries will reopen
Camels linked to deadly Saudi virus outbreak
New study suggests strong evidence that virus is widespread among Middle East camels
Dubai tax fugitive named among UK’s most wanted
Hussain Chohan is included on new list published by HM Revenue & Customs
Syria Crisis
Russia’s Putin says no Saudi deal on Syria
Russian President has not made agreement to scale back support for al-Assad – Kremlin
Turkish airlines staff abducted in Lebanon
Pilot and colleague captured by armed men from a bus driving from Beirut airport
Germany eyes bumper GCC arms deals this year
European country has approved export of weapons to six GCC gov’ts so far in 2013 – report
Qatar Airways said to be in talks on GoAir stake
Indian media report that Gulf carrier is keen to buy 40% stake in low cost airline
UK fraud agency says lost data from BAE-Saudi deal probe
The Serious Fraud Office says lost data made up just 3% relating to Al-Yamamah deal
First resort
A flurry of world-class hotel brands, natural beauty and connectivity are fuelling Ras Al Khaimah’s ambition to become one of the most popular tourism destinations in the region.
Muscat to be showcased in Bollywood blockbuster
Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Again is a sequel to India’s fourth biggest movie of 2010
SolarWorld shareholders approve Qatar stake deal
Qatar Solar will take 29% stake in German firm as part of restructuring plan
US court rejects claims UAE ripped off US embassy design
Latest ruling is part of a long running legal battle started by American architect in 2008
Saudi arrests suspects for planning suicide attacks
Gulf kingdom holds two men from Yemen, Chad on suspicion of planning attacks
Printemps sale to Qataris cleared by French court
Unions had complained they were not sufficiently consulted and informed about transaction
Dubai’s Al Nasr in $2.3m bid to sign West Brom star
UAE club’s previous offer for Peter Odemwingie was rejected as too low – report
Bahraini lender downgraded to junk status by S&P
Al Baraka downgraded on back of increased sovereign and economic risk in regions it operates
Qatari newlyweds to get free homes to cut divorce rate
Charity says 100 fully furnished homes will be built for use by newly married couples
Syria Crisis
Syria denies Assad motorcade hit by rocket
Information minister calls claims by rebel group ‘wholly untrue’; TV shows Assad unharmed
Ready for kick-off
Andy Gray and Richard Keys are two of the best known faces in British sports broadcasting. As they prepare to head up Al Jazeera Sport’s live coverage of the English Premier League, Arabian Business meets the popular duo in Qatar.
Egypt crisis
Egypt at ‘dangerous stalement’ in political crisis
Acting president says gov’t will press on with its own plan and hold elections in nine months
Italian firm aims to revive Dubai rotating tower plan
$540m skyscraper will rotate 360 degrees every 90 minutes and was first proposed in 2008
UAE’s pearling industry seeks to regain long-lost lustre
Natural pearl diving was once the main income of many families in the region but vanished after WWI
Gulf carriers cancel flights after Nairobi airport fire
Airport closure has also led to some visitors cancelling their safari trips, tour operators say
BAE Systems says in talks on Bahrain jets deal
British defence firm says early discussions underway about buying Eurofighter Typhoons
Transport
Classic car investors on the up in MidEast
Interest in collecting and restoring vintage cars is on the rise in the Middle East
Qatari sheikh hits back at Al Habtoor claims
Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani says HLG should be addressing internal issues rather than launching legal action
Kuwait’s KIPCO posts 11% rise in Q2 net profit
Country’s largest investment firm says on track for double digit revenue growth this year
Saudi, Qatar award 12 days holiday for Eid
Public sector holiday is nearly three times that announced in some other GCC states
Etihad alliances
Etihad plans big Oz expansion, to raise Virgin stake
Abu Dhabi airline eyes new aircraft, new routes, additional flights and airport lounges
Kuwait releases seven convicted of insulting Emir
Dozens are believed to have been jailed for insulting the Emir since a crackdown began in October
Bahrain’s GFH sees H1 profits fall despite cost cutting
Islamic inverstment firm which bankrolled takeover of Leeds Utd announces net profit of $4.2m
Costa Coffee brings in camel milk in UAE outlets
Ingredient now available in over 30 Costa Coffee outlets in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah
Egypt crisis
Qatar urges prisoner release as Egypt hopes fade
Qatari foreign minister has been trying to mediate an end to the political turmoil after the ousting of Mohamed Mursi
Is Kuwait’s Little Chef acquisition haram?
Even at a cheap as chips price, Kuwait’s acquisition of Little Chef is a bit fishy
Oman SWF in talks with India’s SpiceJet – report
Dubai’s Emirates last week denied reports it was interested in no frills carrier