A recent study by American Express Middle East involving five Gulf Cooperation Council countries found that residents of Qatar spend approximately $4,000 a month, or about 12 percent of their average household income, on luxury items.The findings indicate Qataris spend more money on luxury goods than the rest of the region. The survey was conducted by Gfk.  Read More »

Ithmaar Bank said it has added an automated teller machine (ATM) to the roundabout in Hamad Town next to Kanoo Mosque, bringing the total number of the Bahrain-based Islamic retail bank's  ATMs to 47 in Bahrain. The newest ATM added by Ithmaar Bank is the third one in Hamad Town. It was installed to meet customer demand. Read More »

Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) showed its dedication to corporate citizenship by supporting the recent Bahrain International Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award 2016 organized by the Bahrain CSR Society. “Alba believes in its responsibility towards the community in which its operates and as an active corporate citizen,” Alba Chief Financial Officer Ali Al Baqali said. Read More »

Bahrain-based Batelco has provided a fully furnished teleport to Bahrain as part of its commitment to provide top quality teleport services to satellite and VSAT operators and putting the country on the map globally when it comes to satellite operations. Batelco was recently welcomed as an Industry Patron Member by the World Teleport Association due to the company’s achievements. Read More »

Bahrain-based regional financial services group GFH Financial Group (GFH) completed the annual general meeting (AGM) for the year ending Dec. 31. “2015 was a positive year for GFH, despite challenging market conditions,” GFH Chairman Ahmed Al-Mutawa said. During the meeting, Al-Mutawa summarized the group’s business transactions and revealed the financial results for 2015. Read More »

BBK (Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait) recently promoted Reyadh Yousif Sater, the deputy chief executive of the bank's business group,  to serve as BBK's new chief executive. Sater is taking over for Karim Bucheery, who has retired from the chief executive position after eight years. "I would like to convey my deep appreciation to the board for the trust they place in me," Sater said. Read More »

Tamkeen and Bahrain Technology Companies Society recently met to sign a memorandum of understanding that signifies their partnership, which was formed to find ways to support and improve information and communications technology. Read More »

The SAMENA (South Asia, Middle East, North Africa) Telecommunications Council recently named Batelco Group CEO Ihab Hinnawi as vice chairman of its board of top executives from the region’s leading telecommunications companies. Hinnawi's election to the board is part of the telecommunications council's effort to put a new leadership team in place. Read More »

Bahrain-based construction company Haji Hassan Group recently announced it again will be a strategic sponsor of gulfBID 2016, which begins April 26 at the Bahrain International Exhibition Center. This is the second year the group is backing the annual exhibition that showcases products and services of the Gulf region's building and construction sector. Read More »

Aluminium Bahrain BSC (Alba), the leading international aluminium smelter in Bahrain, recently said it has finished Phase I of Project Titan, a two-year efficiency program, and saved $148 per metric ton, a significant amount of savings compared to the goal of $150 per metric ton. Project Titan's goal was to create a sustainable, competitive cost structure. Read More »

Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, said it will add four new afternoon flights each week to King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh beginning Thursday. Gulf Air will increase flights between Bahrain International Airport and Riyadh from 28 per week to 32. The additional flights between Bahrain and Riyadh are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Read More »

Vinli, the connected car platform based in Dallas, said Monday it is expanding its operations beyond the United States by partnering with VIVA Bahrain to bring its cloud-connected system to the Middle East.The partnership with VIVA Bahrain, a subsidiary of Saudi Telecom Company (STC), was announced at the Mobile World Congress and is a significant milestone for Vinli. Read More »

Elian, which specializes in corporate and fund services and international finance, recently agreed to purchase SFM Europe, a top supplier of corporate services that has trillions of dollars worth of assets. The move will significantly broaden Elian’s basis in Europe. In addition, Bahrain's Two Seas Trust has rebranded itself as Elian Middle East. Read More »

Batelco will provide communications services for Benefit's line of electronic banking services, according to a new agreement announced Wednesday. Read More »

Bahrain is hosting next week's annual Gulf Industry Fair, a business-to-business show with the goal of demonstrating just how much potential and growth can be found in the Middle East.T he three-day exhibition begins Tuesday and boasts coverage of sectors that include energy and environmental protection, industrial safety and security and industry training. Read More »

Batelco said that more Bahrani mobile phone users will be able to find service, thanks to the installation of the region's first LTE AIR site. AIR stands for antenna integrated radio and uses specialized towers that combine broadcasting functions that would normally require two separate towers. Batelco officials said the AIR towers are easier to install and are more energy efficient. Read More »

Adams Offshore will bring its products and services to this year's Gulf Industry Fair being held Feb 9-11 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre. "We have chosen Gulf Industry Fair 2016 as our platform to celebrate our reputation as the Middle East's global operator in the offshore industry," Adams Offshore Bahrain General Manager R. Rajeev Kumar said. Read More »

Organizers of the retail and cultural exhibition Shop Bahrain announced Wednesday that the 30-day event generated nearly $30 million in sales. The event ran from Dec. 24 to Jan. 23 and offered a variety of shopping promotions, cultural activities, and entertainment experiences at several locations throughout Bahrain. More than 60,000 people attended some part of the event. Read More »

Bin Hindi Motors recently supplied the Bahrain International Air Show 2016 with Kia vehicles, after confirming an exclusive automotive sponsorship deal. Read More »

Bahrain-based telecommunications company Batelco recently announced a new package of TV services that will offer customers "the best TV experience." The new plan will cost $26.52 per month, and new or current Batelco customers will qualify for a special promotion of three months for free. The package includes OSN family channels, live TV broadcast channels and on-demand movies. Read More »