If you believe a recent quality-of-life study, Ras al Khaimah (RAK) is really a pretty nice place to live. The study is a collaboration between the Ras al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Nielsen. For the study, RAK-TDA commissioned research initiatives to look at the overall quality of life for RAK residents with an eye toward the global World Happiness Report. Read More »

The British vote to exit the European Union, or Brexit, on Friday has sliced markets, sending oil prices crashing approximately 5 percent within the day. An update posted on U.K. site The Week posits $45 oil prices following a sudden slide that has reversed gains on expectations earlier in the week that the EU referendum could have turned out differently. Read More »

Some tech leaders are pointing to bold new initiatives by hotel chains in the Middle East region as a kind of renaissance for advanced products and services. Avaya, for one, cited 40 percent growth within a six month period. In a June 19 press release, experts attributed the rise in Avaya’s business to investments that hoteliers are hoping will reap dividends. Read More »

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently held a networking event in Moscow in partnership with the UAE Embassy in Russia and the Russian Business Council to explore promising areas of cooperation. The groups involved discussed how the business communities of Dubai and Russia can both benefit by exploring each other’s lucrative sectors through close economic ties. Read More »

Wison Engineering has taken a strong step forward into the Middle Eastern market by initiating its first chemical engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) project in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Wilson Engineering is widely accepted as one of the top EPC service and technology suppliers in China. Read More »

An MoU between Oman Air and Petroleum Development Oman creates 400 new jobs in customer service and ramp service. In addition, the group will offer ongoing education for 100 current Oman Air customer service employees to better their skill set.The agreement, signed by PDO Managing Director Raoul Restucci and Oman Air CEO Paul Gregorowitsch, is part of His Majesty’s goal of creating long-term jobs for Omanis. Read More »

Emaar Hospitality Group recently unveiled Vida Jedda Gate, a 14-story hotel tower, and Vida Residences Jeddah Gate, a 25-story tower, in the master-planned community by Emaar Middle East. The hotel and serviced residences will provide views of Jeddah Gate and beyond. The complex will be easily accessible from the city center and include 202 hotel rooms and suites in addition to 162 serviced residences for sale. Read More »

German-engineered remote access solutions provider HOB has entered into a deal that gives Ethos Technologies the rights to distribute its security products throughout numerous Middle Eastern countries. Under the agreement, the Dubai-based technology distribution company will be able to offer HOB products to clients in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Read More »

Souq.com, the largest online retail and marketplace program in the Middle East, announced that it has launched a Microsoft online store, which gives consumers in the Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates an exclusive destination to shop for Microsoft products. The online store, which will be accessible from Souq.com, will offer shipping, 24/7 online site access and customer support for all of its brands, such as Xbox, Surface and Lumia. Read More »

Louvre Abu Dhabi takes two large steps toward completion with the removal of transitory sea walls and the vivid lighting of the museum’s well-recognized dome. The concept is to create a Museum City on the sea, with the removal of the temporary walls being the first step toward that goal. Read More »

Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) is participating in a program that provides observers of Ramadan with fast-breaking meals. Sponsored by King Saud University's social responsibility club, the Ramadan Iftar program aims to prepare and distribute 150,000 meals throughout Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. More than 70 volunteers are expected to prepare and distribute around 5,000 meals a day. Read More »

The monthly issue of the Sukuk Al-Salam Islamic securities was released by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB). Reports show the securities have been subscribed at 102 percent. Subscriptions valued at Bahraini Dinar (BD) 44 million were accepted for the BD 43 million issue, documented with a maturity of 91 days. Read More »

An award recognizing the superb delivery of commercial payments and handling transactions in U.S. dollars has been given to International Bank of Qatar (IBQ). IBQ recently won the Citi “Straight Through Processing” (STP) award, which is given annually to the best-in-class bank in recognition of their quality achievements in configuring foreign currency payments. Read More »

The founders of a small startup called KOOOT.com have a mission to change the way that women in the Gulf Coast region access local markets, as well as to improve their interactions with global brands.  Read More »

Hydroponics is radically changing agriculture around the world, and one company has received a seal of approval from the Shariah Supervisory Board (SBB), making its investment product an example of Shariah-compliant agriculture. Read More »

Abu Dhabi University held a celebration after receiving international academic accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges: Senior College and University Commission. University Executive Board Chairman Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri said this accomplishment speaks to the facility’s quality, international prestige and strong standing in the academic world. Read More »

The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry siad in a recent report that Saudi Arabia was the top Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) destination for Dubai’s non-oil trade, with 45 percent of the trade market for 2015. Outside of Saudi Arabia, Qatar received 12 percent of the market, Bahrain 8 percent, Kuwait 16 percent and Oman 19 percent. Read More »

At a recent seminar in Qatar organized by Doha-based Techno Q and Panasonic Marketing Middle East and Africa, the electronics corporation showcased its strength in visual solutions for various booming industries in the country. Panasonic discussed its latest products in categories such as professional display, projects, HDVC, security and pro-AV solutions. Read More »

Oman Air is offering discounts to recent graduates from Omani high schools, granting them a 25 percent discount for return flights from overseas studies. “Oman Air is delighted to offer our nation’s new high school graduates the opportunity to save money when they travel overseas to continue their studies,” Jamal Bin Saif Al Azki, Oman Air’s country manager for Oman, said. Read More »

United Development Company, a Qatari public shareholding company and master developer of the Pearl-Qatar, amended its governance code and approved changing the percentage of non-Qatari ownership at a recent board meeting. The company passed an amendment of the Company’s Articles of Association and increased the percentage of non-Qatari ownership in the company. Read More »