A possible Foreign Military Sale for UH-60M Black Hawk Utility Helicopters and associated equipment to Saudi Arabia was approved by the State Department of the United Sates Oct. 14. The total amount of the negotiation is approximately $495 million and is reportedly in line with the United State's interest to improve the security in the region. Saudi Arabia is a significant partner. Read More »

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation attended the Kuwait Oil and Gas Show (KOGS) 2015 Oct. 12 to 14, which showcased the capacity of the Indian oil and gas sector. During the event the company committed to reduce India's imports by 10 percent until 2020. Kuwait Minister of Oil Dr. Ali Saleh Al-Omair was responsible for opening the ONGC pavilion and echoed his nation's interest in India. Read More »

With the opening of its Kuwait-based facility, Chest Diseases Hospital (CDH) has become the first endoscopic vessel harvesting (EVH) reference center outside of the United States. About 90 percent of vessels harvested in the United States are taken via EVH; however, now the Kuwait CDH facility will offer a combination of classroom lectures and hands-on training. Read More »

BBK's Board of Directors released their financial results of the nine month period ending Sept. 30. The results showed a net profit of $40.3 million, an increase of 8 percent over last year's $37.3 million over the same period. The growth in net profits was primarily derived by fees and commission income, and by the end of the third quarter, it increased its provisions reserve. Read More »

The Higher Organizing Committee of the 17th Arab Investors and Businessmen Conference (ABIC) will draw a wide variety of presenters and host a number of informative activities Nov. 16 to Nov. 17. Overseen by United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, ABIC is in keeping with UAE's Vision 2021 strategy to boost foreign direct investment in the UAE. Read More »

The StealthWatch System collects and analyzes network telemetry from existing routers, switches and firewalls to monitor network and user behaviors. It then performs sophisticated analytics on network data to detect abnormal behaviors that could signify attacks. The Lancope exhibition at the GITEX convention comes as the company continues to expand in the Middle East. Read More »

Technology consulting and outsourcing provider Synechron will open the world’s first digital innovation center for banking, insurance and smart government initiatives. Acting as a hub for those who invest in the digital transformation of technology, the Synechron Digital Innovation Center (SDIC) will offer investors business success with access to a "retail branch experience."  Read More »

The Saudi Arabian Mining Company launched trial production at Ad Duwayhi gold mine Oct. 8. The mine is a chief component of the company’s plan to develop several new gold mine facilities in the central western region of Saudi Arabia. When running at full capacity, the mine is expected to produce 180,000 ounces of gold annually, bringing Ma'aden's gold production to 340,000 ounces. Read More »

United Kingdom and Qatar leaders gathered for the second meeting of the biannual Qatar-U.K. Sharaka bilateral dialogue Friday. The meeting, attended by Foreign Office Minister Tobias Ellwood and Qatari Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Rumaihi, took place at the Foreign and Commonwealth office in London. Ellwood expressed what agreements Qatar and the U.K. came to during the meeting. Read More »

The Petrofac Academy, an institution dedicated to the professional development of Petrofac’s employees, graduated a record number of Omani graduates Oct. 5. About 30 young men and women are set to begin careers this month with the company -- an increase of about 40 percent from 2014. The milestone was recognized at an event attended by Sayyid Kamil bin Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said. Read More »

The McNally Bharat Engineering Company Ltd. joint venture firm won $315 million for a bitumen refinery project in Oman Thursday. Bitumen is a naturally occurring semi-solid form of petroleum that is highly sticky, black and viscous. Its most common use is as a component for road asphalt. In recent years, bitumen has seen increasing use as a refinable source of petroleum. Read More »

Saipem, the Italian oil and gas contracting firm, was awarded new offshore engineering and construction (E&C) contracts valued at more than $680 million Oct. 9. The main contract came from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s national oil company Saudi Aramco. To meet the requirements of that contract, Saipem will be in charge of engineering, procurement and transportation. Read More »

Bahrain’s Minister of Finance Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa recently called for faster implementation of development goals at Development Committee meetings held during the annual International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank gatherings. In his statement to the Development Committee, the Al Khalifa called for accelerated realization of the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Read More »

With a network of almost 600 destinations, Etihad's growth includes the introduction of next-generation aircrafts in its service as well as in-flight product and services, such as the Residence, a three-room space exclusive to the airline’s Airbus A380 aircraft; first class apartments and suites; business class studios; in-flight chefs; food and beverage managers; and even nannies. Read More »

Under the terms of the contract, AECOM will provide primary design and construction supervision for all the infrastructural components of Diyar Al Muharraq. Read More »

Al Areen Palace & Spa resort in Bahrain has announced a partnership with Avenue Ventures that aims to expand the Lost Paradise of Dilmun with new features for its resort and water park. Offering guests world-class facilities, the Al Areen Palace & Spa will expand its facility and offer more holistic treatments. The location will feature Bahrain’s longest cascading pool. Read More »

The classic American convenience store 7-Eleven is continuing its lightning-fast global expansion with a new store in Dubai, marking the chain’s first venture in the Middle East. The store opened Oct. 6 with a ribbon-cutting, VIP attendees and celebratory dinner for suppliers, contractors and other guests. The new location is at Bay Square near downtown Dubai. Read More »

Global enterprise company IFS has partnered with Saudi Arabia-based steel producer BRC Industrial to implement IFS Applications 9 -- a single-instance enterprise resource planning system that allows real-time business decision-making. BRC will use the system with its manufacturing operations, including financials, human resources, payroll and customer relationship management. Read More »

Sunday will mark the inaugural Kuwait Business Breakfast, an event hosted by Cityscape at the JW Marriott Hotel in Kuwait City.It is open to developers, investors and key stakeholders in Kuwait's real estate market. The goal is to provide networking opportunities as a precursor to Cityscape Kuwait, a real estate and investment development event slated for Dec. 9-11. Read More »

Fifty members of Japan's tourism and travel trade were recently hosted by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing. The visitors toured the Dubai Mall, the Burj Khalifa, Atlantis, The Palm and Madinat Jumeirah. There was also a special presentation by representatives of the Sheikh Mohammed Centre, a desert safari, a seaplane tour and a dinner cruise on Dubai Creek. Read More »