The Bahrain Institute of Public Administration (BIPA) announced a plan to use online courses through E-LMS that may save governmental organizations more than $2.6 million a year. During the month of April, BIPA-provided online training courses saved more than $212,000. BIPA believes this will encourage further utilization of online training resources in developing employees. Read More »

A seven-bedroom villa is now available in the southern state of Tricks, in Al Seeb, Muscat, for $1.29 million. The villa features a courtyard leading to the front door and two staircases leading to an entrance at the second story. This large villa is perfect for a growing family. The kitchen has upper and lower cabinetry and an island with a sink, range and vent hood. Read More »

UAE's Etihad Airways accepted delivery of the first of four Embraer Phenom 100E airplanes that will be used in flight training, beginning in July, at Etihad Flight College. The aircraft will be used in the Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) course. MPL training is an effective method of flight training that teaches the flight crew of a multi-engine aircraft to work as a team. Read More »

Private charter flights are now available from Seawings, the premium seaplane operator based in Dubai, with the launch of its new Air Taxi service offering flights from central business and leisure locations throughout the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar. Seaplanes can provide direct access to city center locations thanks to the planes' ability to land on water. Read More »

Qatar Airways has been named the official airline of the 2016 International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) celebrations taking place June 23-27 in Madrid."The popularity of Indian cinema has grown exponentially over the years, reflected in the scale and extravaganza of the IIFA awards," Qatar Airways Europe Senior Vice President Jonathan Harding said. Read More »

A two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is now available in Jebel Sifah for $519,413. The apartment in the Jebel Sifah marina development. features a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom. Off the living and dining area, you’ll find a terrace with glazed sliding doors. The kitchen is fully outfitted with an electric oven, electric cooking hood, microwave oven and a dishwasher. Read More »

As tech journalists, finance professionals and others try to read the tea leaves on the advancing technology and practices of the banking industry, researchers are getting mixed signals from some consumer markets. One example is a recent study of smartphone users in the Gulf Coast region which uncovered trends among banking customers in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE. Read More »

For those unfamiliar with the season of Ramadan, the prospect of interacting with practicing Muslims during that month can be daunting. Many know that these Islamic holy days require fasting from dawn to dusk. Others might know that Ramadan is based on the revelation of the Quran to the prophet Muhammad by the angel Gabriel, information that can be found on Wikipedia. Read More »

During the recent East Africa and Dubai Agribusiness Roundtable meeting, representatives from the East African Community (EAC) joined Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Ethiopian International Office to discuss opportunities for cooperation and investment.The roundtable focused on agribusiness, an industry important to the UAE, which imports 85 percent of its food. Read More »

United Gulf Properties has listed a one-bedroom apartment in the Al Waha area of Al Ghadeer for $190,579. The 667-square foot apartment has one bedroom with an en suite bathroom and a second bathroom. There’s a huge kitchen with appliances and a pass through to the living room, a storeroom and plenty of space to live and entertain. Pets are allowed. Read More »

Rotana recently announced that 16 of its hotels in the United Arab Emirates have gained the ISO 14001 environmental management certification. ISO 14001, an international standard, provides requirements for environmental management systems. Rotana’s effort to obtain this distinction at its hotels is part of its long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability. Read More »

The Dubai Association Centre (DAC) participated in the fourth European Association Summit 2016 held recently in Brussels to promote Dubai. As a destination partner of the summit, DAC received a lot of interest from the attendees and held more than 50 meetings with international associations based in Brussels who wanted to talk about the center and to learn more about Dubai. Read More »

Qatar's Communications Regulation Authority (CRA) highlighted the progress it has made in promoting competition and safeguarding consumer interests in Qatar in its annual report. The CRA assesses the market to determine where further measures are needed in the promotion of competition. Its report details the country’s transition to a digitally connected nation. Read More »

The Shariah Supervisory Board (SSB) issued a certificate to Dubai-based hydroponic experts Pegasus Agriculture non June 3.The certificate allows Pegasus Agriculture to promote their Hydroponic Investment Product as Shariah compliant. The SSB reviewed all of Pegasus Agriculture's contracts, literature, and associated processes before making the official announcement of the certificate. Read More »

The Food and Agriculture sector of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry, headed by board member Khalid Al Amin, took part in the Islamic Business Forum - Moscow Halal Expo. The focus of attendees was the unified Halal standard, strengthening the export and import of Halal food, ways to improve Halal food quality and developing access to Halal food from all Islamic states. Read More »

Khaleeji Commercial Bank (KHCB) recently won the Fastest Growing Bank in Bahrain award from CPI Financial Magazines Banker Middle East and Africa. The financial news publication honored the Islamic bank for its outstanding financial results obtained in 2015. KHCB provides individuals and corporate entities with a wide variety of products and services. Read More »

In a speech in Cleveland this week focusing on the terror incident in Orlando, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emphasized that the gunman had “pledged allegiance to ISIS” and that Americans “have to steel our resolve to respond.” Read More »

A studio apartment in the Fox Hills area of Lusail City is now available for $247,236. The 656-square-foot apartment offers space to entertain and dine. The kitchen has a gas stove with a hood vent and ample cupboard space to store kitchen necessities. A neutral-colored tile flows throughout the apartment. The apartment complex features a shared gym and fitness center. Read More »

The UAE Ministry of Finance (MoF) recently held a workshop to raise public awareness about financial rules and objectives. “The ministry ... remains committed to establishing effective financial rules ... as part of the important role it plays in supporting sustainable economic development,” MoF Undersecretary Younis Haji Al Khoori said. Read More »

The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) said that while the deadline for mandatory health insurance in Dubai is June 30, penalties will not be imposed on individual sponsors until the end of the year. “Individuals, their families and their employees - such as maids, cooks etc. - will be given a grace period until the end of the year,” Dr. Haidar Al Yousuf, director of health funding at DHA, said Read More »