Dubai laboratories to research 3-D printing, drone technology

Leaders in the United Arab Emirates are building a new set of scientific laboratories in Dubai's Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to help continue innovation in aerospace and other manufacturing industries. A set of 3-D printed laboratories are slated to be built as part of the research and development center there, and the labs also will conduct research on drones. Read More »

When it comes to pay, 44% of Lebanese workers went without a raise in 2015

Nearly half of Lebanese workers, 44 percent, went without a pay raise in 2015, according to a recent study by Middle Eastern job site Bayt.com and market research firm YouGov. In addition to the dearth of pay increases across the country last year, the study presented other numbers about the economic position of Lebanese professionals and their outlook for the future. Read More »

International Property Show in Dubai hints at growing demand for middle-income homes

Market events this spring showed that middle-income homes are becoming desirable for buyers in the United Arab Emirates. Vendors and other exhibitors came to Dubai last month for the 12th International Property Show at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibit Center. One thing they found is that first-time buyers were interested in housing that suits their needs. Read More »

SuperCasa luxury hotel just part of plans for Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah

As Ras Al Khaimah works to build its status as a worldwide luxury destination, one new hotel is getting a lot of attention, partially based on where it’s being built. Global developer SuperCasa is building a five-star hotel on Al Marjan Island. The hotel is happening as the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority stakes out plans to bring more visitors to the emirate. Read More »

Doha to get first Angry Birds playground in the Middle East

Doha is getting the first Angry Birds playground at Doha Festival City’s Family Entertainment Complex. With Qatari officials so proud to introduce the Finnish gaming company’s characters to one of their central entertainment attractions, it begs the question of how much Western and international iconography might get built into cities and what type of tourism the region is trying to attract. Read More »

Ooredoo partnership with Omani government could speed up technological breakthroughs in Middle East

Private sector and government leaders in Gulf countries are trying to push highly evolved networks to overcome some of what some experts call “last mile challenges” around telecom and data transfer services. To that end, Ooredoo recently partnered with the Omani Information Technology Authority to work on a next-generation high-speed network to deliver faster communications. Read More »

RAK Hospitality's restaurant plans start with bringing Kona Grill to the UAE

RAK Hospitality Group, a major asset owner and portfolio manager for the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, is preparing to unveil a new set of American restaurants in the United Arab Emirates. One such restaurant is Kona Grill, an American grill and sushi bar categorized as “premier casual dining." RAK Hospitality Group will develop these restaurants through its subsidiary, Hakaya Collection. Read More »

Fitch downgrades Saudi Arabia; borrowing may have benefit

Fitch Ratings downgraded the long-term foreign and local currency Issuer Default Ratings of Saudi Arabia from AA to AA- as analysts cited a downward revision on oil price estimates and a widening of the central government deficit from 2.3 percent of GDP in 2014 to 14.8 percent in 2015. Fitch said the government will meet some of its financial needs by getting rid of foreign assets and borrowing. Read More »

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority promoting emirate as a must-visit destination

Ras Al Khaimah, the northern emirate of the UAE, has a significant Persian Gulf coastline and its own tourism office, one that’s working hard to promote the area’s many attractions for visitors.At the end of April, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) representatives visited the Arabian Travel Market to show off some of the agency's work in recent years. Read More »

Al Jazeera America closed, but still faces faces lawsuit from former exec

The Al Jazeera America network has shut its doors. The network started out with a mission to pursue long-form journalism and “smart” reporting, but the big audience never came, and, plagued by economic problems, the network shut down earlier this year. The network is still wrestling with a lawsuit filed by a former executive who says he was shortchanged by the network. Read More »

Ajman Palace Hotel posts strong first quarter, but future of Gulf tourism may not be rosy

The Ajman Palace Hotel in the UAEs showed strong first-quarter revenues for the hotel, but in comments on the region’s tourism industry, some are questioning whether that rosy outlook will continue. Thomas Lippman, an author and journalist specializing in Middle Eastern affairs, believes the tourism business in the general region faces some headwinds. Read More »

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