The Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Bahrain welcomes the recent talks between Saudi Arabia and Russian Federation officials who met privately to discuss the oil industry during the recent Group of 20 (G20) meeting. Bahrain is pleased with the outcome of the consultations and commits itself to the agreement that will act as a strategic step in creating a balance in oil markets. Read More »

Cloud-based network solutions provider Cradlepoint is expanding its Middle Eastern presence through a partnership with Midis Group. Cradlepoint connects people, places and things over wired and wireless broadband while Midis Group is dedicated to bringing the best technology brands and solutions into emerging markets. Read More »

Headlines from Cairo suggest that Egypt's inflation is now at an eight year high, challenging a government that has already been looking at central bank action and has taken out a $12 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund. A Sept. 8 Reuters article shows inflation in Egypt at 15.5 percent, up from recent months and towering far below what most national economies handle. Read More »

Khalifa University's newly expanded campus will be featuring a four-story gymnasium, which will be one of the largest fitness facilities in the United Arab Emirates located in an academic institution. Managed by fitness professionals and personal trainers, the gym will have separate facilities for men and women and will feature cardiovascular and weight lighting equipment. Read More »

Nobu Hotel has named four key management executives for its upcoming luxury boutique hotel in Riyadh. Designed by the Rockwell Group, the 23-story skyscraper will consist of 134 rooms and suites that are custom furnished with subtle Japanese and regional influences. Nobu Hotel Riyadh will be Saudi Arabia's first luxury boutique hotel. Read More »

Primary Health Care Centers (PHC) recently launched its first book aimed at enhancing medical services in Dubai. PHC, part of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), hopes the certified data can be used for research and policy making purposes. The book revealed that in 2015 more than 714,000 Dubai residents visited PHC facilities. Read More »

A two-bedroom apartment with maid's room is now available in the Zig Zag Tower in West Bay, Doha, for $591,854. The apartment, which offers gorgeous views of the West Bay Lagoon and the golf club, features a fully-equipped kitchen, built-in wardrobes and central air and heating. The two bedrooms have en suite bathrooms, and one of the bedrooms features floor-to-ceiling windows. Read More »

Qatar Airways has entered into a codeshare agreement with Barcelona-based Vueling Airlines that will provide passengers with more travel options to European destinations. Codeshare flights will be launched between the airlines' two common gateways of Barcelona and Rome and destinations across Europe including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Read More »

A seven-bedroom villa in Umm Salal Ali, Qatar, is listed for $1.31 million. The 5,920-square-foot villa has three separate levels and an outdoor kitchen. On the ground floor, you'll find the living and dining areas and a majlis. There are also two bedrooms, each with their own bathroom. The first floor has a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom and three other bedrooms. Read More »

American University of Sharjah (AUS) has named Dr. Richard Schoephoerster as dean of the College of Engineering. "It is my honor and privilege to begin my term as dean of the College of Engineering at AUS," Schoephoerster said. Schoephoerster most recently served as dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Read More »

Kuwait-based food and beverage company Mezzan Holding has named Fares Hammami as new group chief financial officer. Hammami served as the investment banking director at NBK Capital, the investment banking arm of National Bank of Kuwait, for the past decade. "Although Fares is a new member to the management team, he is no stranger to Mezzan Holding," Mezzan Holding CEO Garry Walsh said. Read More »

Kuwait's Boubyan Bank recently reported a net profit of $62.7 million with a growth rate of 18 percent during the first half of 2016 compared to a net profit of $53 million in the first half of 2015. Boubyan Bank Vice Chairman and CEO Adel Abdul Wahab Al-Majed noted that the growth in revenue was earned in the face of a very difficult operational environment.   Read More »

Ajman University of Science and Technology (AUST) held a reception this week to welcome 40 new faculty members to the university for the new academic year. The new faculty members come from 15 countries and were welcomed by deans and managers from various departments at AUST at the luncheon reception organized by the Human Resources Department. Read More »

Kuwait is making large increases in its subsidized gasoline prices, with Gulf Business reports showing the price of low-octane gasoline rising 41 percent and high-grade gasoline rising 61 percent. The World Bank's country manager for Kuwait characterized the price hikes as “politically and economically bold.” and the response on the street is less positive. Read More »

As part of the national celebration of Emirati Women’s Day, the UAE Ministry of Finance held a “Women and Innovation” forum at its Dubai office. The forum highlighted the Ministry of Finance's efforts to promote women’s empowerment concerns leading to the launch of a number of projects and programs to develop legislative and regulatory frameworks to support women in business. Read More »

The Fitch ratings agency has released a report for the government of Saudi Arabia that, to the layperson, might look a bit ominous. Fitch has affirmed the country's rating at AA- with a negative outlook in the report, in which Fitch analysts paint a complicated picture of the government's balance sheet. Also in the Fitch report is warnings about a rapidly changing labor market. Read More »

Khalifa University is organizing the first Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge which include top universities and organizations from around the world. "The challenge aims at taking the advanced science and technology to new levels in order to push forward the innovation to new horizons," Khalifa University Executive Vice President Arif Al Hammadi said. Read More »

The GE 2016 Global Innovation Barometer from Saudi Arabia unraveled the emerging and vibrant innovation ecosystem in the kingdom that is significantly contributing to the economic growth and diversification of the country’s economy. The research covered about 200 C-level business executives and informed members of the public who have a presence in the innovation ecosystem. Read More »

Nelson Park Properties has listed a one-bedroom apartment in Prime Tower in Porto Arabia's The Pearl development complex for $549,342. The approximately 1,600-square-foot apartment features one bedroom with an en suite bathroom and walk-in closet. There is a second full bathroom, and the kitchen is fully equipped with all the expected appliances. Read More »

Despite challenging conditions in global financial markets, Qatar Reinsurance Company LLC (Qatar Re), the reinsurance arm of Qatar Insurance Company (QIC), achieved improved profitability in the first half of 2016. The company increased its gross written premiums to $654 million, up 41 percent year-on-year from $464 million. Read More »