Aluminum Bahrain BSC (Alba) recently earned a Certificate of Excellence from R&D Carbon - Switzerland for achieving 10 years of outstanding performance in carbon sampling and analysis. “We are proud that our processes and facilities adhere, if not exceed, the highest international standards and best practices in the industry,” Alba Chief Marketing Officer Khalid Latif said. Read More »

Air travel to and from the small Gulf Coast country of Kuwait seems to be growing - but with the recent abandonment of London-JFK routes by the country's leading airline, Kuwait Airways, that growth is not likely to be coming from the West. Recently released statistics show that the passenger volume through Kuwait International Airport is up 7 percent from 2015 as of May. Read More »

In an alliance with Dubai’s Department of Economic Development, the UAE’s Ministry of Economy coordinated multiple inspections of Dubai’s Emirates Cooperative Society during the holy month of Ramadan to ensure compliance with proper business practices. Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of the ministry's Consumer Protection Department, reported that prices appeared fair. Read More »

Al-Yaqout Group, based in Kuwait, and Bayara signed an agreement that will place Bayara’s nuts, dried fruits and spices in Kuwait stores. “Bayara is a leading and well-loved brand in the Middle East and North Africa in FMCG and we're very proud to be the exclusive distributors for their range of spices and dried fruits and nuts in Kuwait,” Shahid Khan, group CEO of Al-Yaqout Group, said. Read More »

Omantel, the top telecom provider in Oman, recently said it is launching its new Humax H1, an Android set-top box designed for sports enthusiasts to gain access to entertainment bundles of ICFLIX, Starz Play, OSN GO, beIN Sports, Mavshack, YouTube and Kids content. The box will stream movies, live sports and series using a smart Over The Top (OTT) device. Read More »

UAE fast-moving consumer goods company United Kaipara Dairies (UNIKAI) said it recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatar Foods and Services to make UNIKAI products available in Qatar. The MoU was signed through an agreement with UNIKA Chairman Mana Mohammed Saeed Al Mulla and Qatar Foods and Services Chairman Shamsudheen Olakara. Read More »

The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) recently participated in the 31st meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council Commission of Banking Institutes and Colleges in Saudi Arabia, a gathering geared toward exchanging knowledge to help support banking and finance education. BIBF Deputy Director Ahmed Abdul Ghani Al Shaikh represented Bahrain at the meeting. Read More »

Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry President and CEO Hamad Buamim highlighted setting personal goals for self-improvement at the Dubai Chamber’s recent monthly staff meeting, focusing on health and happiness in the work environment. Feeling one’s best not only benefits the individual, but it also improves the atmosphere of the entire workplace, Buamim said. Read More »

Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) - Dubai Men’s College (DMC) said 50 of its students from various sports teams were recognized at an awards ceremony on June 5. DMC places a major focus on extracurricular activities and has many, including student clubs and organizations, athletics programs and sports teams that compete in national, intercollegiate tournaments. Read More »

Vectrus Systems Corporation, a  subsidiary of Vectrus Inc., has been awarded a $26 million modification to a contract for base operation and support services in Qatar.The contract, awarded last year, is for day-to-day base operations and maintenance for a regional support group in Qatar as well as its tenant organizations at Camp As-Sayliyah and Camp As-Sayliyah South. Read More »

The Tejar Dubai entrepreneurship development program, a Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry initiative, recently started its 20th commercial project with Familia Emirati, a clothes store. Familia Emirati, located in Hatta, creates ready-to-wear clothing as well as accessories. Familia Emirati is the fourth project that Tejar Dubai has started this year. Read More »

UAE's Khalifa University said it is expanding its offerings to include a new undergraduate and new graduate program beginning in August. An undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering will be offered beginning this August. The College of Engineering is launching a multidisciplinary Master of Science program in systems and engineering management. Read More »

Hotel management company Rotana recently named two additions to its UAE leadership team. David Prince has been promoted to area vice president for Dubai and Northern Emirates, and Christian Baudat has been hired as general manager for Salalah, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. "Both David and Christian bring a wealth of experience and knowledge," Rotana Chief Operating Officer Guy Hutchinson said. Read More »

Located in the Cedre Villas development in Dubai's Silicon Oasis, this stunning villa is within walking distance of the Cedre shopping center and the Gems Wellington Academy. The beautiful villa has a spacious floor plan with sizable living and dining rooms, a tasteful kitchen with appliances, a study or guest room and maid, laundry and storage rooms. Read More »

This gorgeous, middle unit villa is located in the Springs 9 section of Dubai's sought-after The Springs residential development. The villa boasts an extended floor plan with 2,700 square feet of living space, a dramatic open foyer, tasteful extended kitchen and stylish architectural features throughout, including marble flooring. Homeowners can also enjoy full lake views. Read More »

Residential units recently went on sale within the Aykon City development on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. Sales of the two-bedroom units took place at Jumeirah Emirates Towers with prices beginning at $460,145.The units are part of Aykon City's 60-story apartment tower, which is one of six towers featured in the 4 million square-foot project expected to be complete by 2021. Read More »

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 »