Dubai awarded more projects than Abu Dhabi for the first time since the fourth quarter of 2008. Dubai entities awarded USD1.8-billion of new projects compared to the UAE capital’s subdued USD596-million, respectively, according to EFG-Hermes. READ MORE HERE

With Gulf economies poised for growth on the back of strong macroeconomic policies, regional stock markets are also set for growth. READ MORE HERE

With Gulf economies poised for growth on the back of strong macroeconomic policies, regional stock markets are also set for growth.

The two most liquid GCC markets – Dubai and Saudi Arabia – are both up well over 20% since the start of the year, with the Egyptian market also rising an astonishing 33%.  READ MORE HERE

Nobody even considered looking at MENA states last year, as news of Arab Spring-related crisis, instability and the Iran conflict dominated the headlines.
But buried amid the negative headlines was the regional governments’ resolve to continue pumping funds into their respective economies. READ MORE HERE

Gulf states are expected to spend USD29-billion over the next two years on their electricity infrastructure, according to ratings agency Moody’s Investors Services. READ MORE HERE

Barclays Capital picks Dubai as the best risk/reward play in the region. But while the outlook is optimistic, corporates will continue to feel the pain. READ MORE HERE

Dubai emerges as the region’s hot spot in an EIU survey on the world’s most competitive cities. But, overall, the region’s metropolises’ fared poorly in the list. READ MORE HERE

UAE-South Korea trade is expected to rise 21% this year, as hydrocarbons-rich Gulf states move closer to energy-hungry Asian markets. READ MORE HERE

Around 11 million SMEs remain unserved or underserved in the Middle East, presenting a massive USD15-billion opportunity for the banking industry. READ MORE HERE

Middle East markets had a phenomenal February. Find out which stocks performed outstandingly well, and which failed to get investors enthused. READ MORE HERE