Economics and Policy
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki visited the Kurdistan region on Sunday for the first time in more than two years, in a symbolic step towards resolving a long-running dispute over oil and land that has strained Iraq's unity to the limit.
UAE markets continued their strong performance last month with Abu Dhabi up 9 per cent and Dubai up 11 per cent.
Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh said Lebanese banks were complying with all the international sanctions against any state or party labeled by the West as terrorist states or organizations.
Companies and Business
Dubai construction firm Arabtec said on Sunday that a consortium led by the company had won a $629 million contract to build the first phase of a tourism project in Jordan.
Qatar Petroleum (QP) has signed contract extensions worth a total of $466.9 million to continue using two drilling rigs owned by Gulf Drilling International Ltd (GDI).
Viber Media, the Cyprus-based company which runs an internet-based communications application, is examining ways to circumvent a ban on its services in three Middle Eastern countries by making changes to its software.
Qatar Petrochemical Company, also known as QAPCO, has secured a $302m facility from Barwa Bank to help fund its expansion plans.
