Saudi credit card loans up 69%
Kingdom is the Middle East's most profitable credit card market, with first quarter loans on cards up to $2.1bn.

Kuwait extends third mobile bids
Bidding for a stake in country's planned third mobile phone operator has been extended by one month.

Experts call for GCC stock market
Joint market would improve image of region and attract more foreign capital, analysts say.

Libya backs free market reforms
Restrictions on foreign and domestic trade are likely to be relaxed as part of investor-friendly reforms.

The US$70bn Qatari question
While the rest of the region slips off to more temperate climes, the Qataris are going shopping.

CBK eyes Watany stake
Commercial Bank of Kuwait is planning to bid for a 60% stake in Egyptian lender Al-Watany.

Ahli in takeover reservations
Ahli United has expressed reservations about opening its books to takeover suitor International Bank of Qatar.

RAK to the future
Sheikh Tariq bin Kayed Alqassimi tells us why investors in the emirate have a short window to reap RAK's rewards.

Tax slash for Qatar imports
The Qatari government has passed a three-year law exempting imports of gravel, steel and cement from customs duties.

EU bans UK animal exports
The EU is to ban all live animal exports from the UK following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Kuwait to host Arab economic summit
Upcoming summit will discuss infrastructure, development and establishment of an Arab finance body.

Middle East wakes up to breakfast cereals
With double digit growth and few signs of slowing, producers and distributors of breakfast cereals are optimistic about the Middle East.

Saudi drops Garuda flight ban
Saudi Arabia has withdrawn a proposal to ban the Indonesian carrier from its airspace following safety inspection.

Week in Pictures