The second meeting of the UK-UAE Joint Economic Council discussed proposals to set up joint working teams on energy, education, health, infrastructure, finance and business, small and medium size enterprises and defense. http://www.zawya.com/story/UKUAE_Joint_Economic_Council_considers_7_joint_working_teams-WAM20120516161639531/

Dubai was the world’s top performing real estate market in the first quarter of 2012, according to the latest Knight Frank Prime Global Cities Index. Dubai recorded a four percent rise between December 2011 and March 2012, the index showed, putting it ahead of the likes of Jakarta (3.3 percent) and London (2.7 percent). Overall, the index showed its first quarterly fall since 2009 as prices fell 0.4 percent on average. Knight Frank said Dubai’s [...]

As we sit nearly 10 years away from Qatar hosting the world’s top sporting event, the question some raise is, whether “Qatar is going too slow” on its commitment to deliver the mega projects linked to the 2022 World Cup. Experts who were actively involved in the planning and execution of key projects in former host countries believe that Qatar is ‘bit going slow’ in its World Cup preparations. They raise concerns that Qatar, given [...]

UAE-based operator Rotana is planning to add three to four hotels to its portfolio in Qatar ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The firm currently operates one hotel in the Gulf state, with a second slated to open in Doha City Centre in December. “By the time the World Cup comes up we’ll probably have five or six hotels in Qatar. That’s a long term plan for 2022, we’ll take time to build them,” [...]

China State Construction Engineering Corp.  601668.SH -0.30% said Wednesday it has signed a memorandum of cooperation on the first phase of a real estate project worth $2 billion with Abu Dhabi sovereign-wealth fund Aabar Investments PJS and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd.  1398.HK -0.60% The Shanghai-listed construction company will undertake the construction of hotels, office buildings and high-end residential buildings in Abu Dhabi, while ICBC will provide financial support to Aabar, which would [...]

Qatar’s strong economic performance driven by high energy prices and the government’s investments as well as preparation for Fifa 2022 are driving real estate demand in the country, a report said. DTZ, one of the top global real estate services firms, predicts a positive outlook as a result of demand for all types of real estate in its latest update on Qatar’s real estate market.   http://www.albawaba.com/business/qatar-property-market-fifa-2022-424134

DUBAI — Dubai’s sky-high growth ambitions are coming back down to earth as it reassesses economic development plans hatched near the peak of its boom five years ago. Years after the emirate’s property-driven economy hit a wall, Dubai is officially scaling back the double-digit growth goals it set for itself in 2007.   http://www.zawya.com/story/Dubai_rethinks_ambitions-ZW20120505000008/

WAM Exeter, 2nd May 2012 (WAM) — In the presence of H. H. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, HM Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, escorted by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, today officially opened the…

The New Doha International Airport will officially open next December 12, Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said yesterday during the Arabian Travel Market. http://www.zawya.com/story/New_175b_Doha_airport_to_open_on_1212_12-GN_01052012_020512/

A new Paramount Pictures-branded hospitality concept is looking a sites in the UAE, Qatar and Oman, it was announced on Sunday. Paramount Hotels & Resorts is set to be announced on Monday at the Arabian Travel Market. The project is currently in active development by PHR under licence by Paramount Licensing Inc.   http://www.arabianbusiness.com/hollywood-giant-eyes-gulf-in-new-hotels-venture-455771.html