France's Total Oil is in the process of exploring gas in Libya, a sign of the return to normalcy for the Middle East country's oil business.
Middle East
Majid Al Futtaim to Purchase Mansour Group Assets
Majid Al Futtaim is discussing with the Mansour Group for the purchase of the Metro Chain and Kheir Zaman discount grocery store.
Saudi Arabia Housing Minister Says Unused Land May be Confiscated
In a move to help local Saudis, unused residential and military lands may be confiscated for that purpose.
Arabtec Acquires EFECO
Arabtec has gained approval for the purchase of 45% of EFECO from its shareholders. Arabtec would be purchasing 45% of Emirates Falcon Electromechanical Co or EFECO shares that the Dubai based builder does not already own.
ENBD Pays Back Bailout Funds
Emirates NBD has repaid its bailout funds in the amount of 3 billion UAE dinars. Dubai's largest financial institution, Emirates NBD has repaid for April the amount of 3 billion UAE Dinars or US$816.
Latest News
QNB in its growth plans, seeks to raise funds through bond issues to capitalize its acquisitions. Qatar National Bank SAQ is planning to sell US dollar denominated bonds as it continues to become the first Arabic financial institution to have an asset portfolio that exceeds US$100 billion.
Israeli firms reined in US$474 million in venture capital funding for the first quarter of 2013. According to the Israel Venture Capital Research Center, Israeli high technology firms have raised US$474 million in venture capital funding in the first quarter of 2013.
HSBC is reviewing presence in Iraq and expanding in Egypt. HSBC Holdings is currently undertaking its strategic review of operations in Iraq. At the same time, it is continuing to expand its investments in Egypt despite the current situation in the country.
Aamal and Vivantes agree to form healthcare joint venture. Aamal Company, the Qatari conglomerate has entered into a joint venture agreement with Vivantes International Medicine, the largest hospital consortium from Germany.
Dubai International Capital LLC has hired former executives from Deloitte and Touche LLP. Dubai International Capital LLC has hired five executives coming from Deloitte & Touche LLP with the aim to increase the value of its investments in companies such as Mauser AG and Doncasters Group Ltd.
Despite assurances by the Egyptian PM, there is still no approval as to the EFG-QInvest merger. The Middle East's largest investment bank, EFG-Hermes has been awaiting notice from Egypt's financial regulator for the approval of its merger with QInvest of Qatar.
Centrica-QPI joint venture purchases Suncor assets in Canada. Centrica of Britain and Qatar Petroleum International has purchased gas and oil assets previously owned by Suncor Energy.
The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by Sunday The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by Sunday: - German investor Joh A Benckiser (JAB) is to buy the owner of Douwe Egberts coffee in a 7.
Hinduja aims to form partnerships with UAE's sovereign wealth funds for projects in both India and the UAE.
