Mobile advertising set for significant growth in MENA region

UAE. MENA accounts for 6% of global smartphone shipments but less than 0.1% of mobile advertising; Regional companies are behind global trends allocating only 6%-7% of advertising on digital; Only 2%-3% of digital budget is allocated to mobile and tablet advertising.

• Egypt's reliance on central bank funding may add to inflationary pressures
• Continued strong public spending expected to support non-oil growth in many oil producing countries
• Barclays bullish on equities, expectations of recovery on gold are mixed

Analysis: Syria - Outside patronage and a new offensive for the regime

iNTERNATIONAL. Control over Homs will enable al Assad to rapidly move forces from the north to the south to meet emerging rebel threats. It will also provide a key avenue of retreat to the Alawite coast in the event that he needs to flee Damascus.

• Commentary: Syria - Humanitarian disaster and political illusion
• Mobile advertising set for significant growth in MENA region
• Iran bars Rafsanjani from standing for president

Saks shares rise on report it hired Goldman Sachs for strategic options

INTERNATIONAL. The luxury department store chain hired Goldman Sachs to explore strategic alternatives, including a possible sale, according to a source briefed on the matter.

• Creativity and innovation at the workplace crucial for economic growth and motivated employees
• CSR increasingly more important in the Middle East
• AHAB responds to Sonecon's report and teleconference on managing defaults in Islamic Finance