<rss version="0.91">
<channel>
<title>www.bi-me.com RSS feed for &#8211; Top News</title>
<link>http://www.bi-me.com</link>
<description>Middle Eastern Business News and Data</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai reshuffles key investment arm, tightens control]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42218</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum tightened the control of the emirate&#039;s largest holding company, the Investment Corporation of Dubai.

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<title><![CDATA[Major powers to meet after Iran rejects nuclear deal]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42207</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Major world powers are to meet in Brussels on Friday to discuss Iran&#039;s rejection of a nuclear fuel deal, a top EU official said, after US President Barack Obama warned of &quot;consequences&quot; for Tehran.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi, Qatar and Abu Dhabi seen leading the way in GCC recovery]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42201</link>
<description><![CDATA[GCC. Despite the enormous wealth at its disposal, the Gulf has proved more vulnerable to global recession than many other emerging markets, according to HSBC Global Research.

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<title><![CDATA[UAE tops ranking in MENA retail report  ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42196</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. According to the latest retail research report from CB Richard Ellis, the UAE is seen as the point of entry for most retailers and brands looking to expand in the Gulf region.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Investors ruling out US Fed rate hike before second half of 2010]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42178</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. A majority of investors expects the US Federal Reserve to hold off from raising interest rates until the second half of 2010, according to the BofA Merrill Lynch Survey of Fund Managers for November. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai house prices may need a decade to recover, says UBS ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42164</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Dubai home prices may drop by another 30% and take at least a decade to recover as more properties become available to a shrinking population.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[S&amp;P assigns &#039;AA-&#039; rating to Qatar&#039;s US$7 billion global bond issue]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42156</link>
<description><![CDATA[QATAR. The proceeds of the bonds will help the State of Qatar&#039;s general financing, and will be used in areas such as contingency funding for entities that the state owns or controls, and infrastructure investments funding in and outside the hydrocarbon sector. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai Airshow 2009 onsite order book tops US$10 billion on third day]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42147</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The onsite order book at Dubai Airshow 2009 has risen to US$10.5 billion after the UAE Armed Forces signed aircraft orders with Sweden&#039;s Saab and Switzerland&#039;s Pilatus.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Abu Dhabi&#039;s IPIC in talks to buy Bayer unit]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42132</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. International Petroleum Investment Co is in talks to buy Bayer&#039;s MaterialScience division, chemicals trade publication ICIS reported.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Gulf single currency may be pegged to basket, says Kuwait Foreign Minister]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42126</link>
<description><![CDATA[KUWAIT. Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad al-Sabah told parliament the proposed Gulf single currency may not necessarily be pegged to another currency.

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<title><![CDATA[Eurofighter sees Typhoon demand in Gulf region]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42109</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Eurofighter CEO sees Middle East demand between 50-100 aircraft out of a total 300 global export contracts.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Abu Dhabi&#039;s Aabar, Daimler buy F1 champions Brawn GP]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42090</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Daimler and Abu Dhabi fund Aabar Investments are paying about US$183 million to buy Brawn Grand Prix, whose driver Jenson Button won this year&#039;s Formula One championship. 

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Qatar plans to issue bonds for &#039;contingency funding&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42082</link>
<description><![CDATA[QATAR. Qatar plans to sell bonds denominated in US dollars due in 2015, 2020 and 2040.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Boeing sees growth in Middle East]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42080</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Boeing said on Monday that Middle East carriers would need 1,710 new jets over the next 20 years, valued at about US$300 billion.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Boeing, Mubadala in aerospace deal]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42065</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Boeing and investment firm Mubadala signed an aerospace pact on Monday that will help Abu Dhabi launch its fledgling aerospace industry.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Rasmala launches &#039;MENA Brokerage Platform&#039;]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42055</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Clients will be able to trade in all markets through a one-stop-shop portal and one account, as well as have a consolidated view of their entire portfolio through a single system. 

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai Airshow at forefront of aerospace industry revival, says Sheikh Ahmed]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42045</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The Dubai Airshow could witness a revival in aerospace industry fortunes and Dubai stands ready to be at the forefront of the upturn, according to Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Dubai Airports.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[A population boom is transforming the Gulf]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42038</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The profound demographic and social changes that have transformed the GCC are set to continue over the next decade, raising significant questions related to labour and immigration policies.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East and North Africa is the only growing region in airline industry]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42029</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. MENA is currently the only region which is experiencing growth in the airline industry this year, according to recent remarks by the head of the International Air Transport Authority.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[GCC economies seen growing by 6.2% in 2010 on oil prices recovery ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=42016</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The recovery in oil prices is set to accelerate Gulf Arab economic growth to as much as 6.2% in 2010 compared to a projected contraction of 0.9% in 2009, EFG Hermes said.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[ Middle East stocks in mixed weekly performance, gainers led by Dubai and Egypt]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41992</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Arab stocks recorded mixed performances this week despite gains in global markets, oil prices hovering around US$80 per barrel for most of the week and an overall better feeling about the strenght of the global recovery. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Rising oil prices may hurt global recovery, says IEA]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41986</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Demand for oil is surprisingly strong as China and the United States lead global economic recovery, but rising oil prices and mysteries in the data could derail the trend.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[&#039;Gold Hand&#039; Maktari sees gold at US$1,200 by year end]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41982</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. In a rare and exclusive interview at the Burj Al Arab 7 star hotel in Dubai, Maktari predicted gold to reach US$1,150 to US$1,200 by the end of the year.


]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Global confidence dips as policy makers begin exit strategies ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41981</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Confidence in the world economy dipped in November as central banks&#039; actions to withdraw some emergency measures sparked concern about the strength of the recovery, a Bloomberg survey of users on six continents showed.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Emerging markets to lead race for top positions in global construction]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41969</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. New global construction forecasts released today by Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics indicate that the output of the construction sector is likely to rise sharply over the next decade driven by emerging markets China, India and Brazil.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Investors confidence in hedge funds is gaining momentum]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41975</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Hedge funds globally are up 15% year-to-date, as represented by the Credit Suisse/Tremont Hedge Fund Index, and they are on track to post their best annual returns in 10 years. 

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UAE civil building construction market has ongoing projects worth US$657 billion]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41939</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Over two thirds of all civil project in UAE still active, reveals Proleads report. The study splits the market into four sectors; commercial and retail, education and healthcare, leisure and entertainment and finally the residential sector.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Emirates says may buy new aircraft, delivery of A380s delayed]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41935</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Emirates could buy more aircraft from Boeing and Airbus and will see the delivery of some A380 planes on order delayed in 2010, its president said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Gulf businesses are the most confident globally about growth expectations]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41926</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Businesses in the Gulf are less negatively affected than others by changes in consumer demand and global commodity prices, the ICAEW Global Enterprise Survey revealed. 

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<title><![CDATA[Qatar cuts VW stake, stands to make US$1.12 billion from the sale]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41911</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Qatar plans to sell up to half its Volkswagen preference shares, cashing in on recent gains and raising around US$2.4 billion for possible future deals.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Etisalat will invest US$1.36 billion to extend UAE fibre optics coverage   ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41898</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The UAE is to be covered 90% by fibre optic network by 2011 compared with about 60% at present. 

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<title><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia expected to face &#039;substantial&#039; homes shortage]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41874</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia will face a &#039;substantial&#039; housing shortage by 2015 as a growing population and rising employment fuel demand, says a Deutsche Bank report. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai ruler says worst of crisis is over, stresses UAE unity]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41863</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The global financial crisis has not hampered Dubai&#039;s ambitions, Sheikh Mohammed said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Record surge in UAE consumer confidence]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41855</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The UAE ranks as the eighth most optimistic country in the world in the third quarter of 2009 in in the latest  Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East equity markets fell by 1.8% in October, Egypt best performing market year to date ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41849</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Mixed earnings announcements and weak global markets put the UAE markets under pressure in October. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Japanese firms are owed billions in Dubai ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41842</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Dubai companies owe billions of dollars to Japanese companies who worked on projects such as the emirate&#039;s metro and Palm Island, according to the Japanese Consul General.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Over 52% of Middle East employers plan to recruit]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41805</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. More than half of the region&#039;s employers, 52%, are planning to recruit over the next few months, as the region picks up following the global economic downturn, reveals Bayt.com, YouGov Siraj survey. 
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Gordon Brown calls for global tax on banks to cover future bailouts]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41795</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Brown told the G20 meeting it was not acceptable that banking success was reaped by the few but failure was &quot;borne by all of us&quot;. His intervention came as something of a surprise to the delegates and even to some of his colleagues.

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<title><![CDATA[G20 to keep stimulus till recovery assured, says communique]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41794</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAl. Global economic conditions have improved but are still uneven and dependent on policy support, according to a draft of the G20 finance ministers&#039; and central bankers&#039; end-of-meeting communique.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East stocks sank this week on receding confidence, led by Egypt&#039;s index]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41786</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Arab stock markets plummeted for the second week in a row, reflecting retreating confidence on the part of investors who appeared increasingly geared to the performance of global bourses.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Barclays says investors should buy Dubai bonds as refinancing risk eases ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41781</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Investors should buy Dubai sovereign bonds as the emirate seeks to refinance its maturing debt with the help of oil-rich Abu Dhabi and as it focuses on an &#039;orderly exit from the crisis&#039;.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai property prices &#039;bottoming out,&#039; says Deutsche Bank]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41776</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Prices fell only 4% in the past six months while transactions jumped by as much as 60% from lows in the first half of the year.  Apartment and villa rents rose 1.8% and 5.5% respectively from the previous month, according to the report ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Emirates airline&#039;s half-year profits surge 165% ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41775</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Emirates airline produced a net profit of AED752 million (US$205 million) for the first six months of its current financial year ending 30th September 2009.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai sets up committee to rule on real estate bounced cheques]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41774</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Dubai&#039;s Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum has issued a decree setting up a judicial committee tasked with looking into cases of bounced cheques in real estate transactions.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Burj Dubai opening delayed to January 4th     ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41742</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The opening has already been delayed for about a year, but will now mark the day when the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum took office four years ago.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Moody&#039;s downgrades five Dubai state-linked firms  ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41728</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The ratings outlook for DP World, Dewa, DIFCI and Jafz is negative, reflecting ongoing economic pressures. The ratings of both DHCOG and Emaar have been maintained on review for downgrade.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai shares bounce back]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41718</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The Dubai Financial Market General Index rose 3%, bouncing back from yesterday&#039;s 5% drop. The real estate and construction sector was up 5.2% and financials climbed 4.16%.

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<title><![CDATA[Iran &#039;must choose&#039; its future path, says Obama]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41697</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Iran &#039;must choose&#039; whether to open the door to opportunity and prosperity, US President Barack Obama said Wednesday in a statement marking 30 years since the storming of the US embassy in Tehran]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Abu Dhabi plans US$1 trillion investment on infrastructure projects]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41671</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Cited projects include roads, transport, buildinds, hotels, and a metro all part of Abu Dhabi&#039;s development plans to wean its economy off oil. 

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Global investor review finds investors confident on market prospects]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41666</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The survey revealed that investors remain confident that global indices will continue to rise further despite the recent market rally.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai maps 2020 Olympic bid strategy]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41661</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. &#039;Nothing is impossible as long as we have the determination for change, not change of determination,&#039; Sheikh Mohammed told the Group members.

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai property prices rose 9%, says HCSI report    ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41651</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Agreed property prices in Dubai rose 9% since bottoming in April, with the pace of decline in rents slowing and the emirate&#039;s property sector showing signs of a pick up.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Investor survey predicts Abu Dhabi to become MENA region&#039;s top real estate market]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41643</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. &#039;The outlook for Abu Dhabi&#039;s property sector is very positive, as construction and real estate presently account for only 9% of local GDP. 

]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Sebastian Vettel wins Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41627</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Vettel cruised to victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber after Lewis Hamilton was forced to retire early.
]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai shares tumble 5.5%, leading Arab market drop ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41626</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Dubai shares slumped the most since mid-August, leading a drop in the region, as Shuaa Capital reported a loss and Emaar Properties closed at its lowest in almost a month.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Despite recession, world&#039;s leading innovators increased R&amp;D spending in 2008]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41598</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The world&#039;s 1,000 largest publicly traded corporate research and development spenders increased spending on R&amp;D in 2008, affirming the critical importance of innovation to their corporate strategies, according to Booz &amp; Company. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[du third quarter profit surges on new subscribers]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41600</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The Dubai telecom firm  more than doubled net profit in the third quarter, driven by a 51% rise in active mobile subscribers, it said on Sunday.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Hamilton takes pole position for inaugural Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41579</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Lewis Hamilton claimed the 17th pole position of his career on Saturday when he topped the times in a floodlit qualifying session for Sunday&#039;s inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

]]></description>
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<item>
<title><![CDATA[Middle East stocks fell this week on earnings, global woes ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41574</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Arab stock markets lost ground this week reflecting investors&#039; worries over third quarter earnings of listed firms and the fragile global recovery, financial analysts said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai Properties Chairman arrested on suspicion of embezzlement ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41571</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Hashim Al Dabal is accused of abusing his position and earning millions in illegal profit, the attorney general said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Oil prices surge above US$80 a barrel on US growth  ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41569</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Oil prices surged back above US$80 a barrel in Asian trade Friday on news the US has emerged from a long and painful recession after posting its strongest growth in two years.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Investors cautious about taking risks, reveals Bloomberg Global Poll]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41564</link>
<description><![CDATA[The majority of investors polled also view the US as the weak link in the world economy, with its markets among the riskiest, and 37% say the dollar should not continue as the world&#039;s reserve currency in 10 years.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UAE economic growth may top 4.5% in 2010]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41544</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Growth in the UAE economy could exceed 4.5% in 2010, the central bank deputy chairman said on Thursday, adding that he was not particularly worried about inflation following a shake-out in the property sector.

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<title><![CDATA[The risk of a bond crash is low, says Dexia AM ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41536</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. We strongly believe that Dubai, very aware of the negative consequences of a bond restructuring, will by all means give the necessary support to achieve an orderly redemption, says Dexia AM.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Emirates takes top spot in YouGov Siraj&#039;s BrandIndex ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41520</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Emirates Airline climbs up three spots to take first place in brand barometer, ousting Nokia off the throne. Auto brands take four of the top 10 spots]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Saudi credit growth comes to halt]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41525</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Credit growth in Saudi Arabia almost came to a halt in September compared to August as banks in the biggest Arab economy dealing with a debt crisis of family firms remained cautious.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Egypt seeks 7% plus growth in two years]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41499</link>
<description><![CDATA[EGYPT. Egypt&#039;s prime minister told Reuters on Tuesday he aimed to get economic growth back above 7% a year within two years but this would depend on a recovery in foreign investment and other external factors.

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<title><![CDATA[America&#039;s Cup race can&#039;t be held in Ral al-Khaimah, says US Judge]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41485</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATONAL. The America&#039;s Cup sailing race to be held in February can&#039;t be staged in the UAE because the competition&#039;s rules dictate that it take place that month in the southern hemisphere, a New York judge said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UAE is most prosperous Arab nation, reveals study]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41483</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The UAE is the only Arab nation ranked in the top 50 for the second year running in the third edition of the Legatum Prosperity Index, published today, thanks to strong scores in security, safety and health.
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai may initially issue US$1 billion civil aviation Islamic bond ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41484</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The government of Dubai&#039;s fresh borrowing program is likely to raise an initial $1 billion through an Islamic bond to refinance debt held by the aviation department.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Despite rising prices, oil still lags other asset values, says BofA Merrill Lynch report]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41475</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. While crude oil is up by around 10% in US dollars in the last two month, it has only gone up by 5% in euros. An abrupt increase in oil could recreate the conditions for a price collapse, the report says.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Meeting and Business Conferences not affected by H1N1 fears, reveals ACTE survey]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41449</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The good news for the business meetings and professional conferences industries is that fear of the H1N1 &#039;swine&#039; influenza is not a factor in either bookings nor attendance for the remainder of 2009 and 2010.

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<title><![CDATA[GCC Investor Confidence Index rises 3.8 %, led by Saudi Arabia]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41423</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The Index has been designed to provide the global investment community with a benchmark of investor confidence for GCC countries and track changes in investor behaviour over time. 

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<title><![CDATA[Prudential plans Dubai Islamic equity funds]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41416</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. British insurer Prudential plans to launch two Islamic equity funds in Dubai in the coming months.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Surplus on global gas markets may reach 15%]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41393</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Due to the recession, world-wide demand for natural gas will drop for the first time in the history of international gas markets, according to Booz &amp; Company&#039;s report,  &#039;An Unprecedented Market - How the recession is changing global gas markets&#039;.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Average rents in Abu Dhabi remain stable]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41367</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Landmark Advisory today launched its latest lease guide for Abu Dhabi, which can be used as a reference tool when  looking to rent property in the UAE capital. ]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[53% of Arab investors see the global economy recovering from crisis, according to survey]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41357</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The survey, which covered respondents from across the Arab World, aimed at finding whether the crisis has ended and if we are now heading towards recovery.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East shares in mixed weekly performance, Saudi Tadawul gains most]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41348</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Arab stock markets put in a mixed performance this week reflecting investors&#039; worries over third quarter earnings, financial analysts said Friday. 

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<title><![CDATA[UAE&#039;s SHUAA launches first truly integrated regional trading portal]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41334</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The bilingual trading platform, which is free to register, gives the user on-line trading access to multiple UAE stock markets through a single account.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai may decide on global bond sale in the next two weeks ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41336</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Dubai government told investors Thursday it will decide whether to launch a global bond sale in the next two weeks once it has gauged the interest of a broad range of investors.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Morgan Stanley sees strong growth resuming in Saudi Arabia on oil, domestic demand ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41318</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Saudi Arabia has managed to weather the global economic downturn and its near-term outlook for economic growth is positive, according to a Morgan Stanley economic report.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Emaar third quarter profit rises 53% to US$178 million]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41331</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Emaar has recorded third quarter net operating profit of  AED655 million (US$ 178 million) on a strategy of strengthening customer-oriented initiatives and a commitment to project delivery. 

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<title><![CDATA[Oil retreats after hitting fresh one-year high above US$81 ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41326</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Oil prices dropped below US$81 a barrel Thursday, retreating from a 2009 high, as the US dollar steadied in Asian trading.

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<title><![CDATA[Dubai World may sell bonds to repay maturing Sukuk]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41302</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Global holding company Dubai World may be able to sell bonds to repay loans, including a US$3.5 billion Islamic bond due at year-end .]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[World bank unit to list US$100 million Sukuk in the Middle East]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41281</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. The IFC Hilal Sukuk, a US$ 100 million issue with a five-year maturity, will be listed with the Nasdaq Dubai and Bahrain stock exchanges, the Washington-based corporation said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[UAE retail sector to grow by 16.5% in 2010]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41272</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The value of retail sales in the UAE is projected to grow by 16.5% in 2010 due to increasing consumer confidence in the market, according to a report by Business Monitor International. 

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<title><![CDATA[Qatar makes US$1 billion in Barclays shares sale ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41262</link>
<description><![CDATA[QATAR. Qatar made US$1 billion)by selling shares in Barclays Plc a year after it helped bail out Britain&#039;s second-biggest bank. 

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<title><![CDATA[Al Rajhi is largest individual Saudi investor ahead of Prince Alwaleed, reveals new Falcom investment watch  
]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41256</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. Falcom Financial Services has launched the first Saudi &#039;wealthy investors watch&#039;.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Rents still falling in UAE&#039;s Northern Emirates but at slower rate]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41240</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Umm Al Quwain the most affordable emirate; Sharjah the most expensive in which to live, says Asteco report.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai plans fixed income, Islamic bond roadshow ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41219</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The Dubai government said on Monday it planned bond roadshows from October 22, but added the meetings were not linked to its US$20 billion bond programme aimed at assisting state-linked firms.

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<title><![CDATA[Oil prices climb to one-year peak near US$80]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41220</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. World oil prices rose Monday as demand recovery and a weaker dollar  raised sentiment in energy trading.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Nakheel settles US$1.2 billion securitised bond ahead of maturity date]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41205</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. The Dubai developer reportedly negotiated with bankers to extend the maturity of the notes to November 15. It then elected to settle the debt a month early.

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<title><![CDATA[Abu Dhabi secures US$2.15 billion financing for Shuweihat power project]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41191</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Abu Dhabi has sealed a US$2.15 billion long-term financing deal for its Shuweihat 2 water and power project, signalling the return of appetite for regional project finance, officials and bankers said on Monday.

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<title><![CDATA[UAE consumers may soon enjoy cheaper phone calls as regulator mulls VOIP services]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41172</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Consumers will see a drop next year in internet charges as a result of the agreement.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[GCC hydrocarbon projects worth US$690 billion despite 30% cancellations]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41156</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. New Proleads investigation assesses impact of global slowdown on economically vital GCC oil, gas and petrochemical sectors.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Downtown Burj Dubai apartments see 8% price increase]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41148</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Communities with completed facilities are preferred choices, but rental rates see minimal change, says Asteco report.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Dubai&#039;s GITEX Technology Week launches latest innovations and products]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41145</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. GITEX Technology Week is the preferred platform for companies to launch their new products and help industry players capitalise on the steady growth of the region&#039;s IT market.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Alinghi dismisses rivals fears over Ras Al Khaimah America&#039;s Cup venue ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41126</link>
<description><![CDATA[UAE. Alinghi team president Ernesto Bertarelli dismissed the fears of rivals BMW Oracle about holding the America&#039;s Cup so close to Iran as the stuff of a Hollywood script.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Middle East bourses end week higher buoyed by oil prices, earnings]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41123</link>
<description><![CDATA[INTERNATIONAL. Arab stock markets gained fresh ground this week as investors looked favourably to the rising oil prices and early reports of third quarter results, financial analysts said.]]></description>
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<title><![CDATA[Monetary Council will be set up by January, says GCC Secretary General ]]></title>'
<link>http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?c=3&amp;cg=4&amp;t=1&amp;id=41119</link>
<description><![CDATA[SAUDI ARABIA. The Gulf Arab states&#039; Monetary Council, a precursor to a joint central bank for four countries planning a single currency, will be established by the start of next year.]]></description>
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