Lebanon to import Iranian oil and LPG
(MENAFN) Tehran and Beirut have discussed lately to export Iranian furnace oil and LPG to Lebanon, reported Tehran Times. Deputy Oil Minister Alireza Zeighami said that Iran's total daily exports of oil products stand at 20 million liters. He also said that 1.8 million barrels of crude oil is being refined per day. It's worth mentioning that Lebanon will be the second Asian country to import oil LPG from Iran.
Saudia receives 777-300ER Boeing plane
(MENAFN) Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) deputy director general, Abdul Aziz Al Hazmi, announced that the carrier has received a 777-300ER extended range plane from Boeing, reported Gulf Daily News. Al Hazmi added that the new aircraft, the world's largest long-range twin-engine commercial airplane, is the first-of-its-type to be fitted with a 3-class cabin configuration, including first, business and guest class cabins. The fuel-efficient Boeing 777-300ER will allow Saudia to operate direct flights to Los Angeles and Toronto. It is worth noting that Saudia has a backlog of 21 Boeing aircraft on order, of which 13 are 777s and 8 are 787 Dreamliners.
Poland's LLP to open 10 stores in ME by 2014
(MENAFN) LLP deputy chief executive, Dariusz Pachla, announced that by next year, the Polish retailer will launch 10 outlets in the Middle East, reported Arabian Business citing the Warsaw Business Journal (WBJ). Pachla added that next year, the company will open stores in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar. Furthermore, the retailer, which has over 600 showrooms in Europe, plans to launch over 10 outlets each year in the region. It is worth noting that LPP was established in 2001 with four brands, RESERVED, CROPP, HOUSE, and MOHITO.
UAE- USD10b tourism receipts recorded in 2012
(MENAFN) The UN's World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) released data showing that the UAE ranked first in the Middle East in terms of total tourism receipts in 2012, reported Arabian Business. The country, which also ranked 31st globally, recorded USD10 billion worth of tourism receipts in the year. On the global scale, Saudi Arabia ranked 35th, with total receipts of USD7.4 billion. According to the UNWTO, the US was the number one globally, followed by Spain, France, China, and Italy.
US receives request from Qatar, Oman to buy military equipment
(MENAFN) The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated that it has notified the Congress about a possible USD210 million arms deal with both Oman and Qatar, reported Arabian Business. The two Gulf governments are most likely to by two Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems. The deal will include all the parts, trainings, tools, and repairs, according to the Agency statement. It's worth noting that the LAIRCM is an anti-missile system that can protect military planes.
Al Maktoum Airport to boost Dubai's private jet movements to 20k by 2020
(MENAFN) Dubai Aviation City Corporation's COO, Rashed Bu Qara'a, stated that once opened for passenger services, Al Maktoum International Airport would increase private business jet traffic in Dubai to nearly 20,000 annual movements by the end of the decade, from the current 10,000, reported Arabian Business. Qara'a added that by the first quarter of 2015, the facility would witness the launch of a VIP terminal. According to Dubai World Central's (DWC) executive chairman, Khalifa Al Zaffin, around 25 carriers were in talks to launch operations from Al Maktoum International, whose main terminal building will start operations on October 27. It is worth noting that Al Maktoum International Airport will at first serve up to 7 million passengers annually.
GCC's 2011 GDP at USD1.4tr: Fakhru
(MENAFN) Bahrain's minister of trade and industry, Hassan Fakhru, stated that in 2011, the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) gross domestic product (GDP) stood at around USD1.4 trillion, reported Emirates 24/7. Fakhru added that the figure ranked the GCC as the 13th largest economy worldwide in the year. He also said that the region's trade with other countries reached almost USD1.2 trillion, of which exports accounted for nearly USD811 billion and imports for USD379 billion, bringing a surplus of USD432 billion. As for the GCC's GDP per capita, the minister said that it stood at USD30,000. It is worth noting that the bloc's total population grew to 45 million at the end of 2011 from 14 million when the GCC was formed in 1981.
