Dubai / WAM Emirates NBD recorded half-year net profits of AED3.9 billion, up 5 percent on higher net interest income, lower expenses and lower provisions. Net interest income improved 2 percent year-on-year due to loan growth and helped by a recent improvement in margins. Net interest margin improved since the beginning of the year as loans reset at higher rates …

Abu Dhabi / WAM The first of five turbines for the Hywind Scotland commercial-scale floating offshore wind farm has now sailed away from Stord in Norway to its final destination, Buchan Deep, 25 km east of Peterhead in Scotland. Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, announced that it had acquired a 25% stake in the Hywind Scotland project during Abu …

BEIJING / WAM UAE Minister of State, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, met on Wednesday with the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, to discuss means of enhancing political, social, economic and trade relations between the two countries. Dr Al Jaber’s discussions with the Foreign Minister also included an exchange of sha- red views on extremism …