BusinessCast January 2, 2008

DFM, ADSM begin New Year on strong note with gains of over 1%... Year end figures show DFM up 45% and ADSM up 54%... Real Estate Regulatory Authority and Escrow Account Law given credit for Dubai's global property market... Plans underway to turn Doha Securities Market into company... Dubai Duty Free shows 24% increase in 2007... GCC common market faces challenges... Kuwait plans to cut international telephone call charges by 20%... Oman to slow down tendering procedures... Health Authority Abu Dhabi official says expatriates are entitled to health insurance coverage.