Dubai firms highlight strength amid debt

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates: Dubai business leaders are voicing support for some of the emirate's stronger state-linked companies.

At the same time, the city-state's finance chief is dismissing media coverage of the sheikdom's debt woes as "blind panic."

Government-owned Emirates airline says its finances are secure. It said Thursday it had lined up more than $1 billion in financing for six Airbus A380 "superjumbo" planes.

Meanwhile, the head of the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority says the utility provider has "unequivocal confirmation" of continued support from creditors after Moody's Investors Service cut its credit rating to junk status earlier in the week.