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MEED
Christina Corbett

  • Emal

    2 February 2010, 7:24 GMT

    The joint venture of Abu Dhabi and Dubai is aiming to create the world’s largest aluminium smelter.

  • Cairo opens for mineral exploration

    25 April 2008, 14:53 GMT

    Egypt is seeking to capitalise on its mineral wealth as the government reforms the mining code.

  • Mohammed Rajaei

    18 April 2008, 19:51 GMT

    An important figure in the regional steel industry

  • Brahmanand Singh

    18 April 2008, 19:49 GMT

    An important figure in the regional steel industry

  • Mohammed al-Jabr

    18 April 2008, 19:47 GMT

    An important figure in the regional steel industry

  • Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad al-Thani

    18 April 2008, 19:44 GMT

    An important figure in the regional steel industry

  • Hilal al-Tuwairqi

    18 April 2008, 19:42 GMT

    An important figure in the regional steel industry

  • Ahmed Ezz

    18 April 2008, 12:59 GMT

    One of the most important figures in the regional steel industry

  • Iron ore price hikes hit Gulf steel makers

    11 April 2008, 14:48 GMT

    Steel producers are facing cuts to their profit margins, with customers unwilling to accept the full cost of rising raw materials prices, according to industry executives.

  • Privatisation in Iran stalls progress at Kahnuj complex

    11 April 2008, 14:42 GMT

    Delay is latest sign that Tehran is struggling to secure finance for projects because of US sanctions.

  • Hellenic Aluminium considers developing UAE aluminium mill

    9 April 2008, 14:36 GMT

    Greek aluminium producer, Hellenic Aluminium Industry (Elval) is considering developing an aluminium rolling mill near the Emirates Aluminium (Emal) smelter at Taweelah.

  • Sabic confirms rebar price rises

    9 April 2008, 13:37 GMT

    Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) has increased the price of steel reinforced bars (rebar) by SR825 ($220), about 27 per cent, adding to the cost pressures on the construction industry.

  • Sabic considers buying iron ore mines overseas

    8 April 2008, 15:10 GMT

    Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) is looking to acquire iron ore mines overseas in an attempt to limit the impact of rising iron ore prices on its steel production unit.

  • Calvalley Petroleum makes oil discovery in Yemen

    8 April 2008, 14:39 GMT

    A consortium of companies led by Canada’s Calvalley Petroleum has made an additional oil find in Block 9 in Yemen.

  • International Finance Corporation to invest $1.5bn in Middle East

    7 April 2008, 15:19 GMT

    The International Finance Corporation (IFC) expects to have invested as much as $1.5bn in projects across the Middle East and North Africa in the year ending June 2008, and is targeting wealthy Gulf-based investors as a source of funding for its initiatives.

  • Vale raises iron ore prices in Middle East

    6 April 2008, 13:25 GMT

    The price of feedstock for steel mills in the region could rise by nearly 90 per cent on 2007 prices as a result of negotiations between Brazilian iron ore producer Vale and Middle Eastern steel makers.

  • Siemens wins Shuqaiq water transmission contract

    6 April 2008, 8:55 GMT

    Germany’s Siemens has won the equipment supply contract for a water transmission system in Saudi Arabia.

  • Chinese to bid strongly for mining acreage in Algeria

    3 April 2008, 16:57 GMT

    Chinese companies are expected to bid strongly for mining acreage in Algeria, in the country’s second bidding round which is due to close in a month.

  • Russian steel maker bids for Esfahan Steel

    3 April 2008, 15:14 GMT

    Russia’s Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MMK) has made a bid for a controlling stake in Iranian steelmaker Esfahan Steel Company.

  • Yemen considers private power project

    3 April 2008, 14:02 GMT

    Yemen is preparing to develop its first privately-owned power generation project and is in the early stages of discussions with potential investors.

  • Al Jabr to distribute Kia cars in Saudi Arabia

    2 April 2008, 16:40 GMT

    Saudi Arabia’s Al Jabr Group has signed an agreement to distribute cars from South Korea's Kia Motors Corporation in the kingdom.

  • Morocco awards contracts for two cement plants

    2 April 2008, 8:44 GMT

    Morocco’s Ciments de l’Atlas (Cimat) has awarded France’s Polysius the contract to build two greenfield cement plants in Morocco.

  • UAE cement prices set to rise in 2008

    1 April 2008, 13:55 GMT

    Cement prices in the UAE will continue to rise in 2008, pushed up by rising shipping costs and a ban on cement exports from Egypt over the summer months, according to a leading industry executive.

  • Dewa to build four substations at Dubai Industrial City

    31 March 2008, 15:11 GMT

    The Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) is building four substations at Dubai Industrial City (DIC) as part of a strategic co-operation agreement between the two bodies.

  • Egyptian gold mining studies provide positive results

    31 March 2008, 12:13 GMT

    Egypt-based SMW Gold has received positive results from initial studies carried out at two mine sites in Egypt’s eastern desert.

  • Barka reservoir expansion stirs interest

    30 March 2008, 13:32 GMT

    A total of 11 companies have shown an interest in bidding for the contract to expand the Barka reservoirs and transmission facilities in Oman.

  • Cairo bans cement exports

    30 March 2008, 11:09 GMT

    Cairo has announced a decision to ban cement exports between April and October in an attempt to control Egypt’s cement market.

  • Cairo targets global mining companies

    28 March 2008, 16:07 GMT

    Rules giving firms easier access to Egypt’s minerals sector could pave way for bidding round this year.

  • Securing gas is vital for growth in the Gulf

    28 March 2008, 14:43 GMT

    Aluminium production in the Gulf is set to soar, marked by the start of production later this year at a new aluminium smelter in Oman, the first to come on line in the region in more than 25 years.

  • Rapid expansion risks aluminium oversupply

    28 March 2008, 12:21 GMT

    Is the growth in the region’s aluminium smelting capacity justified by the increase in demand?

  • Gaussin teams up with Dubai Industrial Investments

    27 March 2008, 14:03 GMT

    France’s Gaussin is set to invest AED130m ($35.4m) in Dubai Industrial Park.

  • Terramin moves ahead with Oued Amizour mine

    27 March 2008, 12:50 GMT

    Australian mining company Terramin is moving ahead with plans for a zinc and lead mine in Algeria’s Oued Amizour region, with a feasibility study due to be launched in the final quarter of the year.

  • Construction of Jizan smelter to start in 2009

    26 March 2008, 14:27 GMT

    The consortium developing one of the planned aluminium smelters at Jizan Economic City (JEC) expects to begin construction in early 2009.

  • Jizan developers to list shares by 2009

    26 March 2008, 7:44 GMT

    Saudi Binladen Group and Malaysia’s MMC Corporation are to list shares in their joint venture company, which is developing Jizan Economic City (JEC) by the first quarter of 2009.

  • Logistics firm targets Saudi Arabia for expansion

    25 March 2008, 15:10 GMT

    Global logistics provider, DHL has set aside AED1bn (US$272m) for investment across the Middle East and identified Saudi Arabia as the largest potential market for logistics providers in the region.

  • Desert Line bids low for Ras al-Hadd airport contract

    25 March 2008, 5:38 GMT

    Oman’s Desert Line Projects is the low bidder for the civil works contract for the Ras al-Hadd airport development.

  • Oman's airport plans gather pace

    24 March 2008, 11:52 GMT

    Oman’s Ministry of Transport & Communications is preparing tender documents for construction work on the new Sohar airport development.

  • Pvaxx Sohar plans wait for London listing

    24 March 2008, 10:39 GMT

    Bermuda-based Pvaxx is waiting for the completion of the company's listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) before moving forward with the construction of a shipping pallet production facility in the Port of Sohar.

  • Dubai Multi Commodity Centre to develop commodities marketplace

    23 March 2008, 13:38 GMT

    The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is set to launch a commodity focused investment company to help develop commodity-based trading in the region.

  • Emirates Investment Group plans Yemen projects

    23 March 2008, 12:44 GMT

    The UAE’s Emirates Investment Group (EIG) has announced plans to invest $500m in real estate developments in Yemen.

  • Alba to invest in technology to reduce energy consumption

    20 March 2008, 15:27 GMT

    Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is to introduce energy-efficient technologies at its 860,000-tonne-a-year aluminium smelting complex. This is the latest indication that limited gas supplies are a growing concern for the region's energy-intensive industries.

  • Sharaf to build Fujairah cement plant

    19 March 2008, 13:43 GMT

    The UAE’s Sharaf Group is to build a $272m cement plant in Fujairah.

  • Oman plans expansion of industrial operations

    19 March 2008, 12:54 GMT

    Oman’s Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) is seeking to expand its operations in the north eastern Batinah region.

  • Vale to start work on Sohar pellet plant

    19 March 2008, 12:51 GMT

    Brazilian mining company Vale - formerly CVRD - is close to starting work on its iron ore pellet plant in Oman’s Sohar port industrial zone.

  • Sag Sohar starts production at aluminium processing plant

    18 March 2008, 14:12 GMT

    Oman-based Sag Sohar has started production at its 30,000 tonnes-a-year (t/y) aluminium processing plant in the Sohar Industrial Estate.

  • Rak Ceramics announces 2007 profit growth

    16 March 2008, 6:56 GMT

    Ras Al-Khaimah-based Rak Ceramics has announced a profit increase of 10 per cent in 2007, recording a net profit of $46.2m compared to $41.9 in 2006 despite rising operating costs throughout the year.

  • IAS International develops special economic zone in Central African Republic

    16 March 2008, 6:47 GMT

    Qatar-based IAS International will invest $1.6bn in projects in the Central African Republic (CAR), including the development a tax-free special economic zone (SEZ) in the country.

  • Citadel finds gold bonanza at Shayban mining project

    14 March 2008, 19:04 GMT

    Drilling reveals first significant find since Riyadh liberalised mining sector.

  • Salalah free zone deal to get go-ahead by end of April

    14 March 2008, 17:42 GMT

    The long-awaited agreement bet-ween the UAE’s Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) International and the Omani government to develop the free zone at Salalah is set to be finalised by the end of April.

  • Focus on mining is paying off for Riyadh

    14 March 2008, 17:09 GMT

    A Saudi Arabian gold rush could be about to begin, after drilling by one international company revealed unusually large concentrations of the precious metal.

  • Agriculture: Shifting to a sustainable strategy

    14 March 2008, 12:26 GMT

    Soaring food import costs and a lack of arable land are forcing the government to change its agricultural policy from encouraging self-sufficiency to adopting sustainable farming techniques.

  • UAE seeks to stabilise food prices

    13 March 2008, 11:13 GMT

    The UAE’s Union Co-operative Society supermarket chain has signed an agreement with the country’s Economy Ministry to stabilise the price of 16 basic foodstuffs during 2008.

  • UAE removes import duties on steel and cement

    13 March 2008, 10:35 GMT

    The UAE government has announced a decision to remove customs duties on imports of cement and reinforced steel. The exemption will take place with immediate effect.

  • Zonescorp set to establish utilities joint venture in UAE

    12 March 2008, 15:24 GMT

    Abu Dhabi-based Higher Corporation for Special Economic Zones (Zonescorp) and Singapore’s Sembcorp Industries are to establish a company to provide utilities services to Zonescorp’s industrial cities across the UAE.

  • Jafza to develop free zone in Russia

    12 March 2008, 15:20 GMT

    The UAE’s Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) International is set to add a free zone in Russia to its growing portfolio of investments beyond the Middle East.

  • Pacific Consultants International set to sign Kuwait road contract

    11 March 2008, 12:26 GMT

    Japan’s Pacific Consultants International (PCI) is set to sign the consultancy contract for Kuwait’s fifth ring-road.

  • Bidders line up for Duqm consultancy work

    11 March 2008, 9:56 GMT

    Bids have been submitted for consultancy work on the masterplan for the Duqm free zone and industrial area.

  • Mabani Steel to award Yanbu plant contract

    10 March 2008, 10:30 GMT

    Ras al-Khaimah-based Mabani Steel will award the contract for the construction of a pre-engineered steel building (PEB) plant and hot-rolled steel structure facility in Saudi Arabia within a month.

  • Ras al-Khaimah Minerals & Metals Investments to expand into Europe

    7 March 2008, 17:46 GMT

    Ras al-Khaimah Minerals & Metals Investments (RMMI) is to expand into Eastern Europe in the latest phase of its $1bn international investment plans.

  • Q&A: Duncan Hedditch, CEO, Emal

    7 March 2008, 15:46 GMT

    Hedditch discusses how the company differs from other regional large-scale smelters and whether he has concerns about oversupply

  • Emal: MEED Assessment

    7 March 2008, 15:36 GMT

    Emal is not alone in its attempt to develop a large-scale aluminium smelting operation in the region

  • Emal

    7 March 2008, 15:30 GMT

    The joint venture of Abu Dhabi and Dubai is aiming to create the world’s largest aluminium smelter.

  • The 100 biggest companies in the Middle East in 2008

    7 March 2008, 13:04 GMT

    Financial services firms make up 40 per cent of MEED’s list of the 100 largest listed companies, with real estate and telecoms businesses joint second.

  • Saudi Arabia to expand soda ash capacity

    4 March 2008, 14:07 GMT

    Saudi Arabia’s S&A Abahsain and the US’ General Chemical (Soda Ash) Partners have signed a joint venture to develop a soda ash plant in the kingdom.

  • Al-Jaber wins Qatalum contract

    4 March 2008, 13:44 GMT

    Qatar’s Al-Jaber Engineering has won the contract to carry out ground and civil works for the rectifier station at Qatalum's planned aluminium smelter at Mesaieed.

  • Ras al-Khaimah secures Congo copper interests

    3 March 2008, 12:52 GMT

    The government of Ras al-Khaimah has announced plans to invest $250m in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a central African state rich in natural resources.

  • Emal set to tender contracts for Taweelah complex

    3 March 2008, 11:35 GMT

    Emirates Aluminium (Emal) is poised to tender contracts for the construction of a smelting complex at Taweelah, say industry sources.

  • Motorola wins Zain mobile network deal

    2 March 2008, 12:03 GMT

    Kuwait’s Zain has awarded a $335m contract to the US’ Motorola to deploy and manage its mobile communications network in Saudi Arabia.

  • Iron ore hikes hit Gulf construction

    29 February 2008, 17:45 GMT

    Smaller projects cancelled as steelmakers pass on rising cost of raw materials to customers.

  • Steel hikes fuel drive to reform

    29 February 2008, 17:02 GMT

    The result of price negotiations between one of the world’s biggest iron ore producers and major Asian steelmakers has pushed up the cost of iron ore, the basic raw material used in steel, by at least 65 per cent this year.

  • Estimates increased for Algeria's Tala Hamza zinc mine

    28 February 2008, 13:35 GMT

    Australian mining company Terramin is proceeding with pre-feasibility studies at the Tala Hamza zinc and lead mine in Algeria, after receiving positive results from preliminary studies.

  • Development of Dubai Industrial City accelerated

    28 February 2008, 12:28 GMT

    The development of the second phase of Dubai Industrial City (DIC) has been accelerated, with the project’s sponsors due to tender the infrastructure contract within months.

  • Alam Steel to expand steel-processing facilities

    28 February 2008, 9:50 GMT

    Dubai-based Alam Steel is expanding its steel processing facilities with two new projects planned for 2008.

  • Esfahan Steel to increase capacity

    27 February 2008, 19:32 GMT

    Iran’s Esfahan Steel is developing plans to increase capacity to meet demand in the region, as rising iron ore prices are forcing up the price of steel on global markets.

  • Orascom Construction to triple fabricated steel capacity

    27 February 2008, 7:42 GMT

    Egypt’s Orascom Construction Industries is set to triple its steel fabrication capacity by developing a new steel plant next to the port of Sokhna, in the Gulf of Suez.

  • Egypt moves ahead with Suez special economic zone

    26 February 2008, 11:00 GMT

    Egypt has invited expressions of interest from qualified parties to develop the northwest Gulf of Suez special economic zone, near the port of Sokhna.

  • Seeb corniche road contract awarded

    25 February 2008, 6:07 GMT

    Oman has awarded the contract to rebuild the Seeb corniche road to a joint venture of the local WJ Towell & Company and India’s Simplex Infrastructures.

  • Orascom cultivates fertiliser interests

    24 February 2008, 10:46 GMT

    Egypt’s Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) has acquired the fertiliser activities of Dubai-based Abraaj Capital in a deal worth $1.59bn.

  • Zamil awards seamless pipe plant contract

    24 February 2008, 9:34 GMT

    Saudi Arabia’s Al-Zamil Group has awarded the UK’s SA Kent the contract for the project management, and engineering and construction supervision of its seamless pipe plant in Dammam.

  • Abu Dhabi axes plan for Mussafah port

    22 February 2008, 18:21 GMT

    Emirate focuses on Khalifa as study reveals there is not enough demand to justify two developments.

  • Doubts over energy supplies delay Takamul soda ash plant

    22 February 2008, 16:18 GMT

    Plans to develop a major soda ash plant in Oman are on hold because of doubts over energy supplies to the complex.

  • Efficiency is key to Khalifa port's success

    22 February 2008, 15:32 GMT

    Abu Dhabi has chosen to focus its efforts on building just one major port to serve its shipping needs. The decision has been driven by concerns that there is not enough demand to make a second large port necessary.

  • Riyadh's 2020 Vision strategy: Balancing growth with job creation

    22 February 2008, 11:59 GMT

    While Riyadh is committed to creating jobs under its 2020 Vision strategy, it also has to ensure that its industrial development plans are economically feasible and attractive to foreign investors.

  • Takamul to develop aluminium plants at Sohar

    21 February 2008, 14:17 GMT

    Oman’s Takamul is planning to develop an aluminium rod plant and an aluminium extrusion facility at Sohar, next to Sohar Aluminium’s 350,000 tonne a year (t/y) smelter.

  • Libya secures investment for first aluminium smelter

    21 February 2008, 11:10 GMT

    The UK’s Klesch & Company has signed an agreement with Tripoli to develop an $8bn aluminium smelter and oil refinery complex in Libya.

  • Ras Al-Khaimah invests in Indonesian industry

    20 February 2008, 15:09 GMT

    The government of Ras Al-Khaimah is set to invest in a major industrial city and port development in Indonesia.

  • International firms bid for Ras al-Zour

    15 February 2008, 16:19 GMT

    Three major international com-panies have submitted bids for the alumina refinery and aluminium smelter at Saudi Mining Company's (Maaden) Ras al-Zour complex.

  • The high cost of prolonging Oman's oil production

    15 February 2008, 12:19 GMT

    Oman has become the regional leader in using expensive enhanced recovery techniques to extend the life of its oil fields. But if the price of a barrel falls, such projects may no longer be economically viable.

  • London Mining sets up Saudi joint venture

    14 February 2008, 5:45 GMT

    Saudi-based National Mining Company has set up a joint venture mining company with the UK’s London Mining to develop the Wadi Sawawin iron ore project.

  • King Abdullah Economic City utilities contract awarded

    13 February 2008, 14:29 GMT

    Saudi Arabia’s Civil & Electromechanical Company (Cemcco) has won the contract for the utilities and infrastructure work on the industrial zone at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).

  • Astaldi wins Qatalum contract

    13 February 2008, 7:53 GMT

    Qatar’s Qatalum has awarded Italy’s Astaldi a civil works contract at its aluminium smelting complex in Mesaieed.

  • Emal awards cable contract

    12 February 2008, 14:01 GMT

    Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Aluminium (Emal) has awarded Italy’s Prysmian the contract to supply high-voltage cables to its Taweelah smelting complex.

  • China Harbour wins Ras Al-Khaimah contract

    12 February 2008, 12:55 GMT

    The state-owned China Harbour Engineering Company has won a $95m contract to carry out marine works in the Hulaya Industrial Park in the northern emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah.

  • Emirates International to build $5bn project in Algeria

    11 February 2008, 12:04 GMT

    Abu Dhabi-based Emirates International Investment Company is to develop a $5bn project in Algeria.

  • Standard & Poor's opens first regional office

    11 February 2008, 11:15 GMT

    Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has opened its first office in the region, in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

  • Muscat battles inflation with pay rises

    10 February 2008, 7:39 GMT

    Oman has called for public sector pay rises of between five and 43 per cent, as the sultanate battles record levels of inflation.

  • Atlas Copco wins Qatalum contract

    10 February 2008, 5:51 GMT

    Sweden’s Atlas Copco has won the contract to supply the compressed air system for Qatar Aluminium’s (Qatalum) plant at Mesaieed.

  • Adbic to launch polymer park in Mussafah economic zone

    8 February 2008, 16:59 GMT

    Construction of plant’s utilities infrastructure to begin in March

  • Feedstock advantage drives growth

    8 February 2008, 14:19 GMT

    Gulf fertiliser companies are boosting capacity despite rising project costs and fears of falling profit margins.

  • Alutec enters Abu Dhabi aluminium market

    7 February 2008, 10:37 GMT

    Qatar’s Aluminium Auxiliary Technologies (Alutec) is to enter the UAE’s aluminium market, with two new ventures in Abu Dhabi.

  • Qatar Steel likely to go ahead with Mauritania plant

    7 February 2008, 8:42 GMT

    Qatar Steel looks set to go ahead with plans to develop the Guelb El-Aouj iron ore processing plant in Mauritania, following the release of positive results from the bankable feasibility study.

  • Gulf consortium to build aluminium plant in Qatar

    6 February 2008, 13:56 GMT

    A consortium of six Gulf companies, including Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC) and Abu Dhabi-based Q-Industrial, is to set up an aluminium extrusion facility in Qatar.

  • Arcelor Mittal wins Egyptian steel licence

    6 February 2008, 7:37 GMT

    Egypt has granted a major steel production licence to Luxemburg-based Arcelor Mittal in the latest licensing round in the sector.

  • Danieli wins Emirates Steel Industries expansion

    5 February 2008, 14:24 GMT

    Italy’s Danieli has won the contract to expand the operations of Emirates Steel Industries in Abu Dhabi.

  • Acwa Power Development buys stake in Multiforms

    5 February 2008, 14:17 GMT

    Saudi-based Arabian Company for Water & Power Development (Acwa Power Development) has acquired a 40 per cent stake in Multiforms, a subsidiary of Dubai’s Emaar Industries & Investments (EII).

  • China buys stake in Yemen oil field

    4 February 2008, 13:48 GMT

    China’s Sinochem Petroleum has secured a stake in Yemen’s East Shabwa oil field, through the acquisition of Soco Yemen.

  • Zonescorp to review foreign ownership regulations

    4 February 2008, 7:14 GMT

    The Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones of Abu Dhabi (Zonescorp) is rethinking foreign ownership requirements for some industries based in its economic zones.

  • Oman power privatisation plans gain momentum

    4 February 2008, 6:17 GMT

    Oman is set to move forward with plans to privatise two state-owned companies in the power and water sector.

  • Cisco to connect King Abdullah Economic City

    3 February 2008, 11:22 GMT

    The US Cisco has won the contract to design the information and communications technology infrastructure for Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).

  • Gulf Petrochemical Industries announces profit

    3 February 2008, 10:17 GMT

    Bahrain’s Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company’s (GPIC) has announced net profits of $201m in 2007, an increase of 24 per cent on 2006 figures.

  • Cisco wins Saudi economic city infrastructure contract

    3 February 2008, 9:11 GMT

    US-based Cisco has won the contract to design the information and communications technology infrastructure for Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).

  • Muscat backs masterplan for Duqm integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex

    1 February 2008, 17:05 GMT

    More than 20 firms express interest as planners issue tender for free zone

  • Dana Gas reports strong profit in first year of operations

    31 January 2008, 13:05 GMT

    Sharjah-based Dana Gas has announced revenues from oil and gas production of AED1bn ($272m) for 2007, its first year of full operations.

  • Shadeed awards air separation contract

    31 January 2008, 11:32 GMT

    Sohar-based Shadeed Iron & Steel Company has awarded the contract to supply air separation units to a joint venture of Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Hashim Group and the US’s Air Products.

  • Tabreed to provide district cooling at Sohar

    30 January 2008, 15:55 GMT

    The UAE’s Tabreed has signed a joint venture agreement with Oman’s Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) to provide district cooling at Sohar

  • Emal to build aluminium smelter in King Abdullah Economic City

    30 January 2008, 15:52 GMT

    Abu Dhabi-based Emal International is to build a aluminium smelter in Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City.

  • Tabreed to provide district cooling to Sohar

    30 January 2008, 6:39 GMT

    The UAE’s Tabreed is to provide district cooling to Oman’s Sohar Industrial Estate.

  • First Gulf Bank reveals rising profits

    30 January 2008, 6:36 GMT

    Abu Dhabi-based First Gulf Bank has announced profits of AED2bn($545m) in 2007, a 31 per cent increase on its 2006 performance.

  • Mubadala to build hospital in Sports City

    29 January 2008, 14:11 GMT

    Abu Dhabi-based investment company Mubadala is to build a hospital at the Abu Dhabi Knee & Sports Medicine Centre, in Zayed Sports City.

  • Bids in to expand Qaboos port in Oman

    29 January 2008, 13:18 GMT

    Four international and local companies have submitted bids for the consultancy contract to design and supervise the expansion of Sultan Qaboos seaport in Muscat.

  • Saudi Arabia's Swicorp Joussour takes stake in Egyptian refinery

    28 January 2008, 13:48 GMT

    Riyadh-based Swicorp Joussour has acquired a strategic stake in Egypt’s $2.4bn Mostorod refinery, part of the company’s growing portfolio of investments across the region.

  • Egypt to launch nuclear tender in February

    27 January 2008, 13:40 GMT

    Egypt will issue the tender for consultancy work on the country’s first nuclear reactor in February, moving forward president Hosni Mubarak’s plans to develop nuclear plants for peaceful uses.

  • Saudi Eurofighters to arrive next year

    27 January 2008, 11:31 GMT

    Saudi Arabia will take delivery of 72 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft next year as part of an $8.8bn agreement signed with the British government last September, according to deputy-defence minister, Prince Khaled bin Sultan.

  • Algerian mine casts first gold bullion

    27 January 2008, 8:53 GMT

    Algeria’s Entreprise d’Expoitation des Mines d’Or (Enor) has cast the first gold bullion at its Amesmessa mine in southern Algeria.

  • Economic growth fuels inflation in Oman

    25 January 2008, 16:24 GMT

    Muscat is struggling to control price rises as it increases spending following last year’s better than expected oil revenues.

  • Ezz increases steel sector dominance

    25 January 2008, 13:00 GMT

    Independent producer commissions two new plants in Algeria and Egypt by the end of 2010

  • JK Cement to build $400m Fujairah plant

    25 January 2008, 12:43 GMT

    India’s JK Cement is to build a $400m cement factory in Fujairah in collaboration with the emirate’s government.

  • Jordanian chemicals firm launches emissions reduction project

    24 January 2008, 14:04 GMT

    Jordan’s Arab Fertilizers & Chemicals Industries Company (Kemapco) is inviting bids for a contract to build a nitrous oxide emissions reduction facility at its nitric acid plant in Aqaba.

  • Fresh copper deposits found in Saudi Arabia

    24 January 2008, 13:04 GMT

    Australia’s Citadel Resource Group has announced positive drilling results for its Jabal Sayid Copper Project, in the southeast of Saudi Arabia.

  • Ras Al Khaimah seeks mining opportunities abroad

    23 January 2008, 14:01 GMT

    Ras Al Khaimah is looking to tap into mining opportunities abroad through a newly launched investment company which will develop industrial opportunities in emerging markets.

  • Female cabinet minister survives vote of no-confidence

    23 January 2008, 6:54 GMT

    Kuwait’s only woman cabinet minister has survived a parliamentary vote of no-confidence called by members of parliament accusing her of legal and administrative irregularities.

  • Saudi Readymix plans ambitious expansion

    22 January 2008, 13:54 GMT

    Saudi Readymix Concrete Company is to increase concrete production to 5.2 million cubic metres a year in 2008.

  • Al Faulk Group awards prawn farming contract

    22 January 2008, 13:49 GMT

    The local Al Faulk Group has awarded South Africa’s Sea Ark Africa the contract to expand the company’s prawn farming facility near Jeddah.

  • Italian firm finalises deal for Algerian cement plant

    21 January 2008, 13:21 GMT

    Italy’s Buzzi Unicem has concluded its acquisition of stakes in two state-owned Algerian cement plants.

  • Cement firms referred to criminal court

    21 January 2008, 8:14 GMT

    Egypt has referred 20 local cement companies to a criminal court over allegations of price fixing.

  • Al Qudra looks to industry for expansion

    20 January 2008, 12:29 GMT

    Abu Dhabi’s Q Industrial has signed an agreement with Kuwaiti MRC to set up a new UAE-based industrial company, MRC-Q.

  • Lafarge shareholders approve Orascom Cement deal

    20 January 2008, 8:52 GMT

    The shareholders of France’s Lafarge have approved a resolution to issue 22.5 million new shares to help finance the company’s acquisition of Egypt’s Orascom Cement.

  • Steel prices hit all-time high

    18 January 2008, 16:06 GMT

    Developments in the Chinese steel market will have a major impact on the Gulf’s construction boom.

  • Baghdad seeks $2bn foreign funding to boost industry

    18 January 2008, 14:22 GMT

    Thirty state-owned firms seek joint ventures with foreign and private investors

  • Asec Cement awards contract for Algerian plant

    17 January 2008, 12:58 GMT

    Asec Algeria has awarded the contract to develop a cement plant to sister company Aresco and Denmark’s FLSmidth.

  • US places duties on UAE steel nail imports

    17 January 2008, 6:20 GMT

    The US Commerce Department has set preliminary duties on steel nails imported from the UAE.

  • Tata Steel in Oman mining joint venture

    17 January 2008, 5:40 GMT

    Oman’s Al-Bahja Group and India’s Tata Steel have formed a joint venture to develop the Uyun limestone deposits near Salalah in southern Oman.

  • Saudi Arabia abandons wheat cultivation

    16 January 2008, 14:15 GMT

    Saudi Arabia is abandoning a 30-year plan to cultivate wheat in the kingdom.

  • Libya approves plans for cement plants

    16 January 2008, 9:05 GMT

    Libya’s governing General People’s Committee (GPC) has given the go ahead for three cement factories to be built in the country.

  • Burgan wins drilling rig contract in Kuwait

    15 January 2008, 11:21 GMT

    The local Burgan Company for Well Drilling Trading & Maintenance has won a $100m contract for the supply of a 3,000HP deep drilling rig for operations across the state.

  • Kuwait Finance awards Bahrain Industrial Oasis contract

    15 January 2008, 5:51 GMT

    Kuwait Finance House (KFH) has awarded Bahrain’s Poullaides Construction Company a $32m contract for the construction of the KFH Bahrain Industrial Oasis.

  • Alumco wins Vision Tower contract

    13 January 2008, 13:41 GMT

    Dubai-based Alumco has won a $22m contract to provide the aluminium facades for the Vision Tower project in Dubai’s Business Bay.

  • Yemen ceasefire ends with renewed violence

    13 January 2008, 8:24 GMT

    More than 30 people have been killed in renewed clashes between Yemeni soldiers and Shiite rebels in the country’s restive northwest.

  • Muscat's plans to attract foreign banks

    11 January 2008, 15:00 GMT

    Muscat’s investment plans attract foreign institutions to crowded finance sector.

  • Qasco awards key steel deal to Danieli

    11 January 2008, 14:27 GMT

    Qatar Steel Company (Qasco) has selected Italy’s Danieli for a key contract on its steel production plant at the Mesaieed complex.

  • Al-Khadda submits low bid for emergency shutdown system

    9 January 2008, 17:48 GMT

    The local Al-Khadda International General Trading & Contracting Company has emerged as the low bidder to modify and upgrade emergency shutdown valves at several gathering centres across Kuwait.

  • Egyptian mining firm secures Ethiopian gold concessions

    9 January 2008, 6:03 GMT

    Egypt-based Ascom Geology & Mining has acquired four gold concessions in northern Ethiopia, in a joint venture with local Ethiopian company, Ezana Mining.

  • Dutco picks up Qatalum contract

    8 January 2008, 16:49 GMT

    Dutco McConnell Dowell has become the latest company to win a major contract on the first phase of Qatalum’s $5.6bn aluminium smelting complex at Mesaieed.

  • Danube focuses on steel with $27m investment

    8 January 2008, 10:54 GMT

    Dubai-based Danube Building Materials will invest AED100 million ($27 million) in the local steel industry in 2008 in a bid to make it one of its largest business segments.

  • Yemen establishes economic zones with Saudi Arabia

    7 January 2008, 16:05 GMT

    Yemen is encouraging foreign investment by establishing two economic free zones in partnership with Saudi Arabia, in the border areas of Al-Wadiah and Al-Tawal.

  • Belgium Aluminium & Glass trebles output

    7 January 2008, 11:20 GMT

    Belgium Aluminium & Glass Industries (Bag) is investing $22 million in a production facility in Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, nearly trebling the company's production capacity of glazed building facades.

  • Yemen to establish economic zones

    7 January 2008, 9:44 GMT

    In a bid to encourage foreign investment, Yemen is hoping to establish two economic free zones in partnership with Saudi Arabia, one in the Hadramout’s border area of Al-Wadiah, and another in the north-eastern border area of Al-Tawal.

  • Omani banking sector sees rapid growth

    6 January 2008, 11:56 GMT

    Oman’s banking sector is set to grow by a third in the first quarter of 2008, bringing the number of banks operating in the sultanate to 20, according to central bank executive president Hamoud Sangour Al-Zadjali.

  • Contract signed for Egypt's largest float glass facility

    6 January 2008, 10:54 GMT

    Sphinx Glass, a fully owned subsidiary of Egypt’s Mena Glass, has signed a $143m agreement with Italian contractor Ianua for the engineering, plant construction, assembly and supervision of a greenfield float glass manufacturing facility.

  • Sector outlook 2008: Industry

    4 January 2008, 17:41 GMT

    Huge developments have defined the sector's impressive growth, with more to come this year.High-profile, large-scale industrial projects, particularly in the aluminium and fertiliser sectors, are key to the energy-rich Gulf states' economic diversification strategies. All the states are continuing with ambitious major industrial schemes. But with so many large-scale projects under way, signs of strain are beginning to show.

  • Ras al-Zour budget spirals by $1.5bn

    21 December 2007, 10:57 GMT

    Competition for contractors and equipment adds 20 per cent to smelter project costs

  • Emirates International to build $400m factory

    17 December 2007, 16:25 GMT

    Emirates International Investment Company (EIIC) has announced plans to build a $400m cement factory in Abu Dhabi.

  • Oman to get feedstock plant in Sohar

    17 December 2007, 15:19 GMT

    Oman’s industrial Sohar area will soon get a deep water port and a direct reduction iron pelletising plant, which will be built by Brazilian mining company CVRD.

  • Global and Julphar announce $245m joint venture

    16 December 2007, 7:31 GMT

    Kuwait’s Global Investment House (Global) is using 15 per cent of its buyout fund to invest in a $245m pharmaceutical chain being launched across the Middle East and North Africa.

  • Rising costs hinder industry diversification in UAE

    14 December 2007, 17:16 GMT

    As the UAE reduces its dependence on hydrocarbons by developing new industries such as cement and aluminium, soaring costs are threatening to delay key projects.

  • Mubadala launches Beni Saf study

    14 December 2007, 13:14 GMT

    Feasibility studies for the Beni Saf aluminium smelter have been launched by Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala and Dubai’s industrial giant Dubai Aluminium (Dubal), and will be completed by May 2008, says a source close to the deal. “We are now working on the full bankable feasibility study,” Mohammad al-Sharwish, senior specialist at Mubadala, tells MEED. “This will be finished by May 2008.”

  • Orascom Construction sells cement unit to France’s Lafarge

    14 December 2007, 13:04 GMT

    France’s Lafarge has agreed to buy Egypt’s Orascom Construction Industries’ (OCI) cement group for $12.9bn and $2bn in debt.

  • Orascom deal locks Lafarge in competition with arch rival

    13 December 2007, 15:26 GMT

    Lafarge’s acquisition of Orascom Construction Industries’ (OCI) cement group has brought the French company unusually close to international rival, Holcim of Switzerland.

  • Iran Khodro sets sights on Islamic car

    13 December 2007, 14:02 GMT

    Iranian car manufacturer, Iran Khodro, has announced plans to produce the world’s first Islamic car.

  • Arabian Automobiles plans $95m industrial complex

    12 December 2007, 17:31 GMT

    Arabian Automobiles, a UAE company, has signed a deal with Dubai Industrial City to build a $95m car service centre in the industrial zone.

  • Egypt and Hill International form joint venture firm

    12 December 2007, 10:24 GMT

    Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum will form a joint venture company with Hill International, a US consulting company, to manage oil and gas projects in the Middle East and North Africa.

  • Saudi unveils bumper $109bn budget

    11 December 2007, 15:03 GMT

    Saudi Arabia will spend a record $109.3bn in 2008 in the biggest budget in the kingdom’s history. The new budget is $8bn larger than this year's spending plan, with the kingdom’s revenues in 2008 expected to top $120bn.

  • Al-Tuwairqi rail plant to get much-needed equipment

    11 December 2007, 13:53 GMT

    Al-Tuwairqi Group will soon get the equipment it needs for its rail production plant at Dammam, according to a source close to the deal.

  • Lafarge to buy Orascom Cement for $12.8bn

    10 December 2007, 15:09 GMT

    France’s Lafarge has agreed to buy Egypt’s Orascom Construction Industries’ Cement Group (Orascom Cement) in an €8.8bn ($12.8bn) deal.

  • Zamil awards $174m pipeline factory contract

    10 December 2007, 14:32 GMT

    Canada’s Brandt Engineered Products has signed a $174m contract with Saudi Arabia’s Zamil Group to build a pipe factory in Dammam’s second industrial city.

  • Maaden calls for plant operation bids

    9 December 2007, 8:49 GMT

    Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) has invited prequalification applications for operations and maintenance providers to run its planned captive oil-fired power and desalination plant serving its Ras Al-Zour aluminium complex.

  • Gulf District wins Dubai district cooling deal

    9 December 2007, 7:38 GMT

    Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) has awarded Gulf District Cooling Ascon (GDC) the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contract for a 40,000-refrigeration-tonne district cooling plant at Dubai’s Business Bay Executive Towers development.

  • Cost risk can be managed out

    7 December 2007, 18:23 GMT

    As anybody working in the Gulf projects sector will confirm, it costs far more to develop a project today than it did three years ago. Engineering, procurement and construction costs have risen exponentially as demand for materials, manpower and logistics have outstripped supply.

  • Maaden awards Al-Jalamid to Chinese

    7 December 2007, 16:23 GMT

    Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) has awarded China's Guizhou Hongfu Industry & Commerce Development Company (Hongfu) the contract to build a beneficiation plant at the Al-Jalamid mine in the north of the kingdom.

  • Safco reviews Jubail expansion as contractor costs spiral

    7 December 2007, 15:33 GMT

    Saudi Arabian Fertilisers Company (Safco) has postponed pre-feasibility studies for a project to increase urea production capacity at Jubail fertiliser complex because of rising costs.

  • Total to enter local lubricant market

    6 December 2007, 13:36 GMT

    Emaar, The Economic City (EEC), developer of the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), has signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Total Lubricants Company (Satlub) - a joint venture of France’s Total and the local Al-Zahid Group - to set up a lubricant plant in the city’s industrial zone.

  • Emaar Industries & Investments acquires controlling stake in Caparol

    5 December 2007, 11:26 GMT

    Emaar Industries & Investments (EII) has acquired a 52 per cent stake in Caparol, the Dubai-based arm of German paint manufacturer Deutsche Amphibolin Werke (DAW) Group. The acquisition takes the number of EII subsidiaries to 12.

  • Chalco to develop Jizan aluminium smelter

    29 November 2007, 0:00 GMT

    Aluminuim Corporation of China (Chalco) has signed an agreement with MMC International Holdings of Malaysia and the local Saudi Binladin Group to build, own and operate an aluminium smelter in Jizan Economic City.

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