UK and the Middle East
News, data and analysis on UK companies working on projects in the Middle East
Analysis
UAE driving Mena oil and gas spending
Spending in second quarter looks likely to outstrip first as major offshore deals are awarded
Visitor slump hits high-end hotels in Lebanon
Political uncertainty is deterring Gulf Arabs from visiting Lebanon, hurting high-end hoteliers and retailers, but refugees from Syria are mitigating the impact on the economy
Fiscal competition heats up in the GCC
Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh could prove challengers to Dubai’s dominance as a regional financial hub
Inorganic growth pays dividends for Etihad Airways
Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad Airways is applying a hybrid business model of codeshare agreements and investment in overseas airlines to expand its global footprint
News
Oman tenders Yibal phase three depletion compression project
Petroleum Development Oman invites companies to bid for estimated $300m gas scheme
-
Abu Dhabi government rejects onshore concession extension
-
Algerian delay forces Petrofac to defer revenues
-
Al-Karaana prequalifies contractors for $6.4bn Qatar project
-
NPCC wins first package on Umm al-Lulu field
-
Nasr offshore development tender pushed back
-
Umm al-Lulu package two hangs in balance after bid resubmission
-
Aramco tenders remaining Jizan gasification packages
Special Reports
United front for Qatar petrochemicals marketing drive
By consolidating the marketing channels of all its petrochemicals products into one national company – Muntajat – Doha hopes to drive the industry towards becoming a global player
Feedstock worries test Saudi firms
The shale gas revolution in the US has tested the competitiveness of Saudi petrochemicals projects, but it is unlikely to erode the significant market advantage the kingdom enjoys in Asia
Aluminium drives caustic soda growth
The Gulf’s petrochemicals industry is heavily skewed towards the production of commodity chemicals but the drive to develop new industries is boosting lower-profile chemicals such as caustic soda
Asian petrochemical demand to drive Gulf industry
The gaze of Middle East petrochemicals producers is turning increasingly eastwards as growing demand for plastics in Asia continues to outpace the growth in local supply capacity
Cash flow concerns arise amid construction boom in Saudi Arabia
Questions have been raised about the financial health of contractors working in the kingdom after Mohammad al-Mojil Group racked up financial losses in the middle of a construction boom
![It is surprising [Hamad International] has been so drastically delayed … there is no news on when it will open Saj Ahmad, StrategicAero Research](/pictures/81xAny/7/3/7/38737_Traffic-growth-at-Doha-airport-2004-2012.jpg)
Airport delay affecting national airline in Qatar
Safety and security concerns have delayed the opening of Hamad International airport, threatening the expansion plans of national carrier Qatar Airways
Tenders
Sudan: Road consultancy
Provision of consultancy services comprising the supervision of the maintenance of roads
Biographies
Tim Verdon
Tim Verdon is programme director, Aecom
Grigoris Christofides
Grigoris Christofides is chief executive officer, Arabtec Construction
Shohidul Ahad Choudhury
Shohidul Ahad Choudhury head of mergers and acquisitions and financial adviser, Arabtec Holding
Mark Andrews
Mark Andrews is chief operating officer (COO), Arabtec Holding
Haitham Abdullah al-Kharusi
Haitham Abdullah al-Kharusi is vice-president, consumer, Omantel
