News and analysis, tenders, contracts awarded, commentary and economic data about Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain.

Northern Emirates Analysis

Adnan Yousif al-Baraka, CEO, Al-Baraka Banking Group

Al-Baraka Banking Group Subscription Required

Issue No 44 5-11 March 2010 | By James Gavin

The Islamic bank is seeking fresh markets after emerging intact from the global crisis

Oil prices: Caution is the watchword Subscription Required

Issue No 43 26 February - 4 March 2010 | By James Gavin

Oil price conservatism is likely to remain a key theme of Middle East states’ budget calculations

Arab man with regional bank note

Getting Gulf banks lending again Subscription Required

19-Feb-2010 | By Matthew Martin

GCC finance houses remain wary of making fresh loans and risk stunting economic growth

Trans Mediterranean Airways Subscription Required

Issue No 40 5-11 February 2010 | By James Gavin

Revamped and in the hands of a new owner, the airline is putting its turbulent past behind it

Northern Emirates Special Reports

Glass of water in desert

Special Report: Power & Water - Region struggles to ensure access to scarce water supplies

Issue No 44 5-11 March 2010 | By Sophie Evans

The Middle East is struggling to cope with growing demand for fresh water. While the reasons for water shortages vary across the region, the issue that all governments around the Middle East are having to tackle is the same: how to guarantee access to shrinking supplies of fresh water.

UAE flag, oil pumps and bank notes

Special Report: UAE - Dubai downturn forces strategy rethink

Issue No 42 19-25 February 2010 | By Sophie Evans

Dubai may not have much oil, but its economy still relies heavily on oil revenues, albeit those of neighbouring Abu Dhabi.

Dollar sign illustration

Special Report: Banking - Public sector projects raise hope

Issue No 41 12-18 February 2010 | By Sophie Evans

The Gulf’s governments are turning to new financing strategies to fund crucial infrastructure projects with public-private partnerships (PPPs) an increasingly popular model in the region

Construction workers on Dar al-Arkan's al-Qasr project in Riyadh

Special Report: Construction - Contract awards raise hope in the Gulf

Issue No 33 29 January - 4 February 2010 | By Sophie Evans

The outlook for the region’s construction sector in 2010 looks mixed. The Gulf’s major economies, such as Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, are surging out of the financial downturn, but $575bn worth of projects remain on hold across the GCC

Arab teacher at a drawing board

Special Report: Education - Gulf invests in high-tech future

Issue No 2 8-14 January 2010 | By Sophie Evans

The Middle East has taken big strides to improve the quality of university education in recent years, investing billions of dollars in a modern infrastructure

King Abdullah Science Technology University

Special Report: Construction - Industrial schemes prompt hope

Issue No 50 11-17 December 2009 | By Melissa Hancock

Dubai-based real estate developer Nakheel has become the focus of the problems in the emirate’s construction market in recent weeks, as it tries to restructure a $3.5bn sukuk (Islamic bond) before the repayment deadline of 14 December.

Northern Emirates Data

Oil prices: Caution is the watchword Subscription Required

Issue No 43 26 February - 4 March 2010 | By James Gavin

Oil price conservatism is likely to remain a key theme of Middle East states’ budget calculations

King Abdullah Financial District

Projects 2010: Market begins to recover in the region

Supplement: MEED Yearbook 2010 | By Sophie Evans

Contract awards are expected to pick up significantly in the year ahead, with more than $500bn worth of projects currently being tendered across the region as clients take advantage of lower construction costs

Pearl Qatar - latest island rendering

Construction 2010: Public sector offers best opportunities

Supplement: MEED Yearbook 2010

The real estate market is set to remain subdued in 2010, but infrastructure projects will push ahead

Kuwaiti man on an oil field

Energy 2010: Industry starts year in a strong position

Supplement: MEED Yearbook 2010 | By Perry Williams

With oil prices rising, a series of major projects will be launched in the energy sector in the year ahead

Power & Water 2010: Activity picks up as banks begin lending

Supplement: MEED Yearbook 2010 | By Karin Maree

Power and water schemes are getting under way as project financing slowly becomes available

Transport 2010: Railway building enjoys a revival in the Middle East

Supplement: MEED Yearbook 2010 | By Will Hadfield

Countries across the region are upgrading their rail transport systems but investment in roads is lacking

Northern Emirates Contracts Awarded

Middle East contracts awarded: 9 March 2010 Subscription Required

9-Mar-2010 | By Clynton Wratten

Almost $2.4bn worth of contracts have been awarded across the Middle East up to 9 March 2010, according to this selected checklist compiled from MEED reports

Middle East contracts awarded: February 2010 Subscription Required

1-Mar-2010 | By Clynton Wratten

Almost $3.5bn worth of contracts have been awarded across the Middle East in February 2010, according to this selected checklist compiled from MEED reports

Darwish wins $108m Sharjah Mall construction contract Subscription Required

20-Dec-2009 | By Colin Foreman

The new mall development will be built in the Al-Khan area

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