MEED
Issue 44 29 October-5 November 2010
View all stories from this issue.
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Special Report: Qatar - Construction boom dependent on Fifa World Cup bid
A lot is riding on Qatar’s bid to host the 2022 World Cup, football’s biggest event -
Absolute Hotel Services to manage Qatar hotel
Thai firm will manage the U Le Mirage Doha -
Abu Dhabi Commercial third quarter profit increases
Profits rise as bad loan charges fall -
Abu Dhabi planning $90m car park project
Developers nervous about taking on traffic risk -
Abu Dhabi to award new oilfield contracts
Contracts are part of a $10bn programme to boost output by 30 per cent -
Adam Holland
Adam Holland is director of architecture and engineering services, design division, KEO International Consultants -
Ahmad Awad al-Jihayem
Ahmad Awad al-Jihayem is managing director, Al-Jazera Consultants -
Algeria invites bids for tramway operation
The Algiers tramway is scheduled to open by the end of the year -
Aramco deals to create local jobs
Decision to award a major services contract to seven contractors will give local talent more exposure -
Bahrain elections fail to impress
Critics say Bahrain’s 23 October parliamentary polls have changed little on the ground -
Cairo to invite bids for phase three of metro in December
Tender documents were originally expected to be issued in October -
Cairo will need to get strategy right
The government must decide if it wants to pursue wind power or solar schemes to meet its 2020 target -
China State terminated on Doha airport works
Building package may now be retendered -
Consolidation is the way forward for Gulf stock markets
A region with a population of less than 40 million is too small to support nine stock markets. Since the financial crisis gripped the world in late 2008, calls for consolidation among the region’s stock markets have increased -
Doha receives bids for Qatar Foundation headquarters
Building will be located in Education City -
Doha’s diplomatic role in the Middle East
Maintaining good relations with Washington and Tehran, as well as placating Riyadh’s concerns about its diplomatic ambitions will be Qatar’s biggest test yet -
Dubai World gets support from all creditors
Agreement is for a $25bn debt restructuring plan -
Echem delays opening bids for Alexandria petrochemicals project
Bidders asked to extend bid validity to end of 2010 -
Education City lifts construction sector in Qatar
Qatar’s vision to be a knowledge-based economy is generating much needed work for the region’s construction sector -
Egypt invites bids for air transport consultancy
The contract involves determining the risks and opportunities for Egypt Air -
Egypt prequalifies four for Grand Museum project
Project will be located on the outskirts of Cairo -
Egypt reopens bids for Abu Rawash wastewater facility
Sludge management and cogeneration capabilities added to scheme -
Egyptian government divided on renewable energy policy
Minister and chief executive of state firm differ on country’s priorities -
Egypt's Ramsis Hilton to get facelift
Ehaf Consulting Engineers is the project consultant -
Emirates NBD denies merger reports
No talks with Emirates Islamic Bank -
Emirates NBD profits decrease 39 per cent
The bank’s bosses are optimistic despite the fall in earnings -
Ezdan posts $47m net profit
Revenues were mostly from rent -
Faisal al-Ostad
Faisal al-Ostad is acting director of consultants department, Public Works Ministry, Kuwait -
Firms seek Nakheel payment pledge
Contractors demand guarantees for future work from debt-laden Dubai developer -
Focus shifts to insurance in Qatar
After five successful years, Qatar Financial Centre is changing its strategy to focus on asset management and insurance. But a unified regulator will be key to future gains -
Gas investments prove wise for Qatar
Qatar’s decision to invest in the world’s largest gas-to-liquids project at Ras Laffan has been supported by the financial crisis -
George Abi-Hanna
George Abi-Hanna is chief executive officer, Dar SSH International Engineering Consultants -
Gulf Finance House to restructure debt or sell assets
Banks has raised $40m in cash through asset sales so far -
IQ Network wins $180m Iraq fibre-optic cable deal
Iraqi network to link Saudi Arabia to Turkey -
Kuwait approves award of drinking water complex
Switzerland’s ABB and local Al-Ahmadiah to build the $250m Mina Abdullah facility -
Kuwait Consultants
Six consultants working on major construction projects in Kuwait: George Abi-Hanna, Sandy Macmillan, Ahmad Awad al-Jihayem, Adam Holland, Najla Alghanim and Faisal al-Ostad -
Kuwait invites bids for railway advisory
Companies have until 6 December to submit technical and financial proposals -
Landmark eyes IPO on Saudi exchange
Listing is part of company’s expansion strategy -
Market down for second week running
The Gulf projects index falls as the market begins to stabilise after a surge in activity following Ramadan -
Middle East bond issuance to hit $30bn by end of 2010
$26bn-worth of bonds issued to date, says HSBC executive -
Najla Alghanim
Najla Alghanim is chair of Gulf Consult -
Nakheel has to convince firms to work for them
Companies are making it clear they want payment guarantees if they are to work for the developer again -
Q&A: Nikolaus Frei, Chief Executive Officer, T’azur
The Bahrain-based company wants to serve regional clients from across the GCC and beyond -
Qatar bourse sets the pace for recovery
The global economic crisis put an end to the rapid growth the Qatar Exchange was enjoying. But with new investment and a new leadership, it is expected to make a strong comeback -
Qatar masterplan to transform travel
Doha is planning to invest billions to develop its transport infrastructure. But if Qatar does not get to host the 2022 football World Cup, the pace of development will slow -
Qatar prequalifies groups for second phase of Doha port
At least five contractors have been prequalified for dredging works -
Region must do more to tackle unemployment
IMF says Mena should create 18 million jobs in the next 10 years to cut unemployment.” -
Restarting the political reform process in Bahrain
Bahrain will need to push ahead with political reform if it is to hit the lofty goals outlined in Vision 2030. The political grandstanding seen in the past must be avoided -
Ruler of Ras al-Khaimah dies
Official mourning period begins -
Sabic would consider buying Bayer's polyurethane operations
Bayer’s material science business is the world’s largest maker of chemicals for insulation foam and plastics -
Sandy Macmillan
Sandy Macmillan is Kuwait country manager, Langdon Wilson International -
Saudi Aramco could sign deals with all bidders for GES plus contract
Seven contractors in running to sign engineering services contract with oil giant -
Syrian-Qatari Holding Company puts Syria wastewater plants on hold
Plants were planned for Jaramana and Swuedah -
T’azur
The Bahrain-based insurer aims to be market leader in family and general takaful -
T’azur: MEED Assessment
The region offers strong growth potential for the insurance industry -
Technology Partners
Technology Partners (TP) is a Dubai-based information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and services integration company. It was established in 1997 by Omar Barzanji, a former director for UK-based Madge Networks. TP bought Madge Networks’ business in the Middle East. -
Two shortlisted for $1bn Saudi Aramco lube oil joint venture
Jacobs and CBI Lummus are frontrunners for the front-end engineering and design deal -
UAE regulator moves to approve short selling
Exchanges welcome move to allow investors to profit from falling share prices -
Zain to widen network in Kuwait
Expansion is due to the growing number of BlackBerry and iPhone users in the country
