MEED
Issue 49 3-9 December 2010
View all stories from this issue.
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A discredited parliament poll
International observers and local monitors agree Egypt’s latest elections were neither free nor fair. Public is becoming increasingly frustrated with the political process -
Abu Dhabi Reportage
The Gulf Technical and Safety Training Centre runs survival courses for the oil and gas sector, so in a crisis, staff have the skills they need to save their lives -
Abu Dhabi selects contractors to build Al-Ain hospital
Frontrunner emerges for Mafraq hospital -
Alex Katon
Alex Katon is senior business developer, International Power -
Aramco completes $4bn loan renewal
Loan deal extends maturity for five years -
Aramco fast-tracks Wasit onshore bids
Decision could be made before the end of 2010 -
Aramco mulls two different Feed strategies for $7bn Jizan project
Oil giant yet to decide whether design work will be done 100 per cent in-kingdom -
Bahrain to develop terminal on build-operate-transfer basis
Land at the old Mina Salman port has been set aside for the development of a construction materials terminal -
Construction of Sebha International airport to resume 2011
Contractors are currently revising the design of the Sebha airport upgrade -
Diversifying energy mix in Kuwait
Kuwait is justified to develop a nuclear power programme, but it will need lots of patience to bring the plans into fruition -
Doha tenders International Bank of Qatar headquarters
Companies have until 12 December to submit bids -
Dubai considers asset sales to reduce debt
Privatisation of state-owned firms may be used to reduce debt burden -
Dubai embraces financial transparency
Dubai needs to boost transparency if it is to remain a Middle Eastern hub and attract essential foreign investment -
Dubai Financial Market plans to diversify
Exchange encouraging trading, logistics and tourism firms to list -
Emirates Steel in talks with ZonesCorp for Mussafah land allocation
Abu Dhabi steel company looks closer to home for $1bn phase III expansion -
First data centre in Iraq to open in mid-December
Scopesky continues fibre-optic progress within Iraq -
Galfar bids low for Zirku island pipeline deal
Project is part of Abu Dhabi’s plan to upgrade oily water facilities -
Gulf index falls for second successive week
All of the GCC states record a fall in projects despite the launch of eight new schemes -
Iran and Iraq test boundaries
Relations between Tehran and Baghdad have improved over the past few years. But conflicts over Iraq’s oil ambitions are putting it under strain again -
Iraq’s potential benefits Korek
The mobile operator’s offer of a minority sale is prized because it is based in Iraq’s growing market -
Jun-Yeon Byun
Jun-Yeon Byun is executive vice-president of the UAE nuclear division -
Korek to announce new partner in early December
Two companies in the running for minority stake in the Iraq telecoms operator -
Kuwait approves Ahmadi hospital construction contract
Local firm awarded the $306.6m contract -
Kuwait extends deadline for rail advisory contract
Companies now have until 27 December to submit bids -
Kuwait moves ahead with nuclear plan
The state plans to have one or two nuclear power projects operational by 2020 -
Kuwait Oil Company clarifies oil production targets
State-owned oil firm to produce 3.65 million barrels a day by 2020 -
Kuwait to exit fertiliser market
Long-term plan is to leave industry -
Kuwait to tender $16bn refinery revamp in 2011
Clean Fuels Project awaiting approval from Kuwait’s Supreme Petroleum Council -
Kuwait to tender Nawaseeb road project in February 2011
The 42-km long road links the state with Saudi Arabia -
Kuwaiti developer delays Abu Dhabi projects
Residential and shopping mall developments put on hold due to financing issues -
Laying the foundations for presidential elections in Egypt
Cairo ensures it has absolute control of parliament ahead of 2011 presidential elections -
Libya to approve final part of coastal high-speed railway
Tripoli plans to build a $7.9bn rail line connecting Tunisia and Egypt via Libya’s main cities -
London still a lure for Gulf real estate investors
The UK property market, and London in particular, is receiving increased interest from the Middle East -
Lower contracting prices favour clients in the Middle East
Contract awards in the region fell in 2010, making bids more aggressive. Saudi Arabia is likely to dominate the energy contracting market in 2011 -
Manama approaches contractors for gas compressor project
Bahrain National Gas Company seeks interest for contract that could be worth up to $300m -
Masraf al-Rayan
The Doha-based Islamic financial institution plans to increase its geographic reach -
Masraf al-Rayan: MEED Assessment
With solid support from its shareholders, it has a solid risk profile -
Middle East looks to heavy end of the oil barrel
The Middle East’s reserves of heavier grades of oil is an underexploited resource that could be utilised to meet global demand. Potential regional producers now need foreign expertise to aid extraction -
Middle East power developers
Six key figures leading the development of the power sector in the region: Alex Katon, Paddy Padmanathan, Steve Walsh, Jun-Yeon Byun, Tang Kin Fei and Shankar Krishnamoorthy -
National Water Company to decide on water management strategy
Riyadh may turn to operation and maintenance contracts for water services -
Oil contractors in the Gulf write off 2010
Most engineering firms in the Middle East will look to 2011 for a pickup in business after a disappointing year -
Oil contractors lose appetite for Libyan oil and gas projects
Since 2004, foreign engineering firms have been anticipating new opportunities in Libya after sanctions were lifted, but slow progress is forcing many to lose interest -
Paddy Padmanathan
Paddy Padmanathan is president and chief executive officer, Acwa Power -
Q&A: Adel Mustafawi, chief executive officer, Masraf al-Rayan
Islamic finance has grown even during the downturn and the bank thinks it is in a good position to take advantage of that rise -
Riyadh shifts focus to increasing gas capacity
As Saudi Arabia executes its industrial diversification programme, Saudi Aramco has turned its attention to increasing gas capacity to service the growing local demand -
Shankar Krishnamoorthy
Shankar Krishnamoorthy is chief executive officer, GDF Suez -
Special Report: Oil & Gas - Producers' challenge to meet long-term needs
If long-term global oil demand forecasts are to be met, key producers will have to turn their attention to developing heavy oil reserves -
State invites prequalification for building airport runways
The development of Kuwait airport consists of three major packages -
Steve Walsh
Steve Walsh is president, AES Middle East -
Tang Kin Fei
Tan Kin Fei is president and CEO, Sembcorp -
UAE markets regulator working to introduce new laws by 2012
Delivery versus payment law given priority -
Wataniya Palestine offering attracts more than 5,000 retail investors
Telecoms offering will be oversubscribed, says industry head
