MEED
Issue No 04 25 - 31 January 2008
View all stories from this issue.
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Abu Dhabi seeks financing for Ruwais hydrogen power plant
Multi-billion-dollar project is first of several aimed at cutting CO2 emissions -
Al-Ghurair promises high returns from Ras Lanuf upgrade
The company behind the upgrade of the Ras Lanuf refinery claims it will yield a high rate of return, despite rising construction costs. -
Ashghal to remove price fluctuation risk from contracts
Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is to follow the lead of the emirate’s electricity and water operator, Kahramaa, by giving contractors price escalation clauses to cover the cost of raw material and currency fluctuations. -
Budget airlines seek overseas routes as fare cap talks stall
Dispute over fuel subsidies drives Sama and Nas Air to expand abroad -
Change will bring opportunities in Bahrain
Government officials are opposing economic reform in Bahrain, but King Hamad must push ahead. -
Decision close on Abu Dhabi carbon storage site
The Abu Dhabi government is decide soon on the first site for its nationwide multi-billion-dollar carbon capture and storage (CCS) programme. -
Doha should act to cool economy
Doha's ambitions are severely threatened by rampant inflation and a chronic skills shortage. -
Economic growth fuels inflation in Oman
Muscat is struggling to control price rises as it increases spending following last year’s better than expected oil revenues. -
Exhibition City contract goes to Samsung and Baytur
The joint venture of South Korea’s Samsung Corporation and Turkey’s Baytur has been awarded a $450m construction contract at Exhibition City, part of the Dubai World Central development that includes the city’s new airport. -
Ezz increases steel sector dominance
Independent producer commissions two new plants in Algeria and Egypt by the end of 2010 -
Financial services: Manama protects its advantage
The kingdom is increasing efforts to train nationals to work in the finance industry as this key part of the Bahraini economy comes under threat from regional competition. -
GCC banks hit by credit crisis in US
Regional institutions set to reveal wider exposure to bad debts in forthcoming results. -
Gulf Air: New year brings renewed confidence
Bahrain’s national carrier has begun 2008 with greater cause for optimism after a difficult 12 months, as the company reduces losses, recruits staff and considers expansion -
Inflation fears grow as US cuts rates
Currency revaluation is back on the agenda as central banks track Federal Reserve’s economic policy. -
JK Cement to build $400m Fujairah plant
India’s JK Cement is to build a $400m cement factory in Fujairah in collaboration with the emirate’s government. -
Jordan's unemployed in line for benefits
Jordan’s government could introduce unemployment benefits for the first time, as it struggles to find ways to deal with popular discontent in the wake of the axing of fuel subsidies. -
Kahramaa launches further $1bn expansion of network
The first underground substations will be built in Qatar as part of General Electricity & Water Corporation’s (Kahramaa) latest $1bn expansion of its transmission and distribution system. -
Kuwait issues first tender for Future City
Kuwait’s Public Authority for Housing Welfare has issued the first tender on its multi-billion-dollar Sabah al-Ahmed Future City megaproject. -
Muscat considers coal plant as gas shortage fears grow
Oman’s next independent power and water project (IWPP) could be the first coal-fired plant in the Gulf, say sources close to the scheme. -
Pressure to end wealth disparity between Bahrain's Shias and Sunnis
A cold wind blows across the sea and buffets the awnings of a construction site along King Faisal highway. Few Manama residents are outside as the temperature drops to 13oC. The city is quiet again following the clamour and congestion that accompanied US President George Bush’s one-day visit to the kingdom on 12 January.The scene is also a marked contrast to the anti-government demonstrations in mid-December, which culminated in the death of a young man who, according to activists, was -
Qatalum to double smelter capacity
Plan for second phase of aluminium plant project would create region’s largest facility by 2010perry williamsQatalum is planning to double capacity planned at its aluminium plant in Mesaieed to more than 1.2 million tonnes a year (t/y), creating the largest smelter project in the Middle East.The initiative, a 50:50 joint venture of Qatar Petroleum (QP) and Norway’s Hydro, would involve a second phase of the project more than doubling the planned capacity of 585,000 t/y, p -
Sabic
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation is increasingly moving downstream as it aims for global dominance. -
Sabic: Corporate Strategy
Under CEO Mohamed al-Mady, Sabic has evolved a strategy that is geared to aligning its commercial interests with those of the host region -
Sabic: MEED Assessment
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation has emerged as one of the world’s top 10 petrochemicals producers -
SAP to regain regional lead from Oracle
Germany’s SAP is expected to regain its leading position in the region’s business software market this year, bringing to an end Oracle’s brief period of dominance, according to US IT consultant IDC. -
Sonatrach to sign up Total and Almet
State energy firm to form joint ventures to roll out two key projects from its $15bn petrochemicals expansion -
Special report: Bahrain - Protests threaten reform
Progress has been made on introducing democratic and economic reforms to Bahrain, but the country now needs to strengthen its economy by creating jobs and diversifying away from the oil and gas sector. These issues are being forcefully tackled by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa and the Economic Development Board. -
The top six contractors in Kuwait construction
The people to know in Kuwait’s construction industry: Nasser Mohammed al-Kharafi; Fouad Alghanim; Brian Johnson; Abdul Rahman al-Marouf; Aliyar Deghani and Ahmad Faisal al-Thuwainy. -
Time for action on inflation in GCC
The shortcomings of currency pegs are evident to all, and the clamour for revaluation is reaching fever pitch.The rhetoric about inflation desperately needs to be replaced with tougher action. -
UAE utilities reform must match Masdar ambitions
An integrated strategy is required if the federation is to throw off its tag as the planet's most polluting nation.To work, initiatives have to go hand in hand with widescale reform. -
Unemployment undermines Bahraini success
Bahrain’s economy is thriving, but the government must speed up reform and address unemployment and inflation if it is to stem growing unrest among the local population. -
Union strike threats key to Bahrain energy sector overhaul
Bahrain has a reputation as one of the most reform-friendly states in the Middle East, with increasing freedom of expression.But government plans to overhaul the energy sector could be disrupted by a wave of industrial action as workers prepare to strike for better pay and conditions. -
Volatility offers lesson for Sabic
Despite the bar on international investors, neither Sabic nor the Tadawul are immune to moves in global capital markets. -
Volatility spreads to regional bourses
Steep falls on Middle East exchanges reveal increasing correlation with international stock markets -
Why the Gulf is going nuclear - the case for atomic energy
Is nuclear power the best way to satisfy the region’s growing demand for energy?
