MEED
Issue No 08 22 - 28 February 2008
View all stories from this issue.
-
Abu Dhabi axes plan for Mussafah port
Emirate focuses on Khalifa as study reveals there is not enough demand to justify two developments. -
Algiers to develop $1.5bn fertiliser plant at Guelma
Project is one of a series aimed at boosting exports tenfold by 2020. -
Amman cuts spending by 10 per cent
Amman is to cut public spending by at least 10 per cent this year, after the government was forced to accept compromises with parliament that have pushed it over-budget. -
Aramco splits Jubail contracts to minimise risk of cost rises
State-owned oil giant invites contractors to submit fixed-price bids. -
Baghdad to reopen vital oil rail route from Bayji to Al-Anbar
Iraq’s Transport Ministry has begun work on renovating a stretch of railway track to link two critical industrial regions of the country. -
Breaking the Saudi mobile duopoly
After spending $6bn on Saudi Arabia’s third mobile phone licence, Kuwait’s Zain hopes to attain one-third of the market, but it has several challenges to overcome first. -
Coal is Dubai’s best option to meet rising demand
In the latest sign that the Gulf is starting to take innovative steps to deal with soaring demand for power, Dubai is planning to build several coal-fired power plants. -
Crisis unites the Gulf construction industry
If the first stage in addressing a problem is recognising it, then the Gulf’s construction industry took an important step forward at the Arabian World Construction Summit. -
Doubts over energy supplies delay Takamul soda ash plant
Plans to develop a major soda ash plant in Oman are on hold because of doubts over energy supplies to the complex. -
Dubai bars Iranian firms following US sanctions pressure
Dubai is unofficially barring Iranian companies from setting up in the emirate following US pressure to enforce financial sanctions against Tehran. -
Dubai plans coal-fired electricity plant
Gas shortages drive emirate to consider alternative energy sources such as steam and nuclear -
Dubai power and water tariff hikes too limited in scope to cut consumption
Exemptions undermine chances of reducing power and water use. -
Efficiency is key to Khalifa port's success
Abu Dhabi has chosen to focus its efforts on building just one major port to serve its shipping needs. The decision has been driven by concerns that there is not enough demand to make a second large port necessary. -
Exposure to risk slashes returns for energy services firms
Spiralling prices are wiping out profits for many energy services firms. -
First Energy Bank to list within two years
First Energy Bank, the energy sector investment bank created by Gulf Finance House, could be listed on a regional stock market within two years. -
Gulf cargo market defies slowdown
Regional cargo carriers are experiencing strong growth despite the difficulties being experienced elsewhere. -
Investment house offers sukuk to fund real estate projects
Dubai Investments is to enter the Islamic bond market for the first time by issuing a $750m sukuk to raise funding for new real estate projects. -
Iraq Airways to purchase 50 aircraft at cost of $6bn
National carrier in talks to add planes to fleet, including 10 long-haul Boeings. -
Iraqi Airways to restore pride after buying planes
The news that Iraqi Airways is set to purchase 50 new aircraft at a cost of about $6bn sends a clear message to Iraq’s beleaguered population that their country’s fortunes are steadily improving. -
Kingdom set to approve Mile High tower in Jeddah
Tenders expected within six months to build 1,600-metre skyscaper. -
Metito
Managing director Fady Juez outlines plans to float the company within three years. -
Metito: MEED Assessment
Metito has a strong track record in the region, but it is still a relatively small player in the water and wastewater market -
Opening up the Tadawul
With the slowdown in the US and eurozone, Saudi Arabia’s growth story is attracting much international attention, but restrictions on the stock market are holding back investment. -
Q&A: Fady Juez, Managing Director, Metito
Juez believes Metito can compete with larger, well-established regional players. He explains why -
Ras Laffan C financing set for March
The $2.5bn financing for the Ras Laffan C independent water and power project is to be launched in early March, once key project agreements have been signed. -
Reform must happen quickly in Bahrain
Manama needs to streamline its decision-making process to ensure the crown prince can deliver reform. -
Regional investment banking: Six key people
The six most prominent investment bankers in the region: Aladdin Saba, Hassan Heikal, Maha Khaled al-Ghunaim, Salah al-Fulaij, Iyad Duwaji and Esam Janahi. -
Riyadh to bring bourse into line with international rivals
Capital Market Authority plans to overhaul stock market share pricing. -
Riyadh's 2020 Vision strategy: Balancing growth with job creation
While Riyadh is committed to creating jobs under its 2020 Vision strategy, it also has to ensure that its industrial development plans are economically feasible and attractive to foreign investors. -
Riyadh's struggle to attract foreign investment
Despite efforts to make the kingdom more attractive to overseas investors, it has a long way to go to achieve its ambition of becoming one of the top 10 countries for foreign investment by 2010. -
Sabic to take stake in $8bn olefins project in Jubail
Industrial giant expected to sign memorandum of understanding with Sipchem by the end of February. -
Saudi automotive sector: Drive for diversification
Riyadh’s plans to develop its fledgling automotive industry have received a boost with the opening of a testing facility for sports car maker Lotus. -
Saudi cement industry: Built on solid foundations
With the Saudi construction sector booming, local cement producers are undergoing a massive capacity expansion. But if domestic consumption slows, is there a danger of oversupply? -
Saudi pharmaceuticals: Taking on the big brands
The Saudi pharmaceuticals market offers international firms selling branded products huge profits each year. Now the kingdom’s producers want their share. -
Six firms bid for Dolphin pipeline deal
Plans to boost gas supplies in the UAE have taken a significant step forward, with six companies submitting bids to extend the Dolphin Energy gas pipeline from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah. -
Special Report: GCC construction sector - Branching Out
Liberalising the property market has boosted the GCC construction sector, but challenges remain for both governments and developers alike. -
Special report: Saudi Arabia: Building an industrial base
Since joining the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in December 2005, many Saudi companies have seen foreign imports increasing and their own positions in the market being threatened. -
Sub-prime losses close to $2bn
The level of write-downs by Gulf banks due to the sub-prime crises is now close to $2bn, after Gulf International Bank (GIB) announced nearly $1bn in losses from sub-prime-related assets. -
Tadawul needs foreign investors
When it comes to opening up the Saudi stock market (Tadawul), the Capital Market Authority is not going to be rushed. -
Tethys will be first oil firm to list on Dubai International Financial Exchange
The first oil company to list on a Dubai exchange should make its debut by the end of April, when Sweden’s Tethys Oil is expected to stage a secondary listing on the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX). -
The Crown Prince: Why Bahrain needs economic reform
As protests for political change continue, Sheikh Salman al-Khalifa is proving to be the progressive face of the kingdom. -
The revival of Sudair
In a bid to relieve congestion in Riyadh and boost efforts to diversify the Saudi economy, the government is launching the kingdom’s largest industrial city.
