MEED
Issue No 13 27 March - 2 April 2009
View all stories from this issue.
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Aramco plans $60bn production boost
International contractors seeking to win contracts must form joint ventures with local firms. -
Baghdad masterplan will bring investment
A Baghdad masterplan will show potential foreign investors that the government has regained its grip. -
Bahrain's Mumtalakat delays overseas investment
Mumtalakat focuses on domestic companies as it suspends strategy of diversifying its portfolio abroad. -
Bechtel study delays first Iraqi oil round
Iraq is delaying bids by one month on its first oil round to allow US contractor Bechtel time to finish its inspection of the existing facilities at the fields. -
Confidence returns to Riyadh's Tadawul
While the Saudi stock exchange fell further and faster than many Gulf markets in 2008, the worst appears to be over, with the exchange performing better than its peers so far this year. -
Credit crunch hits Riyadh's downstream plans
The drying up of project finance around the world is raising doubts over the kingdom’s ability to deliver on its ambitious programme to increase refining capacity by 50 per cent by 2015. -
Fears mount over strength of Abu Dhabi real estate sector
Cancellation of Tameer Towers contracts raises concern that more will follow. -
Firms submit bids for Umm Shaif work in Abu Dhabi
Firms have entered commercial bids for the $500-600m contract to construct an offshore gas processing platform at the Umm Shaif oil and gas field in Abu Dhabi, with an award scheduled for July 2009. -
Four groups set to sign deals for Rasheed airbase upgrade
Government will confirm plans for the $20bn redevelopment by mid-April. -
Gulf biotechnology
The six prominent players in the region’s biotechnology and life sciences sectors are: Abdulqader al-Khayat, Elias Zerhouni, Ahmed Emara, Faruq Badiuddin, Mohamed al-Hamad al-Marwani and Abbas Lotfi. -
Infrastructure masterplan for Baghdad approaches completion
Plan will cover sectors including transport, power, water and housing. -
Iraqi industrial rail link to reopen following renovation work
Iraq’s western minerals railway will reopen by the end of 2009 following rebuilding work on a bridge in the Al-Anbar province, US sources in Iraq tell MEED. -
Key Saudi schemes set to move ahead
Despite billions of dollars worth of investment, the kingdom’s transport system remains inadequate. However, significant progress is expected on a series of major projects this year. -
Kuwaiti emir needs to win support
A strong government will be needed to see off any attempts to veto the bills when parliament returns, but there is a glimmer of hope. -
Kuwaiti emir seeks to buoy investor confidence
Laws to regulate companies and markets set to be passed following approval of $5bn stimulus package. -
Low bidders in talks for Omani airport deal
The three lowest bidders for the first main construction contract on the development of Muscat International airport have begun negotiations with Oman’s Transport & Communication Ministry. -
Nakheel halves wastewater capacity at International City
Dubai-based property developer Nakheel has reduced capacity at its planned International City wastewater treatment plant by 50 per cent, from 88,000 cubic metres a day (cm/d) to 44,000 cm/d. -
Oil contractors have to accept Saudi terms
Saudi Aramco feels international contractors need to do more in terms of training and development. -
Orascom Construction Industries
The Egyptian company is focusing on becoming a global leader in fertiliser production by 2010. -
Orascom Construction Industries: MEED Assessment
The Egyptian company is exposed to the projects market slowdown, but its fertiliser operations will grow significantly in the next two years -
Permit delays in Riyadh hold back developers
The government urgently needs to address the time, cost and bureaucracy surrounding the award of construction permits in the kingdom if it is to meet growing demand for housing. -
Power: Riyadh must lead the way
Abandoning the IWPP model on Ras al-Zour would have repercussions. The financial crisis has by no means derailed the kingdom’s plans. -
Qatargas invites bids to maintain output
Four energy majors prequalified to compete for $1.2bn project to keep production at Qatargas I constant. -
Regulator seeks to identify weaknesses at Bahraini banks
Central bank governor says it will raise areas of concern with directors. -
Riyadh rewires for growth
Saudi Arabia has made the development of its information and communications technology sector a priority as it seeks to improve the work prospects of nationals. -
Saudi Arabia embraces reform
Saudi Arabia is removing the barriers to enterprise as part of its long-term plan to become one of the top 10 locations in the world to do business. -
Saudi power privatisation plans hit delays
Funding issues at Ras al-Zour highlight the hurdles Riyadh faces as it seeks to sell off power and water assets. -
Saudi refining sector can bounce back
Reflecting a worldwide trend, Saudi Arabia’s flagship refining projects are suffering delays. -
Special Report: Riyadh cuts red tape
Saudi Arabia has set its sights on becoming one of the 10 best countries in the world in which to do business by next year. The kingdom has worked hard to climb up the World Bank’s Doing Business league, rising 17 places to 16th since 2007. -
Suez in talks over Addur equity sale
Belgium’s Suez Energy International and Kuwait’s Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) are in talks with potential partners over the sale of an equity stake in the planned Addur independent water and power project (IWPP).
