MEED
Issue No 14 3 - 9 April 2009
View all stories from this issue.
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Abu Dhabi a model of sustainability
With a focus on sensible design and planning, the development of the UAE capital city is an example for other governments in the region. -
Abu Dhabi's Dolphin to retender pipeline contract
Concerns over Russian contractor’s ability to meet deadlines prompt firm to invite new bids. -
Algiers: Building a modern capital
A series of major mixed-use projects and infrastructure developments are transforming Algiers after years of civil war and underinvestment. -
Americana Group
The Kuwait-based firm aims to build on its base as the leading food company in the Middle East. -
Americana Group: MEED Assessment
The Kuwait-based firm has flourished over the past five years but there are signs that retrenchment may be on the way -
Amman receives bids for nuclear study
Six firms are competing for site study contract for facility to be built 9 kilometres east of Aqaba. -
Arabian Canal construction hits delays
Developer Limitless reschedules programme after Roads & Transport Authority terminates design contract. -
Controlling Qatar's pace of change
The Urban Planning & Development Authority is drawing up a masterplan for Qatar to ensure planned infrastructure projects are compatible and able to move ahead on time. -
Dubai must wait for next boom
Projects will need to be redesigned to meet more cautious post-credit crunch investor requirements. -
Egypt inward investment
The six key figures leading Egypt’s drive to attract foreign direct investment are: Mahmoud Mohieldin, Maged Shawky, Assem Ragab, Ahmed Nazif, Tarek Kamel and Youssef Boutros-Ghali. -
Kuwait considers private sector for wastewater scheme
Kuwait’s Public Works Ministry is considering developing the Umm al-Hayman wastewater treatment plant as a build-operate-transfer scheme. -
Kuwait plans $82bn in hydrocarbons spending
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation sets out investment plans for next five years. -
Kuwait to issue tenders for $3.7bn Subiya causeway
Kuwait plans to tender for the contract to build the KD1bn ($3.7bn) Subiya causeway by the end of this year. -
Lebanese tourism sector bounces back
The number of visitors to Beirut is increasing following the signing of the Doha Agreement in May 2008. -
Legal battle between CCC and Masri moves to UK’s upper house
The ongoing legal battle between Palestinian businessman Munib Masri and two divisions of the Athens-registered Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) will move to the UK’s House of Lords in May, the country’s highest court. -
Losing firms expect bidding for Iraqi fields to be reopened
The oil majors that failed to prequalify in the second bid round for fields in Iraq are confident that the government will invite more firms to bid, in an effort to increase competition and achieve better terms. -
Ministry reopens competition for Jaber al-Ahmed hospital in Kuwait
Kuwait’s Ministry of Public Works (MPW) is to retender the main construction contract on the Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah hospital project, one of Kuwait’s largest ever building projects, at the beginning of April. -
National Bank of Kuwait confident state will withstand downturn
Kuwait can draw on $500bn in assets to rescue economy, says chief economist. -
Nuclear power is self-sufficiency in Jordan
Atomic energy will play a huge role in meeting the country’s growing electricity demand. -
Palestinian economy set to contract
The economy of the West Bank and Gaza will contract by 3.6 per cent this year, according to the Palestinian National Authority’s official statistics agency. -
Putting Baghdad back together
The masterplan for the development of the Iraqi capital is due for completion this year, with the aim of uniting communities that have been divided by war. -
Qatar to break up Al-Shaheen refinery work into smaller deals
Qatar Petroleum seeks to lower risk and attract more competitively priced bids. -
Qatar to enter talks over gas facilities upgrade project
Discussions to take place on $1bn combined contract for Dukhan and Mesaieed. -
Qatargas to pay for time spent on bids
Qatar Liquefied Gas Company (Qatargas) will guarantee payments for preparatory work undertaken by prequalified contractors on its $1.2bn plateau maintenance project, in an unusual move for the state’s energy sector. -
Rabigh consortium close to securing project financing in Saudi Arabia
Acwa Power and Kepco expect to conclude talks with banks in mid-April. -
Reform delays harm Algerian economy
The ageing president has retained economic power in the state’s hands. The question is how hard the establishment will resist changes. -
Regional cities should be planned wisely
The pace of economic growth has resulted in plans being overlooked in favour of rapid construction. -
Riyadh backs power investment company
Water & Electricity Holding Company will invest in the kingdom’s independent water and power projects. -
Riyadh planning for a growing population
The Arriyadh Development Authority has completed a masterplan for two new cities on the outskirts of the capital to cope with the expected rise in the kingdom’s population over the next 50 years. -
Saudi banks seek government support to plug funding gap
Saudi banks are in talks with Riyadh over securing long-term deposits from government ministries to help fill a funding gap that is preventing them from financing the kingdom’s vital infrastructure projects. -
Security key to Algeria's economic success
If President Abdelaziz Bouteflika wins a third term, restoring the confidence of investors will be a priority. -
Special Report: Major projects - Reshaping regional cities
The region’s major cities are responding to unprecedented population growth by drawing up masterplans which will reshape the region’s urban centres, from Abu Dhabi to Algiers. -
Sumitomo seeks partner for Ras al-Zour
Consortium hopes deal with power company will protect its position as preferred bidder on the project. -
Sumitomo will be given time by Riyadh
The consortium has $2.5bn in funding agreed, which would be hard for a rival bidder to replace. -
Trends: Middle East investors target Africa
Gulf firms are seeking opportunities in sectors ranging from construction to agriculture. -
Trends: Middle East investors target Africa
Gulf firms are seeking opportunities in sectors ranging from construction to agriculture. -
Work begins on Baghdad airport masterplan
The Baghdad Mayoralty and Iraq’s Transport Ministry will begin drafting a formal masterplan in the summer for the $50bn redevelopment of the area around Baghdad International airport.
