MEED
Issue No 16 17 - 23 April 2009
View all stories from this issue.
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Abu Dhabi opens bidding for gas transfer system
Prequalified companies to submit technical bids for integrated gas development project in early May. -
Al-Nasser Holdings
The diversified Abu Dhabi-based group is strengthening its industrial manufacturing arm. -
Al-Nasser Holdings: MEED Assessment
The company has shown a keen eye for spotting opportunities and taking advantage of them -
April delivers surge in Suez Canal traffic
Authorities hope increase in revenues heralds a recovery in international trade and shipping. -
Bahrain creates a blueprint for wastewater privatisation
The development model used for the new sewage treatment plant at Muharraq will set a template for further sanitation projects in Bahrain as Manama opens up the sector to private companies. -
Bahrain takes on Gulf shipping giants
The opening of Khalifa bin Salman Port in Hidd marks the beginning of a new era for the kingdom’s ports sector as it seeks to tap into the growing market for trade with the northern Gulf states. -
Beirut to develop private power sector after June election
Beirut plans to privatise the production of 1,000MW of power at Deir Amar on the coast north of Tripoli, after parliamentary elections on 7 June. -
Concern mounts over financing for Abu Dhabi waste plants
Bankers in the Middle East are raising concerns over a $400m debt package to finance the development of two wastewater treatment plants in Abu Dhabi. -
Contractor ban in Libya is ill-conceived
Leading contractors such as France’s Technip are in a state of paralysis over how to carry out recently awarded contracts. -
Contractors prequalify for Ras Tanura plant construction
Potential bidders have submitted prequalification documents for the construction of the planned Ras Tanura independent water, steam and power project (IWSPP). -
Crisis tests Bahrain's central bank
Maintaining Bahrain’s reputation as the region’s financial services hub will be a key priority for Manama as the global downturn begins to hit the state’s institutions. -
Designs delay bidding on Saudi rail stations
Riyadh will delay bidding for the second phase of the Haramain high-speed railway between Mecca and Medina while an architect draws up designs for the stations on the proposed rail link. -
Gulf Air to cancel aircraft lease deal
Plans to hire four Boeings from Jet Airways are abandoned weeks after the agreement was announced. -
Gulf seeks to revitalise debt markets
GCC states are borrowing money not to spend, but to give fresh momentum to corporate bond activity. -
Gulf seeks to revitalise debt markets
GCC states are borrowing money not to spend, but to give fresh momentum to corporate bond activity. -
Jeddah airport revamp is long overdue
Word has gone out to all involved that work must be accelerated. Five years is a long time to wait for the kingdom’s showpiece airport. -
Kuwaiti fiscal stimulus needs support
Should the new assembly arrive in a spirit of compromise, Kuwaitis may well breathe a sigh of relief. -
Kuwaiti stimulus package to boost lending to local companies
Central bank to guarantee up to KD1.5bn in loans rather than invest directly. -
Luksar wins exploration extension following Saudi gas discovery
Russian oil giant Lukoil is to extend its exploration of the kingdom’s Rub al-Khali (Empty Quarter) by two years, and is considering an additional drilling phase after discovering gas condensate in the area. -
Manama braces for the downturn
Despite a projected budget deficit of $1.7bn for 2009-10 and uncertainty over the impact of the global slowdown, the government’s prudent growth strategy has put the kingdom in a strong position. -
Middle East electricity regulators
Six prominent figures regulating the power sector in the region are: Saleh Mohammed al-Alawi, Yousif Janahi, Hafez Abdel el-Salmawy, Nick Carter, Hisham Khatib and Fareed Zedan. -
Nakheel seeks to restructure $4bn debt in Dubai
Dubai-based property developer tracks down sukuk owners to open talks over meeting its commitments. -
Oman reassesses bids for Salalah water and power plant
Oman Power & Water Procurement Company (OPWP) is preparing to reopen talks with the second and third-ranked bidders on the Salalah independent water and power project (IWPP), sources close to the scheme tell MEED. -
Protests should not stall reform in Bahrain
The challenge for the Economic Development Board is to hold its nerve on its Vision 2030. -
Ras al-Zour comes under Saudi government control
Riyadh scraps private sector involvement in favour of engineering, procurement and construction deal. -
Reformers vie for run-off place in Iran
The Iranian presidential election is wide open following the surprise withdrawal of the reformer Mohammad Khatami. -
Regional states are right to issue bonds
The collapse in regional bond issues has forced governments into action to help stimulate activity. -
Riyadh fast-tracks Jeddah airport deals
Tenders on major construction contracts brought forward, with bidding for foundations to start in May. -
Setting the agenda for reform in Bahrain
The publication of Bahrain’s National Economic Strategy this month will help to remove the remaining obstacles to the delivery of the kingdom’s 2030 development masterplan. -
Special Report: Bahrain - Vision 2030 plan takes shape
Bahrain’s strong economic position will help it fulfil its ambition of becoming a major shipping hub in the region and maintain its status as a leading financial services centre for the Gulf. -
Tripoli's distance working ban derails Eni project
Tripoli’s plan to force international firms to form local ventures stalls work on offshore Bouri field.
