MEED
Issue No 18 2 - 8 May 2008
View all stories from this issue.
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Abu Dhabi to invest $20bn in Taweelah
Site will be location for chemicals city being developed as part of plans to diversify the economy. -
Adco receives bids to boost oil output
All four prequalified groups have submitted bids for the estimated $3.5bn project to boost Abu Dhabi’s oil output by 60,000 barrels a day (b/d). -
Algiers revives Bougzoul city project
Algeria has revived long-running plans to build a new multi-billion-dollar city south of Algiers, as it seeks to provide housing and jobs for its fast-growing population. -
Aramco selects contractors for five-year energy plan
Companies to compete exclusively for billions of dollars worth of projects. -
Building a regional brand
Gulf developers have traditionally signed up foreign companies to manage their hotels, but this is changing as local firms seek to become established names in the region’s hospitality sector. -
Building regional hotel brands is the way forward
Shaking off an over-reliance on established hotel operators will help the region hit its tourism targets. -
Development approaches its peak
With the Gulf outperforming many parts of the world in terms of tourism growth, the number of hotels in the region is increasing rapidly. But by 2010, supply will catch up with demand. -
Dewa to complete $1bn securitisation
Deal is one of a series of issues planned in the Middle East as the region avoids the global downturn. -
Doha fast-tracks programme to increase crude production
Gaz de France and Wintershall frontrunners for two offshore exploration blocks. -
Dubai plans waterways to link Business Bay to Gulf
Additional 42km of canal creates opportunities for more waterfront residences. -
Emad Farid
An important person at Egyptian conglomerate Orascom Group -
Eqypt's Orascom: Six key people
The six most important people at Egyptian conglomerate Orascom Group: Onsi Sawiris, Naguib Sawiris, Samih Sawiris, Nassef Sawiris, Emad Farid and Osama Bishai. -
Gas shortage in Oman threatens growth
Muscat will struggle to increase the contribution of non-oil industries to its economy unless fresh gas supplies can be found. -
GCC finance chiefs defend progress on corporate governance
GCC financial markets have hit back at criticism over poor corporate governance and large state shareholdings in listed companies in a report by the City of London Corporation. -
Global investors exit local debt markets
International institutions are turning away from the region because of concerns over local currency pricing. -
Gulf construction firms are world leaders
Arabtec’s win in St Petersburg is a sign that the region is starting to take a lead on high-rise buildings. -
Gulf International Bank
The bank is working hard to repair its reputation after heavy losses in the sub-prime crisis. -
Gulf International Bank: MEED Assessment
The bank is well connected and respected regionally -
Hollandi fails to secure partner for Ras Tanura financing deal
Saudi Hollandi Bank has fallen out of the running for the advisory mandate on the project financing deal for the Ras Tanura refinery, after failing to secure an international banking partner for its bid. -
Islamic hospitality sector emerges
Investors are backing a new breed of culturally sensitive hotel that can provide the facilities and environment demanded by the increasing number of Muslim tourists in the region. -
Kuwait compensation bid stalls as discussions collapse
Iraqi president walks out of talks after US-backed plea to drop debt fails. -
Locals export expertise in building tall
Emirati firms’ experience in constructing high-rise towers is increasingly winning them work overseas. -
Major tourism projects in the GCC
The number of tourism related investments in the Gulf is at an all time high as investors seek to profit from the region's growth in visitor numbers. MEED Projects shows a total of $194 billion projects are planned or underway across the GCC. -
Major tourism projects in the GCC
The number of tourism related investments in the Gulf is at an all time high as investors seek to profit from the region's growth in visitor numbers. MEED Projects shows a total of $194 billion projects are planned or underway across the GCC. -
Mobile phone privatisation faces delays in Lebanon
Lebanon is expected to postpone the $6bn privatisation of its state-owned mobile phone operators for a second time when it updates potential bidders on the sale in May, because of the continued political turmoil. -
Onsi Sawiris
An important person at Egyptian conglomerate Orascom Group -
Osama Bishai
An important person at Egyptian conglomerate Orascom Group -
Price fall threatens Saudi gold rush
With gold prices set to drop, keeping down production costs will be key to Maaden’s expansion plans. -
Q&A: Khaled al-Fayez, CEO, Gulf International Bank
GIB has always been responsive to market needs and willing to change direction to better suit shareholders’ and customers’ interests -
Ras al-Zour hits further delay
The deadline for the world’s largest independent water and power project (IWPP), at Ras al-Zour in Saudi Arabia, has again been delayed after a request from bidders. -
Reforms will help capital markets mature
A new report has identified key reforms that Gulf markets must make to reach their potential. -
Regional banks can fill the void
Foreign banks are taking a step back to nurse their losses in other markets. The question is how much progress local banks can make in the interim. -
Regional power link-up makes sense
A grid link with Egypt will allow not only Saudi Arabia but also the rest of the GCC to draw on electricity from its western neighbours. -
Riyadh and Cairo consider plans to connect power grids
Project could provide a link between planned GCC network and Europe. -
Riyadh eases inflation pressure for contractors
The Saudi government is assessing ways to reimburse contractors for losses caused by rising prices. -
Riyadh to bankroll Sudair city loans
Private developers will pay low interest rates on funding that could run into billions of dollars. -
Samih Sawiris
An important person at Egyptian conglomerate Orascom Group -
South African operator to build $500m network in Sudan
MTN, the South African telecoms operator, will spend $500m building a mobile phone network in southern Sudan, after winning permission to operate in 10 states run by the breakaway government in Juba. -
Special Report: Hotel investment - The rise of regional hotel brands
Developers across the Gulf are realising that the branding of their hotels and apartments is critical to their future competitiveness.
