MEED
Issue No 29 17 - 23 July 2009
View all stories from this issue.
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Abu Dhabi sewerage firm gains independence
Former Abu Dhabi Water Authority subsidiary will be spun off under legislation introduced on 1 July. -
Abu Dhabi shortlists six firms for metro consultancy contract
Winning consortium will carry out feasibility study and prepare outline design. -
Adwea subsidiary must stand alone
The shift will be gradual as Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company develops its own systems. -
Aldar replaces Al-Raha project manager
Abu Dhabi developer has appointed the US' Turner Construction to run the scheme from 1 August. -
Ashghal seeks contractor for Doha hospital deal
Qatar's Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has invited prequalified contractors to bid by 22 September for a hospital fit-out contract at Hamad Medical City in Doha. -
Construction opportunities amid the summer lull in Gulf
A series of infrastructure project launches will keep Gulf firms busy during the normally quiet period. -
Construction Special Report: Gulf project costs fall
As construction companies’ confidence in the Dubai real estate market has drained away over the past six months, so the average price of construction materials in the UAE has dropped. -
Developer launches project to transform downtown Doha
Local developer Dohaland has invited contractors to prequalify for a building contract on a major urban redevelopment project in downtown Doha. -
Eight firms bid for Abu Dhabi road bridge deal
The local Tourism & Development Investment Company (TDIC) has received eight bids to build a road bridge connecting Abu Dhabi Island with Hudayriat Island. -
Election sparks hopes of construction revival in Lebanon
The newly appointed government of Prime Minister Saad Hariri is bringing hope of fresh work for contractors, with much rebuilding still to be done after the 2006 conflict with Israel. -
Falling construction costs stall awards in the region
With clients delaying handing out contracts in the hope of securing lower prices, privately sponsored project activity is set to remain subdued this year. -
Gulf Air revamp needs support
The Bahraini airline now needs an overhaul in every department, particularly a cut in staff. Without bold steps, the competition could become insurmountable. -
Gulf Air set for major restructuring
Struggling national carrier to issue tender in July for adviser to oversee the overhaul of the business. -
Gulf joins the gold rush
In a bid to develop new revenue sources, the region's governments are liberalising their mining sectors and offering incentives to private and international prospectors. -
Gulf states compete to be the regional air transport hub
Gulf countries are pushing ahead with their ambitious airport projects despite the global downturn. But if passenger numbers continue to fall, will there be the demand to support a five-fold increase in capacity? -
Kuwait cuts size of contractor bid bonds
Government lowers required rate to a flat 2 per cent of the price submitted in attempt to increase interest. -
Kuwaiti bond cuts are not enough
Political wrangling and suffocating bureaucracy have stalled public sector projects for the past five years. -
Local firm submits low bid for Abu Dhabi oil pipeline deal
The local National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) is the front runner for an estimated $300m contract to replace a major underwater oil pipeline in Abu Dhabi after submitting the lowest price, according to sources close to the project. -
Partnering has been a failure in Abu Dhabi
Developers now know they no longer need to offer lucrative partnership agreements with guaranteed margins. -
Price falls will prompt delays in Gulf construction sector
Clients are hoping prices will continue to fall and contractors will drop their bids even further. -
Q&A: Michael Wright, Chief Executive Officer, Spinneys Group
The retailer has developed a multi-country programme to underpin its outlets in the region -
Qatar energy companies launch service and maintenance deals
Qatar's energy firms are pushing ahead with a raft of service and maintenance deals as the state moves into the implementation phase of its bid to boost liquefied natural gas (LNG) production from 42 million tonnes a year (t/y) to 77 million t/y by 2010. -
Qatar Petroleum to start work on Lusail headquarters
Contractors invited to bid on first phase with construction to begin in early 2010. -
Regional export credit agencies
Six of the key overseas figures providing financing to Gulf projects: Patrick Crawford, Jeffrey Abramson, Hiroshi Watanabe, Jerome Cazes, Dongsoo Kim and Alessandro Castellano. -
Regulator draws up shortlist for Jeddah airport city work
Saudi Arabia's aviation regulator, the General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca), is finalising a shortlist of developers to oversee the first phase of a multi-billion-dollar development on land surrounding King Abdulaziz International airport in Jeddah. -
Saudi Aramco launches major gas projects
State energy giant is boosting production to meet increasing demand from domestic petrochemicals firms. -
Slow construction progress hits confidence in Abu Dhabi
While $7bn worth of construction contracts are set to be awarded in Abu Dhabi this year, the emirate's cautious approach to development is a concern for contractors. -
Special Report: Construction - Project costs drop in the Gulf
As construction companies’ confidence in the Dubai real estate market has drained away over the past six months, so the average price of construction materials in the UAE has dropped. -
Spinneys Group
The Middle Eastern supermarket chain is expanding its presence in both existing and new markets. -
Spinneys Group: MEED Assessment
The Middle Eastern supermarket chain has strong local knowledge and is viewed as a regional brand -
Sponsors give guarantees over Dolphin gas pipeline route
Project backers agree to take on the risk of a border dispute interfering with the operation of the project. -
The first signs of a construction revival in Gulf
While the value of contracts awarded in the Gulf in the first half of the year is down from 2008, tenders on a series of state-backed projects are lifting the gloom. -
US developer to conclude sale of regional power plants by August
US power plant developer AES Corporation has shortlisted seven companies to bid for the four power plants it is selling, two of which are in the Middle East.
