MEED
Issue No 33 15 - 21 August 2008
View all stories from this issue.
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Akashat: Promoting industry
The Industry & Mines Ministry is aiming to promote a handful of minerals projects on a production-sharing basis, developing phosphates and kaoline from the Akashat area in Anbar, along with sulphur from the Al-Mishraq mines north of Mosul - claimed to posses the world’s largest sulphur deposits. -
Aramco and Sabic must work together
After years of operating side by side in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom’s oil and petrochemicals giants have finally sown the seeds for greater co-operation. -
Baghdad legislates to improve aviation industry standards
Government to give greater independence to regulators of airlines and airports. -
CEO James Hogan on Etihad's expansion plans
While other airlines downsize, the head of the Abu Dhabi based carrier is ordering more planes than ever. -
Charges endanger Sudan's fragile peace
A petition to arrest Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes risks destabilising the already difficult political situation in the country. -
Citadel struggles to raise $2bn for refinery
Project faces delays as credit crunch threatens largest ever finance package in North Africa. -
Cost of local-currency borrowing soars
Regional banks review return to dollar financing as the increasing demand for riyals outstrips supply. -
Dubai needs to rebuild trust
Allegations of corruption at Dubai’s largest property developer could not have come at a more awkward time for the emirate’s real estate market. -
Egypt's poor
Despite Egypt’s strong economic growth, many sectors of society are yet to enjoy the benefits. -
Enec invites firms to bid for nuclear project
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has invited prequalified firms to bid by 7 September for the contract to manage the UAE’s nuclear power programme. -
Etihad will lead Abu Dhabi’s rise
In the past, Abu Dhabi has languished in the shadow of its bolder, brasher neighbour. -
Foreign company ownership should be allowed
On 9 August 2007, the financial crisis that would come to be known as the credit crunch hit the European and US financial markets. Almost exactly a year later, on 12 August 2008, the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) become a bear market when its index finished the day at 4,944 points, more than 20 per cent below its peak of 6,291 points on 15 January. -
Gasco raises doubts over foreign participation in Hail gas field
Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Company (Gasco) is undertaking an in-house study on the potential of the offshore Hail sour gas field, raising doubts over whether international contractors will participate in its early development. -
Gulf Air restructures to stop losses
Gulf Air is restructuring its business in a bid to stem crippling losses of $600,000 a day. -
International investors target undervalued regional shares
Dubai Financial Market drops almost 20 per cent from its January peak. -
Iraq: Regional powerhouse wakes up
Investing in Iraqi industry is becoming increasingly attractive to blue-chip international firms as Baghdad addresses security concerns, overhauls legislation and opens up the economy. -
Iraq: Taking politics out of oil
Overcoming internal divisions will be key to creating a workable strategy for the long-term development of Iraq’s hydrocarbons sector. -
Iraq's oil revenues must be spent wisely
As Baghdad’s oil production continues to rise, the government’s biggest problem is no longer how to earn money, but how to spend it. -
Iraq's substantial infrastructure spending needs
Spending needs for Iraq’s infrastructure are substantial. Tahseen al-Sheikhli, civilian spokesman for Baghdad’s security plan, estimates that $30bn is required for the rehabilitation of Baghdad alone. The figure for the country as a whole runs into hundreds of billions of dollars. -
Kuwait's state operator to tender gas stations
State upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) is to issue tenders for two gas booster stations to help it increase its production capacity. -
Lebanon construction - Six most important consultants and contractors
The six most important Lebanese construction consultants and contractors. -
Mall delay highlights overheating market
Emaar Properties postpones Dubai Mall opening until late September as a series of projects over-run. -
Naeem Holding sells stake in Saudi asset management firm
Egypt’s Naeem Holding is selling its minority interest in Saudi asset management firm Naeem Investment Company, following the Capital Market Authority’s (CMA) decision to revoke the Saudi firm’s licence to operate in the kingdom. -
Nakheel executive faces fraud probe
Prosecutors launch investigation into property sales understood to be worth more than $800m. -
Oman appoints adviser for sale of power grid company
KPMG to oversee first privatisation of a Gulf transmission network operator. -
Q&A: Peter Barker-Homek, CEO, Taqa
Despite a healthy credit rating, growth may be dampened by the struggle to raise well priced capital -
Riyadh to retender fourth North-South railway package
Russian Railways suspends operations and accuses kingdom of political bias. -
Sabic and Aramco strengthen ties
Investments in China are leading to far greater collaboration between the kingdom's largest state-owned firms. -
Special Report: Baghdad's plans to rebuild economy
After five years of insurgency, Iraq still faces massive challenges, but there are signs that it has turned a corner at last. -
Taqa
Abu Dhabi National Energy Company is pursuing an aggressive expansion strategy across the sector -
Taqa: MEED Assessment
High-spending strategy could leave Taqa with expensive assets that may not deliver effectively -
TCI telecoms listing fails to meet forecasts
Share offering for Telecommunications Company of Iran values company at $5bn less than expected. -
The growing power of Baghdad
Once seen as ineffective, Iraq’s Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is building a reputation for strong leadership as the security situation improves and confidence returns to the economy. -
Time to change Iraq's spending priorities
With US efforts to reconstruct Iraq coming to an end, Baghdad is under increasing pressure to boost its investment in infrastructure given its poor track record since the 2003 invasion. -
Transport minister suspends Umm Qasr port privatisation
The privatisation of Iraq’s deep sea port at Umm Qasr has been put on hold following the appoint-ment of Emir Jabbar as transport minister. -
Wataniya internet plan suffers delay
Wataniya Palestine, a subsidiary of Kuwaiti telecoms operator Wataniya, is still waiting to get the third-generation (3G) spectrum it needs to provide mobile internet services weeks after the Israeli government gave it the second-generation (2G) spectrum to offer basic mobile phone calls.
