MEED
Issue No 36 5 - 11 September 2008
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“Bridge of Horns” crossing project seeks funding for detailed design phase
Engineers are set to map the seabed between Djibouti and Yemen, as the£25bn continental crossing project enters the next stage. -
Adco wins approval to split Sas work
Full-field development at Sahil, Asab and Shah to be awarded in two more manageable packages. -
Ahli United to agree $800m debt facility
Ahli United Bank was scheduled to agree a new $800m syndicated loan on 5 September in a bid to beat the deteriorating global finance market and improve its funding position. -
Al-Rihab selects Alec to build 99-storey tower in Dubai
The local Alec has been selected for the AED1.8bn ($490m) contract to build a 99-storey tower at Dubai International Financial Centre, the highest yet of a series of newtowers planned for the area. -
Aramco delays Khursaniyah output rise
Problems at associated gas plant stall plans for field to start full production of 500,000 barrels a day. -
Bahrain bridge forges new Manama-Qatar route
Raed Al-Salah, director at Bahrain’s Ministry of Works, speaks to MEED about the challenge of replacing the Sitra Island bridge crossings and the business benefits for the Kingdom. -
Brian Buckley
Brian Buckley is CEO, Oman LNG -
Bridges and causeways: Bringing Gulf states together
A series of projects to build bridges and causeways will improve political links between countries in the region as well as providing economic benefits. -
Building transport links across the region
Trade between Gulf states is set to improve as the difficulties of crossing the region’s vast open spaces are resolved with a series of major road, rail and airport projects. -
CBI Lummus wins Ibn Rushd deal
The US’ CBI Lummus has won the technology licensing contract for the world’s largest propane dehydogenation (PDH) plant, at the Arabian Industrial Fibres Company (Ibn Rushd) complex at Yanbu. -
Code of conduct is no threat to Gulf funds
GCC funds have little to fear from a new code; it is Chinese and Russian funds that are in the West’s sights. -
Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners)
The Lebanese firm is pursuing international expansion while maintaining its core business in the Gulf -
Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners): MEED Assessment
Lebanese Construction company is one of a select group to break away from home markets and become truly international -
Demand for Gulf labourers forces contractors’ hand
Labour camp unrest has died down after last year’s protests but contractors are now being forced to build accommodation for their workers, turning to clients to provide the valuable land. -
Developers raise water and power tariffs as costs soar
Rising engineering, procurement and construction costs are forcing power project bidders to up their prices. -
Doha suspends Ras Laffan petrochemicals expansion
Plans for common cooling system shelved because of a lack of interest in plots. -
DP World invites firms to bid for Jebel Ali port expansion
Work to create an offshore island to boost capacity will start by the end of 2008. -
Dubai overtaking Abu Dhabi after easing road congestion
After more than three years of battling with congestion, the UAE’s largest city will begin to get the problem under control with the opening of its metro next year, while the situation in the capital is getting worse. -
Foreigners can raise standards in financial sector
Hurdles to foreign investment need to be removed if the region’s improving standards are to reach international stock market norms. -
Gaddafi’s victory has cost little
The US deal officially ends Gaddafi’s tenure as a political outcast and confirms the legitimacy of his regime. -
Gaz de France invites bids for Touat gas-processing plant
Gaz de France (GDF) is pressing ahead with the commercial development of its Touat concession in southern Algeria by inviting companies to bid for the contract to build gas-processing facilities at the field. -
Gulf overhauls financial rulebook
Countries in the region are reforming their regulatory regimes in a bid to attract multinational firms. -
IMF draws criticism over code for sovereign wealth funds
Guidelines offer no explanation of how conduct will be policed, say observers. -
John Malcolm
John Malcolm is managing director, Petroleum Development Oman -
Landbridge on schedule despite reports of severe delays
Talks over developing the Saudi Landbridge scheme are on track, a source close to the project tells MEED, despite reports of a breakdown in communications between Riyadh and the preferred bidder. -
Light rail: A template for GCC public transport
Dubai’s pioneering development of a light rail network is set to be reproduced across the region as GCC states strive to reduce car use and integrate their transport systems. -
Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan
Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan is chairman, Oman Oil Company; Minister of Commerce & Industry -
Masdar delays deadline for Shams 1 plant
Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) is extending the deadline for bids for the largest solar power plant in the world by a month to 30 September. -
Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhy
Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhy is minister of oil and gas -
Muscat invites bids for Sohar styrene plant
State-owned Oman Refineries & Petrochemicals Company (ORPC) is planning a new ethylbenzene/styrene monomer (EBSM) plant at its Sohar refinery. -
Nakheel seeks acquisitions in falling global property markets
Dubai-based developer Nakheel plans to capitalise on the global downturn in property markets by acquiring further real estate assets overseas. -
Oman Energy - Six key people
The six most influential figures in the country’s energy sector: Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan, Yousuf Mohamed al-Ojaili, John Malcolm, Brian Buckley, Mohammed bin Hamad al-Rumhy and Nasser bin Khamis al-Jashmi. -
Price pressures on construction materials begin to ease
After five years of soaring materials costs, falls in the commodities markets are set to bring some relief to the Gulf’s overheating construction sector. -
Price pressures on construction materials begin to ease
After five years of soaring materials costs, falls in the commodities markets are set to bring some relief to the Gulf’s overheating construction sector. -
Putting the Maghreb railway back on track
With the cost of air travel soaring, Cairo, Tripoli and Algiers are finally taking steps to overhaul their dilapidated railway infrastructure after years of underinvestment. -
Q&A: Riad Mneimneh, Executive Director, Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners)
Private sector projects are expected to increase but competition will be stiff to win contracts -
Qatar Islamic to list foreign subsidiaries
Bank to float firms on local exchanges as part of plans to develop international Islamic banking hubs. -
Region needs better rail links
The Gulf and North Africa are both investing in high-speed rail links to provide an alternative to air travel. -
Riyadh should welcome oil production delays
Riyadh may take heart from the fact its new production is not all coming on line while prices are below $110. Any further price drop and Saudi Arabia may regret chasing capacity. -
Riyadh to award border fence work at third of original price
Bids resubmitted in August following a scaling back in the project’s scope. -
Special Report: Construction - The Gulf's transport boom
It is ironic that the transport sector is one of the main beneficiaries of high oil prices. Buoyed by massive fiscal surpluses, the region’s governments are now able to invest heavily in infrastructure, and transportation has become a top priority. -
State firms in Egypt fall behind on governance
Survey reveals better performance from Egypt’s largest listed companies in 12 out of 16 categories. -
Three firms pull ahead in bid for $2.7bn Arabian Canal deal
Australian, Iranian and local companies vie to win first-phase excavation work. -
Three groups vie for $1.5bn Hassyan deal
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) has received bids from three groups for the $1.5bn contract to build the Hassyan sea-water cooling system. -
Transforming Saudi rail industry
A series of multi-billion-dollar rail projects is set to boost the kingdom’s industrial development and aid the diversification of its economy. -
Tripoli begins abolition of ministries
M050908 News: State-owned utilities companies have been set up to manage Libya’s power, water and gas sectors. -
Tripoli to herald Rice visit as victory
As compensation claims for past terrorist attacks near settlement, the US Secretary of State’s trip to Libya marks a warming of relations.
