MEED
Issue No 42 16-22 October 2009
View all stories from this issue.
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Abdul Karim
Abdul Karim al-Fauri & Associates is partner, Abdul Karim al-Fauri & Associates -
Abu Dhabi set to tender $6.8 airport terminal
Changes to senior management delay scheme -
Abu Dhabi taking the lead on clean energy
Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Initiative could make the emirate a global leader in renewable energy technology, if it can take advantage of delays on rival projects and make progress quickly -
Abu Dhabi taking the lead on clean energy
Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Initiative could make the emirate a global leader in renewable energy technology, if it can take advantage of delays on rival projects and make progress quickly -
Abu Dhabi to commission sulphur study
Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Company (Gasco) is to commission a major study to help the emirate prepare for an unprecedented increase in sulphur production -
Adnoc considers rival sulphur transport schemes for Shah
State energy firm to choose between pipeline and rail link by the end of the year -
Aldar Properties cancels Al-Gurm hotel tender
Abu Dhabi-based developer will redesign project -
Ali Sharif Zubi
Ali Sharif Zubi is senior partner, Ali Sharif Zubi Advocates & Legal Consultants -
Al-Suwaidi wins Aramco storage plant deal
State-run oil company Saudi Aramco has awarded a $200m contract to the local MS Al-Suwaidi Industrial Services Company to upgrade 14 bulk storage plants -
Aramco meets contractors for $100m Ras Tanura deal
Marine package is first construction contract on $20bn refinery scheme -
Aviation authority to refinance sukuk
State-run airports operator is in talks with banks over restructuring $1bn debt by 4 November -
Baghdad to award short-term deals to boost oil production
The Iraqi government plans to award a series of short-term contracts to increase production at five of its oil fields -
Bank launches funds to exploit financial crisis
Abu Dhabi bank The National Investor (TNI) is to launch two $200m funds to exploit regional investment opportunities in the wake of the financial crisis, according to Yahya Jalil, head of private equity at the firm -
Cairo delays will deter private investors in the water sector
Cairo is to raise 10-30 per cent of the capital needed for its infrastructure programme from the sector -
Cairo seeks private developer for wastewater concession
Qualification for public-private partnership scheme to be requested by 20 October -
Chevron wins deal to plan refinery boost
Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) has awarded a consultancy deal to the US’ Chevron Lummus Global to masterplan a 100,000-barrel-a-day (b/d) capacity upgrade at the country’s sole oil refinery -
Cities will drive development in Libya
A $54bn initiative will turn the Gulf of Sirte into an industrial hub. Energy cities could be the catalyst needed to kick start the private sector -
Consultants compete for Zarqa deal
Six teams of consultants have submitted valid bids for a contract to develop Jordan’s third independent power project (IPP) -
Doha seeks adviser for Barzan
Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil to award first phase of deal in 2010 -
Doha's plan to increase gas output
Qatargas chairman says debottlenecking could add 12 million tonnes a year to its production capacity -
Dubai debt blocks the road to recovery
Despite a growing sense that the worst of the global economic downturn has passed, Dubai’s huge debt burden will continue to constrain the UAE’s economic growth for some time to come -
Dubai takes a pragmatic approach to waste management
The emirate is struggling to manage the increasing mountain of waste it produces, but a new waste-to-energy facility could offer a practical solution where recycling schemes have failed -
Firms submit bids to plan Musandam airport
Oman’s Transport & Communications Ministry has received bids for the contract to prepare a master-plan for a new airport on the Musandam peninsula -
Firms submit Ruwais refinery proposals
State-owned Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer) has received proposals for its project to build a $500m lubricants refinery at Ruwais. -
Five join contest for Fujairah terminal work
Five international engineering firms have submitted final bids for a contract to expand Fujairah-based Vopak Horizons’ Arabian Sea oil terminal. -
Gulf rail study proposes link to Bahrain
International consultants outline fresh proposals for network running the length of the Gulf Coast -
Gulf railway must include Bahrain
If the GCC is to match its vision of closer union, it is vital that infrastructure connects all six states -
Jordan Law firms
Six key figures in Jordan’s international business law community are: Salaheddin al-Bashir, Safwan Moubaydeen, Ali Sharif Zubi, Khaled Asfour, Abdul Karim and Omar Aljazy -
Khaled Asfour
Khaled Asfour is managing partner, Ali Sharif Zubi Advocates & Legal Consultants -
Manama builds on market strength
The launch of a second financial exchange in 2010 will help the kingdom attract private investors and cement its position as the Gulf finance hub -
National Commercial Bank
Despite the economic downturn, NCB is prospering, buoyed by its reputation and focus on retail banking -
National Commercial Bank: MEED Assessment
NCB is one of the most respected banks in the region, but unlike many of its counterparts, it maintains sizeable exposure to riskier asset classes -
Omar Aljazy
Omar Aljazy is managing partner, Aljazy & Company -
Port developers in UAE search for a niche
Despite the economic downturn forcing many port expansion plans to be put on hold, competition in the sector is increasing and operators need to focus on specialisation -
Ports in the Emirates need to find a niche
The danger is that the UAE’s ports will fail to differentiate themselves from their rivals -
Power plant operator to begin talks over sale of Pakistani and regional facilities
Seven bidders submit proposals to AES Oasis -
Preliminary design for Jordanian rail network nears completion
Beirut-based Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners) will complete the preliminary design work for Jordan Railway’s proposed 960-kilometre-long rail network by the end of this year -
Q&A: Raul Biancardi, Chief Operating Officer, National Commercial Bank Capital
Already the largest investment bank in Saudi Arabia, NCB’s strategy is to invest in three main business areas to continue its growth -
Qatar's gas dependence is unsustainable
The strategy adopted by Doha is a sensible one, but the dangers are substantial and until it overcomes them, it would be wise to be cautious -
Safwan Moubaydeen
Safwan Moubaydeen is managing partner, Safwan Moubaydeen Law Firm -
Salaheddin al-Bashir
Salaheddin al-Bashir is founder and chief senior counsel, International Business Legal Associates -
Six line up for $500m oil and gas pipeline contract
Six international firms have bid for the biggest oil and gas project Oman’s state-run energy companies have tendered so far this year -
Smoothing the way for entrepreneurs in the Emirates
The federal government is making a concerted effort to increase the contribution of small companies to the UAE economy by providing funding and making it easier to set up a business -
Special Report: UAE - Dubai faces up to economic challenges
Omar bin Sulaiman, governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre and vice-chairman of the Central Bank of the UAE, declared on 13 October that the worst of the region’s financial crisis was over -
State firms put restructuring on hold
Plans will not receive approval to proceed until Dubai government issues second $10bn bond -
Total holds up expansion of Fertil production complex
Contract award cannot go ahead until French company gives its approval -
Tripoli launches $54bn energy cities plan
Projects at Ras Lanuf and Marsa el-Brega are intended to create 32,000 jobs and attract foreign investment -
Tripoli reviews downstream management
Libya’s state-owned Economic & Social Development Fund (ESDF) will shortly take control of the country’s refining and petrochemicals sectors, according to one senior executive at the fund -
Union Properties plans Ritz Carlton sale
Dubai’s Union Properties is considering selling its Ritz Carlton hotel development at the Dubai International Financial Centre, according to sources close to the company
