MEED
Issue No 48 27 November - 3 December 2009
View all stories from this issue.
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Abu Dhabi invites firms to prequalify for tourism projects
Successful bidder will build schemes on Sir Bani Yas Island -
Abu Dhabi’s $68bn transport plan
The emirate has launched a series of projects to ease congestion and improve transport links by 2017 -
Air authority extends Jeddah deadline
Contractors are given more time to prepare bids for foundations work and tunnel packages at the airport -
Arabian Bemco
The Saudi contractor faces growing competition from Chinese and South Korean firms -
Arabian Bemco: MEED Assessment
The company is faces increased competition from Asian contractors, but by focusing on client relations and key alliances it should hold its ground -
Borrowers turn to the sukuk market as confidence returns to the region
Expectations of growth in Middle East attract capital to Islamic securities -
Companies given more time to prepare bids for Abu Dhabi pumping station
Contract valued at $572m is part of the Strategic Tunnels Enhancement Programme -
Contractors submit bids for $1bn Qatar gas upgrade project
Qatar Petroleum assessing bids for Dukhan and Mesaieed facilities -
Contractors submit bids for Louvre piling work
Museum to be built on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island -
Contractors to bid in December for Abu Dhabi health centre
Nine firms prequalified for Arzanah medical complex -
Developer draws up shortlist for tower
At least three contractors are preparing bids for contract to build 78-storey building on Sheikh Zayed road -
Doha to decide on ethane plant proposals by January 2010
Government considers proposals from ExxonMobil, Total, Shell and Honam -
Domestic focus is best for Iraq
The most logical step would be to create fertiliser plants to supply Iraq’s large agricultural sector -
Dredgers prepare bids for Bahraini island deal
Marsa al-Seef development to be built off northern coast -
Dubai needs a debt strategy
The lack of transparency over Dubai’s ability to manage its debt remains a major concern -
Dubai World seeks time to repay debts
Cost of insuring emirate’s debt soars after government asks creditors for a ‘standstill’ on $27.2bn owed -
Eric Kuhne
Eric Kuhne is founder, CivicArts/Eric R Kuhne & Associates -
Gas shortage sparks switch to coal
Gulf statesare building a series of coal-fired power plants to cope with rising regional electricity demand -
Gas shortage sparks switch to coal
Gulf statesare building a series of coal-fired power plants to cope with rising regional electricity demand -
Geoffrey Sanderson
Geoffrey Sanderson is principal, Green Concepts -
Gordon Affleck
A key figure behind the region’s future cities, towns and landscapes -
Government must win the debate in Kuwait
A good performance from the prime minister could give the country’s cabinet a boost of confidence -
Kahramaa awards contract for reservoir feasibility study
France’s Sogreah to assess plans for five reservoirs and a connecting pipeline -
Kurdish region forges ahead in petrochemicals sector
While the rebuilding of Iraq’s petrochemicals industry remains at an early stage, the Kurdistan Regional Government is pressing ahead with plans to build a hub for the sector -
Kuwait delays Mina al-Ahmadi refinery deal deadline
Contractors want more time to prepare bids -
Kuwait exploring opportunities overseas
As growing domestic electricity demand puts pressure on Kuwait’s gas supplies and limits the amount that can be used for industry, Petrochemical Industries Company is looking to set up foreign joint ventures -
Kuwait plans $500m acid-gas plant tender
State refiner aims to meet global standards on sulphur emissions -
Mubadala invites firms to prequalify for stadium deal
New sports ground will be built at Abu Dhabi’s Capital City District -
Mubadala to issue New York University tender by year end
Contractors have been prequalified to bid for work on Saadiyat Island campus -
National Petroleum Construction frontrunner for Abu Dhabi oil deals
Adco to upgrade infrastructure and boost production at Bab and Qusawirah -
Petrochemicals producers wait for recovery
Growing competition from China and reduced demand following the global economic downturn is hitting the profits of Gulf petrochemicals firms -
Q&A: Henry Sarkissian, CEO, Arabian Bemco
The company says that to date, it has not felt the effect of the global economic slowdown, due to the large scale of its projects -
Qatar Petroleum invites firms to express interest in Barzan gas field
Plan to develop offshore structure in North field -
Ras Laffan plant to start up in December
Commercial production of ethylene is expected to begin at least six months later than originally planned -
Rem Koolhaas
Rem Koolhaas, founder, Office for Metropolitan Architecture -
Richard Smith
Richard Smith, technical director, Atkins -
Riyadh expands its petrochemicals product base
Two petrochemicals plants planned for Jubail and Yanbu will enable Saudi Basic Industries Corporation to produce more complex products and aid the kingdom’s economic diversification -
Riyadh should tighten banking and finance rules
Banks around the world are becoming increasingly unwilling to lend money to Saudi Arabia. Saad says it does not have a separate deal with the Saudi banks -
Saad denies debt deal with Saudi banks
International institutions fear the company will only repay them once it has met obligations in the kingdom -
Serbian firm wins reverse-osmosis study
Desalination plant is scheduled for completion in 2012 -
Shell awards service deals at Pearl gas-to-liquids facility
US’ Fluor and local Madina Group pick up five-year contracts at Ras Laffan -
Special Report: Petrochemicals - Gulf hit by oversupply
After a poor start to the year, when the Gulf’s petrochemicals companies reported record losses, petrochemical prices have slowly improved and demand is expected to pick up as the year end -
State energy firm to retender $15bn Al-Zour refinery project
Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) plans to retender contracts to build its $15bn Al-Zour refinery in the first half of 2010, in an attempt to advance the project after contract cancellations earlier this year. -
The MEED List: Gulf masterplanning
Six key designers and engineers behind the region’s future cities, towns and landscapes are Eric Kuhne, Gordon Affleck, Rem Koolhaas, Marc Stringa, Geoffrey Sanderson and Richard Smith -
Total considers reducing ownership of Arzew plant
Sonatrach disputes ownership, feedstock and financing -
Transport is key to growth plans in Abu Dhabi
The emirate wants to spend $68bn on public transport schemes between now and 2015 -
US to fund Egypt petrochemicals plant
Project finance for $2.5bn plant to be raised in early 2010
