MEED
Issue No 8 19-25 February 2010
View all stories from this issue.
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Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth funds begin to open up
As the emirates’s sovereign wealth funds engage more with global markets, they are slowly becoming less secretive about the details of their finances and investments -
Amman prequalifies bidders for Fujeij wind farm
Government plans to launch renewable energy fund -
Bahrain to tender low-cost housing project in March
Manama plans to tackle housing shortage -
Banks in the Gulf have got to loosen up
The provisions banks have had to make for bad debts has left them wary of making new loans. Policymakers must ensure credit growth does not get out of control -
Bids in for Dukhan and Mesaieed upgrade retender
Contract award is expected in March -
Bupa Arabia
A Saudi law making health insurance compulsory for foreign nationals has brought impressive growth -
Bupa Arabia: MEED Assessment
Its early arrival in the Kingdom has given it a competitive edge over rivals, but competition is increasing -
Cairo to award airport renovation deal in third quarter
Renovation work set to take three years to complete -
Ceasefire in Yemen does not solve oil revenue woes
War in northern Sadaa province cost up to $10m a day -
Clients can’t keep squeezing prices from oil contractors in Emirates
Adnoc will need to be prepared to pay more for its projects in the future if it is to meet its targets -
Contractors prepare bids for Almarkaz infrastructure deal
Work to be completed by the end of 2010 and plots given to investors -
Contractors submit prices for Abu Dhabi oil company headquarters
Technical bids were submitted in early December -
Damascus calls for technical consultants to advise on power project
Government plans to issue tender for legal advisers -
Doha to tender tall tower in March
Structure will be one of the highest in the world -
Dubai enters an age of austerity
The emirate has announced a 6 per cent cut in state spending for 2010 as it feels the strain of its debts in the aftermath of its real estate sector collapse -
Dubai status as hub at risk
Struggling landlords could see more of their tenants vacate their offices. As much as 40 per cent of Dubai’s gross domestic product could be wiped out by the slump -
Educating for employment in the Emirates
Teaching in the UAE is beginning to address the needs of the economy and the expectations of employers, but can students be persuaded to take up jobs in the less well-paid private sector? -
Energy firms gain room to breathe in Kuwait
The Shell deal shows that Kuwait’s Supreme Petroleum Council is proceeding with real purpose -
Four firms submit prices for Arzanah medical complex
Contractor to build dentistry, dermatology and paediatric facilities on Abu Dhabi Island -
Getting Gulf banks lending again
GCC finance houses remain wary of making fresh loans and risk stunting economic growth -
Gulf Finance House to raise $250m through asset sales by March
Bank to continue to dispose of assets and cut costs -
Iraq to return as dominant player in the energy sector
If its oil production targets are met, Iraq will be challenging Saudi Arabia’s might within a decade -
Kuwait delays refinery maintenance deal deadline
Contract is worth more than $78m -
Kuwait reopens prequalification for Subiya causeway
Changes to design delays bridge project -
Kuwait to decide future of Al-Zour refinery by April
State firm aims to capitalise on drop in engineering and material costs -
Mubadala receives bids for New York University Abu Dhabi
Six groups submit offers for design and build contract -
National Petroleum Construction secures Bab deal
Abu Dhabi plans to boost oil production by 400,000 barrels a day -
North Africa wastewater treatment work floods in
Egypt and Algeria are investing heavily in new wastewater treatment plants and upgrading existing facilities to meet growing demand from expanding populations -
Occidental mulls Oman oil recovery award
Deal is worth more than $100m -
Oil majors begin talks with firms over Iraqi deals
Baghdad to award engineering, procurement and construction contracts in 2010 -
Oman extends deadline for Al-Ghubrah power bids
Plant will have 450-600MW capacity -
Oman to tender first solar project by December
Renewable energy scheme is likely to be privately financed -
Q&A: Tal Nazer, CEO, Bupa Arabia
Company CEO Nazer explains the changing nature of health insurance in the kingdom -
Qatargas delays the award of Ras Laffan gas recovery scheme
Decision on implementing $1bn contract is still pending -
Regional gas exports look east
Producers seek new markets as demand falls and US output rises -
Regional investment agency chiefs
Six of the leading figures competing for inward investment in the Middle East are: Amr al-Dabbagh, Mohammed bin Essa al-Khalifa, Osama Saleh, Sami al-Araji, Salem bin Nasser al-Ismaily and Fahad al-Gergawi -
Samsung Engineering quits Dubai
Korean firm focuses on Abu Dhabi as work slows down in Dubai -
Saudi project finance market set to reach $30bn
Two refineries and Maaden smelter to finalise loans in 2010 -
Six Construct wins Abu Dhabi airport work
Contractor fast-tracks project in time for 2010 GCC summit -
Special Report: UAE - Dubai downturn forces strategy rethink
Dubai may not have much oil, but its economy still relies heavily on oil revenues, albeit those of neighbouring Abu Dhabi. -
The task begins for low bidders in Abu Dhabi energy sector
The winners of last year’s glut of oil and gas construction contract awards in Abu Dhabi now face the challenge of bringing those projects in on time and on budget -
UK oil major plans Omani gas programme
BG plans to develop seven sites a month for three years
