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News and Analysis

Middle East business news and analysis and commentary across all sectors and countries.

Latest Analysis

Jobs: Regional governments are keen to create employment opportunities for nationals in the contruction sector

Unrest shakes up construction sector Subscription

16 May 2013, 12:00 GMT | By

Governments are investing in new construction projects, but they want locals to build them

Mena oil and gas contract awards 2011-2013

UAE driving Mena oil and gas spending Subscription

16 May 2013, 7:48 GMT | By

Spending in second quarter looks likely to outstrip first as major offshore deals are awarded

Flare-up: Gunmen from Sunni tribes in the western Anbar province march during a protest in Ramadi

Syria war stokes Iraq sectarianism Subscription

9 May 2013, 14:14 GMT | By

Rising violence in Iraq leads to fears of new sectarian conflict between Shias and Sunnis

Oman 40mm Crush aggregate prices

Regulation to increase Oman aggregate prices Subscription

9 May 2013, 8:38 GMT | By Cathal Gormley

Government is trying to resolve issue of illegal quarrying

Estimated breakeven oil prices

The oil price balancing act in the Middle East Subscription

9 May 2013, 7:15 GMT | By

Middle East governments need even higher oil prices to help balance their state budgets

Ten-year smoothed commodity price growth

Commodity super cycle on verge of downward trend Subscription

7 May 2013, 10:18 GMT | By

Analysts predicting 2013-14 could be the start of lower prices for commodities such as oil and gas

Change: The DIFC will face competition from financial centres in Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh in the coming years

Fiscal competition heats up in the GCC Subscription

2 May 2013, 12:28 GMT | By

Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh could prove challengers to Dubai’s dominance as a regional financial hub

GCC non-hydrocarbon industrial projects

Saudi Arabia spearheads GCC industrial expansion Subscription

1 May 2013, 6:03 GMT | By

Region’s largest economy leads and Kuwait lags as GCC invests in industrial diversification

Ordinary Portland cement prices in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia seeks to avert cement crisis Subscription

30 April 2013, 10:23 GMT | By Cathal Gormley

King Abdullah orders immediate cement imports

Illustration

Arabtec joins the big league with Samsung Engineering Subscription

25 April 2013, 10:15 GMT | By

The Arabtec-Samsung Engineering joint venture aims to become a powerhouse in the projects industry

TSE usage in the kingdom's six major cities, 2011-30

National Water Company to invest $13bn on new projects Subscription

25 April 2013, 7:03 GMT | By

The Saudi firm will expand the kingdom’s water and wastewater infrastructure

Value of gold traded through Dubai

Dubai strengthens role as gold and diamond hub Subscription

25 April 2013, 6:00 GMT | By

Volumes of precious metals and gems traded in Dubai likely to increase throughout 2013

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King Abdullah: Increases Saudi spending on schemes

Localisation raises concerns

16 May 2013, 13:39 GMT | By

Pressure increases for contractors to employ more locals than in the past

Tourism: Theme parks are key to Dubai's plans

Dubai tries luck again with parks

16 May 2013, 13:24 GMT | By

As confidence returns to Dubai, it is planning theme parks for Jebel Ali and Mohammed bin Rashid City

Riyadh

Bonds lead over foreign funding

9 May 2013, 15:11 GMT | By

Riyadh split on opening up share ownership to foreigners, so will focus on building debt market instead

Energy: New body should oversee supply and demand

Energy body the next bold step

9 May 2013, 15:05 GMT | By

A single energy ministry to oversee Oman’s power demands would give the sector more coherence

Qatar

Proud heritage of petrochemicals Subscription

9 May 2013, 15:01 GMT | By

Ras Laffan tie-up highlights the huge achievements made in the Qatar petrochemicals industry

Refinery

Riyadh turns to its top firms

9 May 2013, 14:45 GMT | By

Saudi Aramco and Sabic have solid reputations and proven track records in completing world-scale schemes

Iraq: Syrian conflict is stoking voilence in the country

Iraq’s rising sectarianism

9 May 2013, 14:41 GMT | By

Civil war in Syria likely to affect the delicate Shia-Sunni balance in Iraq

Al-Maryah Island: Abu Dhabi's new financial centre

Dubai faces rising competition

2 May 2013, 12:29 GMT | By

Growth plans of regional financial centres threaten Dubai International Financial Centre’s hub status

Kuwait

Refining overhaul gets under way

2 May 2013, 12:22 GMT | By

Progress on the first of Kuwait’s refining megaprojects is gaining momentum after year of delay

Dubai: Rents have risen by up to 20 per cent

Focus must be on core sectors

2 May 2013, 12:19 GMT | By

Trade, transport, tourism, logistics and finance sectors crucial for Dubai to return to growth of pre-crash years

Rail

Momentum builds for metro projects

2 May 2013, 12:13 GMT | By

A number of cities in the kingdom are pushing forward with plans to develop metro networks

Steel

Al-Rajhi steel plans on hold

2 May 2013, 11:26 GMT | By

A lack of gas has meant that many steel projects are developing far slower than previously anticipated

Kuwait

Al-Zour a boost to private sector

25 April 2013, 15:30 GMT

Kuwait’s invitation for interest in Al-Zour North phase 2 shows commitment to private partnerships

Commodities: Dubai trade is on the increase

Dubai role as gold hub strengthens

25 April 2013, 15:27 GMT

Growing ties with Africa is helping to drive up commodities business volumes in the UAE

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More News

Riyadh to turn to private sector to deliver housing programme Subscription

16 May 2013, 9:55 GMT | By

Housing Ministry was set up in 2011 to oversee development of 500,000 homes for local people

UN condemns Syria for human rights violations Subscription

16 May 2013, 8:24 GMT | By

General assembly calls for transitional government

Potential candidates register for Iranian presidential contest Subscription

16 May 2013, 7:51 GMT | By

Elections to take place 14 June

Dubai developing Islamic management standards Subscription

16 May 2013, 7:47 GMT | By

Dubai standards will match Islamic principles with value-based management methods

Iraq’s Shia districts targeted by bomb attacks Subscription

16 May 2013, 7:47 GMT | By

Tensions between Shia and Sunni groups rise

Abu Dhabi stocks on the rise Subscription

16 May 2013, 6:49 GMT | By

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange reports improving trading volumes and value

Saudi Aramco restarts Yanbu joint venture Subscription

16 May 2013, 6:44 GMT | By

Facility reopens after maintenance shutdown

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