News and Analysis
Middle East business news and analysis and commentary across all sectors and countries.
News
Riyadh power plant to reach financial close next month
Independent power project will have a capacity of 2,000MW
Bahrain evaluates how to support housing project
Government working on offtake agreement for social housing scheme
Kuwait extends acid-gas facility deadline
April deadline set for commercial bids on Mina al-Ahmadi scheme
Construction to start on two King Abdullah Financial District schemes
Fxfowle and Buro Happold prepared the design and engineering
Saudi firm to complete $1bn loan deal
Mall operator ACCL Arabian Centres seeking local funds
Punj Lloyd is frontrunner for Habshan nitrogen pipeline deal
Indian firm submitted lowest bid for Abu Dhabi nitrogen project in early March
Deadline extended for Saudi Arabia power and water project
Ras al-Zour facility will have a capacity of 2,400MW of power and 226 million gallons a day of water
Zain Saudi Arabia to launch $500m recapitalisation
Saudi mobile operator is in talks with Al-Rajhi and Banque Saudi Fransi
Islamic Development Bank considers Iranian power plant
Iran developer Mapna will build gas-fired power plant at Fars
Technical bids in for Borouge's Ruwais infrastructure expansion
At least 12 international firms bid on $1bn Abu Dhabi Polymers Company contract
Iraq to invest $25bn in homes in 2010
The full programme includes 2 million homes and infrastructure by 2025
Imco bids low for Kuwait’s Shuaiba refinery maintenance
The contract is for Kuwait National Petroleum Company
Aramco considers location change for Ras Tanura petrochemicals scheme
Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical are developing the $17bn scheme
Abu Dhabi plans $1.5bn aluminium rolling mill
The new plant by Adbic will be built at Taweelah’s Khalifa Port
Bids in for pipeline construction on Shah gas development in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and ConocoPhillips are developing $10bn sour gas scheme
Analysis
Rail schemes progress slowly in Kuwait
Moves are afoot in Kuwait to bring the GCC railway scheme and the Kuwait City Metro to tender stage, but progress is slow and some are sceptical that the metro will be built at all
Global trade slowdown hits maritime carriers
Middle East maritime industry finds its growth constrained by the financial crisis
Riyadh slashes wheat output
Saudi farmers are leaving wheat cultivation faster than anticipated under a plan to save water
Balancing Saudi Arabia’s local and export oil needs
A rise in domestic fuel consumption and a fall in oil export revenues will test the kingdom’s economy in 2010
Rescuing Bahrain's Gulf Finance House
It has been a turbulent time for the Bahraini bank but new chief executive officer Ted Pretty is planning an aggressive programme of asset sales to transform the business and ensure its survival
Agenda
Riyadh’s race to build homes
Saudi Arabia needs more housing, but its expanding population does not have the financing to buy them
Tenders
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Kuwait: University O&M and repair works
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Iran: Coal tar pitch
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Qatar: Electricity distribution network works
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Oman: Materials stores and buildings
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UAE: Office building construction
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Egypt: Traction engine parts
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Kuwait: Sports stadium construction
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Iran: Sulphuric acid and smelting plants
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Yemen: Power transmission lines and substations
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Libya: Hazardous waste storage facilities
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Oman: Naphtha stabilisation project consultancy
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Gaza/West Bank: Street lighting
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Kuwait: Sanitary drainage network renovation
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UAE: Pipelines and fibre optic cable
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Bahrain: IT governance
Comment
China prepared to take the gamble to secure future oil supplies in Iraq
The country is now the biggest foreign investor in Iraq’s oil sector
Last Word
Gulf states revise sustainable building principles
Pressure is easing for radical action to cut carbon emissions and regional states are beginning to realign their environmental priorities
