Latest Analysis
Unrest shakes up construction sector Subscription
Governments are investing in new construction projects, but they want locals to build them
UAE driving Mena oil and gas spending Subscription
Spending in second quarter looks likely to outstrip first as major offshore deals are awarded
Syria war stokes Iraq sectarianism Subscription
Rising violence in Iraq leads to fears of new sectarian conflict between Shias and Sunnis
Regulation to increase Oman aggregate prices Subscription
Government is trying to resolve issue of illegal quarrying
The oil price balancing act in the Middle East Subscription
Middle East governments need even higher oil prices to help balance their state budgets
Commodity super cycle on verge of downward trend Subscription
Analysts predicting 2013-14 could be the start of lower prices for commodities such as oil and gas
Fiscal competition heats up in the GCC Subscription
Abu Dhabi, Doha and Riyadh could prove challengers to Dubai’s dominance as a regional financial hub
Saudi Arabia spearheads GCC industrial expansion Subscription
Region’s largest economy leads and Kuwait lags as GCC invests in industrial diversification
Saudi Arabia seeks to avert cement crisis Subscription
King Abdullah orders immediate cement imports
Arabtec joins the big league with Samsung Engineering Subscription
The Arabtec-Samsung Engineering joint venture aims to become a powerhouse in the projects industry
National Water Company to invest $13bn on new projects Subscription
The Saudi firm will expand the kingdom’s water and wastewater infrastructure
Dubai strengthens role as gold and diamond hub Subscription
Volumes of precious metals and gems traded in Dubai likely to increase throughout 2013
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Localisation raises concerns
Pressure increases for contractors to employ more locals than in the past
Dubai tries luck again with parks
As confidence returns to Dubai, it is planning theme parks for Jebel Ali and Mohammed bin Rashid City
Bonds lead over foreign funding
Riyadh split on opening up share ownership to foreigners, so will focus on building debt market instead
Energy body the next bold step
A single energy ministry to oversee Oman’s power demands would give the sector more coherence
Proud heritage of petrochemicals Subscription
Ras Laffan tie-up highlights the huge achievements made in the Qatar petrochemicals industry
Riyadh turns to its top firms
Saudi Aramco and Sabic have solid reputations and proven track records in completing world-scale schemes
Iraq’s rising sectarianism
Civil war in Syria likely to affect the delicate Shia-Sunni balance in Iraq
Dubai faces rising competition
Growth plans of regional financial centres threaten Dubai International Financial Centre’s hub status
Refining overhaul gets under way
Progress on the first of Kuwait’s refining megaprojects is gaining momentum after year of delay
Focus must be on core sectors
Trade, transport, tourism, logistics and finance sectors crucial for Dubai to return to growth of pre-crash years
Momentum builds for metro projects
A number of cities in the kingdom are pushing forward with plans to develop metro networks
Al-Rajhi steel plans on hold
A lack of gas has meant that many steel projects are developing far slower than previously anticipated
Al-Zour a boost to private sector
Kuwait’s invitation for interest in Al-Zour North phase 2 shows commitment to private partnerships
Dubai role as gold hub strengthens
Growing ties with Africa is helping to drive up commodities business volumes in the UAE
