Analysis
Exclusive expert analysis of events and trends in the region.
Agenda
Riyadh’s race to build homes
Saudi Arabia needs more housing, but its expanding population does not have the financing to buy them
Market trends
Global trade slowdown hits maritime carriers
Middle East maritime industry finds its growth constrained by the financial crisis
Oil prices: Caution is the watchword
Oil price conservatism is likely to remain a key theme of Middle East states’ budget calculations
Riyadh slashes wheat output
Saudi farmers are leaving wheat cultivation faster than anticipated under a plan to save water
Regional gas exports look east
Producers seek new markets as demand falls and US output rises
Interview
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
Business Close-Up
Almabani General Contractors
The Saudi Arabian firm is focusing on its home market this year to increase revenues
Al-Baraka Banking Group
The Islamic bank is seeking fresh markets after emerging intact from the global crisis
MEED List
Egypt Muslim Brotherhood
The top officials in Egypt’s largest opposition party are: Mohamed Badie Abdul Mageed Samy, Mohamed Saad el-Katatni, Mahmoud Ezzat, Rashad el-Bayoumy, Essam el-Erian and Mahmoud Hussain.
Iraq Telecoms
Six key figures leading the development of Iraq’s telecommunications industry are: Ali al-Dahwi, Hameed Akrawi, Faruk Mustafa Rasool, Loay Almalaieka, Kassim al-Hassani and Wilson Varghese.
Saudi Arabia Aviation
Six senior figures leading the development of the kingdom’s airline industry are: Bruce Ashby, Jubarah bin Eid al-Suraisi, Abdullah Rehaimi, Khalid Abdullah Almolhem, Sulaiman Abdullah al-Hamdan and Walter Prenzler
Contract round up
Middle East contracts awarded: January 2010
Almost $3bn worth of contracts have been awarded across the Middle East up to 31 Januay 2010, according to this selected checklist compiled from MEED reports
MEED 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
The 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
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Iraq's journey from democratic dream to sectarian headcount
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New life in the GCC project finance market
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Fujairah offers a contingency plan to combat Iranian oil threat
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Qatar takes the long view as its economy booms
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Gulf business schools need to reshape Western corporate model
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Balance of power shifts in Gulf finance sector
Economy
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
Special Report
Special Report: Metals & Mining - Gulf states target copper
The Middle East is well placed to take advantage of a anticipated surge in global copper prices. Saudi Arabia is leading the way in mining its copper deposits, with two new mines in the kingdom scheduled to start commercial production by the end of 2011, the largest of which, the Jabal Sayid project, will produce 57,000 tonnes a year of copper in concentrate.
Gulf Projects
Gulf Projects 15 March 2010: Index down 0.2 per cent
The MEED Projects index decreased by 0.2 per cent in the week to 15 March.
