Agenda
Comprehensive analysis of the Middle East's key issues.
Saudi Arabia: The Gulf’s construction heavyweight
Riyadh’s plans to spend $385bn over the coming five years will see it dominate the region’s projects market
International oil companies are scaling back in the Gulf
International oil companies withdraw to pursue more lucrative opportunities in less-developed markets
Iraq’s competing gas demands
Oil and electricity ministries work together to balance domestic consumption and exports
State guarantees in the Middle East hide the real risk
Bonds with explicit government backing are set to rise in the region, but their use will distort the market
The Gulf: Counting on government spending
Contractors hope that public sector can continue to prop up the region’s projects market
Dubai plans air route to economic recovery
Debt-laden emirate invests in logistics and aviation to restore economic fortunes
Maintaining the Iran market rally
Tehran needs the outside world if its stock exchange is to sustain its stellar performance
GCC considers setting up copper plants
Several countries in the GCC are looking at setting up copper mills to supply the construction industry
Gaddafi bankrolls Libya's development
If Tripoli sticks to its spending plans for development, the country will be transformed into an economic powerhouse
Libya's firms need to plan long-term
The conundrum for contractors is that margins come with risk and in Libya there is plenty
Riyadh starts lending
The Saudi banking sector is awash with cash but the rush to lend could lead to some bad choices
Subsidising renewable energy in the Middle East
The region’s governments face some tough choices to achieve renewable power targets
Kuwait: Testing private-sector reform
Kuwait is moving ahead with privatisation plans and successful completion will be crucial
Tehran's isolation grows: How sanctions are hurting Iran's oil industry
Iran’s oil production will continue to fall without foreign investment and imported technology
Squeezing contractors’ margins
The region’s contractors are now looking for contracts and better returns beyond the Gulf
Algeria: End of the liberal experiment
Long-awaited cabinet reshuffle signals the end of Algeria’s flirtation with a free market economy
Tough times for independent steel companies in the Middle East
The region’s governments are now exerting their dominance on the region’s steel industry
Gulf real estate changes direction
After years of building luxury villas for foreigners, developers and governments now focus on citizens
Baghdad’s new route to Europe
Rail and port schemes planned in Iraq could change the shape of regional trade
A false dawn for the downstream petrochemicals industry
ConocoPhillip’s withdrawal from a $10bn refinery project shows the petrochemicals market is far from rosy
Timing to be key in nuclear race
Competition to secure resources to build nuclear plants in the region is growing
Riyadh seeks aviation hub crown
Saudi Arabia is preparing to become a dominant player in the regional aerospace industry
Breaking the political deadlock in Iraq
Political stalemate means Iraq’s reconstruction will be slower than expected
A long road ahead for Dubai World
Debt proposals lack clarity on crucial details and a final settlement will still be a long way off
Nasdaq Dubai looks for liquidity
Can its acquisition by Dubai Financial Market convince more traders to use Nasdaq Dubai?
Riyadh’s race to build homes
Saudi Arabia needs more housing, but its expanding population does not have the financing to buy them
Moody’s financial downgrades rock Abu Dhabi-backed companies
Borrowing costs likely to rise in wake of Dubai debt, as analysts question assumptions of government support for its businesses
Kuwait enters an era of political and economic change
After years of stagnation, the country now believes its economy can move ahead
Abu Dhabi faces chemical crunch
The burden of Dubai’s debt crisis is putting the future of Abu Dhabi’s schemes in doubt
