MEED Interview
MEED talks to leading figures in the Middle East's key business sectors.
Interview
Irbil stands defiant
Economic growth in Iraq’s Kurdish north is strong, but tensions with Baghdad are also increasing
Interview: Ali Rashid Lootah, Chairman, Nakheel
The state-backed developer at the heart of Dubai’s debt problems in 2009 is plotting a route to recovery
Interview: Abdulaziz al-Ghurair, chief executive officer of UAE bank Mashreq
The Mashreq head says the worst is over and he is confident that a return to growth is on its way. The challenge will be in grabbing market share from the competition
Petrofac: Adapting to the downturn
Oil field services contractor Petrofac has been winning work in the Middle East despite the global economic downturn. The key to the firm’s success is diversification
Leading the change in construction
Hill International has a reputation for quickly reacting to changing market conditions. In the Middle East, this means focusing on large-scale affordable housing schemes
A man with a clear vision: Mustafa Seni Sener, CEO, TAV Group
President and chief executive officer of Turkey’s TAV Group, Mustafa Seni Sener, has concrete plans for the construction and airports divisions of his company
Interview: Samer Khoury, president (engineering and construction) CCC
Athens-based CCC is shifting its focus to state-backed infrastructure projects as the global slowdown in real estate, and oil and gas continues
Garang Diing Akuong - Energy & Mining Minister, South Sudan
With the stage set for the creation of Africa’s newest state, the successful implementation of South Sudan’s energy policy will be crucial to peace in the region
Q&A: Azad Moopen, founding chairman, DM Healthcare
The Dubai-based firm aims to be largest private care provider in the GCC and India by 2015
Hala Lattouf: Jordan’s minister of social development
Responsible for helping the country’s poor, Hala Lattouf has a high profile in Jordan’s government as it strives to modernise the country on limited resources
Interview: Adib Mayaleh, governor, Central Bank of Syria
The man behind banking reform in Syria is now focused on preparing the financial sector to support the country’s $90bn investment programme
Interview: Richard Bowker, chief executive officer, Union Railway
In three years, the stretch of desert between the port of Ruwais and Habshan in Abu Dhabi will be transformed with the first railway line of the UAE
Reshaping the Kuwait economy
Adel al-Roumi, president of the Partnerships Technical Bureau, is seeking to overhaul Kuwait’s economy by inviting the private sector to take on more responsibility
Interview: Ahmad Aweideh, chief executive, Palestine Securities Exchange
With trading restricted by unstable politics, Palestine’s stock exchange has benefited from one of the most liberal regulatory frameworks in the region
Amman moves to support mobile
Plans to rewrite Jordan’s telecoms law are aimed at establishing the kingdom as a regional hub for information technology
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
Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa on Bahraini reform plans
The chairman of the Economic Development Board has a mission to drive through reform
Yemen LNG's Joel Fort on benefits of gas export project
The head of the company hopes the gas export project will benefit both its shareholders and the host country.
Jung on Samsung Engineering's expansion drive
Yeon-Joo Jung, president and chief executive officer of Samsung Engineering Company, has been instrumental in the company's push into the region.
Interview: Paul Griffiths, Dubai Airports
The man overseeing the world’s largest airport investment programme discusses the impact of the global downturn on the aviation sector, and reveals how Dubai's long-term vision remains in place.
Interview: Ali al-Ayer, SIDF
The assistant director general of the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) talks to MEED about the organisation’s role in providing financing for both domestic and foreign businesses.
Interview: James Dimon, JPMorgan Chase
The JPMorgan CEO and chairman discusses the future of the bank and the role of the Middle East in the global financial crisis.
Interview: Hamad al-Sayari
Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency governor Hamad al-Sayari insists that falling oil prices will not delay projects in the kingdom.
Interview: Prince Saud al-Faisal
The Saudi foreign minister outlines the kingdom’s position on piracy, closer relations with the UK and the Middle East peace process.
Tom Healy on Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange expansion plans
A global market downturn will not distract the Abu Dhabi bourse from executing its long-term expansion plans.
Bjorn Naf on Gulf Air's recovery plan
The struggling airline’s third chief executive officer in eight months is beginning to find a route to recovery.
Ziad Hayek on reforming Lebanon's energy sector
Reforming the energy sector is a priority for the secretary-general of Lebanon’s Higher Council for Privatisation, but progress depends on political stability.
CEO James Hogan on Etihad's expansion plans
While other airlines downsize, the head of the Abu Dhabi based carrier is ordering more planes than ever.
Maaden's Abdallah Dabbagh on privatisation
The head of the Saudi mining group discusses privatisation and plans to become the third pillar of the Saudi economy. Matthew Martin reports.
Emirates NBD's Rick Pudner on global expansion plans
The head of the newly formed UAE banking giant plans to expand into North Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Case's Maged Shawky on improving standards
The Egypt bourse chief is delisting companies in an effort to improve standards.
Assem Ragab on Eqypt's plan to attract investors
The chairman of the General Authority for Investment & Free Zones on Egypt’s strategy to attract investors.
Yousef Hussein Kamal on tackling inflation in Qatar
The long-standing Qatari minister discusses his plans to develop new industries and tackle rising inflation.
Arab League's Amr Moussa on the failing peace process
Palestine remains the principal issue for the Arab League, but if it is to be effective it must change.
Mahmoud Mohieldin on reforms in Egypt
Employment and education will drive future policies in Egypt, says the man who has become the public face of economic reform.
Jordan's Finance Minister on reforms to public finances
Jordan’s finance minister has a central role in implementing essential reforms to public finances.
Qatar's Energy Minister on expansion ambitions
Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah has the difficult task of balancing international ambitions with domestic oil and gas expansion.
The Crown Prince: Why Bahrain needs economic reform
As protests for political change continue, Sheikh Salman al-Khalifa is proving to be the progressive face of the kingdom.
Opec's El-Badri on the euro and oil dinosaurs
Despite record revenues, oil cartel Opec faces some tough decisions, such as whether to abandon dollar pricing.
Interview with Amwal's Sheikha Hanadi Nasser bin Khaled al-Thani
Sheikha Hanadi tells MEED that the region’s rapid growth provides an opportunity for women to take a leading role in business.
Interview with Sheikha Lubna al-Qasimi, UAE Economy Minister
Tackling inflation, freeing up trade and reducing unemployment are priorities for the UAE’s economy minister.
Interview with Rasheed Mohammed al-Maraj, Governor, Central Bank of Bahrain
Internal rivalries and the falling dollar will need to be addressed as the GCC seeks to create a unified economic bloc.
Interview with Abdulrahman al-Attiyah, Secretary general, GCC
At some point in 2008, the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) will have to confront one of the toughest decisions of its 26-year history: whether or not to push ahead with its flagship project to introduce a single currency in the Gulf by 2010.
Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline on Airbuses and the environment
While other carriers in the region struggle, Dubai-based Emirates is on track to become the world’s biggest airline.
Mohammed Sharaf on why DP World is going public
Much is riding on DP World’s stock market listing, but nothing will stand in the way of its global expansion plans.
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