By continuing to use the site you agree to our Privacy & Cookies policy

Commentary

Comment, analysis and opinion on the latest events and trends in the Middle East.

More MEED Comment

King Abdullah: Increases Saudi spending on schemes

Localisation raises concerns

16 May 2013, 13:39 GMT | By

Pressure increases for contractors to employ more locals than in the past

Tourism: Theme parks are key to Dubai's plans

Dubai tries luck again with parks

16 May 2013, 13:24 GMT | By

As confidence returns to Dubai, it is planning theme parks for Jebel Ali and Mohammed bin Rashid City

Riyadh

Bonds lead over foreign funding

9 May 2013, 15:11 GMT | By

Riyadh split on opening up share ownership to foreigners, so will focus on building debt market instead

Energy: New body should oversee supply and demand

Energy body the next bold step

9 May 2013, 15:05 GMT | By

A single energy ministry to oversee Oman’s power demands would give the sector more coherence

Qatar

Proud heritage of petrochemicals Subscription

9 May 2013, 15:01 GMT | By

Ras Laffan tie-up highlights the huge achievements made in the Qatar petrochemicals industry

Refinery

Riyadh turns to its top firms

9 May 2013, 14:45 GMT | By

Saudi Aramco and Sabic have solid reputations and proven track records in completing world-scale schemes

Iraq: Syrian conflict is stoking voilence in the country

Iraq’s rising sectarianism

9 May 2013, 14:41 GMT | By

Civil war in Syria likely to affect the delicate Shia-Sunni balance in Iraq

Al-Maryah Island: Abu Dhabi's new financial centre

Dubai faces rising competition

2 May 2013, 12:29 GMT | By

Growth plans of regional financial centres threaten Dubai International Financial Centre’s hub status

Kuwait

Refining overhaul gets under way

2 May 2013, 12:22 GMT | By

Progress on the first of Kuwait’s refining megaprojects is gaining momentum after year of delay

Dubai: Rents have risen by up to 20 per cent

Focus must be on core sectors

2 May 2013, 12:19 GMT | By

Trade, transport, tourism, logistics and finance sectors crucial for Dubai to return to growth of pre-crash years

Rail

Momentum builds for metro projects

2 May 2013, 12:13 GMT | By

A number of cities in the kingdom are pushing forward with plans to develop metro networks

Steel

Al-Rajhi steel plans on hold

2 May 2013, 11:26 GMT | By

A lack of gas has meant that many steel projects are developing far slower than previously anticipated

Kuwait

Al-Zour a boost to private sector

25 April 2013, 15:30 GMT

Kuwait’s invitation for interest in Al-Zour North phase 2 shows commitment to private partnerships

Commodities: Dubai trade is on the increase

Dubai role as gold hub strengthens

25 April 2013, 15:27 GMT

Growing ties with Africa is helping to drive up commodities business volumes in the UAE

Pipes

Pipeline gives Kurds an outlet

25 April 2013, 15:22 GMT

Establishing a crude pipeline with Turkey will free Kurdistan region from Baghdad’s influence

HSBC

HSBC reviews Iraq operations

25 April 2013, 14:24 GMT

If the UK banking giant sells out of Iraq, it will be another bad omen for the country struggling with economic and political malaise

Arabtec-Samsung: Plans to bid for giant energy jobs

Arabtec to bid for bigger jobs

25 April 2013, 14:21 GMT | By

The joint venture with Samsung Engineering will focus on winning large-scale lucrative contracts

Newsletter Sign-up

More sector and country newsletters

Subscribe to MEED to receive your choice of premium newsletters

Find out more