Comment
Exclusive expert comment, analysis and opinion on the latest events and trends in the Middle East.
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
Manama needs to convince lenders on housing scheme
Bahrain must promise payments for its social housing scheme to raise private sector funding for it
Iranian politics must take back seat
Tehran’s plans for a $10bn rail upgrade is welcome news for commuters in the congested capital
Kuwait must step up momentum
The emirate must back approval for a new capital market authority by naming a credible team to head it
State support falls short
Abu Dhabi must realise implicit sovereign guarantees are worthless after Dubai distanced itself from debt woes at its state-owned firms
Borouge 2 to test rivals’ strength by offering low prices for its plastics and chemicals
Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) is free of debts and is capable of offering low prices unlike its global competitors
People live in cities not towers
Tall towers have come to symbolise the excesses of the boom years. The focus must be on city centres instead
Delays make sense for Emal's smelter plans
The business case for an Algerian smelter still makes sense even if the Sonatrach scandal delays it. Fuel allocation issues in Saudi Arabia are beyond the firm’s control
Kuwait’s big economic opportunity
If the current spirit of co-operation between the government and the parliament is sustained, it will be good news for all involved
Power has to rise to meet demand in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia will have to forge ahead with additional power projects if it is to remain in surplus
New technologies challenge Masdar
For a project as unconventional as Masdar, different ways of judging success must be employed
Regional water demand has to be cut
Much larger savings of water could be achieved if habits of consumption were changed
Baghdad’s big oil opportunity
Gulf statessuch as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi have been transformed by their oil revenues. Iraq should study its neighbours for what not to do as much as what to do
Manama’s banks face a tough year
Gulf Finance House’s action to pay off its debts is something that other banks also need to consider
Gulf will lead air freight growth
As the region’s main transport hub, Dubai is the best gauge of the Middle East’s air cargo sector
Abu Dhabi has to cut its cloth economically
When oil was trading at above $100 a barrel, Abu Dhabi seemed to have money to burn. Today the emirate may have to pare back some of its plans
Desertec solar power plans still impress
Desertec’s ambitions are still impressive, despite the technological compromises
Dubai status as hub at risk
Struggling landlords could see more of their tenants vacate their offices. As much as 40 per cent of Dubai’s gross domestic product could be wiped out by the slump
Banks in the Gulf have got to loosen up
The provisions banks have had to make for bad debts has left them wary of making new loans. Policymakers must ensure credit growth does not get out of control
Iraq to return as dominant player in the energy sector
If its oil production targets are met, Iraq will be challenging Saudi Arabia’s might within a decade
Clients can’t keep squeezing prices from oil contractors in Emirates
Adnoc will need to be prepared to pay more for its projects in the future if it is to meet its targets
Energy firms gain room to breathe in Kuwait
The Shell deal shows that Kuwait’s Supreme Petroleum Council is proceeding with real purpose
Doha plays a waiting game with contract awards
Firms will have to get used to a very different landscape in the emirate. Doha knows that it has the chance to force contractor bids ever lower
Money will remain tight in the region as lenders remain cautious
The message from lenders is loud and clear. Well-structured projects, with long-term planning and strong sponsors, will secure finance
Contractors are left guessing in the Gulf
Where there is no consistency of approach from clients, it is difficult for contractors to plan ahead
Cairo needs to convince lenders over public-private partnerships
Overseas lenders may well insist on government guarantees before they are willing to offer finance
Three is a crowd in Abu Dhabi plastics market
The Adnoc/Ipic team is likely to resent another local company trying to take a slice of the shrinking pie
Abu Dhabi will pay the price for putting projects on hold
Abu Dhabi has been slow to sign contracts for new schemes and many of them are in limbo. Many contractors will be wondering whether work they are competing for will fall by the wayside
Sanaa needs its Gulf neighbours
The West’s interest in Yemen does not extend far beyond a fear that it could incubate Al-Qaeda terrorists. The interests of the Gulf countries range far wider and should lead to them taking a far wider helping role
Khalifa Port plans should be scaled back
It is unlikely that demand for port services will increase sufficiently to absorb the excess capacity
