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MEED
Nov 2008 Online Content

View all stories from this issue.

  • Abu Dhabi Airport passenger growth up 32.8%

    Abu Dhabi International Airport has reported that year-to-date passenger numbers are up 32.8% through the month of October. At current rates, the UAE capital's main aviation hub remains on course to approach the nine million passengers a year milestone by the end of 2008, having already served 7.5 million passengers in the first 10 months and over 8.7 million in the trailing twelve months, representing a 34.0% increase.

  • Abu Dhabi awards Bab oil deal to Petrofac

    Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Operations (Adco) has awarded an engineering consultancy contract to the UK’s Petrofac to ease bottlenecks in equipment at the onshore North East Bab field.

  • Abu Dhabi awards gas management deal to KBR

    Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company (Adgas) has awarded a project management consultancy contract to the US’ KBR for a project aimed at cutting flare handling and gas emission levels from its Das island liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant.

  • Abu Dhabi considers mechanised car parks

    An Abu Dhabi Municipality official said robotised car parks are being considered to ease the parking woes faced by residents. Digitally controlled robotised car parks, which promise to park your car within 45 seconds, are seen as the way forward in downtown communities where parking is scarce, reported Gulf News.

  • Abu Dhabi invites firms to prequalify for sewer project

    Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC) has invited companies to prequalify for the design and build contract for the link sewers connecting into the AED2bn ($545m) deep-tunnel sewer project in the emirate.

  • Abu Dhabi Metro route unveiled

    The plans for Abu Dhabi Metro show the first route going from the UAE capital's international airport to its final stop in the new Capital District. The Urban Planning Council's General Manager HE Falah Al Ahbabi told delegates at the MEED Abu Dhabi Conference that 'the creation of a good public transport plan is integral to growth.'

  • Abu Dhabi National Hotels inks Yotel deal

    Abu Dhabi National Hotels has signed a deal with Yotel Investments to develop two Yotels in Abu Dhabi. Yotel is currently located at London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports and recently opened at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.

  • Abu Dhabi on the rise

    The UAE federal government and capital are booming, and the future is rich with possibilities for the people of the federation and its friends.

  • Abu Dhabi plans 26,000 hotel rooms by 2012

    Abu Dhabi plans to have more than 26,000 hotel rooms by 2012, more than double the current figure of 12,000, according to the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority. Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan said business tourism is a key focus of the emirate's tourism strategy and it is developing international convention expertise to ensure its success as a major global meetings destination.

  • Abu Dhabi plans financial closure on wastewater plants

    Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC) hopes to reach financial close on two wastewater treatment plant projects planned in the emirate on 27 November, according to managing director Alan Thomson.

  • Abu Dhabi ports to raise tariffs

    Abu Dhabi Terminals, which operates four commercial seaports in Abu Dhabi, plans to raise storage and handling charges by 10% at the ports in January next year, reported Gulf News. ADT operates Mina Zayed, Musaffah, Freeport and New Dhow Harbour seaports. ADT last increased tariffs at the seaports in January, when all port charges except those for stevedoring were revised. The port dues are levied on the basis of gross registered tonnage of the vessels.

  • Abu Dhabi reviews tourism projects

    Abu Dhabi's tourism programme is under review, with commercial projects coming to the fore in the wake of the credit crunch, according to the chief executive officer of the Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC).

  • Abu Dhabi set to issue sewer tender in December

    Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC) will issue a tender for the design and build contract for the first segment of its deep-sewer tunnel project in December.

  • Abu Dhabi to expand Salam Street

    Abu Dhabi Municipality has launched a project to to double the capacity of Salam Street, one of the busiest roads in the capital, to 6,000 cars per hour. The road is being upgraded to an urban expressway at a cost of Dhs5bn and will be completed by 2010.

  • Abu Dhabi to fund overseas road project

    The UAE is financing a $29m road project in Kabul as part of its $250m aid programme for Afghanistan. The contract for the project, which comprises restoration of roads and the construction of bridges and ditches, was signed by the Abu Dhabi Funds for Development and Turkish company SEEB Construction, in charge of the work.

  • Abu Dhabi to have solar-powered bus shelters

    Abu Dhabi's department of transport is to install 550 air conditioners into the capital's bus stops in 2009.The new bus stop shelters will use solar power and will have 24-hr information monitors for schedules, maps, switch routes and other travel needs.

  • Abu Dhabi-built buses shipped to Australia

    Abu Dhabi-based Hafilat Industries has commenced shipping its first export batch of European buses to Australia from their 15,000m2 factory in ICAD-1, Mussafah, which opened earlier this year. The shipment to Australia will be part of the company's contract to supply the city of Melbourne with 'Low Floor' city-buses on Mercedes Benz chassis. The UAE is the first country in the GCC to build European quality buses.

  • Abu Dhabi's Ipic buys $1bn stake in Australia's Oil Search

    Abu Dhabi government-owned International Petroleum Investment Company (Ipic) has bought a $Aus1.7bn ($1.1bn) stake in Australian energy firm Oil Search from the government of Papua New Guinea (PNG), to gain exposure to the latter's planned liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant.

  • Acer unveils Aspire 8930G notebook

    Acer Computer, one of the world's top three notebook vendors, has unveiled Aspire 8930G in the Middle East, a gaming machine complete with the latest NVIDIA GeForce graphic card for gaming. Designed to offer a total high-definition entertainment experience, the new notebook integrates an 18.4' CineCrystal panels with full HD 1920x1080 pixel resolution and native 16:9 aspect ratio to allow users to enjoy high definition TV and movies. The notebook comes equipped with the Intel Centrino 2 proce

  • ADAC to invest in new Abu Dhabi Airport

    Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is investing more than Dhs200m to create additional facilities at the Emirate's new dedicated private jet airport. The corporate jet facility will soon have stand capacity of over 120 spaces and there will be specific areas in hangers for the maintenance of different sized aircraft.

  • Adnoc awards housing deal to Mushrif

    Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has awarded Mushrif Trading & Contracting a AED189m ($51m) infrastructure contract for work at the Ruwais housing complex in Abu Dhabi.

  • Adnoc signs gas deal with Shell

    Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc) has signed a preliminary deal with the UK/Dutch Shell Group for the joint exploration, development and production of offshore gas fields in Abu Dhabi.

  • ADSB wins landing craft contract

    Abu Dhabi Ship Building has won a contract to build four landing craft for the Bahrain Naval Forces, reported Gulf News. ADSB's chief executive officer William Saltzer said the size of the order is below $100m and deliveries for all four landing craft will be completed within the next two years.

  • Aecom wins King Abdullah Financial District deal

    The US’ Aecom Technology Corporation has been awarded a SR65m ($17.4m) contract at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Financial District.

  • Agility declares 10% profit drop

    Kuwait-based Agility has declared a 10% drop in Q3 profits. The company's net income fell from KD39m for the same period in 2007 to KD35.2m. No reason was given, although the company's nine-month revenue climbed to KD1.37bn.

  • Air Arabia buys 10 A320s

    Low-cost carrier Air Arabia has announced that it has signed a contract with Airbus for 10 additional A320 aircraft. The contract follows an earlier agreement for 34 Airbus A320 aircraft signed at the end of 2007. Air Arabia currently operates 16 (leased and owned) A320s and serves a network of 44 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Launched in October 2003 and based in Sharjah, Air Arabia has served more than 10 million pas

  • Air Arabia Maroc to launch

    Sharjah-based Air Arabia has announced that it is ready to begin operations from its second hub in Casablanca, Morocco, in early 2009. The new hub will cover routes to Morocco and destinations in Europe and Africa.

  • Air Arabia plans $800m aircraft deal

    Air Arabia has announced plans to purchase 10 new Airbus A320 aircraft in a deal worth up to $800m at list prices.

  • Air Arabia profits soar

    Air Arabia, the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa has announced a 30% increase in its third quarter net profits to Dhs214m, compared to Dhs165m during the third quarter of 2007.

  • Air Arabia to launch flights from Morocco in 2009

    Air Arabia will launch flights from its new hub in Morocco early in 2009 and is close to selecting another new base in the Levant or North Africa.

  • Air Arabia wins Avex award

    Low cost carrier Air Arabia has won the AVEX aviation show award for Best Regional Airline. The award ceremony took place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, and was part of one of the largest air show and aviation exhibitions in the Mena region.

  • Al Ain Airport eyes low-cost carrier market

    Al Ain Airport in the UAE is keen to be a hub for low-cost carriers in the region and is expanding its operations to improve its competitiveness, said Rudy Vercelli, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company. One of the airport's key advantages is its location, as it is a short drive from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman. The airport, which can handle 1,000 passengers per peak hour, also has just one runway and terminal, which means it can get passengers in and out quickly. As a sign of its commitment, the

  • Al Ain to be low cost hub

    The Abu Dhabi Airport Company (Adac) is to position Al Ain International airport as a hub for low cost carriers. Adac CEO Rudi Vercelli told delegates at the first Low Cost Airlines World MENA conference, held in the city, that carriers flying into the airport faced no holding patterns and taxi times of only three minutes.

  • Al Habtoor begins work on Palm hotel

    Building works for the Dhs1.2bn Habtoor hotel project on the Palm have been started by Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises. Due to open in 2010, it will be the seventh hotel property under Habtoor Hotels' management. The 217 -room resort will also feature 91 luxurious apartments, four exclusive villas and extensive leisure facilities.

  • Al Habtoor project on Palm underway

    Al Habtoor Engineering Enterprises has announced that building works for its Dhs1.2bn hotel project on the Palm are underway. The Resort will feature 217 rooms and suites, 91 apartments and 4 villas.

  • Al Jaber orders more Airbus jetliners

    Al Jaber Group's new aviation division, Al Jaber Aviation, has placed a new firm order for two Airbus Corporate Jetliners and revealed a previously undisclosed order for two A318 Elites, adding to a previous deal for two A318 Elites. The order makes AJA the largest single customer for the Airbus ACJ family in the Middle East, with total orders for six aircraft. Airbus's A318 Elite is the newest and most affordable Airbus corporate jet, with seating for up to 18 passengers.

  • Alaswaq Alarabiya launches new e-portal

    Alaswaq Alarabiya, the online business and finance presence of Al Arabiya News Channel, is preparing to launch an e-portal dedicated to Islamic finance products and services. The new e-portal (www.myislamicfinance.com) can be accessed at the web site of Alaswaq Alarabiya. This new service is as a result of a partnership between Mawarid Finance PJSC and Alaswaq Alarabiya website.

  • Aldar Hotels inks deal with Ritz-Carlton

    Aldar Properties has announced the signing of an exclusive development agreement with The Ritz-Carlton Hotels Company which will result in the development of a number of luxury hotels in Abu Dhabi to be managed by The Ritz-Carlton. The parties also announced the signing of the second hotel management agreement under the exclusive arrangement which relates to The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Al Dana to be developed at the Al Dana precinct on Aldar's Al Raha Beach development.

  • Aldar invites firms to bid for Abu Dhabi hotel work

    Local real estate developer Aldar Properties has invited companies to bid by 6 December for the contract to build the Banyan Tree hotel at its Al-Gurm development in Abu Dhabi.

  • Al-Ghanim bids low for Kuwait road project

    The Kuwait-based Al-Ghanim International General Trading & Contracting has submitted the low bid for a Kuwait road project.

  • Al-Habtoor Leighton wins Dubai Pearl contract

    The local/Australian Al-Habtoor Leighton Group has been awarded the AED8.85bn ($2.4bn) contract to build the Dubai Pearl project. The structural works involve four 68-floor towers, connected by a common podium at ground level and a sky bridge, known as the crown, at the top of the structures.

  • Al-Habtoor wins Zayed University contract

    The joint venture of the local Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterprises and South Africa’s Murray & Roberts Contractors (Middle East) has been awarded the estimated AED3bn ($817m) contract to build the new Zayed University campus in Abu Dhabi.

  • Al-Kharafi bids low for Kuwait City sewage work

    Mohammad Abdulmohsin al-Kharafi & Sons is the low bidder for the project to upgrade the sewer network in the Sabah al-Salem suburb, south of Kuwait City.

  • Al-Mabani wins Riyadh runway contract

    Saudi Arabia’s Royal Airforce has awarded the local Al-Mabani General Contractors a SR125m ($33m) construction contract for work at the Riyadh Air Base.

  • Alstom signs contract for Terga plant

    France’s Alstom has signed a long-term maintenance contract with the Algerian O&M Company for the planned power plant at Terga in the northwest of the country.

  • Alumco wins Abu Dhabi deal

    Alumco, the UAE-based aluminium facade contractor and glass processor, has won a contract to provide aluminium composite cladding, aluminium and glazing works for the mixed-use development project undertaken by Morganti International for East and West International Group (EWIG) at Muroor Road in Abu Dhabi.

  • Arab Banking Corporation announces $194m loss

    Bahrain-based Arab Banking Corporation (ABC) has announced a loss of $194m in the third quarter of the year, after making provisions of $184m to cover its exposure to US banks Lehman Brothers and Washington Mutual.

  • Arab Wings orders Sovereign from Cessna

    Cessna Aircraft Company has announced that it has received an order for a Citation Sovereign business jet from Jordan-based Arab Wings. The aircraft is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2009. Since the first delivery in late 2004, more than 220 Sovereigns have been delivered and the fleet has amassed more than 185,000 flight hours.

  • Aramco delays Yanbu refinery bids

    Saudi Aramco and the US oil major ConocoPhillips have delayed bidding on their planned $12bn, 400,000 barrel-a-day (b/d) Yanbu refinery, citing uncertainties in the financial and contracting markets.

  • Aramco reviews projects following oil price slump

    Saudi Aramco is considering renegotiating contracts on its Manifa oil field increment and Karan gas field development in response to the recent fall in oil prices.

  • Aramex eyes takeovers

    Logistics group Aramex is nearing several strategic acquisitions in China or south-east Asia. The Dubai-listed company expects earnings in 2009 to top 2008 levels, fuelled by continued economic expansion among its core markets in GCC. The company's CEO said the financial crisis has missed the company completely and is unlikely to have a major impact on results as long as Gulf economic growth stays above 4% annually.

  • Atlantis lit up during launch

    The official launch of Atlantis, The Palm has made the entire Palm Jumeirah island lit up in fireworks display on Thursday, marking the official launch of the iconic landmark and its flagship resort. Fireworks display were designed and created by international pyrotechnics expert, Grucci while custom-made shells set off from over 716 firing locations around the island including 400 balconies at the resort.

  • Atlantis reduces room rates

    Business at Atlantis, the $1.5bn (Dhs5.5bn) hotel on the Palm Jumeirah is slow, with low occupancy resulting in lowered room rates. The average room rate on November 17 was Dh849 ($231) and by last Thursday had reduced to Dhs157 ($44), said Gulf News. The occupancy levels for Monday are forecasted at 26% rising to 33% on Tuesday.

  • Austrian launches KSA flights

    Austrian Airlines has reintroduced its new direct routes linking Saudi Arabia and Vienna. The airline has seven scheduled flights a week from its hub to Jeddah (four flights) and Riyadh (three flights).

  • BA cuts fares from the Gulf

    British Airways has slashed fares from the Gulf to London and the US. The new BA promotion offers business travelers a return ticket to London for Dhs6,550 ($1,783), compared with a recently quoted Emirates price of Dhs10,500. The price difference is even greater on flights to the US. The offer is valid for travel between Dec 10 and March 3.

  • BA resumes service to Saudi Arabia

    British Airways has announed that it will resume flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to London Heathrow from March 29, 2009. The airline will fly five times each week from both Riyadh and Jeddah to Heathrow Terminal 5. Flights to Riyadh will operate on a Boeing 777 and Jeddah flights will be on a Boeing 767. BA had suspended services to Riyadh and Jeddah in March 2005 due to poor commercial performance on the route.

  • BA unveils 4th daily London-Dubai service

    British Airways will add a fourth daily service operating five days a week on its Dubai-London Heathrow route from January 2. The five additional weekly services - to be operated with a four-class British Airways Boeing 777 - will increase the airline's flights between the emirate and Britain's principal airport, British Airways' Terminal 5 home at London Heathrow, to 26 per week.

  • Baghdad approves $67bn budget for 2009

    The Iraqi cabinet has approved a $67bn budget for 2009.

  • Bahrain Air expects $75-$85 oil price in 2009

    Bahrain Air has set its 2009 budget based on expectations that oil prices will average between $75-$85 for the year. Speaking at the Low Cost Airlines World 2008 Conference, Ibrahim Al Hamar, Managing Director of Bahrain Air, said that oil price fluxuations will be less severe over the next few years because speculators 'are out of the market'.

  • Bahrain International Airport installs new gates

    High security immigration gates which use biometric technology to scan travellers' passports are to be installed at Bahrain International Airport. The ImmSec system will use smart cards, fingerprint readers and LCD monitors to identify travellers and scan their luggage. Four gates will initially be installed, two in arrivals and two in the departures hall, with plans to add more after a trial period.

  • Bahrain Logistics Zone to attract $800m of investment

    Bahrain Logistics Zone is on course to attract $800m of investment to the facility and will reveal 22 new companies at the site in the coming weeks.

  • Bahrain postpones bid deadline for third mobile licence

    Bahrain's telecoms regulator has postponed the deadline for bids for the country's third mobile phone operator until 3pm on 30 November.

  • Bahrain ready for rail line

    Bahrain's first monorail line is expected to cost $1bn to build. The first of four proposed lines, the 23km stretch of track would start at Bahrain International Airport and head west to Manama, past the Bahrain Financial Harbour to Seef before turning south and passing Isa Town. It would then continue south along the Al Estiqlal Highway before ending at Alba, stopping at 18 stations along the way.

  • BAHRAIN TENDER: Bureau headquarters project

    Carrying out a bureau headquarters project. Closing date: 26 November 2008

  • Bahrain to request proposals for Muharraq sewage plant in 2009

    Bahrain’s Works Ministry is expected to issue a request for proposals the Muharraq sewage treatment plant by the beginning of 2009.

  • Bahrain: Retail units and apartments

    Construction of retail units and apartments. Closing date: 26 November 2008

  • Bamboo laptops launched in market

    From January 2009, laptops made of bamboo will be available in Dubai. Priced between Dhs7,999 and Dhs8,999, the laptop will come in two versions — a 12.1 weighing 1.57kg and the 1.1 model of 1.25kg. Both house Intel Core Duo processors and are fitted with DDRII RAMs. The cover and keyboard of the laptop are made of bamboo.

  • Bank Sarasin to launch GCC equities fund

    Bank Sarasin, the Swiss private bank, is planning to launch its first GCC equities fund before the end of 2008 to capitalise on depressed share prices and the appetite for exposure to emerging markets from international and regional investors.

  • Barclays deal highlights strong position of Gulf investors

    The injection of $7.3bn from Gulf investors to rebuild the balance sheet of Barclays has demonstrated the powerful position Gulf investors are in, according to Mike Hollings, chief investment officer of Ansbacher.

  • Barwa launches Urjuan at Al-Khor

    Barwa al Khor has launched the QR35bn ($10bn) Urjuan development at its Al-Khor project 50 kilometres north of Doha.

  • Bidders hold talks with Maaden over power plant deal

    Bidders for the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) captive power plant project are in an ongoing technical clarification talks with the client.

  • Bids in for Subiya expressway

    Kuwait’s United Gulf Construction Company (UGCC) is the low bidder for the third phase of the Jahra-Subiya expressway with a bid of KD41.3m ($151m). Mohammed Abdulhmohsin al-Kharafi & Sons is the second lowest with a bid of $156m. The local Burhan International Construction Company came in third with a bid of $160m.

  • Bids in for Subiya power plant

    Kuwait’s Electricity & Water Ministry has received three bids for the contract to build the Subiya power plant.

  • BMB Investment Bank reopens equity trading division

    Bahrain’s BMB Investment Bank says it has reopened its equity trading business, which it closed in 2004 to concentrate on private equity transactions. It has made the move as a result of the financial crisis leading to a slowdown in private equity deals.

  • Boeing to delay deliveries of jets

    Boeing is revising its entire production schedule, adding up to 10 weeks to original delivery dates for all 3,734 jetliners in its order backlog as it tries to recover from a machinists' strike, the Wall Street Journal has reported. Since early November, Boeing officials have been working to bring production lines back up to speed, after they lay dormant during a 58-day strike by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. The process, which calls for careful coordinati

  • Boeing to deliver 1,580 planes to Mideast

    Boeing plans to deliver 1,580 new airplanes to the Middle East over the next 20 years, according to the aircraft manufacturer's Middle East 2008 Current Market Outlook. About 60% of the new planes will be used to meet growing demand in the market, while the remaining 4O% will replace those being taken out of service.

  • BP to expand activities in Kuwait

    The UK’s BP hopes to agree a deal for the development of oil and gas fields in Kuwait in the next six months, some 16 years after first signing a technical services agreement with Kuwait Oil Company.

  • Bright Start buys stake in Dubai Contracting Company

    Dubai-based holding company Bright Start has purchased a stake in the local Dubai Contracting Company (DCC) from private equity firm Amwal AlKhaleej.

  • Bur Dubai to become island

    The planned extension of Dubai Creek by 12.2km will create a complete inland waterway from Deira to Jumeirah, turning Bur Dubai into an island. The RTA has awarded the Dhs758m contract for the work to Korean group Sungwon Corporation. The final stage involves extending the waterway 2.2km from Business Bay to the Arabian Gulf. The project is due for completion by end of 2010.

  • Business jet growth estimated at 20%

    The GCC is instrumental to the continued expansion of the Middle East business aviation market, which is the fastest growing in the world, one of the industry's leading players has said. Ali Al Naqbi, founding chairman of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), talking ahead of the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) Show said growth rates of 15%-20% per annum were predicted for the regional business jets market with a predicted overall value of over $1bn by 2012.

  • Cairo airport profits soar

    Egypt's Cairo International Airport has carried out an investment plan totalling LE1.6bn ($291m) this year. The airport netted profits exceeding LE500 million in 2007/08. A passenger transport facility, linking the airport's three passenger terminals and the garage, will also be tendered in January next year.

  • Cairo set to award nuclear consultancy contract

    The Egyptian Electricity Holding Company is expected to award the consultancy contract for the country’s nuclear programme before the end of November.

  • Carillion to build German Business Park in Dubai

    The local/UK Al-Futtaim Carillion has been awarded the estimated AED600m ($164m) main construction contract for the German Business Park development in Dubai.

  • Central Bank of Iraq cuts interest rate

    The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has lowered the country’s interest rate to 15 per cent, a cut of 1 per cent, in an effort to curb inflation.

  • City Airport to rise in Abu Dhabi

    Abu Dhabi Airports Company has said its new dedicated private jet airport will be renamed City Airport, Abu Dhabi as part of its overhaul. The facility was formerly the Al Bateen airbase. The new identity was revealed at the Middle East Business Aviation Show.

  • Combined Group bids low for Kuwaiti roads deal

    The local Combined Group Contracting Company is the low bidder for the first-phase contract to build roads as well as rainwater and wastewater drain networks in the Abu Futairah district in the east of Kuwait.

  • Commercial Bank of Qatar agrees $380m refinancing

    Commercial Bank of Qatar has managed to secure commitments for $380m from six banks to refinance an existing debt, despite the difficult banking market.

  • Construction of Riyadh’s Ajmakan project to begin in 2009

    Construction work on the SR9bn ($2.4bn) Ajmakan real estate project is due to begin in the second quarter of 2009.

  • Contracts awarded for Dubailand infrastructure works

    Local developer Mizin has awarded the contracts for the second phase infrastructure works on its Liwan, Arjan and Majan projects in Dubailand.

  • Cost of debt for Dubai government firms soars

    DIFC Investments, a division of the Dubai International Financial Centre, has begun marketing a $350m loan facility with margins of 525 basis points over the London interbank offered rate (Libor), a new high for debt associated with the emirate’s government.

  • Court rulings against Consolidated Contractors Company increase

    The legal battle between Palestinian businessman Munib Masri and Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) has now led to courts in Nigeria, the West Bank and the Cayman Islands granting injunctions and other orders freezing CCC assets over recent days.

  • CPC inks $90m deal with Gutmann

    Construction Products Holding Company (CPC) of Saudi Arabia and Herman Gutmann Werke AG of Germany have inked a deal for the set-up of a state-of-the-art aluminum extrusion facility, as well as for a modern aluminum composite panel production line in Jeddah. CPC will carry 65% stake in the investment, while Gutmann and parent company ALCO, take the remaining 35%.

  • Credit crunch

    MEED's top stories on the effects that the global financial crisis is having on a number of regional sectors ranging from real estate to water and power, and transport.

  • Creditors claim $300m from liquidated Rafidain Bank

    Claims totaling $300m have been submitted by foreign creditors claiming unpaid debts from Iraq's Rafidain Bank.

  • Damac appoints design supervisor for Riyadh tower

    UAE-based Damac Properties has appointed Lebanon’s Khatib & Alami as architectural and engineering design supervisor for a 45-floor tower in Riyadh.

  • Danzas opens Mideast's largest logistics facility

    Danzas AEI Emirates says it has opened the largest logistics facility in the Middle East in Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone. The Dhs185m ($50m) facility covers a built up area of 54,000 square metres, is fully air-conditioned, includes 6,700 square metres of office space and an 8,000 square metre, temperature controlled life sciences distribution centre. Danzas is a joint venture between Al Tayer Group LLC and DHL Management Ltd.

  • Dassault Falcon jet sales 'healthy'

    Dassault Falcon's sales for the Middle East remain on target for 2008, while the market for business jets is expected to remain healthy. The company has delivered an average of one new aircraft every month over the last 12 months, growing the company's regional fleet by 25%. Dassault Falcon expects the Middle East Falcon fleet (currently 41 aircraft in service) to double over the next four years.

  • Define Properties plans to build tower at Dubai Waterfront

    The local Define Properties plans to build a residential tower at the Dubai Waterfront development.

  • Delta expands schedule between Jordan and US

    Delta Air Lines has improved its schedule for its customers between Jordan and the United States. The new schedule provides customers with stronger flight connectivity in the US and beyond, with passengers from Amman's Queen Alia International Airport having the opportunity to connect to over 40 destinations within the US, Latin America, Canada and the Caribbean via New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

  • Delta now offers direct Kuwait-US

    Delta Air Lines has began today, 8th Movember its first nonstop flight from Kuwait International Airport to Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Delta will operate four weekly services between Kuwait and the United States offering over 180 onward connecting opportunities via Delta's Atlanta hub.

  • Depa buys German yacht building company

    Dubai-based Depa Limited, an interior contracting services company, has acquired Vedder, a luxury yacht interior design and fit-out specialist based in Germany. Vedder designs and builds customised interiors of large luxury yachts for an exclusive international client-base. The acquisition strengthens Depa's growing presence in the yacht fit-out market with its subsidiary Pino Meroni, a Dubai-based yacht fit-out specialist, according to a press statement.

  • Desert Islands opens in Al Gharbia

    Desert Islands nature-based destination offshore Abu Dhabi's Al Gharbia (Western Region) has opened its services with the opening of Sir Bani Yas Island. The 64-room boutique resort and spa is being managed by Thai hospitality group Anantara.

  • Dewa delays deadline for P Station bids

    Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa) has delayed the deadline for bids for phase 2 of the P Station power and water project at Hassyan.

  • Dhabi Contracting starts work on Forbidden City

    The local Dhabi Contracting has started work on the estimated AED800m ($222m) construction package on the Forbidden City district at International City in Dubai.

  • DIFX to be rebranded as Nasdaq Dubai

    The Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) is to be rebranded the Nasdaq Dubai as part of a raft of measures intended to boost liquidity on the bourse and increase its reputation among the region’s fragmented capital markets.

  • D-Link camera wins design award

    Network solutions company D-Link has received an International Forum product design award for its DCS-3415 surveillance camera. The camera was chosen from a pool of 2,808 entries for this year's competition. It has a progressive scan sensor and Sony 18x optical zoom lens as well as a built-in auto-iris feature and removable IR-cut filter allowing for day and night recording.

  • DP World finalises Algeria deal

    Dubai Port World has finalised a deal to run the cargo terminal of Djendjen in Algeria. Following the agreement a joint UAE-Algeria company will be set up in Q1 2009 to take over operations to runs the port, which will see up to two million ships pass through annually.

  • DP World to upgrade ports in Algeria

    DP World plans to invest $108m in upgrading the ports of Algiers and Djen-Djen after taking them over from the Algerian Government, Gulf News has reported. The terminal operator will upgrade the machinery and equipment at the ports and increase the draft of the Algiers port to accommodate larger vessels.

  • Du reveals net profit of $8m

    Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Group, which trades as Du, has generated its first net profit since its incorporation in December 2005. Du produced a net profit of AED31m ($8.4m) in the July to September quarter on revenues of AED1.06bn.

  • Dubai Advisory Council plans to manage property market

    The recently-formed Dubai Advisory Council says it intends to work with master developers to control the emirate’s troubled real estate market.

  • Dubai denies talks with Abu Dhabi over rescue plan

    Dubai is not in talks with Abu Dhabi about a loan to help bail out Dubai-based companies hit by the global financial market crisis, according to the director general of the Dubai Finance Department.

  • Dubai developer put on credit watch list

    Standard & Poor's Ratings Services is growing increasingly concerned about its long-term 'BBB-' corporate credit rating for the ETA Group and has placed the Dubai-based conglomerate on CreditWatch.

  • Dubai Holding repays $653m debt

    A subsidiary of Dubai Holding has repaid AED2.4bn ($653m) of Eurobonds and bank loans in a move intended to demonstrate that the Dubai government and companies associated with it, are able to service their debts despite the financial crisis.

  • Dubai hotels are world's most expensive

    With an average rate of $290 per night, Dubai hotels ranked highest globally in terms of average room rate for August, according to a report by STR Global. Dubai was followed by Paris at $280 and New York at $261. Dubai hotels achieved 81.6% occupancy levels in August, the report added.

  • Dubai hotels to cut CO2 by 20%

    Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has conducted a workshop in line with its sustainability projects in the emirate, accroding to a press statement. DTCM is targeting that hotels in the emirate reduce their carbon emissions by 20% by 2011. According to a senior manager at Avireal Middle East, the size of the carbon footprint produced by all 300 hotels in Dubai is equivalent to 60,000 round-trip flights between Dubai and London.

  • Dubai implements e-freight

    Dubai has become the first Middle East city to operate the International Air Transport Association's e-freight initiative. The system is now operational on trade routes between Dubai and Singapore, Hong Kong and London.

  • Dubai islands offer a blueprint for the construction industry

    Pop singer Kylie Minogue has rocked Dubai in a glittering ceremony to celebrate the opening of the Atlantis Hotel. The real stars were Palm Jumeirah and the emirate’s amazing offshore islands.

  • Dubai issues tender for Lighthouse office tower

    Selected contractors have been invited to bid by 19 January for the contract to build the Lighthouse tower at Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC).

  • Dubai luxury hotel rates down 30%

    Aloke Dey, the manager of Sharaf Travel Holidays one of the largest tour operators in Dubai told UAE daily the National that room rates in the city's four and five star hotels had dropped by up to 30%. Despite these cuts demand is still down 10% on 2007.

  • Dubai market suspends Shuaa Capital shares

    The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) has suspended trading in the shares of Shuaa Capital because of lack of disclosure relating to a convertible bond issued by the firm.

  • Dubai Metro fare machine testing to begin

    The Testing of the Automatic Fare Collection System for the Dubai Metro project will begin before the new year. The AFC equipment essentially includes the ticket vending machine, ticket office machine, portable checking machine and entry and exit gates. Currently, around 385 Fare Gates have been delivered to Dubai while 159 ticket vending machines, 151 ticket office machines and 40 portable checking machines have been ordered for the Metro project.

  • Dubai most vulnerable to financial crisis, says Citigroup

    Dubai’s economy is the most exposed in the region to the global financial crisis and expectations that it could be bailed out with a blank cheque from Abu Dhabi are “unreasonable”, according to economists at Citigroup.

  • Dubai plans pedestrian network

    The Dubai Road and Transport Authority plans to link up major buildings through air-conditioned walkways in some areas. These buildings will also be linked using covered walkways with main roads as well as Dubai Metro stations to increase pedestrian mobility. Currently, pedestrian crossings are under construction at Abu Hail Road, Beirut Road, Umm Suqeim Road, Airport Road, Casablanca Road and Abu Baker Al Siddiqi Road.

  • Dubai plans Terminal 4

    Dubai International Airport has initiated plans to build a fourth terminal at the airport, Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports, said yesterday. His comments came on the same day that Emirates Terminal 3 launched its fourth and final phase of opening. All Emirates flights, spanning 91 destinations on six continents, will now operate from Emirates Terminal 3.

  • Dubai police to use radar guns

    Dubai Police will soon start using new digital radar guns, to catch speeding vehicles. Brigadier Mohammad Saif Al Zafein, Director of Dubai Police's Traffic Department, said the radar gun will be used to catch speeding vehicles on highways. The radar which can record the offence digitally on video will become operational during the first quarter of 2009.

  • Dubai Sports City invites firms to express interest in Arena Mall

    Selected contractors have been invited to express interest in the main construction package for the Arena Mall shopping centre at Dubai Sports City.

  • Dubai takes part in IATA's e-freight

    Dubai is the first city in the Middle East to participate in the International Air Transport Association's air cargo industry e-freight initiative, which supports a move towards paperless documentation. The initiative went 'live' yesterday, and is now operational on the trade lanes between Dubai and Singapore, Hong Kong and London. E-freight aims to reduce the use of paper documents in the airfreight supply chain by moving to a simpler, paper free, electronic environment.

  • Dubai taxis to be exempt from Salik toll

    Passengers travelling in Dubai registered taxis will be exempt from paying the Salik road toll starting December 2. This was announced by the Chief Executive Officer of the RTA's Public Transport Agency on Sunday. The idea behind the exemption is to cut fuel consumption as many taxi drivers have taken to using lengthy alternative routes to avoid paying the toll.

  • Dubai Terminal 3 final phase set

    The fourth phase of Dubai International Airport's third terminal is set to be ready by November 11. The final phase encompasses routes to the Indian subcontinent, East Asia and Australasia, which account for 40% of Emirates' total traffic. All Emirates' flights will be routed through Terminal 3 from November 12.

  • Dubai to have 500km of new roads

    On the Roads and Transport Authority's (RTA) third anniversary, Chairman & Executive Director of the RTA, Mattar Al Tayer, said the authority is working round-the-clock to ensure motorists will be able to commute easily around Dubai. Future plans include the construction of 500km of new roads, and 120 multilayer interchanges at a cost of Dhs44m by 2020.

  • Dubai to revive debt management office

    Dubai aims to revive plans for a debt management office to co-ordinate the debt-raising of companies that rely on a guarantee from the emirate’s government.

  • Dubai to unveil strategy to boost tourism

    Dubai plans to announce a strategy in the next two weeks to attract tourists during the global economic crisis, Bloomberg has reported. The emirate is gathering information and looking at trends in travel in tourism around the world, and may revise its target of attracting 15 million tourists a year by 2015 depending on the feedback it gets, said Khalid Ahmed bin Sulayem, the director general of Dubai's Department of Tourism and Commercial Marketing.

  • Dubai World eyes more hotel projects

    Dubai World plans to take advantage of the global credit crisis to expand its presence around the world in hotel projects, especially in emerging markets, Gulf News has reported. Speaking at the opening of the Fontaine-bleau Miami Beach resort - the latest high-profile investment of Dubai World in the United States - the company's chairman, Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, stressed the need to see opportunities in times of global financial turmoil. Dubai World paid $375m for a 50% stake in the hotel

  • Dubai-based cargo vessel stranded near Somalia

    A cargo vessel owned by a Dubai-based businessman has been stranded in Socotra Island near the Gulf of Aden for over a month after it ran aground following bad weather. The vessel began its journey in Mumbai on October 7 and was heading for Mogadishu, Somalia when it ran into rough weather. At the time of the incident on October 22, the ship was loaded with 850 tonnes of sugar. The 10 Indian crew members onboard were rescued by an Iranian vessel and offloaded in Aden, reported Khaleej Times.

  • Dubai's Zabeel Road to open

    Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced that the city's Zabeel 2 Road will be open by next week. The new route will link the Al Khail road and Business Bay arteries to the World Trade Centre.

  • Dubal hit by power cut

    Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal) had production partly affected on Tuesday by a temporary power outage. Power was restored and teams are now working on now working on activating the partially affected aluminium production cells.

  • Dubal may cut 2009 output target

    Dubai Aluminum Co said it may cut a target to produce 1 million metric tons of aluminum next year as the global financial crisis has reduced demand. However, Dubal and its partners are continuing with a plan to build the world's largest smelter in Abu Dhabi. The Emirates Aluminum project will produce 700,000 tons of aluminum a year from 2010, the company said.

  • Ducab predicts five-fold increase

    UAE-based cable manufacturer Ducab has said that by 2009 it is predicting sales of over Dhs500m in the oil and gas sector. The company is placing a heavy emphasis on the industry, with production increasing five fold in recent years.

  • ECFT inks deal with Abu Dhabi Aviation

    Emirates-CAE Flight Training has signed a contract with Abu Dhabi Aviation, the region's largest commercial helicopter operator, to train ADA's Bell 412 helicopter pilots over three years at ECFT in Dubai. ECFT is home to the only Level D Bell 412 full flight simulator (FFS) with JAA and FAA approval in the Middle East, Africa and Europe. To date, more than 30 clients including offshore operators, police forces and companies specializing in search and rescue, train their pilots through variou

  • Egypt delays wind farm bids

    Egypt’s New & Renewable Energy Authority (NREA) has extended the deadline for bids for consulting services on the project to develop a 200MW-wind farm in Gulf al-Zayt.

  • Egypt expects tourism to rise 19%

    An Egyptian tourism official said he expects the country to receive about 13 million visitors in 2008, 19% more than in 2007, reported Reuters. Income from tourism in 2008 will be $11.6bn, 23% up on 2007, added the official, who was confirming a newspaper report quoting Tourism Minister Zoheir Garrana.

  • EGYPT TENDER: Bank construction

    Construction of a bank. Closing date: 13 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Copper cables

    Supply of 2,500 metres of reinforced copper cables. Closing date: 1 December 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Earthmoving works

    Carrying out earthmoving works for service roads. Closing date: 16 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Earthmoving works

    Carrying out earthmoving works for roads. Closing date: 16 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Gas-insulated switchgear substation project

    Carrying out a gas-insulated switchgear substation project. Closing date: 31 December 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Hospital completion works

    Carrying out completion works at a hospital. Closing date: 17 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Housing and retail units

    Construction of 324 housing units and 61 retail units. Closing date: 12 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Housing construction

    Construction of 584 housing units. Closing date: 23 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Housing construction (2,140)

    Construction of 2,140 housing units. Closing date: 17 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Housing construction (300)

    Construction of 300 housing units. Closing date: 16 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Housing units (416)

    Construction of 416 housing units. Closing date: 26 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Housing units (584)

    Construction of 584 housing units. Closing date: 20 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Metro line civil finishing works

    Carrying out finishing, sanitary and plumbing works for a metro line project. Closing date: 23 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Metro line fire-fighting and electrical lighting works

    Carrying out fire-fighting and electrical lighting works for a metro line project. Closing date: 23 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Photovoltaic-powered lighting systems

    Design and supply of photovoltaic-powered lighting systems for villages. Closing date: 28 January 2009

  • EGYPT TENDER: Sanitary drainage project

    Carrying out a sanitary drainage project. Closing date: 24 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Sanitary drainage project

    Implementation of a sanitary drainage project. Closing date: 24 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Sanitary drainage project

    Carrying out a sanitary drainage project. Closing date: 26 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Sanitary drainage works

    Provision of sanitary drainage works. Closing date: 24 November 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Training aircraft

    Supply of seven new training aircraft. Closing date: 21 December 2008

  • EGYPT TENDER: Water treatment plant expansion

    Rehabilitation and expansion of a water treatment plant. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • Egypt: Chlorine dosing and injection systems

    Supply of chlorine dosing and injection systems at potable water treatment plants. Closing date: 4 January 2009

  • Egypt: Gantry cranes

    Supply of two RTG gantry cranes. Closing date: 15 December 2008

  • Egypt: Power station heat exchangers

    Provision of heat exchangers for a steam-fired power station. Closing date: 12 January 2009

  • Egypt: Steel pipes

    Supply of steel pipes and cast iron fittings for a natural gas connection project. Closing date: 12 January 2009

  • Egypt: Water treatment plant works

    Rehabilitation and expansion of a water treatment plant. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • Egyptian GDP growth slows to 5.8 per cent

    The Egyptian economy grew at an annualised rate of 5.8 per cent in the first quarter of the 2008/09 financial year, Economic Development Minister Othman Othman was quoted as saying by state-owned newspaper Al-Ahram on 19 November.

  • Egyptian urban inflation falls to 20 per cent

    Urban inflation in Egypt declined to 20.2 per cent in the year to the end of October, the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation & Statistics reported on 10 November.

  • Egypt's IT industry gets government boost

    The IT industry in Egypt has emerged as a rapidly growing segment of the country's economy, according to a new report by RNCOS, 'Middle East ICT Market Analysis'. Total IT spending has risen by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 25% from 2003 to 2007. Cited as major factors pushing IT spending in the country are strong government support, such as the 'PC for every home initiative (Egypt PC 2010)', and setting up of more than 640 IT Clubs in dense and remote areas of the country

  • Elite Jets inks deal to build base

    Elite Jets, a Dubai-based private jet operator, has signed an agreement with Dubai World Central Aviation City under which it will build a new base on two plots of land, with a total area of 167,000 square feet, to expand its executive jet operation and to set up an aircraft servicing facility to serve the needs of individual and corporate aircraft owners and groups wishing to charter aircraft.

  • Emaar's $600m Indonesian venture to be ready by 2010

    A $600m mega-tourism development venture between Emaar Properties and Bali Tourism Development Corporation in Indonesia's Lombok Island is now underway and is expected to be operational by 2010, Khaleej Times has reported. Minister Djoko Kirmanto, Indonesia's Public Works, said work has begun on the international airport on the island, while other infrastructure such as water distribution system, water treatment plant, roads and others are now in place. Lombok Island, which is less than an ho

  • Embraer inks $208m deals at Meba

    Brazilian manufacturer Embraer has confirmed that is has signed deals worth more than $208m at the Middle East Business Aviation Show. Embraer said it will deliver two Legacy 500 Jets to Falcon Aviation Services, two to Asaig Aviation as well as four Legacy 450s and four Legacy 500s to Al Jaber Aviation.

  • Emcredit launches new reporting tool

    Emcredit, the UAE's first private credit information services company, has announced the launch of a new information reporting tool that provides comprehensive business information for the verification of commercial entities registered in the UAE. The online solution, Enterprise Information Report serves as a reference tool for assessing and validating the general, legal and background information of businesses.

  • Emirates adds extra flights for Haj pilgrims

    Dubai-based Emirates Airline has announced the addition of extra flights to Jeddah for the Haj pilgrimage. Emirates will operate 31 additional flights to Jeddah to cater for the increased passenger movement during this peak season and has appointed a dedicated group of airport staff to provide ground-handling services to passengers.

  • Emirates Airline's profits decrease by 88 per cent

    Emirates Airline's first-half profits fell by 88 per cent as result of record fuel prices earlier in 2008.

  • Emirates Aluminium gets GE diverters

    The Emirates Aluminium (Emal) smelter currently under construction in Abu Dhabi has successfully received the first delivery of General Electric (GE) equipment at the Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) dock in Al Taweelah. The delivery of two 75-tonne combustion turbine exhaust gas diverters is the next step towards achieving hot metal production in 2010.

  • Emirates cancel New York flight

    According to an Emirates spokesperson, the Emirates EK 202 flight from New York to Dubai on October 31 was cancelled due to a technical problem. The airline operates the A380 super jumbo, which can carry 489 passengers, on the route. So far Emirates has taken delivery of two A380 super jumbos, of the 55 on order.

  • Emirates chooses Italy as European hub

    Emirates Airline has chosen Italy as its European hub and has asked for more than 50 weekly landing slots in Milan, Rome, and Venice. The carrier, which currently has less than ten landing slots per week in Italy, has asked for 21 slots in Rome, 21 in Milan, and 14 in Venice, according to a statement from the Italian government.

  • Emirates increases flights to India

    Emirates will add another 31 weekly flights to India from November and again from February. In its second major expansion campaign for India this year the airline will be operating 163 weekly flights to 10 gateways.

  • Emirates NBD offers investment fund for football transfer market

    Emirates NBD, the region's largest bank by asset size, has launched a£100m ($159m) fund aimed at providing finance for football clubs looking to buy players on the transfer market.

  • Emirates Palace to host record-breaking fireworks

    Abu Dhabi's Emirates Palace is to host the world's 'largest, record breaking fireworks display', to celebrate the UAE's 37th National Day. The fireworks will begin at 20.30, lasting for 45 minutes, and will be visible along the Abu Dhabi Corniche and across the Emirates Palace Marina. The hotel will also feature a laser display from December 1 to 3.

  • Emirates profits fall over 80%

    Emirates Airlines has announced half yearly profits of Dhs284m, which marks a downward shift of over 80% on 2007 revenues. The Dubai-based carrier also reported that operating revenues for the period were up by 31%, and that passenger numbers had grown by 11%.

  • Emirates signs deal for helicopter pilot training

    Emirates-CAE Flight Training has signed a five-year contract with Gulf Helicopters Company to be their exclusive training provider for the company's fleet of Bell helicopters. Under the terms of the agreement, Gulf Helicopter Bell 412 pilots will undergo specialized training to meet special mission and regulatory requirements of GHC. Training will take place at Emirates-CAE Flight Training in Dubai. The training program includes simulator training on the CAE Bell 412 full-flight simulator, en

  • ESNAD signs deal with ADSB

    ESNAD, a subsidiary of ADNOC Group, has awarded a 3-year contract of repairs and maintenance for its fleet of vessels to Abu Dhabi Ship Building Company (ADSB). The contract is valued at Dhs60m. ESNAD's GM said the current fleet will see an expansion of nine ships by end 2009. Each of the ships will be 58 metres long with a dead weight of 2500 MT.

  • ETA invests $80m in steel mills

    Launching its first foray into steel manufacturing, ETA Ascon Star Group has announced that it has invested $80m in a new subsidiary, Star Steel International. The subsidiary is to set up steel rolling mills in the Hamriyah Free Zone in Sharjah to produce steel rebars and steel structural sections. The expected production of steel rebars is 360,000 tonnes per annum and steel structural sections is 240,000 TPA.

  • Etihad adds flights for Hajj pilgrims

    Etihad Airways will increase its services from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia in December, providing additional flights to Jeddah and Madinah for Muslims making the annual Hajj Pilgrimage. In addition to its regular daily Jeddah service, Etihad will offer 10 extra flights to the city between 24 November and 19 December. The airline will also add two flights to Madinah between 29 November and 2 December.

  • Etihad celebrates fifth birthday

    The UAE's national carrier Etihad Airways completed its fifth year of operations on Wednesday. The company currently has 42 aircraft and services 50 destinations. The group is looking to expand this to a fleet of 158 craft and 100 destinations by 2020.

  • Etihad secures $210m aircraft financing

    Etihad Airways has agreed to aircraft financing facilities worth more than $210m to acquire two new Airbus A340-600 wide-body aircraft to add to its growing fleet. The Abu Dhabi-based airline has signed a $102m aircraft financing facility with a consortium of regional and international banks to finance the airline's acquisition of one of the 288-seat aircraft. The 12-year finance lease was provided in equal shares by three separate banks, led by co-arrangers and lenders Abu Dhabi Commercial B

  • Etihad to fly stranded Thailand passengers

    Etihad is flying special relief flights from Thailand to Abu Dhabi to carry stranded passengers, the first is due to arrive early this morning. Etihad's Boeing 777 flight with a capacity of 378 passengers is taking off from U-Tapao International Airport, about 150km east of Bangkok.

  • Etihad to save Dhs73m on fuel

    Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has said that it will cut back its fuel bill by Dhs73m ($20m) by the end of 2008. The carrier has been unrolling a series of efficiency initiatives in cooperation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

  • Etisalat offers broadband laptop TV service

    Etisalat has said it has developed a solution that allows mobile phone broadband subscribers to watch multiple TV channels on their laptops, while browsing the internet. The service, a combination of Mobile TV and Mobile Broadband Internet services, allows users to watch up to five different channels simultaneously on one screen.

  • Event blog: Abu Dhabi Conference 2008

    MEED.com blog coverage of the MEED Abu Dhabi Conference 2008, focused on economic development in the UAE capital.

  • ExecuJet to build new facility at DWC

    ExecuJet Middle East has announced plans to contruct a new custom built facility at Dubai World Central Airport. The company will retain its current facility at Dubai International Airport, which includes 24,358 square feet of hangar space and houses a Bombardier and Honeywell warehouse, managed by ExecuJet. The company plans to build a larger facility at DWC that will enable it to provide increased maintenance support across a wider region.

  • Experts call for greater Gulf waterway co-operation

    Gulf countries should co-operate more closely in planning for the large number of coastal projects being developed in the region, speakers told MEED’s Coastal Projects 2008 conference in Dubai on 17 November.

  • Fertiliser production expanding in Mena region

    A new report by Kuwaiti investment bank Global Investment House has found that the fertiliser production sector in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has recorded a 149% surge in profits so far this year. The sector has invested $20bn to improve efficiency and build larger plants, which is expected to boost production to 60 million tonnes by 2010 and 70 million tonnes by 2012, more than doubling current production.

  • Financial crisis to reshape Amlak business model

    Nasser al-Sheikh, chairman of UAE mortgage provider Amlak, has said that the financial crisis means Amlak’s business model will have to change.

  • Firms invited to bid for Kuwait oil pipeline project

    Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has invited firms to bid for the contract to build oil export pipelines from the planned Gathering Centre 16 in west Kuwait and new water flowlines at the Managesh water injection project.

  • Firms line up for Oman water projects

    A total of nine companies have purchased tender documents for two water supply projects in Oman.

  • Firms prepare gas compressor bids for Bab oil field

    Six bidding groups are preparing to submit commercial bids to Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (Adco) for the contract to install gas compressors at its onshore Bab field.

  • Firms set to bid for Sowwah bridges deal in Abu Dhabi

    Selected contractors have been invited to bid by 17 December for two bridges connecting Abu Dhabi island with Sowwah island.

  • Firms submit bids for Jamal Abdul Nasser road contract in Kuwait

    Bids have been submitted for the Jamal Abdul Nasser road contract in Kuwait.

  • Firms submit bids to Aramco for Karan gas package

    Four companies have submitted bids to the client Saudi Aramco for a platforms and pipelines package at the Karan gas field.

  • Firms to submit bids for Riyadh airport tunnel

    Bids are to be submitted for the SR3bn ($800m) Riyadh airport tunnel project on 22 November.

  • Fuel costs hit Royal Jordanian profits

    Royal Jordanian posted a $2.8m loss for the first nine months of 2008, despite a 34 per cent increase in operational revenue compared to 2007.

  • Fujitsu Siemens launches new enterprise server

    Fujitsu Siemens Computers has launched its Primergy RX600 S4 rack server, which uses Intel's new six-core Xeon MP 7400 processor, codenamed Dunnington. Available immediately in the Middle East, it is aimed at larger enterprises that need high performance that can also be easily upgraded. It comes with a big memory capacity of up to 256GB of RAM, available in a single chassis because of 8GB memory modules to be introduced in the final quarter of 2008.

  • GCC cement makers Q3 profits down

    The GCC cement sector saw a 15% decline in profits in the first three quarters of 2008. The profitability of the GCC cement sector listed companies was $1.46bn (Dhs5.35bn) in the third quarter 2008 compared with $1.72bn in the third quarter last year.

  • GCC growth to outperform leading industrialised countries in 2009

    The GCC is expected to report economic growth in 2009 that will outperform the G7 group of industrialised nations, and match its emerging market peers, according to economists at Gulf Finance House (GFH).

  • GE signs $1bn deals with Sonelgaz in Algeria

    The US’ GE has signed a number of service agreements with Algerian state energy company Sonelgaz.

  • Global alarm over piracy

    Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal said his country would support a European-led initiative to step up security in shipping lanes off Africa's east coast, after pirates hijacked one of its supertankers carrying a $100m oil cargo, reported Reuters. Increasing pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean waters off Somalia has driven up insurance costs, forced some ships to go round South Africa instead of through the Suez Canal, and secured millions of dollars in ransoms. The

  • Global Investment House gets approval for three funds in Saudi Arabia

    Global Investment House, the Kuwaiti asset manager, has received approval for three funds managed by its Saudi subsidiary, Global Investment House Saudia.

  • Google unveils Google Calendar in Arabic

    Google has launched its Google Calendar in Arabic. Google Calendar is a tool designed to make it easier to keep track of events, special occasions, and appointments.

  • Gulf Air expects profit by 2010

    Gulf Air is expecting profit returns by 2010 as the massive turnaround programme the airline is undergoing starts to pay off, according to its CEO, Reuters has cited. CEO Bjorn Naf said the decline in air travel as companies and families cut their travel budgets amid the financial crisis, would not alter Gulf Air's expansion plans. The carrier has ordered 59 planes and partially renews its existing fleet of 27 planes.

  • Gulf carriers well suited to face 'challenging times'

    Airlines are facing the most challenging period in their history, said Peter Harbison, Executive Chairman of the Centre for Asia Pacifica Aviation. Speaking at the Low Cost Airlines World 2008 Conference, Harbison pointed out that only a few months ago, airlines were struggling to determine how they were going to cope with fuel prices that were over $140 a barrel. Now they are faced with one of the worst financial crises in history.

  • Gulf Finance House launches Energy City Libya masterplan

    Bahrain’s Gulf Finance House has launched the masterplan for the $5bn Energy City Libya project to develop the country as a regional hub for the energy sector.

  • Gulf health spending to rise 300 per cent by 2025

    Direct health spending in the GCC will rise by 300 per cent to $60bn in 2025 compared with $15bn in 2008, according to Viktor Hediger, Middle East healthcare leader at US management consultants McKinsey & Company.

  • Gulf International Bank reports $285m loss on US investments

    Gulf International Bank (GIB), the Bahrain-based investment bank, has reported a loss of $220.7m in the third quarter due to provisions of $284.2m, related to its exposure to Lehman Brothers and other investment vehicles.

  • Gulf Navigation to buy back 10% of its shares

    Dubai-based Gulf Navigation Holding plans to buy back as much as 10% of its shares. The oil and chemicals shipping company will also pay 5% of its capital as dividend for the first-half of 2008 after approval from regulators.

  • Gulf pipe industry to suffer

    The International Tube Association has cautioned that the impact of the global economic crisis on the Gulf tube and pipe industry should not be underestimated, but also added that the effect would be short term. The key sectors that drive the tube and pipe industry, including construction projects, water and air conditioning supply and automobiles will continue to grow.

  • Gulf projects 10 November 2008

    The MEED projects index has fallen for the first time in six months, reflecting the impact of the credit crunch on the regional projects market.

  • Gulf projects 3 November 2008

    Despite the latest MEED Projects index showing a 1.2 per cent rise in the value of projects in the GCC in the first week of November, there are signs that falling oil prices and fears of a slowdown in the global economy are starting to affect the Gulf projects market.

  • Gulf's PC shipments jump 78%

    Total computer sales (desktops and notebooks) in the Gulf in the third quarter stood at about 1.25 million units, a year-on-year growth of 78% when compared with 702,085 units in the third quarter of 2007, with a total value of $1.1bn, according to International Data Corporation (IDC). Qatar was the fastest-growing market with a year-on-year growth of 103.38% followed by the UAE with 88%, Saudi Arabia with 76.14%, Oman with 56.88%, Bahrain with 50.85% and Kuwait with 43.33%.

  • Haulotte Group expands in Middle East

    The Haulotte Group, Europe's biggest supplier of people and material lifting equipment, is expanding its presence in the Middle East and North Africa with new offices in Libya in 2009 and Algeria in 2010. Haulotte's ongoing expansion reflects the unprecedented growth of the construction market across the region and an increasing demand for safe working platforms on construction sites. Haulotte Middle East has recently launched their new telescopic big boom, an aerial working platform with a s

  • Hill International to manage three Qatar construction projects

    US-based Hill International has been awarded three contracts to provide project management services on three major projects for local developer the Real Estate Services Group.

  • Hospitality fund to raise $300m

    Three Gulf banks, Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House and Ithmaar Bank and Abu Dhabi Investment House, have launched a joint hospitality fund that aims to raise $300m by Q1 2009. The fund has signed six agreements for property investment in the Middle East and India.

  • Hotel occupancy dips in Dubai

    Hotel occupancy in Dubai fell by 4.1% to 79.6% from January to October this year from 83% in the same period last year, according to Smith Travel Research's monthly benchmarking report. Hotel occupancy for the month of October was up marginally from 79.9% in 2007 to 82.8% this year.

  • HP launches new technologies

    HP has launched new networking, storage and server technologies that reduce costs, increase bandwidth flexibility and improve overall performance of virtual server environments. HP's new Virtual Connect Flex-10 Ethernet module is the industry's first interconnect technology that can allocate the bandwidth of a 10Gb Ethernet network port across four network interface card (NIC) connections. This increase in bandwidth flexibility eliminates the need for additional network hardware equipment. As

  • HP signs training deal with Egyptian government

    HP has signed a deal with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in Egypt to train 100,000 people across the country's health, trade and education sectors. Dr Tarek Kamel, Egypt's Minister of Communication and Information Technology, said the aim was to 'raise the efficiency and competitiveness of the Egyptian work force in the global market'. The agreement is part of the International Computer Driving License programme that is being implemented by the Ministry in cooperatio

  • Huta-Hegerfeld to implement third phase of King Fahd port

    Huta-Hegerfeld Company has been appointed to implement the SR50m ($13.4m) third phase of developing King Fahd Industrial Port.

  • IHG brings Holiday Inn to Syria

    InterContinental Hotels Group has signed an exclusive agreement with Hedley International Syria to develop Syria's first Holiday Inn in the country's capital, Damascus. Due for completion in early 2011, Holiday Inn Damascus Old City is justified on a 2,000m² site in the city centre. Located close to the main commercial and business districts, the 300-room property is within walking distance of many historic local landmarks including the Citadel, Omayad Mosque and Al Hamidieh Souq.

  • Increase in UAE, Qatar flights

    The UAE, represented by the General Civil Aviation Authority, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Qatar to increase the number of flights between the two countries. FlyDubai was appointed as a UAE national carrier along with Emirates, Etihad, Air Arabia and RAK Air, while Qatar Airways was appointed as Qatar's national carrier.

  • Ingim launches regional equities fund

    ING Investment Managament (Ingim), asset management arm of Dutch bank ING Group, is to launch a Mena equities fund on 17 November, that it hopes will attract $500m of investment over the next two years.

  • Injazat to provide IT services in Qatar and Oman

    Injazat Data Systems, an IT and business process managed services provider, will offer its services to clients in the financial sector in Qatar and Oman from next year, said the company's CEO, Ibrahim Mohammed Lari. A joint venture between Mubadala Development Company and Electronic Data Systems, an HP company, Injazat Data Systems has serviced Dhs1.5bn contracts since inception. Injazat also plans to build a new Data Centre in Al Ain.

  • Intel Chairman to visit Egypt

    Intel Chairman Craig Barrett is to visit Egypt in December as part of the company's bid to demonstrate the importance of the Egyptian market. During his third visit to the country Barrett will meet with senior government officials and business leaders.

  • Intel launches world's fastest processor

    Intel Corporation has introduced its most advanced desktop processor ever, the Intel Core i7 processor. The Core i7 processor is the first member of a new family of Intel's next generation microarchitecture processor designs and is the most sophisticated ever built, with new technologies that boost performance on demand and maximize data throughput. The Intel Core i7 processor holds a new world record of 117 for the SPECint_base_rate2006 benchmark test that measures the performance of a proce

  • InterContinental launches resort in Fujairah

    InterContinental Hotels Group has signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi-based Seba Properties for the development of the InterContinental Fujairah Resort, a new beachfront property in the UAE emirate of Fujairah. The 291-room hotel will be the first InterContinental beach resort property to open in the UAE. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Hajar Mountains with breathtaking views across the Indian Ocean, the resort will consist of a series of low-rise Arabesque village-style buildings.

  • Internet to host address book

    Talks are underway for the internet to host a new domain name .tel which would serve as an online secure contact directory. The top-level domain would hold contact details for individuals and businesses rather than a number of different sites like the .com name.

  • Investment in Jizan Economic City reaches $26bn

    Investment in Jizan Economic City has reached SR100bn ($26bn), following the latest set of deals unveiled on 4 November.

  • Investor concerns hit Kuwait bourse

    The Kuwait Stock Exchange lost 1.3 per cent recently as retail investors remained concerned that smaller listed investment groups would reveal poor third-quarter earnings.

  • Iran and Iraq sign cross-border flights deal

    Iran and Iraq have signed a memorandum of understanding, paving the way for the first regular commercial flights between the two countries.

  • Iran studies proposals for third mobile phone operator

    Iran's telecoms regulator is to announce the winning technical bid for the country's third mobile phone licence at the end of November.

  • IRAN TENDER: Catalyst

    Supply of chloride treater catalyst. Closing date: 16 November 2008

  • IRAN TENDER: Desalination system consultancy services

    Provision of consultancy services comprising feasibility studies and evaluation of desalination systems. Closing date: 10 November 2008

  • IRAN TENDER: Diethyl hydroxyl lamine

    Supply of diethyl hydroxyl lamine (DEHA). Closing date: 19 November 2008

  • IRAN TENDER: Metallurgical coke (Closing date extension)

    Supply of 10,000 tonnes of metallurgical coke. New closing date: 30 November 2008

  • IRAN TENDER: Metro equipment

    Supply of electrical and mechanical equipment for a metro project. Closing date: 22 November 2008

  • IRAN TENDER: Oil pipeline remedial works

    Carrying out remedial works on 16 oil pipelines. Closing date: 4 November 2008

  • IRAN TENDER: Oil skimmer vessel

    Supply of an oil skimmer vessel. Closing date: 25 November 2008

  • IRAN TENDER: Oil terminal safety equipment

    Manufacturing, shipping and delivery of safety equipment for oil terminals. Closing date: 8 December 2008

  • IRAN TENDER: Power plant cooling system modification

    Modification of a main and auxiliary cooling system at a power plant. Closing date: 2 December 2008

  • IRAN TENDER: Thermal and cold fogging insecticide

    Supply of 1,000 litres of insecticide for thermal and cold fogging. Closing date: 30 November 2008

  • IRAN TENDER: Tubular running services

    Provision of tubular running services. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • Iran: Diesel generators

    Shipping, installation, commissioning and delivery of two diesel generators. Closing date: 10 January 2009

  • Iran: Helicopters

    Supply of eight twin-engine helicopters. Closing date: 21 December 2008

  • Iran: Insecticide

    Supply of 10,500 kilos of indoor residual insecticide. Closing date: 4 December 2008

  • Iran: Jack-up drilling rig lease

    Leasing, or lease with a purchase option, of two offshore jack-up drilling rigs. Closing date: 7 February 2009

  • Iran: Laboratory microscopes

    Supply of 30 medical laboratory microscopes. Closing date: 2 December 2008

  • Iran: Motorcycles

    Supply of 110 motorcycles. Closing date: 3 December 2008

  • Iran: PMH chemicals

    Supply of para-menthane hydroperoxide (PMH) chemicals. Closing date: 10 December 2008

  • Iran: Steam turbine

    Supply of a steam turbine. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • Iran: Vehicle engine assembly line

    Supply of a complete vehicle engine assembly line. Closing date: not stated

  • Iraq signs $1bn agreements

    The Iraqi government has signed deals valued at $1bn with a number of companies to relaunch operations at companies affiliated to the Ministry of Industry and Minerals. The government will not be directly involved with the running of the companies and factories, which will operate as private organisations.

  • IRAQ TENDER: Cranes

    Supply of two 30-tonne cranes. Closing date: 2 December 2008

  • IRAQ TENDER: Excavators

    Supply of three mini-excavators. Closing date: 2 December 2008

  • IRAQ TENDER: Gasoline and gas oil

    Supply of 135,000 tonnes of gasoline and 360,000 tonnes of gas oil. Closing date: 24 November 2008

  • IRAQ TENDER: Liquefied petroleum gas

    Supply of 45,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Closing date: 24 November 2008

  • IRAQ TENDER: Petroleum products

    Supply of petroleum products including gasoline, gas oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Closing date: 24 November 2008

  • IRAQ TENDER: Pipe making and welding tools

    Supply of pipe making and welding tools. Closing date: 2 December 2008

  • IRAQ TENDER: Switchgear

    Supply of high-voltage switchgear. Closing date: 25 November 2008

  • IRAQ TENDER: Vacuum tube solar water heaters

    Supply and installation of vacuum tube solar water heaters. Closing date: 25 November 2008

  • Iraq to relaunch small business fund

    An Iraqi economic development fund started under Saddam Hussein to help small businesses, is to be re-launched at the end of 2007.

  • Iraq: Building construction

    Construction of a building for a barrage office. Closing date: 25 November 2008

  • Iraq: Gas pipeline scraper trap system

    Supply of a scraper trap skid-mounted system for a dry gas pipeline. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • Iraq: Geological investigations (1)

    Carrying out geological investigations for a dam. Closing date: 23 December 2008

  • Iraq: Geological investigations (2)

    Carrying out geological investigations for a dam. Closing date: 21 December 2008

  • Iraq: Geological investigations (3)

    Carrying out geological investigations for a dam. Closing date: 21 December 2008

  • Iraq: Methanol injection system equipment

    Supply of equipment for a methanol injection system. Closing date: 30 November 2008

  • Iraq: Power transformers

    Supply of three power transformers. Closing date: 17 December 2008

  • Iraq: Semi-trailers

    Supply of two 80-tonne semi-trailers. Closing date: 30 November 2008

  • Iraq: Solar water heaters

    Supply and installation of vacuum tube solar water heaters. New closing date: 2 December 2008

  • ITT wins water treatment contract in Oman

    ITT, a US-based provider of pumps and systems for the movement and treatment of water and wastewater, has been awarded a wastewater treatment plant contract in Oman for the city of A'Seeb. The contract was awarded to ITT through Hyundai Rotem, the project's general contractor. ITT will provide a secondary wastewater treatment solution that includes a sewage treatment plant based on continuous flow Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) technology, three main pump stations, two treated effluent pump

  • Jacky's opens Izumi office automation

    Jacky's Electronics has launched a new company, Izumi Solutions specialising in office automation products and solutions. The company will also handle the distribution of HP large format and industrial printers. The focus is to provide products and services related to the graphic arts, banking and financial sectors including multi-function products.

  • Jamrat Bridge third phase completed

    The third phase of the Jamrat Bridge project in Saudi Arabia is complete, according to Habeeb Zainul Abd Al Deen, the kingdom's undersecretary in the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. The third phase of the Dhs4.2bn ($1.1bn) project, launched two years ago, focuses on the third storey of the bridge and links it with escalators, reported Gulf News.

  • Jazeera Airways launches promotion

    Kuwait- and Dubai-based Jazeera Airways is celebrating its three-millionth passenger in its third year by launching a one million seat sale - with fares starting as low as Dhs33 ($9), according to a press statement. The sale is running already and will be available to passengers booking online on www.jazeeraairways.com on Thursday until midnight. The celebration sale is available on almost all routes that the airline flies, and can be used for travel between November 27 and March 31 2009 to d

  • Jazeera inaugurates eighth aircraft

    Kuwait and Dubai based airline Jazeera Airways has celebrated an historic event at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, with the delivery and inauguration of the airline's eighth new aircraft. The delivery of the brand new Airbus A320 marks the first time that a non-Lebanese carrier receives a new aircraft in Beirut International Airport.

  • Jazeera profits soar

    Jazeera Airways has announced a 50% increase in revenues for the first 9-months of the year. This equates to a profit margin of almost $5.5m.

  • Jazeera signs $70m financing deal for two planes

    Jazeera Airways has signed a $70m funding deal with DVB Bank and Natixis Transport Finance to finance the purchase of the two new Airbus A320 planes that were recently delivered to the airline. It received the planes over the past two months, taking its fleet number to eight. DVB Bank already has a relationship with Jazeera through their joint venture aircraft leasing company Sahaab Leasing.

  • Jazeera to borrow $370m to buy aircraft

    Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways has agreed to borrow as much as 100 million dinars ($370.2m) to buy aircraft. The low-cost carrier's board asked the management to search for lenders to provide the loan, the airline said.

  • Jet Airways gets $208m loan from Mubadala

    Jet Airways India has secured a 10 billion rupee ($208m) from Mubadala Development Co, the investment arm of Abu Dhabi's government, reported the Business Standard. The Indian carrier reported a loss of 3.8 billion rupees in the quarter through September.

  • Jordan and China sign nuclear accords

    Amman has signed two agreements covering co-operation in the field of nuclear energy with Beijing.

  • Jordan Telecom grows mobile and internet business

    Growth in mobile phone and internet services has offset a fall in fixed-line revenues at Jordan Telecom in the third quarter.

  • JORDAN TENDER: Urban space redevelopment (Closing date extension)

    Construction and redevelopment of a major urban space. New closing date: 18 November 2008

  • Jordan to auction fourth mobile phone licence in 2009

    Jordan will auction a fourth mobile phone licence in January 2009, according to a statement from the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) on 26 November.

  • Jordan: Petra gateway consultancy

    Provision of consultancy services comprising construction supervision for the Petra gateway project. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • Jordan: School construction

    Construction of a new school in Amman. Closing date: 18 December 2008

  • Jordan: Technology park feasibility study

    Carrying out a feasibility study for the development and implementation of a technology park. Closing date: 22 December 2008

  • Jordan: Wastewater treatment plant (Karak)

    Construction of a wastewater treatment plant. Closing date: 13 January 2009

  • Jordan: Wastewater treatment plant (Kofranja)

    Construction of a wastewater treatment plant. Closing date: 12 January 2009

  • Jumah retires as Aramco chief executive officer

    Saudi Aramco has promoted its operations head to chief executive officer (CEO), after the retirement of the long-serving Abdullah Jumah.

  • Kalpataru wins Kuwait power contract

    India’s Kalpataru Power Transmission has won a contract for the supply and installation of high tension overhead lines.

  • Kaspersky Lab opens office in Dubai

    Kaspersky Lab, a Russian-based manufacturer of computer security programs and anti-virus software has opened a regional office for the Middle East in Dubai, reported Gulf News. The company, which reported annual revenue of $85.3m in 2006, estimates that it ranks number four in the region in overall market share, but plans to enter the top three in 2009.

  • KBR wins Egyptian polyethylene study contract

    The US’ KBR has been awarded a pre-front end engineering and design contract for two polyethylene units at a planned petrochemicals complex near Suez.

  • Kempinsky named leading leisure hotel

    The Kempinsky hotel in Dubai's Mall of the Emirates has been named as the Middle East's leading leisure hotel at the world travel awards. This year marked the 15th annual ceremony for the awards.

  • Kingdom Hotel to buy back shares

    Kingdom Hotel Investments has announced that it will buy back 4.29% of its shares after they declined 44% this year. Kingdom, which is controlled by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, received approval from its shareholders to buy back as much as 7.5 million shares by Jan. 10.

  • Koreans awarded Creek bridges

    Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded South Korea’s Sungwon Corporation the AED758m ($207m) contract to build two bridges that will take Sheikh Zayed road over the Business Bay extension.

  • Kuwait and Singapore sign open skies agreement

    Kuwait has agreed an open skies agreement with Singapore at a ceremony in the Kuwaiti capital.

  • Kuwait extends Al-Zour pipeline bidding deadline

    State upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has extended the bidding deadline for the contract to build an oil pipeline network serving the planned refinery at Al-Zour for the fourth time. The deadline has been postponed from 18 November to 16 December.

  • Kuwait government resigns to avoid parliamentary questioning

    Kuwait's government has submitted its resignation in a bid to avoid questioning of Prime Minister Nasser al-Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah by parliament.

  • Kuwait inflation to fall to 7 per cent

    Inflation in Kuwait is expected to fall to 7 per cent by the end of the year, from 11.1 per cent in July, as food and rental prices rises ease, according to National Bank of Kuwait (NBK).

  • Kuwait issues Ashbilia housing tender

    Kuwait’s Public Works Ministry has prequalified 22 local firms for infrastructure work in the Ashbilia area of Kuwait.

  • Kuwait issues tender for contract to link Shuaiba to national power network

    Kuwait’s Electricity & Water Ministry has issued a tender for a contract to link gas turbines at the Shuaiba North power plant with the country’s national control centre at Jabiriya.

  • Kuwait money supply stagnant on outflows

    Money supply growth in Kuwait fell to 0.2 per cent in October as foreign capital left the country because of concerns about how the global financial crisis would impact the region, according to economists at National Bank of Kuwait.

  • Kuwait National Airlines set to list on bourse

    Kuwait National Airlines, the holding company for the new premium class airline, Wataniya Airways, has announced it is to list on the Kuwait Stock Exchange on 15 December.

  • Kuwait prepares response to audit report on Al-Zour contracts

    Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) is preparing a response to the State Audit Bureau after receiving its report on disputed contracts on the delayed Al-Zour refinery.

  • Kuwait shuts bourse as retail investors panic

    The Kuwait Stock Exchange had a rare four-day week after a judge ruled to close the bourse on 13 and 16 November following a lawsuit from disgruntled traders and retail investors.

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Building operation and maintenance works

    Carrying out operation and maintenance works for a building. Closing date: 8 December 2008

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Cleaning, transportation and refuse disposal services

    Preparation of cleaning, internal transportation and refuse disposal services. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Early production facilities

    Construction of early production facilities to produce 150,000 barrels a day of condensate. Closing date: 1 March 2009

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Early production facility leasing

    Leasing of early production facilities. Closing date: 1 March 2009

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Ground and pilot cables

    Supply and extension of ground cables and pilot cables. Closing date: 30 December 2008

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Hostel construction repair and maintenance works

    Carrying out construction repair and maintenance works for hostels. Closing date: 23 December 2008

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Laboratory linking system

    Installation of a laboratory linking system. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Power station gas units

    Delivery of new gas units at a power station. Closing date: 30 December 2008

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Radar system maintenance

    Maintenance of a radar system. Closing date: 30 November 2008

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Security works

    Provision of management, organisation and implementation services for security works. Closing date: 30 December 2008

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Square and market development

    Landscaping and development of squares and markets. Closing date: 23 December 2008

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Transformers

    Replacement of two main transformers. Closing date: 17 December 2008

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Water network equipment

    Supply of equipment for water lines and networks comprising valves, elbows and joints. Closing date: 2 December 2008

  • KUWAIT TENDER: Wellheads and Xmas trees

    Supply of wellheads and Xmas trees. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • Kuwait to award $1.2bn hospital contract in 2009

    Kuwait’s Public Works Ministry is set to award a KD319m ($1.2bn) contract for the Jaber al-Ahmed al-Sabah hospital in January.

  • Kuwait to issue Al-Zour North power plant tender

    The Electricity & Water Ministry is expected to issue a new tender for the planned Al-Zour North power plant before the end of 2008, contractors in the country told MEED.

  • Kuwait: Afforestation project

    Implementation of an afforestation project. Closing date: 11 January 2009

  • Kuwait: Chiller station

    Replacement, supply, installation, operation and maintenance of a central chiller station. Closing date: 6 January 2009

  • Kuwait: Communications towers

    Supply and maintenance of communications towers. Closing date: 11 January 2009

  • Kuwait: Construction services

    Construction, completion and maintenance services. Closing date: 18 January 2009

  • Kuwait: Crude oil export pipelines

    Construction of crude oil export pipelines. Closing date: 18 January 2009

  • Kuwait: Fish berth maintenance

    Maintenance of a fish berth at a port. Rebid. Closing date: 24 February 2009

  • Kuwait: Lighting poles and towers

    Provision of street lighting poles, towers and operation boards. Closing date: 6 January 2009

  • Kuwait: Prepaid fuel cards

    Supply of prepaid fuel cards. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • Kuwait: Services buildings

    Construction, completion and maintenance of general, educational and student services buildings. Closing date: 11 January 2009

  • Kuwait-Bahrain joint venture to develop Lusail project

    Bahrain’s Arcapita Bank and Kuwait’s Al-Imtiaz Investment Company have signed a joint venture agreement to develop a $3.5bn golf residential project in Qatar.

  • Kuwait's new Wataniya Airline prepares for take off

    A new low cost carrier, more business class than no frills, is preparing for take off in early 2009. Despite the global slow down, George Cooper, CEO, Wataniya Airways, Kuwait, is buoyant about its success as he talks to Phil Blizzard about the premium product services they aim to offer.

  • Layia Hospitality plans UAE expansion

    Layia Hospitality, which has recently opened its second property in Dubai, plans to expand by launching 11 more properties. With Layia Oak Hotel & Suites as the company's first fully serviced hotel property in Dubai, plans are afoot to open hotels in the four- and five-star categories as well as full service apartment property between November this year and 2011, according to Daniel Hajjar, CEO of Layia Hospitality.

  • LEBANON TENDER: Drinking water project (Closing date extension)

    Carrying out a drinking water project. New closing date: 3 December 2008

  • Lebanon: Curriculum development consultancy

    Provision of consultancy services for curriculum development. Closing date: 5 December 2008

  • Lebanon: Wastewater treatment plant and sea outfall consultancy

    Provision of construction supervision consultancy services for a wastewater treatment plant and sea outfall. Closing date: 9 January 2009

  • Lebanon: Water project

    Carrying out a water project. Closing date: 30 January 2009

  • LG launches X110 notebook in Middle East

    LG Electronics has unveiled its X110 3G embedded Netbook, optimized for telecommunication devices. 3G HSPA is embedded in the X110, which means users don't need to install additional devices to connect to the internet. Also, the X110 is equipped with WLAN 802.11 b/g and 10/100 Ethernet for stable and fast connections. Users can therefore communicate with anyone, at any time, in any place, according to a press statement.

  • Libya studies Sirte desalination plant bids

    Libya’s General Desalination Company is evaluating technical bids from three companies for the contract to build a desalination plant at Sirte.

  • LIBYA TENDER: Corrosion management integrity audit consultancy

    Provision of consultancy services a corrosion management integrity audit study. Closing date: 19 November 2008

  • LIBYA TENDER: Drilling rig services

    Provision of drilling rig services. Closing date: 24 November 2008

  • LIBYA TENDER: Liquid mud and brine plant

    Supply of a liquid mud and brine plant. Closing date: 16 November 2008

  • LIBYA TENDER: Offshore exploration materials and services

    Provision of materials and services for offshore exploration activities. Closing date: 25 November 2008

  • LIBYA TENDER: Vehicles

    Supply of vehicles comprising buses and an ambulance. Closing date: 19 November 2008

  • Libya: Asphalt production unit

    Supply and installation of a complete unit for producing cutback asphalt. Rebid. Closing date: 25 February 2009

  • Libya: Downhole drilling

    Provision of downhole drilling and fishing tools services. Closing date: 27 November 2008

  • Libya: Onshore drilling rig services

    Provision of onshore drilling rig services. Closing date: 7 December 2008

  • Libya: Seismic acquisition data

    Provision of 3D seismic acquisition data. Closing date: 25 December 2008

  • Libya: Tank inspection services

    Provision of inspection services for spherical tanks. Closing date: 18 December 2008

  • Limitless extends tender for Arabian Canal

    Local developer Limitless has extended the tender closing date for the second excavation package on its AED40bn ($10.1bn) Arabian Canal project to 24 December.

  • Lunajets signs deal with Empire Aviation Group

    Lunajets, the first company dedicated to selling private jet charter 'empty legs', is expanding in the Middle East via a partnership with regional private jet operator Empire Aviation Group. The deal will enable Empire Aviation Group to optimize its empty legs by offering them through www.lunajets.com to first and business class passengers in the region and worldwide. Lunajets, which has over 1,500 members willing to upgrade from commercial aviation to private jets, works with over 90 operato

  • Manazel awards Abu Dhabi office package to Fibrex

    The local Manazel Real Estate has awarded the local Fibrex an estimated AED3.7bn ($1bn) contract to design and build the office buildings at Building Material City in Abu Dhabi.

  • Manufacturing Expo opens

    The Middle East Manufacturing Exhibition (MEMEX) opens today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and will run until November 25. The UAE is investing heavily in its industrial manufacturing sector, stimulated by the need to diversify away from the oil sector as hydrocarbon revenues continue to decline.

  • Maroc Telecom reports 7 per cent growth in profits

    Maroc Telecom increased its net profits by 7 per cent to MD3.8bn ($440m) in the July to September quarter.

  • Masdar awards carbon capture contract to Mustang

    Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) has awarded the contract for front-end engineering and design (Feed) services for its carbon capture and storage programme to the US’ Mustang Engineering.

  • Maxx Logistics opens in Jebel Ali

    So Safe International and China's Jinghai Transport has opened its joint venture Maxx Logistics, a new Dhs50m plus multi-purpose logistics facility, in Dubai's Jebel Ali Free Zone. The company is co-owned by Saudi based Almajdouie Group, capitalizing on the UAE logistics market's estimated $40bn industry by 2010.

  • ME business jet market to hit $1bn

    The Middle East business jet market is expected to hit $1bn by 2012, according to industry officials. Ali Al Naqbi, founding chairman of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), the industry body behind MEBA, the industry business-to-business exhibition, said the current market for business jets in the Middle East offers 500 aircraft, representing 1.3% to 2% of the global market of 27,000 corporate jets. The Gulf is experiencing annual growth of about 15%, Al Naqbi told Gulf New

  • ME first for Maritime Industrial Services

    UAE-based Maritime Industrial Services (MIS) has achieved a Middle East first with the completion of a newly-designed offshore jack-up drilling rig. The SeaWolf Oritsetimeyin (Hull 104), is also the world's first Friede & Goldman Super Mod 2 ever to be built. MIS entered the new-build market two years ago and currently has seven rigs under construction at its yard in Sharjah.

  • ME leads private jet market

    The Middle East is now the world's fastest expanding market for private jets, according to organizers of the Middle East Business Aviation Show, which takes place in Dubai from November 16-18. Industry experts forecast that the region will account for $720m of the private jet market this year.

  • Mercator to open IT centre in India

    Mercator, the Dubai-based business technology provider and Emirates Group subsidiary, has partnered with Infosys Technologies Limited to establish an Offshore Development Centre. The Centre, located at the Infosys campus in Chennai, India, will develop and maintain systems to support business-critical functions for its customers worldwide. The three-year engagement between Mercator and Infosys will allow Mercator's parent company Emirates to enhance its IT environment in order to accommodate

  • Microsoft launches server technology

    Microsoft Gulf has launched Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V, a next-generation technology currently holding 23% of the worldwide market along with Virtual Server 2005. Hyper-V consolidates server roles as separate virtual machines on a single physical machine.

  • Mideast low-cost carrier industry to consolidate in 2-3 years

    The low-cost carrier market in the Middle East is likely to see consolidation in the next few years, Walter Prenzler, CEO of NAS Air told AME Info. 'In the next two to three years you will see who will survive and who will consolidate. This is part of the normal process of the airline industry,' he said. The most likely scenario is that smaller carriers will team up with government-backed airlines, as these are normally the 'ones who live longer', he said. If the financial crisis continues fo

  • Mideast private jet industry set to soar

    According to an industry expert, the regional private jet sector is expected to grow from an annual $500m (Dhs1.84bn) to $800m by 2012. The region's fleet strength is expected to triple by 2025, with low-cost airlines and super-jumbos contributing to the growth. The Middle East in general and the Gulf states in particular are expected to be a healthy market for business aircraft.

  • MOROCCO TENDER: Electricity line cable drivers

    Supply of cable drivers for an electricity line. Closing date: 17 December 2008

  • MOROCCO TENDER: Financial consultancy services

    Provision of consultancy services for a financial crisis simulation programme. Closing date: 25 November 2008

  • MOROCCO TENDER: Photovoltaic equipment

    Supply of equipment for photovoltaic installations. Closing date: 12 January 2009

  • MOROCCO TENDER: Sanitation network connection

    Connection of a palace with a sanitation network Closing date: 17 November 2008

  • MOROCCO TENDER: Water treatment plant project (1)

    Carrying out a water treatment plant project. Closing date: 19 January 2009

  • MOROCCO TENDER: Water treatment plant project (2)

    Carrying out a water treatment plant project. Closing date: 15 December 2008

  • MOROCCO TENDER: Water treatment project

    Carrying out a water treatment project. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • Morocco: Electrical studies and supplies

    Carrying out studies and provision of supplies for electrical equipment and substation projects. Closing date: 24 December 2008

  • Morocco: Gas turbine power station

    Design, supply of equipment, transportation, assembly, testing and commissioning of a gas turbine power station. Closing date: 16 January 2009

  • Morocco: Security post strengthening

    Strengthening of a security post by the construction of towers. Closing date: 24 December 2008

  • Morocco: Water treatment plant extension

    Extension of a water treatment plant. Closing date: 4 February 2009

  • Morocco: Water treatment project (3)

    Carrying out a water treatment plant project. Closing date: 19 January 2009

  • Mubadala and Occidental sign Oman gas deal

    Abu Dhabi government-owned Mubadala Development Company has signed an exploration and production- sharing deal to search for gas in Oman with the US’ Occidental Petroleum Corporation.

  • Mustang wins carbon capture deal

    Masdar, an Abu Dhabi government initiative owned by Mubadala Development Company, said has selected Texas-based Mustang Engineering, a subsidiary of international energy services company John Wood Group, to provide front-end engineering and design services for Masdar's Carbon Capture and Storage project in the UAE. The project constitutes the first phase in a series of facilities capturing carbon dioxide emissions from Abu Dhabi's industrial and power generation plants. The CO2 will be transp

  • Nakheel extends closing date for tower proposals

    The closing date for preliminary proposals for the 1 kilometre-plus tower planned by the UAE’s Nakheel has been extended to 4 December. The tower is part of the AED140bn ($38bn) Nakheel Harbour & Tower development in Dubai.

  • Nakheel Hotels looks to Middle East growth

    Nakheel Hotels, a business unit of Nakheel and part of the Dubai World holding plans to concentrate on Asia and the Middle East for its future developments. Joe Sita, Nakheel Hotels CEO, said that although the US has always been a key target, the location may no longer be Nakheel Hotels' top focus.

  • Nakheel lays off 500 staff

    Local developer Nakheel has laid off about 500 directly employed staff as a result of the global economic slowdown on Dubai. The redundancies account for about 15 per cent of the company's workforce.

  • Nakheel seeks QE2 operator

    Dubai-based developer Nakheel says it will not operate the Queen Elizabeth 2 when the former luxury liner is transformed into a hotel in three years, Gulf News has reported. Nakheel is in talks with major hotel operators to see which will run the hotel, and it will 'most likely' be one that Nakheel has already worked with, said Manfred Ursprunger, CEO of Nakheel Hotels, QE2 Enterprises.

  • National Investment Corporation to issue Fairmont hotel tender

    The National Investment Corporation is preparing to issue tender documents for the main construction package for the Fairmont hotel and serviced apartments development in Abu Dhabi.

  • Netbook key to Acer growth

    Acer's launch of the ultra-light netbook, the Aspire One, helped push the company to the number one position in the computer market in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The tiny laptop computers, which cost under $500, have proven popular among consumers, giving the company a boost in unit sales.

  • New boat manufacturer opens in Ajman

    O2 Marine has launched a Dhs19m factory in Ajman and is set to manufacture about 50 boats and yachts a year. Saud Jamal Al Shaali, managing director of O2 Marine, said the company is targeting a market share of 10% to 25% as the demand for boats is expected to grow steadily.

  • New bridge planned for Dubai Creek

    A new, 12-lane bridge to accommodate 24,000 vehicles an hour will be the seventh crossing over Dubai Creek and the latest effort to ease traffic congestion. The bridge, costing Dhs810m, will be located near Dubai Creek Park, Wonderland Park and Dubai Courts in Bur Dubai, and Deira City Centre and Dubai Golf Club in Deira, replacing the floating bridge.

  • New crackdown on illegal parking in Abu Dhabi

    Residents of Abu Dhabi who park their cars illegally will soon have their vehicles towed away by the police without being notified about the action, Gulf News has reported. The drive will target those who park their vehicles in spaces meant for people with special needs, in front of fire hydrants and on pavements, besides in non-designated areas.

  • New Dubai -Sharjah bus route

    The Roads and Transport Authority has launched a new bus route between Dubai and Sharjah to cater to the increasing number of commuters between the two emirates. The route has 10 buses, including four double-deckers, and operates between Al Qusais Station in Dubai and Al Jubail Station in Sharjah.

  • New executive travel facilities at Dubai Airport

    Dubai Airports has launched its 12,900-square-metre VIP terminal and executive travel facility at Dubai International Airport. The Executive Flights Centre (EFC) is located close to Terminal 2 and includes a 5,500 square-metre two-storey main building, a 3,700-square-metre hangar, a 3,700-square-metre ramp area for aircraft parking and a special VIP car park for long-term parking. The new facility is the largest dedicated business aviation terminal in the Middle East

  • New GM's for Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel

    Jumeirah, the Dubai-based luxury hotel company and member of Dubai Holding, has announced the appointment of Heinrich Morio as general manager of the Group's flagship property, Burj Al Arab, and Margaret Paul as general manager for the Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Heinrich joins the team at Burj Al Arab from Jumeirah Beach Hotel, where he has held the position of general manager since 2006. Paul has been with Jumeirah since 2002, and is returning to Jumeirah Beach Hotel, where she previously worked

  • New Holiday Inn Express opens in Dubai

    A new Holiday Inn Express has been opened in Dubai by InterContinental Hotels Group in partnership with Ishraq Gulf Real Estate Holding Co. The Holiday Inn Express Jumeirah is the third Express property to open in Dubai and the second to open under the brand's new name following last year's announcement of the worldwide relaunch of the Holiday Inn brand family. The hotel has 193 rooms, a fitness centre, restaurant, a bar and two meeting rooms.

  • New hospitality jobs portal launched

    A new web portal for hospitality jobs, www.hozpitality.com, has been launched in Dubai. The website will provide global sourcing of manpower and hotel supplies and serve as a networking platform for industry professionals, said Raj Bhatt, the company's director. The rate of growth in job opportunities in the hospitality sector for Middle East, North Africa and Levant is estimated to be at 24% between 2008-2011 while in GCC it would be some 20% in the next four years, he added.

  • New ME executive jet company launched

    German business jet operator DC Aviation and Al Futtaim Group have signed a joint venture agreement to establish an executive business jet company in the region. The new aviation company will serve the high-end Middle East market, with the company commencing operations in 2009, subject to regulatory approvals.

  • New steel-ore plant planned for Oman

    The governments of the Sultanate of Oman and Brazil have signed an agreement for the supply of gas for 20 years to the industrial complex project of the Brazil-based Vale Company. The $1bn Brazilian venture is to be set up in Sohar Industrial Port and will produce 10 million tonnes of steel ore. Vale Company is the second biggest international company in the field of exploration and production of steel ore.

  • New terminal at Abu Dhabi airport unveiled

    Details for the new Abu Dhabi airport terminal were announced at the second annual World Class Airports conference being held in the capital. Terminal 3 will add 10 new gates, two of which will be used for Etihad Airways' new A380. The new terminal will be opened in phases and will add capacity for five million additional passengers.

  • O&G Engineering wins Kuwait gas pipeline deal

    The local O&G Engineering General Trading & Contracting Company has been awarded a long-term contract worth KD19.3m ($71.5m) to provide maintenance services for the state's gas pipeline network.

  • Obama: Will he repeat predecessors' Middle East mistakes?

    A warning from history for the victor in this week's poll. If American presidents do not have a Middle East strategy, events will force one upon them.

  • Oil price falls amid concerns over global economy

    The price of crude oil fell for the second day running, with figures showing a drop in fuel demand in the US amid continuing concern over the global outlook for the economy.

  • Oil price falls as demand slumps

    Oil slumped back under $55 a barrel as demand for US crude continued to shrink over concerns about the scale of a global recession.

  • Oil price falls below $50 as demand slumps

    The oil price plummeted under $50 a barrel, its lowest level in almost two years, as US crude demand shrunk at its fastest pace since the 1980s amid concerns over a global recession.

  • Older cars removed from UAE roads

    A total of 76,000 cars initially registered in 1988 and before, will be off the road next month, Abu Dhabi police officials have announced. According to Colonel Mohammed Maioof Al Kitbi and Colonel Ghaith Al Za'abi, directors at the traffic department, Abu Dhabi police, the removal procedure will come into effect in December and will be across the country. No registration or renewal will be made for cars more than 20 years old.

  • Oman invites firms to bid for Ras al-Hadd airport work

    Prequalified companies have been invited to bid by 26 January for construction work on the Ras al-Hadd airport development project in Oman.

  • Oman issues tenders for Salalah and Ras al-Hadd airports

    Oman has issued tenders for the main construction contracts to build new terminals and facilities at Salalah and Ras al-Hadd.

  • Oman software piracy rates 'high'

    A Microsoft official said software piracy in Oman is very high but the government is taking steps to counter it. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Microsoft's Oman country manager praised government efforts in combating the menace by closing down shops selling pirated software. Lootah said that the losses to the industry and governments are in the billions compared to the small savings that people make by taking up pirated software.

  • OMAN TENDER: Cardiac centre project

    Carrying out a cardiac centre project. Closing date: 19 January 2009

  • OMAN TENDER: Coastal road construction

    Construction of a coastal road. Closing date: 19 January 2009

  • OMAN TENDER: Flood protection and recharge dam feasibility study

    Carrying out a feasibility study for a flood protection and recharge dam scheme. Closing date: 29 December 2008

  • OMAN TENDER: Overhead transmission line project

    Installation of a double-circuit overhead transmission line. Closing date: 22 December 2008

  • OMAN TENDER: Water supply project (Adam ad-Dakhliya)

    Carrying out a water supply project. Closing date: 19 January 2009

  • OMAN TENDER: Water supply project (Al-Musanaah)

    Carrying out a water supply project. Closing date: 19 January 2009

  • Oman to celebrate National Day

    Oman has said that to celebrate the 38th National Day, November 25 and 26 will be public holidays for employees working in the ministries, public authorities and other state administrative departments. November 26 and 27, will be holidays for the private sector employees.

  • Oman: Airport construction (1)

    Construction of a new international airport. Closing date: 26 January 2009

  • Oman: Airport construction (2)

    Construction of a new international airport. Closing date: 26 January 2009

  • Oman: Construction works

    Carrying out construction works. Closing date: 7 February 2009

  • Oman: Deep water bulk jetty

    Construction of a deep water bulk jetty. Closing date: 22 December 2008

  • Oman: Substation construction

    Construction of a steam substation. Closing date: 5 January 2009

  • Oman's IT market to grow 8% pa

    Oman's IT market is poised to exceed RO400m in size within the next five years, according to an industry official. The turnover, estimated at $276m last year, is expected to grow by 8% over the next five years to reach $413m by 2012.

  • Omantel increases profits by 29 per cent

    Omantel, the state-owned mobile phone and fixed-line operator, has increased net profits by 29 per cent.

  • Omniyat proceeds with projects despite downturn

    Despite a downturn in sales Omniyat properties insists that its ongoing projects will not be affected by the credit crisis. “Our first seven projects are in full swing and I don’t see any impact, or them being suspended,” says Omniyat Properties executive chairman Mehdi Amjad.

  • Orascom Construction reports 54 per cent rise in revenue

    Orascom Construction Industries reported a 54.4 per cent increase in revenue in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.

  • Orascom Telecom reports 76 per cent decrease in profits

    Orascom Telecom, Egypt's largest telecoms company, announced that net profits had fallen by 76 per cent in the three months to the end of September.

  • Orascom Telecom sells subsidiary to Abu Dhabi Investment Company

    Orascom Telecom, the Egyptian mobile phone operator, has sold one of its a subsidiaries to Abu Dhabi Investment Company, an asset manager owned by the UAE federal government.

  • Outlook bright for ME private jet market

    Despite the global slowdown, the Middle East in general and the Gulf States in particular offer a healthy market for business aviation aircraft, said HE Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Minister of Economy and Chairman, General Civil Aviation Authority for the UAE. Speaking at the opening of the Middle East Business Aviation show in Dubai, Mansoori said business aviation traffic in the UAE is witnessing steady growth and is estimated at 1,300 movements per month. However, he cautioned that the i

  • Over 52% of Etihad traffic destined for Abu Dhabi

    Etihad Airways, the UAE's national carrier, is expecting to have transported six million passengers by the end of 2008, the group's CEO James Hogan told AME Info. Hogan also said that Etihad would be a $2.5bn company by year-end. In reference to the current economic climate Hogan said: 'This is undisputedly a tough period, but we will work through it. Over 52% of our traffic is destined for Abu Dhabi so we are definitely going in the right direction.'

  • Over 68,000 cars to be taken off UAE roads

    UAE authorities are to begin the phase out of older cars in the country from next month. Colonel Gaith Al Za'abi, head of the traffic department at the Ministry of Interior told Gulf News that an estimated 68,000 cars will be taken off the country's roads by December 2009. A total of 200,000 cars will be removed by 2010.

  • Overseas Ast starts work on Bateen Marina project

    The local Overseas Ast has started work on the marine works package for the Bateen Marina project on Abu Dhabi island.

  • Palestinian trade deficit increases to $3bn

    The Palestinian trade deficit increased to $2.63bn in 2007, an increase of 10 per cent.

  • Petrofac wins $544m gas pipeline contract

    UAE-based Petrofac International has won the contract to build a major gas pipeline for Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), after submitting the lowest bid of KD147m ($544m).

  • Piracy hits Egypt as firms avoid Suez Canal

    Egypt is likely to take a big hit in Suez Canal fees this fiscal year as piracy is curbing traffic through the canal. Shipping companies are avoiding the canal as it requires passing through the Gulf of Aden, scene of most pirate attacks. Egypt earned $5bn in Suez Canal fees this past fiscal year.

  • Pirates sieze another ship near Somalia

    Pirates have struck again off the coast of Somalia, hijacking a Yemeni freighter in the Gulf of Aden, CNN has reported, citing a Kenyan maritime official. The last contact with the ship was late last week, and it was unclear exactly when the hijacking took place. Dozens of ships have been attacked in the Gulf of Eden in the past few months by pirates based in largely lawless Somalia.

  • PMC awarded for Qatar-Bahrain causeway

    The US' KBR with UK-based Halcrow has been awarded the programme management services contract on the $2bn project to build a causeway between Qatar and Bahrain.

  • Polypropylene complex opens at Jubail

    The local Advanced Polypropylene Company (APPC) has started operating its 455,000-tonne-a-year polypropylene facility at Jubail, following a 32-month engineering, procurement and construction phase.

  • Premier Inn to launch hotels in Oman

    The UK's largest hotel brand, Premier Inn, has signed a joint venture to introduce the mid-market chain to Oman. The agreement marks the beginning of a strategic partnership with the Sultan of Oman and Premier Inn Hotels, a joint venture between Premier Inn and The Emirates Group, under which Premier Inn plans to open three hotels in the country in 2010. Initial target areas will be Muscat, Sohar and Salalah. It is expected that the first phase of development alone will involve an investment

  • Prestige Holding launched at Meba

    Abu Dhabi-based Prestige Jet has announced the launch of Prestige Holding, which will own, manage and operate Prestige Jet and five other subsidiary companies, all related to business aviation. The launch was announced at the Middle East Business Aviation show today in Dubai. The company also announced the formation of two new subsidiaries, Prestige Invest and Prestige Flight Ambulance, as well as the acquisition of Madrid-based aircraft management charter services operator Flylink Express, t

  • Prestige Jet receives 2nd Citation Sovereign

    Abu Dhabi-based Prestige Jet has announced today that it has received a second Citation Sovereign from Cessna Aircraft Company. The company is also evaluating the possibility of adding a third Citation Sovereign to its fleet. Prestige Jet's Managing Director Faris Deeb said 2008 has been a strong year for the company, with average aircraft utilization running 40% abover forecast.

  • Property prices fall in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

    The price of property on the secondary market fell in October by 4 per cent in Dubai and 5 per cent in Abu Dhabi, according to a report by HSBC Global Research published on 12 November.

  • Protection for Dubai Desert Reserve

    The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) has been accepted as an official member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the first wildlife and conservation area in the UAE to be formally declared a Protected Area. The DDCR is also home to the Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa.

  • Q3 Projector shipments fall

    According to a Decision Tree Consulting (DTC) report, projector shipments into the Middle East in the third quarter stood at 38,527, a decrease of about 24% compared to 2007. The report said BenQ Middle East overtook Epson to top the list during the third quarter of 2008, with 6,166 units and a market share of 16%.

  • Qatalum workers undergo safety training

    Some 4,000 construction workers at the world's largest primary aluminum plant are undergoing safety training. IGTC-Chubb Fire Qatar is providing the training at the Qatalum plant site while construction continues. The plant site, which will have a first phase capacity of 585,000 tons of primary aluminium, is set to be completed in 2010.

  • Qatar Airways and Qtel sign IT agreement

    Qatar Airways and Qtel have signed a 15-year deal which will see the airline's data centre infrastructure migrate to Qtel's new-look data operations facilities. Qtel Chairman, Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani and Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker signed the agreement in Doha on Saturday 1 November. Al Baker said the airline had grown tremendously and needed to keep pace with changes in technology.

  • Qatar Airways eyes stake in Olympic Airlines

    Qatar Airways is among the investors that have expressed an interest in the privatisation of state-run Olympic Airlines, reported Gulf Times. Others include Spain's Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana, Ferrovial subsidiary Swissport International, American charter companies SkyOne and Chrysler Aviation, budget carriers SkyEurope and My Air, and ground-handling-operations company Goldair.

  • Qatar cargo terminal fetes milestone

    Ras Laffan Terminal Operations celebrated its 500th loading at Ras Laffan Port, recently. The cargo of low sulfur condensate, produced by Dolphin Energy was loaded onto the Astro Tauras. The Terminal Operations was launched in 2006 to set up a single operator in Ras Laffan for all products storage and loading and is currently part of the Qatargas Operating Company organisation.

  • Qatar offers online check in

    Qatar Airways' passengers departing from Doha International Airport can now check-in online at www.qatarairways.com This service is available for all passengers except those travelling to New York or Washington. The new online check-in service allows all class of passengers to check-in between 36 and two hours prior to departure, they can choose a seat, print a boarding pass or have a bar-coded boarding pass sent to a mobile phone.

  • Qatar shipping firms plan merger to reduce costs

    Qatar Shipping and Qatar Navigation have formed a high-level committee to oversee the merger of the two groups.

  • Qatar Steel reduces price

    Qatar Steel has announced price reductions of one of its most popular products in the local market effective Nov. 9, The Peninsula has reported. Steel rods of diameters ranging from 10mm to 40mm will be made available locally at reduced rates.

  • QATAR TENDER: Distribution network

    Replacement of an old distribution network. Closing date: 23 November 2008

  • QATAR TENDER: Drainage and road design consultancy (A)

    Provision of design consultancy services for drainage and road works. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • QATAR TENDER: Drainage and road design consultancy (B)

    Provision of design consultancy services for drainage and road works. Closing date: 6 January 2009

  • QATAR TENDER: Fire-fighting aerial foam platform

    Supply of an aerial foam hydraulic platform for fire-fighting. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • QATAR TENDER: Overhead line insulator washing machine

    Supply of a live washing machine for EHV overhead line insulators. Closing date: 23 November 2008

  • QATAR TENDER: Protection systems improvement

    Improvement of protection systems. Closing date: 23 November 2008

  • QATAR TENDER: School construction

    Construction of five schools. Closing date: 2 December 2008

  • QATAR TENDER: School construction consultancy

    Provision of consultancy services for the construction of five schools. Closing date: 25 November 2008

  • QATAR TENDER: Street lighting maintenance

    Maintenance of a street lighting system. Closing date: 7 December 2008

  • QATAR TENDER: Utility maintenance vessel

    Charter of a utility maintenance vessel. Closing date: 21 December 2008

  • QATAR TENDER: Wellhead maintenance vessel charter

    Charter of a wellhead maintenance vessel. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • Qatar to increase on-line Arabic

    The Supreme Council of Information and Communication (ictQatar) will increase Arabic online content and provide support for small and medium-sized enterprises. IctQatar is also planning a number of measures to increase technology usage in Qatar, said Hessa Al Jaber, the Secretary General of ictQatar. Al Jaber said that although there has been a rise in internet penetration it was still low compared to the rest of the developed world.

  • Qatar: Electricity distribution works

    Carrying out works for an electricity distribution network. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • Qatar: Graveyard, accommodation and roads

    Construction of a graveyard, accommodation and roads. Closing date: 23 December 2008

  • Qatar: Mosques and imam houses

    Construction of three mosques and imam houses. Closing date: 23 December 2008

  • Qatar: Power reinforcement works

    Carrying out power reinforcement works. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • Qatar: Road development

    Development of roads including utility services. Closing date: 13 January 2009

  • Qatar: Road improvement works (1)

    Carrying out road improvement works. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • Qatar: Road works

    Carrying out road improvement works. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • Qatar: Road works (3)

    Carrying out road improvement works. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • Qatar: Roads and security gate

    Carrying out engineering, procurement, installation and construction works for road extensions and a security gate. Closing date: 4 January 2009

  • Qatar: Substation maintenance

    Provision of civil maintenance services for electricity substations. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • Qatar’s Al-Khalij Commercial Bank buys BLC subsidiary

    Qatar’s Al-Khalij Commercial Bank has bought BLC Bank (France), a subsidiary of Lebanon’s BLC Bank.

  • Qatar’s Commercialbank issues $110m in shares to QIA

    Commercialbank of Qatar is to issue 41.2 million shares worth $113.1m to the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) as part of the Qatari governments plans to stabilise the country’s banking system.

  • Qatar-Bahrain causeway to have rail line

    The 45-kilometre Friendship Causeway between Qatar and Bahrain will now include a rail line for freight and passenger services.

  • Qatar-Bahrain road link underway

    US-based company KBR has won the contract to provide design, project and construction management services for the Qatar-Bahrain road and rail marine crossing. The causeway will be a four-lane, 40 kilometre highway corridor linking from the west coast of Qatar, near the Zubarah fortress, to the east coast of Bahrain, south of its capital Manama.

  • Qatargas awards gas deal to Emerson Process Management

    Qatargas has awarded a five-year support and service agreement to the US’ Emerson Process Management for the expansion of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations.

  • Qatari Diar invites bids for Doha tower

    Local developer Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company has invited companies to bid by 12 January for the high-rise tower at the Doha Convention Centre & Tower development.

  • Qatari Diar studies Cyprus property project

    Doha-based developer Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company has signed an agreement with the Cypriot government to conduct feasibility studies and land evaluation for a new project in Nicosia.

  • Qatari firms buy stake in Suez Environnement

    A group of three Qatari firms has acquired a stake in France’s Suez Environnement.

  • Qatar's Al-Madar plans Suhail Tower in Dubai

    Qatar’s Al-Madar Investments plans to build the AED1.4bn ($381m) residential Suhail Tower in Dubai Waterfront.

  • Qatar's Hukoomi on display

    Qatar's online gateway to government information and services, Hukoomi, is on display at the 2008 Milipol exhibition, taking place in Doha from November 17 to 19. A team of Hukoomi representatives will highlight the main features of the portal and take exhibition visitors through an interactive presentation of how to use the various services.

  • QE2 arrives in Dubai today

    QE2, the world's most famous ocean liner, arrives in Dubai today, exactly forty years to the day from when she first went to sea on her preliminary sea trials on November 26, 1968. QE2 will make her way along the Dubai coastline to Mina Rashid, where she will be moored before undergoing a transformation that will see her become a centre of culture and luxury on the eastern trunk side of Palm Jumeirah. A grand reception has been planned to receive the QE2, which includes a flotilla of over 60

  • QE2 runs aground ahead of journey to Dubai

    Britain's QE2 luxury liner, which is to be turned into a floating hotel in Dubai, temporarily ran aground on its final call at its home port of Southampton, southern England, Tuesday. Tugs were employed to refloat the vessel which had been blown off course by strong winds as it entered the port. The 40-year-old liner is slated to leave Southampton Tuesday evening to sail to Dubai where it is scheduled to arrive on November 26. The QE2 will be handed over to Nakheel, part of Dubai World, to be

  • Qtel increases customer numbers by a third

    Qtel, the Qatari mobile phone operator, has seen customer numbers across its Middle East operations grow by 34 per cent over the past year to 19.2 million, with Algeria the fastest growing market.

  • Qtel wins fixed-line phone licence in Oman

    Qtel, the Qatari telecoms operator, has won the second fixed-line phone licence in Oman with an undisclosed bid, according to a statement the firm made to the Doha Securities Market.

  • Rabat postpones bid deadline for Safi power plant

    Morocco’s state-owned utility Office National de l’Electricite has extended the bid deadline for a planned independent power project (IPP) at Safi.

  • Raffles Dubai bags two awards

    Raffles Dubai brought has won two awards from The Hotelier Middle East Awards. French native Cedric Darthial, Raffles Dubai's Chef de Cuisine was named 'Best Chef' of the year, while South African Nicholas Murcott, the hotel's sommelier, was awarded 'Best Sommelier' of the year.

  • Rating agency lowers outlook for six Gulf banks

    Rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has lowered its outlook on six Gulf banks from positive to stable as a result of the slowing regional economy.

  • Regional airline passenger traffic recovers

    Airline passenger figures in the Middle East recovered slightly in October, growing 3.5 per cent year-on-year during the month.

  • Regional bourses lose value as financial crisis continues

    Prince al-Waleed is not the only Saudi investor to believe in Citigroup. When the US government announced the bail-out of its largest bank on 24 November, Saudi Arabia's benchmark equities index, the Tasi, gained 6.2 per cent, its largest one-day gain since 14 October. Unfortunately for the kingdom's investors, the gain on 24 November was an illusion. The Tasi fell during both the subsequent trading sessions. It finished down 9.4 per cent over the week at 4,424.

  • Regulator calls for Moroccan bourse chief to be dismissed

    Morocco's capital markets regulator has called for the head of the country's stock exchange to be sacked for mistakenly sending classified information to traders.

  • Regulator extends bid deadline for Bahraini mobile licence

    Bahrain's telecoms regulator has extended the deadline for bids for the country's third mobile phone licence by six weeks, in the hope that financial markets will improve.

  • Rezidor launches Regent Doha hotel

    The Rezidor Hotel Group has announced plans to build the Regent Doha in Qatar. The hotel will feature 365 rooms and is scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2013.

  • Rezidor to open new Radisson in Oman

    The Rezidor Hotel Group has has announced plans to open the 212 room Radisson Hotel & Resort, Sohar in Oman in 2012. It will be the company's third property in the Sultanate - the group currently manages the 156 room Radisson SAS Muscat, and will open the 175 room Park Inn Muscat in Q1 2009.

  • Ritz-Carlton to open 10 hotels

    The Ritz-Carlton group has said that it plans to open a further 10 hotels in the Middle East by 2012. The group currently has five regional hotels and further openings are planned in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and other parts of the UAE, including a mid-2009 launch in Dubai's financial district.

  • Ritz-Carlton to operate Egypt hotel

    Egyptian real estate developer Palm Hills Developments has signed an agreement with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company to develop a luxury hotel and golf club. Ritz-Carlton will run a 140-room hotel, golf course and golf clubhouse at the Palm Hills Golf Club and Resort in Sixth of October City. The hotel will overlook the Pyramids of Giza, and a 27-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus.

  • Riyadh awards $100m water contract to Al-Muhaidib

    The Saudi Arabian contractor Al-Muhaidib Contracting Company has been awarded a SR375m ($100m) supply and installation project for a water outflow pipe in North Jeddah.

  • Riyadh awards Jubail 2 deal to Saudi Withcon

    The Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu has awarded a SR60m ($16m) construction contract to the Saudi Withcon Company.

  • Riyadh delays bid deadline for King Khaled University

    The Higher Education Ministry is set to extend the bid deadline for the SR5bn ($1.3bn) King Khaled University contract until January. The original closing date for bids was 29 November, but this was later extended to 14 December. However, according to a contractor considering bidding for the work, it is expected that it will soon be extended again, to 14 January.

  • Riyadh extends deadline for $3.7bn correctional facility

    Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry has extended the bid deadline for its SR14bn ($3.7bn) correctional facility programme by a month.

  • Riyadh to approve eight high-rise towers

    The Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) is set to approve the design for at least eight high-rise towers in the centre of Riyadh in the next few weeks.

  • Riyadh to raise water tariffs

    Riyadh is planning to introduce higher water tariffs for consumers in an effort to manage demand, Water & Electricity Minister Abdullah al-Hussayen said at the Saudi Water & Power Forum hosted by CWC Exhibitions & Conferences in Jeddah on 2 November.

  • Rolls-Royce inks deal with NetJets

    Rolls Royce has signed up NetJets Middle East for CorporateCare, the engine maintenance and management programme for six Rolls Royce powered aircraft. The aircraft are three Tay 611-8 powered Gulfstream GIVs and three Gulfstream G-450s powered by Tay611-8C engines.

  • Royal Caribbean adds Dubai stop

    Global cruise line Royal Caribbean has announced a new route with the home port as Dubai. The firm will offer 13 sailings, each of seven days, between January 2009 and April 2010. The itinerary takes in destinations including Bahrain and Oman.

  • Royal commission issues tender for Yanbu geotechnical deal

    The Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu has issued a tender for a geotechnical firm to carry out consultancy work at Yanbu.

  • RTA approves biggest ever bus deal

    The Board of Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority has approved five bus suppliers worldwide to supply 1,616 brand new buses at a total cost of Dhs8.6bn. The deal will go into history books as the biggest bus procurement ever made worldwide. The number of buses operating in Dubai is poised to hit 2,500 by 2009.

  • Sabic and ExxonMobil agree provisional rubber deal

    Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) and the US’ ExxonMobil Chemical have signed a heads of agreement to manufacture 400,000 tonnes-a-year (t/y) of synthetic rubber products at their joint venture plants at Jubail and Yanbu.

  • Sabic and ExxonMobile ink deal

    Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and affiliates of ExxonMobil Chemical have signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) for a new elastomers project at their petrochemical joint ventures, Kemya and Yanpet. The HOA defines the principal terms for the proposed multibillion dollar project including project scope, technology, marketing and feedstock supply. The project would establish a domestic supply of over 400 KTA of carbon black, rubber and thermoplastic specialty polymers to serve emerging

  • Saipem denies losing Manifa oil contract

    Italy’s Saipem, parent company of Snamprogetti, has denied rumours that Saudi Aramco has cancelled a multi-billion dollar construction contract on the Manifa oil field development.

  • Salwan signs up with RCI

    RCI has signed an affiliation agreement with Salwan, a property management company and a subsidiary of Dubai Properties Group to offer RCI Points exchange program to the owners at Salwan Hotel Apartments. The deal will ensure Salwan Hotel Apartments would have a worldwide brand awareness through RCI while some RCI members will have a benefit of access to properties at the exclusive Jumeirah Beach Residence.

  • Sama airline talk at Al Ain

    Low cost airline Sama, based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, started operations in 2007. Phil Blizzard talks to Andrew Cowen, CEO, Sama about their route structure and the challenges faced by a low cost operator.

  • Sama eyes big Haj season

    Sama Airlines, the newest low-cost carrier in Saudi Arabia, has signed contracts to carry more than 30,000 Haj pilgrims. The announcement came after the General Authority for Civil Aviation recognised the airline as an official carrier for the Haj this year. The airline has temporarily increased its fleet from six to 15 aircraft to fly the pilgrims.

  • Sama names new CEO

    Saudi-based low-cost carrier Sama has announced that Bruce Ashby will succeed Andrew Cowen as CEO of the airline effective December 1, 2008. After nearly 4 years leading the start-up and initial growth phase of Sama, Cowen decided that on expiry of his contract with Sama in December 2008 it was time to hand over the day to day management of Sama to a new CEO, to help take Sama through the next phase of its growth, according to a press statement. Ashby is the former President and Chief Executi

  • Sama plans to expand aircraft fleet in 2009

    Sama plans to lease up to five new aircraft in 2009, thereby expanding its fleet to 12.

  • Sama to expand fleet in 2009

    Saudi-based low-cost carrier Sama plans to lease up to five new aircraft in 2009, thereby expanding its fleet to 12, reported MEED. The Saudi low-cost carrier will wait for lease rates to decrease further in 2009 before finalising deals. Sama will also take on at least four aircraft on a wet-lease arrangement to cope with extra demand during the season around the Hajj pilgrimage in December.

  • Samsung and Orascom frontrunners for Lulu island work

    A joint venture of South Korea’s Samsung Corporation and Egypt’s Orascom Construction Industries is the frontrunner for infrastructure work on the Lulu island development in Abu Dhabi emirate, according to a source close to the project. The final masterplan for the island is expected to be completed in six months.

  • Satyam wins SAP contract in Kuwait

    Satyam Computer Services, a global consulting and information technology services provider, has signed a contract to implement SAP for First Holding, a business group that handles multiple businesses in Kuwait. The implementation will help First Holding standardize and automate business processes across its companies, which will enable faster decision making, and better products and services for its customers throughout the Middle East.

  • Saudi Arabia housing shortage set to increase

    Saudi Arabia’s housing shortage is expected to double by 2012 to 1 million units, according to a new report by international real estate advisory firm Jones Lange LaSalle.

  • Saudi Arabia plans mega tourism projects

    Saudi Arabia has revealed plans for three new mega tourism projects on the Red Sea coast, reported Arab News. The projects, which will cost $40bn to build, have been passed to 'higher authorities for approval', said Prince Sultan bin Salman, secretary-general of the General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. Under the proposed plans, new resorts will be established in Arrayes in Yanbu, Ras Muhaisen in Makkah province, Haridha in Asir, Fursan in Jizan, and Ras Humaid, Sharma, Qayyal and D

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Building construction works

    Carrying out construction works for a research building institute. Closing date: 28 March 2009

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Carbon di-oxide production units

    Supply of two carbon di-oxide production units. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Carbon steel pipes

    Replacement of carbon steel pipes. Closing date: 12 January 2009

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Chlorine plant rehabilitation

    Rehabilitation of a chlorine plant. Closing date: 10 January 2009

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Crane repair

    Repair of industrial cranes. Closing date: 18 November 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Distribution relay and substation construction (1)

    Construction, repair and maintenance of a main distribution relay and substation equipment. Closing date: 17 November 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Distribution relay and substation construction (2)

    Construction, repair and maintenance of a main distribution relay and substation equipment. Closing date: 17 November 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: FRP water pipes

    Supply of FRP water pipes. Closing date: 14 January 2009

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Geotechnical investigation consultancy services

    Provision of geotechnical investigation consultancy services. Closing date: 15 December 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Housing construction

    Construction of a housing compound. Closing date: 5 January 2009

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Labour camp development

    Development of a labour camp at an industrial area. Closing date: 16 December 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Medical complex services

    Provision of services for a medical complex. Closing date: 16 November 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Mosque construction

    Construction of a mosque. Closing date: 13 January 2009

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Pipeline coating rehabilitation

    Rehabilitation of pipeline coating. Closing date: 3 January 2009

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Pumping station power

    Supply of power for pumping stations. Closing date: 15 December 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Pumping station power supplies

    Provision of power supplies to pumping stations. Closing date: 15 December 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Scada and communications system upgrade

    Upgrading of a Scada system and communications system. Closing date: 25 January 2009

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Substation equipment overhaul

    Overhaul of equipment at a substation. Closing date: 9 November 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Underground and overhead power lines (1)

    Construction, repair and maintenance of underground and overhead power lines. Closing date: 23 November 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Wastewater treatment plant

    Construction of a wastewater treatment plant. Closing date: 21 December 2008

  • SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Water transmission system piping

    Supply of ductile iron piping for a water transmission system. Closing date: 23 February 2009

  • Saudi Arabia: Asphalting

    Re-asphalting of substation yards and access roads. Closing date: 3 December 2008

  • Saudi Arabia: Computers

    Supply and operation of main computers. Closing date: 28 December 2008

  • Saudi Arabia: Healthcare centre

    Development of a healthcare centre. Closing date: 1 December 2008

  • Saudi Arabia: Hospital building construction

    Construction of a psychiatric and addiction treatment hospital building. Closing date: 12 January 2009

  • Saudi Arabia: Municipality building

    Construction of a municipality building. Closing date: 24 November 2008

  • Saudi Arabia: Oil spill management

    Provision of oil spill management services. Closing date: 30 November 2008

  • Saudi Arabia: Power lines (2)

    Construction, repair and maintenance of underground and overhead power lines. Closing date: 23 November 2008

  • Saudi Arabia: Road asphalting

    Reasphalting and paving of roads. Closing date: 18 January 2009

  • Saudi Arabia: Substation and transmission lines

    Engineering, procurement and construction of a substation and transmission lines. Closing date: 21 December 2008

  • Saudi Arabia: Telephone cables

    Supply of telephone cables. Closing date: 18 January 2009

  • Saudi Arabia: Transport consultancy

    Provision of consulting engineering services for intelligent transport systems project activities. Closing date: 30 November 2008

  • Saudi Arabia: Water well drilling

    Drilling of 17,000-metre-deep water wells. Closing date: 27 December 2008

  • Saudi Arabia: Wireless telecoms devices

    Supply and installation of VHF wireless telecoms devices. Closing date: 20 December 2008

  • Saudi Arabia: Wireless telecoms equipment

    Supply and installation of VHF wireless telecoms equipment. Closing date: 20 December 2008

  • Saudi Arabia’s Al-Marina masterplan set to be finalised

    The masterplan for the SR10bn ($3bn) Al-Marina development is due to be finalised by the end of 2008.

  • Saudi Arabia's Modon to offer incentives to foreign and local investors

    Modon, previously known as the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Sipa) has announced it will offer tax incentives to investors in three industrial cities in Saudi Arabia.

  • Saudi authority issues Jeddah water utilities tender

    The Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Sipa) has issued a tender for a SR300m ($80m) build-operate-transfer (BOT) water utilities contract.

  • Saudi authority to expand industrial cities

    The Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Sipa) is to expand two of its existing industrial cities.

  • Saudi Binladin wins King Abdullah Economic City road deal

    The Saudi Binladin Group has been awarded a SR239m ($64m) contract for the construction of a north-south coastal road in King Abdullah Economic City.

  • Saudi commission issues tender for Jubail labour camp

    The Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu has issued a tender for the construction of a labour camp at Jubail.

  • Saudi commission issues tender for Yanbu water towers

    The Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu has issued a tender for the construction of two water towers at Yanbu.

  • Saudi Oger to start building Riyadh towers in 2009

    Saudi Oger is to begin construction of four towers in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District in January 2009.

  • Saudi Oger wins deal to redevelop Al-Rashid district in Baghdad

    The Iraqi government has appointed Saudi Oger to one of four contracts to redevelop the Al-Rashid district of Baghdad. The Construction & Housing Ministry says it has selected four proposals to build 63,000 new housing units, along with commercial and recreational facilities in the district, which lies to the south of the capital in the heavily secured International Zone.

  • Saudi propylene plant begins operations

    Petrochemical Industries Company (Natpet), a subsidy of Saudi-based Al Lujain has commenced experimental operations of propylene and a polypropylene plant in Yanbu Industrial City. Polypropylene is used in packing, wrapping, carpets, automobiles, home appliances, and furniture.

  • Saudi railway project on track

    The Saudi Railway Organisation (SRO) is planning to implement the Makkah-Jeddah-Madinah railway at a cost of SR20bn (Dhs19.57bn). According to SRO sources, the route for the Makkah-Madinah Railway Link (MMRL) project and the locations for stations in Makkah, Jeddah and Madinah have already been finalised. The first phase of the project will begin in December after the Haj season.

  • Saudi Royal Commission issues pipeline support tender

    The Royal Commission for Jubail & Yanbu has issued a tender for construction of support facilities for a pipeline corridor at Jubail Industrial city.

  • Saudi Telecom to launch Kuwait mobile phone services in December

    Saudi Telecom expects to launch mobile phone services in Kuwait in the second week of December, its first expansion into another Middle Eastern country.

  • Saudi-based Nesma awarded SR167m economic city contract

    The local Nesma Holding Company has been awarded a SR167m ($45m) infrastructure contract at King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC).

  • Saudi's Al Rawda infrastructure ready

    Al Rawda Development in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia, has completed infrastructure works, which included a paved road network, lighting works, an electrical grid, and water and sewerage pipeline, Rikaz Properties has announced. The development is seen to complement the industrial needs of the city, being developed by Saudi authorities as an industrial hub.

  • Scott Wilson wins Durrat Marina design work

    UK-based Scott Wilson has been appointed as the infrastructure design consultant for the Durrat Marina development on the $6bn Durrat al-Bahrain island project.

  • Sembawang enters joint venture with Dayim al-Haditha

    Singapore-based construction firm Sembawang Engineers & Contractors has entered into a joint venture with the Saudi Arabia-based Dayim al-Haditha.

  • Semeco wins King Abdullah Economic City work

    Saudi Arabia's Specialised Electro-Mechanical Energy Company (Semeco), a subsidiary of Al-Arrab Contracting Company (ACC), has been awarded a SR68m ($18m) utilities contract for work at King Abdullah Economic City.

  • Seven tsunamis and the future of the Gulf

    A series of financial shocks are testing the Gulf economy and educating the region that it cannot defy global forces. The GCC will end up looking very different when they pass.

  • Sharjah Airport passenger traffic up 25%

    Sharjah International Airport recorded an increase of almost 25% in 2008 passenger traffic. According to statistics 3.92 million passengers travelled through the airport during the first nine months of 2008 compared to 3.14 million in the same period in 2007.

  • Sharjah airport to raise Emiratisation quota

    Emiratisation in all the sections of the Department of Civil Aviation in Sharjah and Sharjah International Airport Authority (SIA) is expected to go up to 50% by 2010, revealed SIA Director-General Dr. Ghanem Al Hajiri. Nationalisation has risen to 45% this year compared to 36% in 2007.

  • Sharjah plans 12,000 hotel rooms by 2010

    The UAE emirate of Sharjah plans to increase the total number of hotel rooms in the emirate to 12,000 by 2010, to accommodate the increasing number of tourists visiting Sharjah. At the same time, the emirate expects to have over 5,000 new hotel rooms in the next two years. Mohamed A Al Noman, Director General of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority made the announcement during the World Travel Market 2008 Exhibition in London. He stressed the importance of Sharjah's involvement

  • Shell agrees supply deals for Qatar gas project

    Qatar’s Pearl gas-to-liquids (GTL) venture has signed two supply deals, with Gulf Petroproducts Company (GPC) and India’s Tamilnadi Petroproducts, for over a quarter of the venture’s paraffin production of 6,000 barrels a day (b/d).

  • Shell and Turkey prepare joint Kirkuk oil bid

    The UK/Dutch Shell Group is expected to make a joint bid for Iraq’s giant Kirkuk field with Turkey’s state-run energy firm Tpao, after the two firms signed a memorandum of understanding to consider gas exploration and production opportunities earlier this month.

  • Singapore Airlines to resume flights from KSA

    Singapore Airlines will begin service from Riyadh beginning Dec. 14, reported Arab News. Flights will operate four times a week, via Dubai using the Boeing 777-200 aircraft. The flights will leave Riyadh at 2015 on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and arrive in Singapore at 1130 the following day. The airline is offering a promotional return ticket for SR1,999 for a period of two weeks from Dec. 14. The flights will leave Riyadh at 2015 on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

  • Sipa set to finalise Sudair industrial city deal

    Modon, previously known as the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Sipa), is close to finalising a deal with at least six international investors for its industrial cities.

  • Six Senses resort opens in Oman

    Six Senses has opened a new resort in Oman at Zhighi coastal village in the Governorate of Musandam, 500 kilometres north-west of Muscat. The $83m resort comprises 82 chalets of various sizes, and an anchorage to serve both guests and fishermen at Zhighi village. The unique design of the resort incorporates Omani house components, palm tree trunks, stones and mud.

  • Smooth ride ahead for Etihad

    According to CEO James Hogan, Etihad Airways is confident of flying smoothly during the turbulent times of the current global economic slowdown. Advance bookings for the next three months are very strong which has kept its growth targets intact.

  • Sonatrach and Suhail sign $2bn Arzew financing deal

    Algeria's state oil company Sonatrach and Oman’s Suhail Group Holding have signed a $2bn project financing deal with banks to develop an ammonia and urea plant at Arzew.

  • Sonatrach signs Alrar power deal with Italian firms

    Algerian state energy company Sonatrach has signed a contract with a consortium of Italian companies for the project to extend the Alrar power plant.

  • Sonelgaz plans to invest $30bn on power upgrade

    State-owned energy company, Sonelgaz will invest nearly $30bn to expand and upgrade Algeria’s power generation and distribution capacity until 2017, the company’s chief executive officer Nourredine Bouterfa announced on 16 November.

  • Sony recalls laptop batteries

    Computer manufacturers are recalling 100,000 laptop batteries made by Sony Corporation after 40 incidents of overheating, AFP has reported. Computer manufacturers Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba, Dell, Acer and Lenovo are involved in the global recall. Sony has stated the defect seemed to have been caused by a problem with a production line during October 2004 and June 2005. Its VAIO brand notebooks are not affected by the recall.

  • Sorouh invites firms to express interest in Al-Mashtal

    Local developer Sorouh Real Estate has invited selected contractors to express interest in the contract to design and build the Al-Mashtal mixed-use development in the Khalidiyah area on Abu Dhabi island.

  • South Koreans win Arzew refinery deal

    Naftec, the refining arm of state energy company Sonatrach, has awarded a $400m contract for the upgrade of its ageing refinery at Arzew to a consortium of three South Korean firms.

  • Sovereign wealth fund buys shares on Kuwaiti bourse

    Kuwait's sovereign wealth fund will buy 10 per cent of shares listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange in a move to prevent retail investors from panicking and restore stability to the market .

  • Star Cement to invest $200m in RAK unit

    Star Cement plans to invest $200m in a high-tech clinkerisation manufacturing unit in the UAE emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. Built to produce 6,500 tonnes of clinker per day, the facility is based over an area of more than 40,4286 square metres and is part of the Dubai-based $5.69bn conglomerate ETA Ascon Star Group. Expected to be completed by next February, the energy efficient and environment friendly plant has the capacity to produce 2.2 million metric tonnes of clinker per annum.

  • Starwood to open Saudi hotels

    Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. plans to open three new hotels in Saudi Arabia. It has signed a long-term management agreement with the Alhokair Group to open Four Points by Sheraton Mall of Arabia in Jeddah, Four Points by Sheraton Dhahran and Aloft Riyadh. The addition of these three new properties increases Starwood's portfolio in Saudi Arabia to 13 hotels.

  • Sudair industrial city consortium set to be announced

    A consortium of 10 international and local companies, which will begin development on Sudair industrial city, is to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

  • Sudatel profits fall 52 per cent

    Sudatel, Sudan's former state-owned telecoms operator, reported a 52 per cent decrease in net profits in the three months to the end of September after the company's auditors required the company to write off the cost of acquiring customers over a period of three years rather than five.

  • Suez Canal reveals record revenues

    The monthly revenues of Suez Canal increased slightly in October, to $470m.

  • Sun layoffs not expected in ME

    The Middle Eastern operations of Sun Microsystems, one of the world's largest computer systems companies, are unlikely to be affected by a global restructuring plan that will see the company shed up to 6000 jobs, reported The National. Sun revealed last week that it would aggressively cut jobs and streamline operations to remain profitable in a deteriorating economic environment. But the company's Middle East managing director said it was 'business as usual' for the region.

  • Syria: Downhole equipment

    Supply of downhole equipment. Closing date: 14 January 2009

  • Syria: Pick-up truck

    Supply of a pick-up truck. Closing date: 14 January 2009

  • Syria: Soda ash

    Supply of soda ash. Closing date: 7 January 2009

  • Tabreed Q3 profit rises 6.9%

    UAE-based National Central Cooling Co (Tabreed) has reported that its third-quarter profit rose 6.9%. Net income in the three months to Sept. 30 advanced to Dhs15.5m ($4.22m), or 1 fil a share, from Dhs14.5m, or 1 fil, in the year-earlier period. Revenue rose 13% to Dhs185m.

  • Tabreed reports increase in profits

    The UAE’s National Central Cooling Company (Tabreed) has reported a 6.9 per cent increase in third quarter profits.

  • Takreer to hold Ruwais refinery expansion talks

    Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer) is to launch the engineering, procurement and construction phase for the expansion of its Ruwais refinery at the end of November.

  • Talks to resolve Iraq-Kuwait airline dispute stall

    Baghdad claims that negotiations over resolving its aviation dispute with Kuwait have stalled over guarantees for the cash settlement.

  • Tanker owners negotiating with pirates

    The Saudi owners of the Sirius Star are negotiating with Somali pirates who have demanded a ransom for the super-tanker carrying $100m of oil they hijacked over the weekend, reported AFP. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Saud al-Faisal, said countries don't like to negotiate with terrorists or hijackers but the final decision rests with the owners of the ship.

  • Target Engineering wins Qatar contract

    Target Engineering Construction Company has been awarded a 40.2 million Qatari riyal ($11m) contract by Fisia Italipiamti/QEWC for the electrical erection, instrumentation and control works at Qatar - Ras Abu Fontas Phase A1 Desalination Plant. The company is also currently working on two other projects in Qatar, namely the erection, testing and commissioning works for the 400 KV substation for Mesaieed Combined Cycle Power Plant (23 million riyals); and the Qatalum Project - Service Areas an

  • Target wins Abu Dhabi and Qatar deals

    UAE-based Target Engineering Construction Company has won two contracts in Abu Dhabi and Qatar.

  • TechnoPark inks deal with South Korean firm

    TechnoPark, the science and technology facilitator of Economics Zones World, a Dubai World company, has signed a deal with a top South Korean technological institution, Daejeon TechnoPark, located in the city of Daejeon. The agreement will facilitate cooperation in information technology, bio-technology and renewable energy between the two parties. Under the agreement, the two parties will work together to promote joint projects, international research internships and cooperative networking a

  • Tecom launches smart facility

    Tecom Investments announced the launch of Tecom SmartPaper, a new customer service portal for ensuring faster and more accurate processing of government services operations. The secure portal will provide key government-related services, including the issuance and renewal of employment permits and the processing of medical appointments for visa purposes.

  • Tehran bourse chief to outline market strategy

    The Tehran Stock Exchange's new managing director will set out his strategy for the market before the end of November, according to a spokeswoman at the Iranian bourse.

  • Thai International flights cancelled

    Thai International (Middle East) is advising all passengers holding Thai International tickets for travel from Dubai today, Wednesday 26 November and tomorrow Thursday 27 November to contact Thai International Reservations Office from 9am to 6pm on +971 4 268 1701. Today's Thai International flights from Dubai to Bangkok have been cancelled. Passengers booked to travel on Thai beyond Bangkok will be offered assistance to rebook their flights to reach their final destination. These passengers

  • Thales to open office in Abu Dhabi

    Thales, a provider of mission-critical information systems for the aerospace, defence and security markets, plans to open a regional office at Abu Dhabi airport's new Business and Logistics Park. This comes in addition to Thale's recent announcement indicating the establishment of a regional service centre at the same location. This double move of two of its regional units is part of the agreement which recently awarded Thales a $36.7m air traffic control tower contract for Abu Dhabi's Intern

  • TNT expands Middle East network

    TNT Express has announced the extension of its road network in the Middle East, which now include Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Yemen. It has also expanded recently in India and China, looking into serving trade between UAE and China, UAE's largest source of imports.

  • Tourism to Sharjah rises 13%

    The number of hotel visitors in the UAE emirate of Sharjah totalled 1,152,181 up to the end of September 2008, compared to the 2007 figure of 1,022,985 for the same period, a 13% rise, , according to figures from The Sharjah Commercial and Tourism Development Authority. The total number of hotels and hotel apartments in Sharjah rose to 103, including 37 hotels and 66 hotel apartments, compared to 74 in the same period of 2007, including 24 hotels and 50 hotel apartments.

  • TUNISIA TENDER: Gas turbine filters

    Supply of filters for combined-cycle gas turbines. Closing date: 9 December 2008

  • Tunisia: ICT equipment

    Supply of equipment for ICT development. Closing date: 12 December 2008

  • Two consultants win New Doha Port work

    Two consultants have been appointed to the New Doha Port project, to be located outside the Qatari capital, near Mesaieed.

  • UAE aims to provide additional support to property sector

    The Central Bank of the UAE has discussed proposals to act with the Ministry of Finance to create real estate finance vehicles to help support the country’s property sector, according to a statement issued by the bank.

  • UAE banks set to face negative growth in 2009

    Banks in the UAE face the possibility of recording negative growth in 2009 as they struggle to cope with falling loan growth and rising borrowing costs, according to a report by Moody’s Investors Service.

  • UAE finance ministry moves ahead with mortgage lender merger

    The finance ministry has started merging Amlak Finance and Tamweel. The two companies will become part of the UAE Real Estate Bank creating the largest financial institution for the real estate sector in the country.

  • UAE firm in structural system JV

    Alliance Holdings of UAE, UBM Industries Australia, and Canada Business Holdings Inc. have launched a joint venture 'Structural Systems Company" in Abu Dhabi. The new company will provide specialized hanger systems for aviation and housing industries, and will serve as low-cost durable multi-purpose metal and cement structures for labor camps, food storage and water reservoirs. 'Structural Systems Company' LLC will work on establishing co-ventures in Gulf States by 2009 year end.

  • UAE may require child safety seats

    The UAE government is considering making child safety seats mandatory in vehicles, a transport official told The National. Ebitsam al Kaaiti, a spokeswoman for the National Transport Authority, said a proposal is being studied as part of a plan to reduce deaths in the UAE. From 2000 to 2006, 460 children aged under 14 died in car crashes in the UAE, according to figures collated by the Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences and Roadway Transportation & Traffic Safety Research Center. Two-third

  • UAE mortgage lending doubles in six months

    Bank lending for home loans in the UAE has nearly doubled over the past year, according to figures released by the Central Bank of the UAE on 17 November.

  • UAE TENDER: Accommodation buildings

    Construction of four accommodation buildings for a power station. Closing date: 15 December 2008

  • UAE TENDER: Cable laying consultancy services

    Provision of consultancy services for non-destructive road crossings for cable laying. Closing date: 30 November 2008

  • UAE TENDER: Gas turbine filters and separators

    Supply of pulse-type self-cleaning inlet air filters, pre-filters and moisture separators for gas turbines. Closing date: 27 November 2008

  • UAE TENDER: Motor vehicles

    Supply of motor vehicles. Closing date: 30 November 2008

  • UAE TENDER: Oil treatment plant

    Supply of an oil treatment plant. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • UAE TENDER: Switchgear

    Replacement of 33kV switchgear. Closing date: 23 November 2008

  • UAE to deposit additional $6.8bn with local banks

    The UAE Finance Ministry has announced it will begin distributing AED25bn ($6.8bn) to local banks from 9 November, as part of its efforts to shore up confidence in its banking system and stimulate lending.

  • UAE to manage merger of Amlak and Tamweel

    The UAE's Finance Ministry has announced that Dubai's two largest listed home finance companies, Amlak Finance and Tamweel, will merge in the first sign of significant consolidation in the emirate's real estate sector.

  • UAE to offer new domain name

    The UAE is looking to offer a non-English domain name by Q3 2009, offering an Arabic alternative. According to the Domain Administration of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority this will mark the first time that a complete non-English domain name will be available.

  • UAE to unveil country-wide motoring procedures

    According to Major-General Ahmad Nasser Al Rayese, Director of Central Operations of Abu Dhabi Police, the Ministry of Interior has formed a team to establish unified procedures for issuing driving licences and registration of vehicles across the country. The traffic and licencing departments in each emirate are being linked electronically. Unified procedures of issuing driving licences and registration of vehicles will be completed soon.

  • UAE: Aerospace composite plant

    Provision of design and build services for an aerospace composite plant.

  • UAE: Pipes

    Supply of pipes and accessories. Closing date: 25 November 2008

  • UAE: Power station chemicals

    Supply of chemicals and consumables for power stations. Closing date: 23 December 2008

  • UAE: Substations and cable laying

    Supply of substations, and carrying out cable laying works including submarine cables. Closing date: 31 December 2008

  • UAE: Wastewater treatment plants

    Construction of advanced treatment plants for hazardous wastewater. Closing date: 14 December 2008

  • UAE's City Cool awarded SR500m Ajmakan contract

    Saudi Arabia’s The Land Holding Real Estate Investment & Development company has awarded the UAE’s City Cool a SR491m ($131m) district cooling contract for the Ajmakan real estate project in Riyadh.

  • UAE's national carrier voted Airline of the Year

    Etihad Airways was voted Airline of the Year at the 2008 Aviation Business Awards at the Le Royal Meridien Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The Aviation Business award, which was hosted by Aviation Business magazine, was attended by more than 250 of the region's aviation professionals.

  • UBS and MerchantBridge launch $500m private equity fund

    UBS and MerchantBridge will launch a $500m private equity fund in 2009, to take advantage of consolidation opportunities in the Middle East, according to Basil al-Rahim, managing partner of MerchantBridge.

  • US Presidential Elections: 10 stories you must read

    MEED analyses the impact America's next president will have on the Middle East.

  • Viewsonic launches its brightest projector

    ViewSonic Middle East has launched its brightest projector, the PJ1173, which delivers true high-definition picture quality and 5,000 lumens, according to a press statement. Four-watt, built-in speakers and multiple input capabilities, including HDMI 1.3 to support up to a 1080p signal, brings presentations to life with video sound, optimum connectivity and versatility. The PJ1173's extreme brightness, combined with a 1024x768 native resolution and 1000:1 contrast ratio, guarantees razor sh

  • Wasl plans renovation projects for Dubai

    Wasl, part of Dubai Real Estate Corporation, is planning a series of development and renovation projects in Dubai.

  • Wasl plans Umm Ramool redevelopment project

    Local developer Wasl is planning a major urban redevelopment project in the Umm Ramool area of Dubai.

  • Wataniya launches airline despite financial gloom

    The CEO of new Kuwait low-cost carrier Wataniya, which launches in January, has laughed off suggestions that airlines would rather be running the other way than launching in the current financial environment, saying the set-up now has unstoppable momentum.

  • Wataniya to fly to Dubai

    Wataniya Airways, Kuwait's new full service luxury airline, has announced that its first destination will be Dubai and that it will operate two flights a day from Kuwait beginning in February 2009. The airline also announced that Kuwait's Royal Terminal will be the new departure point for Wataniya Airways services.

  • Western Digital to open Silicon Oasis HQ

    Western Digital, leading provider of digital storage solutions in the Middle East, has set up its Middle East head quarters in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). Western Digital's initiative to operate out of DSO comes as part of the company's larger expansion plans, enhancing its portfolio while increasing its offering of digital storage solutions across the Middle East region.

  • Wintershall wins Qatar gas exploration deal

    Germany’s Wintershall has won a 25-year exploration and production-sharing agreement covering the first new gas acreage awarded in Qatar in several years.

  • WL 060 Sitecom Wireless available

    Regional Sitecom distributor Al Otaiba has announced that the WL-060 Sitecom Wireless Audio Transmitter is now available. The WL-060 has a maximum range of 50 metres and allows users to play music from MP3s or laptops via their stereo.

  • Work begins for Dubai yacht facility

    The Dubai Maritime City has said earth works have begun for the construction of the Middle East's first yacht repair facility, designed by maritime engineering and consultancy firm Royal Haskoning. The facility will be built on an 82,000sqm plot, and expects completion within 16 months.

  • Work begins on Dubai Maritime City yacht facility

    Dubai Maritime City, the world's first purpose-built maritime centre which is part of the Dubai World Group, has started earth works for the construction of its yacht repair facility designed by maritime engineering and consultancy firm Royal Haskoning. The new facility will be built on 82,000msq, the largest chunk of land in Dubai Maritime City's Industrial Precinct.

  • Work continues on Arabian Canal despite financial crisis

    Excavation work is continuing on the 75-kilometre AED40bn ($10.1bn) Arabian Canal project, according to the local developer Limitless, despite speculation that the scheme had been delayed by the global financial crisis.

  • Work starts on Al-Habtoor hotel on Palm Jumeirah

    The local Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterprises has started work on the AED1.2bn ($327m) Habtoor Island Resort & Spa on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.

  • Xerox launches low-cost color printer

    Xerox has launched a low-priced A4 color laser printer for budget-conscious small and mid-sized businesses. The Phaser 6280 delivers high-quality prints at up to 25 pages per minute in color and 30 pages per minute in black and white. It produces exceptional image quality in 600 x 600 x 4 dpi resolution with color prints that are Pantone color approved and in true Adobe Postscript 3.

  • YEMEN TENDER: Vocational training project consultancy

    Provision of consultancy services for a vocational training project. Closing date: 29 November 2008

  • Yemen: Water and sanitation services

    Provision of consultancy services for water supply and sanitation services. Closing date: 19 December 2008

  • Zain appoints new chief in Kuwait

    Zain, the giant Kuwaiti telecoms operator, has appointed a new chief executive officer of its mobile phone business in its home market.

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