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MEED
August 2006

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  • : Hydrocarbons law

    What has changedSonatrach/IOC shareUnder the hydrocarbons law of 2005, Sonatrach's obligation to take a majority stake in all oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) contracts was replaced by an option for it to take an interest of 20-30 per cent. Under the amendment, Sonatrach's obligation to take a minimum 51 per cent interest in any E&P contract awarded to foreign operators has been restored, limiting international oil companies (IOCs) to a minority stake.The same lim

  • : Hydrocarbons law

    What has changedSonatrach/IOC shareUnder the hydrocarbons law of 2005, Sonatrach's obligation to take a majority stake in all oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) contracts was replaced by an option for it to take an interest of 20-30 per cent. Under the amendment, Sonatrach's obligation to take a minimum 51 per cent interest in any E&P contract awarded to foreign operators has been restored, limiting international oil companies (IOCs) to a minority stake.

  • ABB Lummus wins PP job

    The Hague office of US-based ABB Lummus Global has signed an early works agreement with Saudi Polyolefins Company (SPC) to expand its Jubail polypropylene (PP) unit (MEED 24:10:03).

  • ABB Lummus wins PP job

    The Hague office of US-based ABB Lummus Global has signed an early works agreement with Saudi Polyolefins Company (SPC) to expand its Jubail polypropylene (PP) unit (MEED 24:10:03).Under the terms of the two-year deal, ABB will expand the PP facility by 350,000 tonnes a year (t/y) to 800,000 t/y,utilising its proprietary Novolene PP technology. ABB, together with South Korea's Samsung Engineering Company, was the original engineering,procurement and construction (EPC) contractor

  • ABB to increase Hassi R'Mel well pressure

    A consortium of Europe's ABB and the local Societe Algerienne de Realisation des Projets Industriels (SARPI), a 50:50 joint venture of ABB and state energy company Sonatrach, signed in early August a $214 million contract to increase wellhead gas pressure on the Hassi R'Mel field. The ABB/SARPI team beat off competition from Japan's JGC Corporation for the contract. Sonatrach is the client.

  • ABC loan syndications get into gear

    A series of syndicated loans involving Arab Banking Corporation (ABC) are at various stages of completion, with one closed, one launched and a third approaching the market.

  • ADC sets sights on $800 million ports upgrade

    Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) signed on the 1 August a JD 500 million ($710 million) joint venture agreement with Netherlands-based APM Terminals, part of Denmark's Maersk Group, to manage and expand the container terminal in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ MEED 19:3:04).The 25-year concession follows the signing in March 2004 of a two-year contract awarded to APM. Under the new concession, APM plans to boost annual capacity at the terminal to 2.4 million 20-foot equivalent

  • ADCO moves ahead with Jebel Dhanna tanks

    Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (Adco) has invited three companies to submit commercial bids by 9 September for the contract to build new crude oil storage tanks in Jebel Dhanna. The invitees are Turkey's Tekfen, the local National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) and the UK's Whessoe Oil & Gas. The scope of works for the estimated $150 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract includes a 200,000-cubic-metre (cm) capacity tanks. Bids were originally due t

  • ADNOC set to tender more housing

    Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is preparing to issue tender documents for a major housing project in Ruwais. The project involves the construction of 72 buildings with two and three-bedroom apartments and associated infrastructure. The project will be tendered in eight packages between September and April next year.

  • AFC win Jebel Ali refinery civils package

    The local/UK Al-Futtaim Carillion (AFC) has been awarded the estimated AED 150 million ($41 million) civil construction package for the 70,000-barrel-a-day naphtha hydrotreater at the Jebel Ali condensate refinery expansion project. The 18-month contract calls for the construction of foundations and pipe works for the estimated AED 1,400 million ($380 million) project. The UK office of US-based Foster Wheeler is the main contractor. Dubai-based ENOC Processing Company (EPCL) is the client (MEED

  • AFRICA: Taking a chance

    In its first week of operations, Atlantique Telecom signed up 200,000 subscribers in the Ivory Coast. The swift uptake of GSM services bodes well for the company, which has been set a year-end target of 700,000 customers by Mohammed Hassan Omran, chairman of its majority shareholder, Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat).

  • AFRICA: Taking a chance

    In its first week of operations, Atlantique Telecom signed up 200,000 subscribers in the Ivory Coast. The swift uptake of GSM services bodes well for the company, which has been set a year-end target of 700,000 customers by Mohammed Hassan Omran, chairman of its majority shareholder, Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat).

  • African loan for financial reforms

    The African Development Bank (ADB) approved in early August a $500 million loan to support Cairo's financial sector reform plan (FSRP). The loan will be directed to the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the Investment Ministry to target activities that increase private sector involvement in the financial sector, implement the restructuring of state-owned banks and strengthen the capabilities of regulatory authorities. The estimated cost of the reform programme is $8,700 million, which Cairo is to

  • Ahmadinejad starts blogging

    Iranian President Ahmadinejad has launched his own weblog, state television reported on 13 August. It also called on viewers to send their comments to the president. Ahmadinejad's first entry entitled 'autobiography' told of the president's childhood and discusses Iran's Islamic revolution and the war with Iraq. The website is translated into English, French and Arabic. Ahmadinejad wrote about his admiration for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini during his exile in the 196

  • Ahmadinejad starts blogging

    Iranian President Ahmadinejad has launched his own weblog, state television reported on 13 August. It also called on viewers to send their comments to the president. Ahmadinejad's first entry entitled 'autobiography' told of the president's childhood and discusses Iran's Islamic revolution and the war with Iraq. The website is translated into English, French and Arabic. Ahmadinejad wrote about his admiration for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini

  • AIRBUS MIDDLE EAST: Worth waiting for

    It has been a busy year for Habib Fekih. With the Airbus A380 now 12 months behind schedule, these have not been easy times for his company.

  • AIRBUS: Trouble at the top

    When Airbus executives descended on the Dubai Air Show on 20 November to give the A380 its first outing in Emirates colours, it scarcely seemed possible that the European plane-maker was just seven months away from its own 'Stonecipher moment'. Harry Stonecipher, who had been brought out of retirement to put US manufacturing rival Boeing back on track, had resigned months beforehand following the exposure of an office affair. Heads were about to roll at Airbus, it would turn out, but for very di

  • Airport prequals due

    Companies are due to submit prequalification applications by the end of September for the contract to operate, maintain, expand and upgrade Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) near Amman. 'An award is expected by end-2006,'

  • AIRPORTS: Come fly with me

    From Morocco to Oman, more than 50 million tourists travelled to the Middle East by air in 2005. With an annual tourism growth of 9 per cent, regional airport infrastructure is becoming increasingly stretched. Add to this the ambitions of hubs such as Dubai or Cairo's efforts to become the gateway to Africa, and the coming years are likely to witness massive growth. Over the next 12 months, MEED estimates that more than $5,000 million will be invested into redeveloping and expanding existing

  • Alba seeks cheaper debt

    Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has approached banks about refinancing the commercial and metal-linked tranches of the multifaceted debt package taken out in 2003 to fund its $1,700 million potline 5 expansion, commissioned in mid-2005. Responses are due by 17 August.Out of the $500 million commercial and $300 million metals facility, both of which had a tenor of 10 years, a total of about $710 million remains outstanding. Alba expects still to complete repayment by the end of 2012. 'We do not

  • Alcatel takes ITPC work

    Monopoly fixed-line operator, Iraqi Telecommunications & Post Company (ITPC) has awarded France's Alcatel a $39 million contract to provide a turnkey high-capacity, nation-wide microwave backbone. Under the deal, Alcatel will help establish a network aimed at speeding up fixed, mobile and data services across 62 sites covering the entire country. The contract is scheduled to be completed by early 2008, The World Bank will finance the deal.

  • Alcatel takes ITPC work

    Monopoly fixed-line operator, Iraqi Telecommunications & Post Company (ITPC) has awarded France's Alcatel a $39 million contract to provide a turnkey high-capacity, nation-wide microwave backbone. Under the deal, Alcatel will help establish a network aimed at speeding up fixed, mobile and data services across 62 sites covering the entire country. The contract is scheduled to be completed by early 2008, The World Bank will finance the deal.

  • AL-FURAT PETROLEUM COMPANY: Arresting the decline

    On the walls of the offices of Al-Furat Petroleum Company (AFPC) in Damascus, two people smile for the camera next to a battered old jeep at a small gas station somewhere in Syria. Above them hangs the Royal Dutch/Shell Group sign circa 1950.

  • AL-FURAT PETROLEUM COMPANY: Arresting the decline

    On the walls of the offices of Al-Furat Petroleum Company (AFPC) in Damascus, two people smile for the camera next to a battered old jeep at a small gas station somewhere in Syria. Above them hangs the Royal Dutch/Shell Group sign circa 1950.

  • Algeria may extend amnesty

    Algeria could extend its six-month reconciliation programme which includes an amnesty for Islamist militants after it expires on 28 August, Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem said in a statement published on 23 August. Reconciliation 'is of such worth that it is exempt from all time limits,' he was quoted as saying by the daily Al-Moudjahid. President Bouteflika will take the final decision. Algerian officials say up to 300 rebels have surrendered in return for immunity si

  • Algeria may extend amnesty

    Algeria could extend its six-month reconciliation programme which includes an amnesty for Islamist militants after it expires on 28 August, Prime Minister Abdelaziz Belkhadem said in a statement published on 23 August. Reconciliation 'is of such worth that it is exempt from all time limits,' he was quoted as saying by the daily Al-Moudjahid. President Bouteflika will take the final decision. Algerian officials say up to 300 rebels have surrendere

  • Algiers pays off debts early

    Algiers signed on 7 August an agreement for an early repayment of its debt to Japan and was scheduled to sign a similar accord with Italy when the latter's Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Ugo Intini, visits Algiers on 10 August. The two agreements will be the fifteenth and sixteenth bilateral agreements that Algiers has concluded with creditor countries since signing an agreement with the 19-member Paris Club on 11 May (MEED 19:5:06).Under the terms of the May accord, the government, wi

  • Al-Rashid, Bin Jarallah bid low for KKU

    King Khalid University (KKU) is evaluating bids for three packages on its proposed new Abha campus, in the south of the kingdom. The packages include a utility tunnel and two chiller plants (MEED 12:5:06).

  • Al-Rashid, Bin Jarallah bid low for KKU

    King Khalid University (KKU) is evaluating bids for three packages on its proposed new Abha campus, in the south of the kingdom. The packages include a utility tunnel and two chiller plants (MEED 12:5:06).

  • AMA bids low for port infrastructure

    The local Ahmed Mansour al-A'Ali (AMA) is low bidder at BD 31.7 million ($83.4 million) for the retendered contract to build the infrastructure on the new Khalifa bin Salman port at Hidd. AMA's price is 32.5 per cent lower than the only other bid of BD 42 million ($110.5 million), from the local Haji Hassan. The two were the lowest bidders when offers were originally submitted in early 2005, but the prices then were considerably lower. AMA offered options ranging from BD 26.5 million-28.3 mil

  • AMA bids low for port infrastructure

    The local Ahmed Mansour al-A'Ali (AMA) is low bidder at BD 31.7 million ($83.4 million) for the retendered contract to build the infrastructure on the new Khalifa bin Salman port at Hidd. AMA's price is 32.5 per cent lower than the only other bid of BD 42 million ($110.5 million), from the local Haji Hassan. The two were the lowest bidders when offers were originally submitted in early 2005, but the prices then were considerably lower. AMA offered options ranging from BD 26.5 million-28.3 mi

  • AMA takes second Lulu contract

    The local Ahmed Mansour Al-A'Ali (AMA) has been awarded the infrastructure package on the estimated $700 million Lulu Island resort project, under construction on reclaimed land off the north coast of Manama. The one-year contract covers roads, electricity networks, substations, a sewage treatment plant, water supply networks and landscaping. AMA was awarded the marine works contract on the project in late 2005. The next contract to be tendered will be for the first buildings on the island. The

  • Amwaj Gateway scheme launched

    Locally-based RealCapita has launched the estimated $183 million Amwaj Gateway project, to be built at the entrance to the $1,500 million Amwaj Islands development under construction off the coast of Muharraq.The project covers an area of some 30,000 square metres. Offering a total of 35,000 units, it will include two 20-storey luxury hotels, four 20-storey residential apartment blocks and 94 townhouses, in addition to retail and leisure facilities. Construction is due to start by the en

  • Amwal travels to China

    Oman's Amwal Investment with Chinese developer Wanyuan Group has launched a $400 million fund to invest in real estate in China. The New China Land Fund Management will manage the Wanyuan-New China Land Fund, which will develop residential and retail projects in provincial cities and acquire partially-completed projects. Bank of Bermuda, a subsidiary of HSBC, is the trustee of the five-year fund, which will close in September. Minimum institutional investment is $5 million and $1 million for ind

  • Anadarko eyes Risha gas

    The US' Anadarko Petroleum has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Energy & Mineral Resources Ministry for the Risha gas field in the northeast. 'The MoU is a preliminary step paving the way for a potential study [of the field] in a few months,' says an Anadarko representative. The field is located in the local National Petroleum Company (NPC) concession in the northeast. The field produces up to 25 million cubic feet a day (cf/d) of gas and the ministry is planning to boost prod

  • ANALYSIS: Going upstream

    One of the key fault lines between NOC and the Energy Ministry centres on what approach should be taken to encourage exploration activity. As well as boosting production, NOC's main goal is to boost oil reserves to 60,000 million barrels by 2015 from 39,500 million barrels. NOC officials recently claimed that the country's reserves could be as high as 144,000 million barrels.NOC's strategy is to offer blocks for exploration and development through a series of open licensing rounds. Over

  • ANB EMTN due after summer

    Arab National Bank (ANB) is planning to launch roadshows for the first drawdown on its planned euro medium-term note (EMTN) programme in late September. The move comes with a view to issuing the instrument by the end of October, says ANB chief executive officer Robert Eid. Citigroup and HSBC are arranging the transaction.

  • ANB EMTN due after summer

    Arab National Bank (ANB) is planning to launch roadshows for the first drawdown on its planned euro medium-term note (EMTN) programme in late September. The move comes with a view to issuing the instrument by the end of October, says ANB chief executive officer Robert Eid. Citigroup and HSBC are arranging the transaction.

  • Another Hamas official detained by Israel

    Israeli forces and officers from the Shin Bet internal security services on 20 August arrested Mahmoud al-Ramahi, secretary-general of the Palestinian Legislative Council (parliament), near the West Bank town of Ramallah. Hamas member Al-Ramahi is the fourth highest-ranking member of the legislature. A day earlier, Israeli forces detained Deputy Prime Minister Nasser al-Shaer near Ramallah. The Israeli army said he had been arrested because he is a member of a terrorist organisation.

  • Another Hamas official detained by Israel

    Israeli forces and officers from the Shin Bet internal security services on 20 August arrested Mahmoud al-Ramahi, secretary-general of the Palestinian Legislative Council (parliament), near the West Bank town of Ramallah. Hamas member Al-Ramahi is the fourth highest-ranking member of the legislature. A day earlier, Israeli forces detained Deputy Prime Minister Nasser al-Shaer near Ramallah. The Israeli army said he had been arrested because he is a member of a terrorist organis

  • Aramco plans major pipeline upgrades

    Saudi Aramco has invited companies to express interest by 6 August for a lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract covering the upgrade of 15 existing sour crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGL) and sour gas pipelines at various locations in the kingdom. Called 'area classification compliance' phase 2, the scope of works covers the installation of new mainline valves and replacing pipeline sections with heavier wall pipes. A tender is due to be issued by late August and will be followed by a four-week bidd

  • Aramco studies bids for bulk plants upgrade

    About eight local and international companies submitted bids in late July to Saudi Aramco for three major contracts to build and expand twelve bulk plants across the kingdom.The bidders include Lebanon's Contracting & Trading (CAT), Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC); and Arabian Bemco Contracting, Nesma & Partners Contracting Company, MR Al-Khatlan Group, Al-Shumayer Contracting, Tamimi Construction and Metal Services for Trading & Contracting Company (Met

  • Aramco takes Thule

    Norway's Thule Drilling announced in early August that it has been awarded a contract to provide jackup-rigs for Saudi Aramco. The four-year deal worth $222 million with an option for a one-year extension, is due to start on 1 January. The contract is part of Aramco's plans for a 25 per cent increase in the operation of drilling rigs in the kingdom to 120 by late 2006-early 2007. (MEED 9:6:06).

  • Arinc scoops Cairo terminal 3 IT work

    Another key package has been awarded on the new third terminal at Cairo International Airport, with the US-based Arinc winning the estimated $22 million IT contract. The client, Egyptian Airport Company, a subsidiary of Egyptian Holding Company for Airports & Air Navigation (EHCAAN), is tendering a host of other packages on the terminal 3 project and the Borg al-Arab International Airport expansion.

  • Asad vilifies vision of new Middle East

    Syrian President Asad on 15 August said the US vision of a 'new Middle East' had disintegrated following what he deemed a victory for Hezbollah in the war against Israel. The term was coined by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the start of the conflict. 'Their 'New Middle East', based on subjugation and humiliation, and denial of rights and identity, has turned into an illusion,' Asad said.Asad said Hezbollah had fought a 'glorious battle' and stressed that peace

  • Asad vilifies vision of new Middle East

    Syrian President Asad on 15 August said the US vision of a 'new Middle East' had disintegrated following what he deemed a victory for Hezbollah in the war against Israel. The term was coined by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the start of the conflict. 'Their 'New Middle East', based on subjugation and humiliation, and denial of rights and identity, has turned into an illusion,' Asad said.Asad said Hezbollah had fought a 'glorious battl

  • Asghal issues 14 tenders for schools construction

    The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has issued tenders for the construction of 14 schools. The works are split into two packages, with each involving the construction of seven schools.

  • At least 20 die during Shia pilgrimage

    At least 20 Shia pilgrims were killed and 300 injured, some by snipers, as they made their way to the tomb of Imam Musa Kadhim in the Kadhimiya district of Baghdad on 20 August. Officials said the gunmen were Sunni extremists. Security in the capital had been tightened in anticipation of possible violence and a two-day vehicle ban was introduced on 18 August. Police had set up protected corridors for the procession to the shrine and asked pilgrims to keep to the route. Mem

  • At least 20 die during Shia pilgrimage

    At least 20 Shia pilgrims were killed and 300 injured, some by snipers, as they made their way to the tomb of Imam Musa Kadhim in the Kadhimiya district of Baghdad on 20 August. Officials said the gunmen were Sunni extremists. Security in the capital had been tightened in anticipation of possible violence and a two-day vehicle ban was introduced on 18 August. Police had set up protected corridors for the procession to the shrine and asked pilgrim

  • AUB continues expansion

    Bahrain-based Ahli United Bank (AUB) in early August tendered for 100 per cent of shares in Egypt's Delta International Bank, as part of the bank's ongoing regional expansion drive. A decision by shareholders is expected imminently. AUB is the only bidder approved by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and was given permission to conduct due diligence earlier in the year (MEED 2:6:06).'We have the agreement of about 81 per cent of the shareholders, including the major blocks,' AUB chief exec

  • AVIATION: Turbulent times

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) half-year figures make for clear reading. The Middle East is by far the world's best performing region. In terms of revenue per passenger per kilometre (RPK), the industry saw a 17.3 per cent increase in traffic on the same period in 2005. Its growth is nearly three times greater than that of its closest rivals, Africa and Europe.

  • Award due for Sohar olefins

    An award is pending on the estimated $150 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the polypropylene package on the olefins complex to be built at Sohar. Final bid clarifications have now been completed. Turkey's Tekfen, Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC) and an unidentified Indian company submitted revised bids in late May.

  • Award looms for Subiya

    Contractor selection is imminent on the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build the 1,500-MW Subiya power plant. The US/South Korean group of General Electric (GE) and Hyundai Heavy Industries is frontrunner for the contract after submitting the lowest offer of KD 232 million ($800 million) in March. A joint venture of South Korea's Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, Germany's Siemens and the local Alghanim International General Trading & Contracting was the only o

  • Award nears for Khurais mega contracts

    Final clarifications were completed in late July for the two main packages on the estimated $11,000 million onshore Khurais crude increment programme. Bids were submitted in late June for both packages. Italy's Snamprogetti and Paris-based Technip submitted bids for the crude inlet facilities and gas-oil separation plants (GOSPs) package and the Paris office of Italy's Saipem and a US/South Korean joint venture of Foster Wheeler and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company priced the centra

  • Award nears for Safaniya

    Saudi Aramco is expected to award, by late August, the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to handle increasing water cuts at the offshore Safaniya field. Engineering for the Petroleum & Process Industries (Enppi) of Egypt is in pole position for the estimated $100 million-150 million contract. Bids for the 14-month contract were submitted in late May. Called Safaniya water disposal system upgrade, the project will call for the supply and installation of a: three-phase separ

  • Award nears on Bahrain Investment Wharf dredging

    Al-Khaleej Development Company (Tameer) is in negotiations with two shortlisted bidders for the dredging and reclamation contract on the estimated $2,000 million Bahrain Investment Wharf, to be built close to the Bahrain International Investment Park at Hidd. An award is due by the end of August (MEED 6:1:06).The two frontrunners are understood to be Royal Boskalis Westminster of the Netherlands and Belgium's Dredging International, with the Dutch company the low bidder. The contract cal

  • Back to the future

    Less than a year after Algeria's new hydrocarbons law broke up the monopoly of state-owned Sonatrach and threw open the doors to international oil companies (IOCs), fundamental elements of the changes have been rolled back.

  • Back to the future

    Less than a year after Algeria's new hydrocarbons law broke up the monopoly of state-owned Sonatrach and threw open the doors to international oil companies (IOCs), fundamental elements of the changes have been rolled back.

  • Baghdad airport renovation planned

    The Transport Ministry, through the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), has issued a presolicitation notice for the design, rehabilitation and modernisation of two domestic terminals at Baghdad International Airport. The scope of works centres on transforming the two facilities into convention and meeting centres. Work includes connecting the buildings to the airport's sewer, water and electricity systems; building heating and air-conditioning plants; and building a new structure to house the ca

  • Baghdad blasts kill 57

    At least 57 people were killed and 140 injured in a series of explosions and a rocket attack in the Zafaraniya district of Baghdad on 13 August. A four-storey building was completely destroyed by a Katyusha rocket, officials said. A bomb targeted police as they rushed to the scene. While bystanders were pulling the dead and wounded from the rubble, a car bomb exploded nearby. Later, a suicide motorcycle bomber blew himself up among a crowd and another bomb exploded as police attended to

  • Baghdad blasts kill 57

    At least 57 people were killed and 140 injured in a series of explosions and a rocket attack in the Zafaraniya district of Baghdad on 13 August. A four-storey building was completely destroyed by a Katyusha rocket, officials said. A bomb targeted police as they rushed to the scene. While bystanders were pulling the dead and wounded from the rubble, a car bomb exploded nearby. Later, a suicide motorcycle bomber blew himself up among a crowd and another bomb exploded as police at

  • Baghdad bombs kill 19

    At least 19 people were killed in four separate roadside bomb attacks in Baghdad on 8 August. In the worst incident, 10 people died and 69 were wounded in a market in Al-Shorja. Earlier, police and a busy bus station were targeted. The blasts claimed the lives of nine people and injured eight. In Baghdad's northern Adhamiya district, gunmen raided a bank, killed at least five people and stole the equivalent of $4000.The violence comes one day after 4,000 US

  • Baghdad introduces more security measures

    New security measures were put in place in Baghdad on 18 August in preparation for a Shia pilgrimage. A two-day ban on vehicles as well as body searches and checkpoints will be introduced. Thousands of pilgrims are flocking to the capital to mark the martyrdom of an 8th century imam. Last year, some 1,000 Shias were killed in a stampede during the ceremony.

  • Baghdad introduces more security measures

    New security measures were put in place in Baghdad on 18 August in preparation for a Shia pilgrimage. A two-day ban on vehicles as well as body searches and checkpoints will be introduced. Thousands of pilgrims are flocking to the capital to mark the martyrdom of an 8th century imam. Last year, some 1,000 Shias were killed in a stampede during the ceremony.

  • Bahrain changes NGO scrutiny procedures

    Social Development Minister Fatima al-Beloushi announced on 12 August that the financial and administrative procedures of Bahraini non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will be directly scrutinised by the ministry. A new department will be established within the ministry to oversee the finances of NGOs. 'We would like to ask all the societies that have bank accounts of more than BD 10,000 [$26,525] to hire a private company to audit their income and expenses,' Al-Beloushi said.

  • Bahrain changes NGO scrutiny procedures

    Social Development Minister Fatima al-Beloushi announced on 12 August that the financial and administrative procedures of Bahraini non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will be directly scrutinised by the ministry. A new department will be established within the ministry to oversee the finances of NGOs. 'We would like to ask all the societies that have bank accounts of more than BD 10,000 [$26,525] to hire a private company to audit their income and expenses,' Al-Beloushi said.

  • BAHRAIN: Agreeing to differ

    Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) faced each other across a courtroom this summer, in a battle over the former monopoly operator's plans to slash internet charges. It is the first time such a dispute has reached Manama's law courts. But the showdown is the culmination of a long and acrimonious relationship between the two sides, during the four-year-old process of liberalising the kingdom's telecommunications sector.

  • BAHRAIN: Agreeing to differ

    Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) faced each other across a courtroom this summer, in a battle over the former monopoly operator's plans to slash internet charges. It is the first time such a dispute has reached Manama's law courts. But the showdown is the culmination of a long and acrimonious relationship between the two sides, during the four-year-old process of liberalising the kingdom's telecommunications sector.

  • Bank Sohar IPO set

    Bank Sohar will stage an initial public offering (IPO) of 40 per cent of its shares in the first week of November. Oman Arab Bank is the lead manager on the offering, which will raise RO 20 million ($52 million). The bank has a paid-up capital of RO 50 million ($130 million) and an authorised capital of RO 100 million ($260 million). The remaining 60 per cent of shares will be held by the bank's founders. Shares will list on the Muscat Securities Market. Bank Sohar is expected to start operation

  • BANKING & FINANCE: A clean sheet

    A drive around Tripoli counting ATM machines is apparently a popular evening pastime for bored expatriates. The search is made more difficult, and more rewarding, by their scarcity. There are estimated to be no more than 20 cash machines in the whole country - a source of enormous frustration to travellers and stark evidence of Libya's woefully underdeveloped banking sector.

  • Barwa plans new city

    Qatar-based Barwa Real Estate announced in mid-August plans to build an£E 8,000 million ($1,400 million) new residential city in Katameya. Negotiations with government agencies, including the Housing Ministry, are under way over the acquisition of an 8.9-square-kilometre plot of land worth an estimated£E 3,000 million ($522 million) and are expected to be completed within weeks. A Barwa official said on 13 August that the firm had been in talks with a local partner to share the total investment,

  • Batelco, Vodafone Egypt launch roam plan

    Bahrain-based Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) and Vodafone Egypt launched in early August a GPRS bilateral roaming service agreement. The agreement provides third-generation capability for Batelco's mobile subscribers when in Egypt and vice versa. Third-generation capability can support picture messaging and mobile access to the internet. Vodafone Egypt users already enjoy similar facilities in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, the UAE and Morocco.

  • BATELCO: Cautiously entering new territory

    Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) entered a landmark deal in June when it acquired a 96 per cent in Umniah Mobile Communications, holder of Jordan's second mobile licence, for about $415 million (see page 40). The move was the operator's first major foray overseas. It could be the first of many.

  • BATELCO: Cautiously entering new territory

    Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) entered a landmark deal in June when it acquired a 96 per cent in Umniah Mobile Communications, holder of Jordan's second mobile licence, for about $415 million (see page 40). The move was the operator's first major foray overseas. It could be the first of many.While the 25-year-old former monopolist is far from taking its eye off the ball at home, international expansion is high on the corporate agenda. Room to grow is limited in Bahrain, wit

  • Beirut bombardment resumes

    Israeli air strikes on Beirut resumed on 3 August with jets targeting the southern suburb of Dahiyeh for the first time in a week. Fighting in southern Lebanon continued in at least five areas where Israel has deployed up to 10,000 troops as part of several ground incursions. Israel also launched air strikes on the southern town of Nabitiyeh, a bridge in the northern region of Akkar, roads near the Syrian border and the Bekaa valley. Three members of the same family were k

  • BGP to take 2D look

    China's BGP has been awarded a 2D seismic survey contract covering 200 kilometres in block 26 in the northeast. The survey aims to acquire new data over the 11,000-square-kilometre acreage. 'We expect to start work in mid-October,' says a BGP representative. The order was placed by field-operator Houston-based Gulfsands and came after it announced in June the suspension of drilling operations at the first of its two exploratory wells (MEED 28:7:06).The first well, known as Souedieh N

  • BGP to take 2D look

    China's BGP has been awarded a 2D seismic survey contract covering 200 kilometres in block 26 in the northeast. The survey aims to acquire new data over the 11,000-square-kilometre acreage. 'We expect to start work in mid-October,' says a BGP representative. The order was placed by field-operator Houston-based Gulfsands and came after it announced in June the suspension of drilling operations at the first of its two exploratory wells (MEED 28:7:06).

  • Bid deadline for new trading system

    The Planning & International Co-operation Ministry has given prequalified companies until 21 September to submit bids for a $3 million, 12-month consultancy contract covering the development and installation of an automated trading system and trading stations for the Amman Stock Exchange and an automated surveillance system for the Jordan Securities Commission. Prequalifiers include Germany's Deutsche Borse Systems with Greece's PLANET; IMATHIA Consulting with BME Group, both of Spain, and the l

  • Bidding approaches on GMR-3 contracts

    The Great Manmade River Authority (GMRA) is preparing to issue before the end of the year a tender for a major contract to design and build a new branch on the third phase of the great manmade river (GMR) project. The new section, which will supply water to the coastal city of Tobruk from an aquifer at Jaghboub in the east of the country, will involve the construction of an estimated 500-kilometre-long water conveyance system, pumping stations and the development of a major wellfield at Jaghboub

  • Bids awaited for Nuberiya 3 civils

    Prequalified companies have been given until 23 August to submit bids to Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) for the civil works contract on the 750-MW Nuberiya 3 combined cycle power plant. Prequalifiers include Hassan Allam & Sons, Orascom Construction Industries and Petrojet, all local. Commercial evaluation of the offers is expected to begin in mid-October with an award due in late November. Local/US consultant Power Generation Engineering & Services Company (PGESCo) is preparing ten

  • Bids due for Salahuddin

    North Refineries Company (NRC) has invited contractors to submit bids by 30 September for the estimated $100 million lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract to build a new fluid catalytic cracker (FCC) complex at its Baiji refinery in Salahuddin (see Tenders). The scope of works calls for the design, supply, construction and commissioning of a 30,000-barrel-a-day FCC unit. The work includes construction of a solvent de-asphalting unit, a vacuum gas oil (VGO) hydrotreater, a hydrogen production unit, a

  • Bids in for drilling services

    The US' Halliburton is low bidder at $8 million for the contract to provide directional drilling services, as part of the onshore field development plan approved by the board of Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) in mid-August. The other bidders, also of the US, are Baker Hughes and Schlumberger. Bapco's development programme for 2006/07 entails the drilling of 48 vertical wells and 15 special wells at the onshore Bahrain field. The state hydrocarbons company is stepping up exploration activit

  • Bids in for drilling services

    The US' Halliburton is low bidder at $8 million for the contract to provide directional drilling services, as part of the onshore field development plan approved by the board of Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) in mid-August. The other bidders, also of the US, are Baker Hughes and Schlumberger. Bapco's development programme for 2006/07 entails the drilling of 48 vertical wells and 15 special wells at the onshore Bahrain field. The state hydrocarbons company is stepping up explor

  • Bids in for MBZ road contracts

    Abu Dhabi's Municipalities & Agriculture Department has received bids from local contractors for two major road packages at Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) city. The two contracts cover the construction of internal roads for the proposed city, which, when complete, will comprise about 270 commercial and residential buildings, and entertainment facilities. Total costs for the 20 million-square-metre development are estimated at about AED 14,000 million ($3,815 million - MEED 28:4:06).

  • Bids in for MBZ road contracts

    Abu Dhabi's Municipalities & Agriculture Department has received bids from local contractors for two major road packages at Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ) city. The two contracts cover the construction of internal roads for the proposed city, which, when complete, will comprise about 270 commercial and residential buildings, and entertainment facilities. Total costs for the 20 million-square-metre development are estimated at about AED 14,000 million ($3,815 million MEED 28:4:06).Ghantoot

  • Bids in for more NDIA work

    Bids are under evaluation for two packages on the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) project covering the airline support facilities and special systems. Tenders are expected to be issued by September for a number of construction packages including the foundations package for concourse C (MEED 26:5:06).Bids have been submitted by four groups for the airline support facilities package, which involves the construction of a cargo warehouse, mail terminal and the emiri hangar. An award is

  • Bids in for Ruwais melamine EPCM

    Three companies submitted bids in early August to Abu Dhabi Melamine Industry Company (ADMIC) for the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract to build a melamine plant in Ruwais. The bidders are the US' Fluor Corporation, Uhde of Germany and Australia's Worley-Parsons (MEED 23:6:06).

  • Bids in for Ruwais melamine EPCM

    Three companies submitted bids in early August to Abu Dhabi Melamine Industry Company (ADMIC) for the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract to build a melamine plant in Ruwais. The bidders are the US' Fluor Corporation, Uhde of Germany and Australia's Worley-Parsons (MEED 23:6:06).

  • Bids in for Shuqaiq

    Water & Electricity Company (WEC) opened on 30 July three developer bids for its planned Shuqaiq independent water and power project (IWPP). According to the unevaluated bid opening prices, the team of Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation with Kuwait-based Gulf Investment Corporation and the local ACWA Power Projects is low bidder for the scheme.The other developer proposals came from Japan's Marubeni Corporation with the local National Power Company and Malaysia's Pendekar Power with the loca

  • Bids in on Taqa mega-loan

    Responses were submitted by banks on 2 August to a request for proposals (RFP) on a multi-billion-dollar borrowing planned by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) to fund capital expenditure.Banks are being asked to submit offers on a $1,500 million-3,000 million facility, which will have a tenor of seven to 12 years. The leeway allowed on the possible size and tenor resembles the estimated $4,400 million borrowing close to completion by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC MEED 28

  • Bids studied for Kureimat 3

    Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) is evaluating technical bids for the contract to supply and install two gas turbines on the 750-MW Kureimat 3 combined cycle power project. Two companies submitted bids. They are Germany's Siemens and the US' General Electric (GE). EEHC expects to open financial bids in early August, with an award to follow by October. Bids for the plant's civil works package are due to be submitted on 30 August. Four local companies are prequalified for the contrac

  • Bids to flood in

    Companies have until 11 September to submit bids for the Salalah flood control project. The RO 20 million ($52 million) project involves earthworks, stone pitching and the construction of levees, concrete walls, twelve box bridges and the extension of an existing bridge across Wadi Sahalnawt. Dhofar Municipality is the client. The project is expected to take eighteen months to be completed.

  • Bin Jarallah takes dam work

    The local Bin Jarallah Establishment for Trading & General Contracting has been awarded two contracts worth, in total, about SR 210 million ($56 million) to build new dams in the south of the country. The first contract, valued at SR 150 million ($40 million), centres on the construction of a dam in the Jizan area with maximum storage capacity of about 50 million cubic metres. The second dam will be built near Abha at a cost of SR 60 million ($16 million). The local Zuhair Fayez Partnership (ZFP

  • Blair points to Middle East arc of extremism

    UK Prime Minister Tony Blair on 1 August called for a reappraisal of Western policy in light of an arc of extremism emerging across the Middle East. Speaking during a meeting of the World Affairs Council in Los Angeles, Blair said 'there is an arc of extremism now stretching across the Middle East and touching countries far outside the region'. He added that a change in policy is required if the West is to successfully overcome Islamic extremism. The battle 'is not just about security or

  • Blair postpones holiday to work on Lebanon resolution

    UK Prime Minister Tony Blair delayed his holiday on 4 august to work on a UN resolution on the Middle East crisis. 'The prime minister has delayed leaving for his holiday so he can do further work on trying to achieve a UN resolution and the wider effort to achieve sustained peace in the region,' Blair's spokeswoman told the AFP news agency. 'He believes the next couple of days are crucial and will be continuing his intense diplomacy with world leaders from Downing Street.' UK Foreign Se

  • Blue horizons aqaba port

    Aqaba's main container terminal - the only one in the country - used to be publicly owned and managed by Aqaba Ports Corporation (APC). Privatisation has brought a new lease of life, with the port now expected to become a major regional hub. 'Aqaba can carve a niche for itself as a key container port for goods coming from Asia seeking a gateway to the Levant and for Iraq, during its reconstruction,' says Imad Fakhoury, chairman of Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) and deputy chief commissio

  • BMA licences Global fund

    The Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA - central bank) has approved the creation of a $300 million Islamic equity fund sponsored by Kuwait-based Global Investment House. The dollar-denominated, open-ended fund will invest in sharia-compliant companies across the GCC.

  • BMA licences Global fund

    The Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA central bank) has approved the creation of a $300 million Islamic equity fund sponsored by Kuwait-based Global Investment House. The dollar-denominated, open-ended fund will invest in sharia-compliant companies across the GCC.

  • BMI targets Oman

    Bank Muscat International (BMI) plans to acquire a 40 per cent stake in Oman's National Finance Company (NFC) for BD 8.7 million ($23 million). The acquisition will be BMI's first investment outside Bahrain since its launch in 2005. NFC's main activities are commercial and retail lease financing, with a focus on the automotive sector and small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) customers. BMI will acquire the stake and gain management control of the company through a private placement, which will

  • BOOK REVIEW: Smoke and mirrors

    Anyone who has been to the Middle East will be only too aware of how smoking is an unavoidable part of everyday life. This intriguing book by Ben Gurion University Middle East Studies lecturer Relli Shechter seeks to analyse how the habit came to occupy such a position from both economic and cultural perspectives.

  • BOOK REVIEW: Smoke and mirrors

    Anyone who has been to the Middle East will be only too aware of how smoking is an unavoidable part of everyday life. This intriguing book by Ben Gurion University Middle East Studies lecturer Relli Shechter seeks to analyse how the habit came to occupy such a position from both economic and cultural perspectives.

  • Boots & Coots boosts contract

    The US Boots & Coots International Well Control announced in late July that it had signed an amendment worth $12.3 million to expand one of its five-year SafeGuard contracts. The extension brings the total value of the company's Algerian contracts to $35.2 million. Boots & Coots, a leading specialist in oil and gas well fires, signed a five-year contract worth $16.6 million and a $6.7 million three-year contract in 2004. The client is state-owned Sonatrach.

  • BSF builds GAS bridge

    Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) has extended a one-year, SR 1,200 million ($320 million) Islamically-structured bridge facility to National Industrial Gases Company (GAS), a subsidiary of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic). BSF will also act as financial adviser and lead arranger on putting in place a longer-term facility to fund the expansion plans of GAS, which is the only entity supplying oxygen and nitrogen to petrochemical facilities in Yanbu and Jubail. In late 2005, Germany's Linde was

  • Bush rejects early withdrawal from Iraq

    US President Bush on 16 August rejected calls by members of the opposition Democratic Party for an early withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. 'Leaving before we complete our mission would create a terrorist state in the heart of the Middle East, a country with huge oil reserves that the terrorist network would be willing to use to extract economic pain from those of us who believe in freedom,' said Bush speaking at a fundraising event for a Republican candidate for governor of Pennsy

  • Bush rejects early withdrawal from Iraq

    US President Bush on 16 August rejected calls by members of the opposition Democratic Party for an early withdrawal of American troops from Iraq. 'Leaving before we complete our mission would create a terrorist state in the heart of the Middle East, a country with huge oil reserves that the terrorist network would be willing to use to extract economic pain from those of us who believe in freedom,' said Bush speaking at a fundraising event for a Republican candidate for governor

  • Cairo launches licensing round

    Egyptian General Petroleum Company (EGPC) has launched a new oil and gas licensing round, known as bid round 1 2006. Companies interested in the six new blocks on offer, which will be awarded on a production sharing basis, have until 7 November to submit technical and commercial bids. The exploration blocks are in the Gulf of Suez and Western Desert basin, with four onshore and two offshore. They will be awarded for 20 years and may be extended by five years on EGPC approval. Awards on 13 blo

  • Cairo launches licensing round

    Egyptian General Petroleum Company (EGPC) has launched a new oil and gas licensing round, known as bid round 1 2006. Companies interested in the six new blocks on offer, which will be awarded on a production sharing basis, have until 7 November to submit technical and commercial bids. The exploration blocks are in the Gulf of Suez and Western Desert basin, with four onshore and two offshore. They will be awarded for 20 years and may be extended by five years on EGPC approval. Awards on

  • Cairo raises bread subsidy

    Cairo is to raise the state bread subsidy by £E 1,000 million ($174 million), it was announced in late July. The increase pushes the total annual subsidy to £E 9,000 million ($1,560 million). The move comes after accusations that bakers were selling expensive bread on the black market, while poorer consumers were left with sub-standard loaves. As well as bread, Cairo also subsidises flour, sugar and oil. The move comes days after Cairo reduced the subsidy on petrol and diesel (MEED 28:7:06).

  • Cairo's third line accelerates

    Tendering is accelerating on the Cairo Metro third line project. Bids are now in for the contract to provide supervision and co-ordination services during the project's construction phase, while commercial bids are under evaluation for two more projects. National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) is planning to award four packages by the end of September (MEED 21:7:06).NAT is evaluating bids from four companies for the supervision and co-ordination package. They are Spain's Ibensa, Japan's Pac

  • Capital study award due

    The Public Transport Regulatory Commission (PTRC) is evaluating proposals for the contract to conduct a wide-ranging transport study for the capital. An award is expected by the end of August.Bidders include Dornier and Planung Transport Verkehr (PTV), both German, with Beirut-based Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners); and the UK's WSP Group with the local Consolidated Consultants.Under the 15-month contract, the successful consultant will assist PTRC in developing an advanced mod

  • CAT pounces on Berri

    Saudi Aramco has awarded an estimated $32 million contract to Lebanon's Contracting & Trading (CAT) for the Berri wastewater upgrade project. CAT beat off competition from 12 other local companies to win the 16-month engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract. The scope of works includes the construction of an in-field piping system and a oil/stormwater lift station, revamp of the two existing evaporation ponds and the installation of new discharge pumps. The offshore Berri field,

  • CBI takes Golden Pass LNG terminal

    US-based Chicago Bridge & Iron (CB&I) has been awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal in the US for RasGas 3 and Qatargas 3 projects. CB&I beat off competition from Oslo-based Aker Kvaerner with Japan's Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI) and a four-member group of Paris-based Technip, US-based HB Zachary, Italy's Saipem and Spain's Tecnicas Reunidas to win the contract, which is worth more th

  • CCC/NPCC bids low on Abu Dhabi project

    A team of Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC) and Abu Dhabi-based National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) is understood to have submitted a low bid of an estimated $400 million for package 3 on the offshore associated gas (OAG) project in Abu Dhabi emirate. Four companies submitted prices in June to Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Company (Gasco). It covers the supply and installation of a 30-inch-diameter, 98-kilometre-long land pipeline from Ras al-Qila to Habshan

  • Central Bank licenses GCC banks

    The Central Bank of the UAE has granted Samba Financial Group and Doha Bank full banking licences to operate in the UAE. The institutions will be the first Saudi Arabian and Qatari banks to establish branches in the federation. There are currently 46 banks operating in the UAE, of which 21 are local and 25 are foreign institutions. The central bank is notoriously reluctant to grant new banking licences, but is obliged, under GCC agreements, to grant a licence to one bank from each of its five GC

  • Central market gathers pace

    Local real estate developer ALDAR Properties has invited selected companies to prequalify for the second stage main construction contract to redevelop Abu Dhabi's central market. Tenders for the contract, originally issued in February, but were cancelled after ALDAR elected to consider fresh design proposals.

  • Centurion finds new gas in Nile Delta

    Alberta-based Centurion Energy International announced on 2 August the discovery of gas reserves in the Nile Delta, following the completion of new exploration and development drilling work. The Luzi-1 well, in the West al-Manzala concession, was drilled to a depth of 2,847 metres and initial gas flows were reported at 9 million cubic feet a day (cf/d) and 123 barrels a day (b/d) of condensate. However, drilling at the Hurani-1 well, also in West al-Manzala, did not yield commercial reserves

  • Centurion finds new gas in Nile Delta

    Alberta-based Centurion Energy International announced on 2 August the discovery of gas reserves in the Nile Delta, following the completion of new exploration and development drilling work. The Luzi-1 well, in the West al-Manzala concession, was drilled to a depth of 2,847 metres and initial gas flows were reported at 9 million cubic feet a day (cf/d) and 123 barrels a day (b/d) of condensate. However, drilling at the Hurani-1 well, also in We

  • Chevron pilots new course in DZ, GOSP award nears

    Mina Saud-based Saudi Arabian Texaco (SAT), part of the US' Chevron Corporation, has started an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) programme at the onshore Wafra field in the Divided Zone (DZ). The pilot project, estimated to cost $300 million, calls for the injection of steam into the heavy oil reserves. 'SAT is actively applying EOR technologies to increase production,' says a Chevron statement (MEED 21:2:03).

  • Chevron pilots new course in DZ, GOSP award nears

    Mina Saud-based Saudi Arabian Texaco (SAT), part of the US' Chevron Corporation, has started an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) programme at the onshore Wafra field in the Divided Zone (DZ). The pilot project, estimated to cost $300 million, calls for the injection of steam into the heavy oil reserves. 'SAT is actively applying EOR technologies to increase production,' says a Chevron statement (MEED 21:2:03).At present, SAT operates a steam-injection well, four production wells and an observ

  • Cicsco closes in on Koya refinery

    Denver-based Cicsco is the frontrunner on the estimated $750 million lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract to build a 70,000-barrel-a-day (b/d) grassroots refinery near Koya, some 60 kilometres northeast of Kirkuk. 'We expect to be invited to Amman to sign contracts within the next few days,' James Prall, Cicsco president told MEED on 1 August. 'The area where the refinery will be built is reasonably stable and we have good political connections to provide security.' The refinery construction, to

  • Civilco picked for Al-Wahda project

    The local Al-Wahda Sports & Cultural Club has selected the local Civilco for the estimated AED 750 million ($204 million) main construction contract to build a mixed-use development located off Airport Road on Abu Dhabi island. The scheme centres on the construction of a 32-storey hotel and serviced apartment building with a three-level basement, and two 32-storey buildings, one residential and one commercial sharing a common podium. The other bidders were Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterprises and

  • CMC nears on GSM licences

    The Communications & Media Commission, formerly the National Communications & Media Commission (NCMC), is due to begin negotiations with prequalified companies in the first week of September for four new mobile licences. Official awards are due by the end of September once the licences of the existing three operators expire (MEED 24:2:06). The current licences, which consortiums led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom and MTC and Wataniya Telecom, both of Kuwait hold, were extended in early July unti

  • CMC nears on GSM licences

    The Communications & Media Commission, formerly the National Communications & Media Commission (NCMC), is due to begin negotiations with prequalified companies in the first week of September for four new mobile licences. Official awards are due by the end of September once the licences of the existing three operators expire (MEED 24:2:06). The current licences, which consortiums led by Egypt's Orascom Telecom and MTC and Wataniya Telecom, both of Kuwait hold, were extended in early July unt

  • CONSTRUCTION: Shifting risk

    Delays are also affecting the civil construction sector. But the sheer number of projects out to tender has given contractors room to manoeuvre. 'We can afford to be selective now,' says an international contractor working in Dubai. 'If there is a project that seems like it might not be feasible, we walk away.'

  • Consultants invited to power The World

    Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) has invited consultants to bid by 8 August for a contract covering the feasibility and conceptual design of a power supply scheme to The World islands and an unnamed island near to the Palm Jumeirah. Once completed, The World development will have 240 artificial islands positioned in the shape of the globe located five kilometres off Jumeirah beach, between Palm Jumeirah and Palm Deira. The project will create 6 million square metres of land, including

  • Consultants line up for DSC retail areas

    Dubai Sports City (DSC) has appointed the UK's Mott MacDonald as the lead consultant and US-based RTKL as the architect for two retail areas at DSC in Dubailand. The shopping centres will be located at both ends of the 1.5 kilometre-long canal that runs through the 5 million-square-metre development. The joint venture of Lebanon's Khatib & Alami and the UK's Hyder Consulting is the consultant for the canal's infrastructure and bridges. Australia's Clifton Coney Group is the project manager (MEED

  • Consultants picked for W Hotel at DFC

    The local office of KEO International Consultants has been selected as the lead consultant for the W Hotel at Dubai Festival City (DFC). The 350-room low-rise hotel will be built on the banks of the Creek at the heart of DFC's 245,000-square-metre Marsa al-Khor district. France's Jean Nouvel had prepared the original concept design. Three more hotels offering more than 2,500 rooms are under development at DFC.

  • Contractors line up for Jubail substation

    Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has invited 10 local and international contractors to bid by 10 September for a contract to supply and install the new Jubail 2 380-kV substation. Prospective bidders for the estimated $50 million contract include, Al-Babtain Contracting, Al-Toukhi Contracting, Al-Fanar, National Contracting Company, and Middle East Engineering & Development Company (Meedco), all local, Germany's Siemens, and France's Areva T&D. An award is expected by year-end.

  • Contractors line up for Kayan tender

    Bidding is hotting up on the ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol (EO/EG) package at the Jubail petrochemicals complex, planned by Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company. International engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors are preparing to submit technical proposals by 18 August for the unit.

  • Contractors line up for Manifa causeway

    Saudi Aramco has invited pre-qualified contractors to submit bids by 31 October for the contract to build the causeway on its proposed $9,000 million offshore Manifa oil field redevelopment project in the Eastern Province. The contract is the first major construction package to be tendered on Manifa. Aramco plans to carry out the redevelopment project in a total of six separate on/offshore packages. A job explanation meeting is due to be held in Dhahran on 12 August, followed by a site visit

  • Contractors shortlisted for Golf Gardens

    Local developer Sorouh Real Estate has shortlisted seven local companies for the earthworks package at Golf Gardens. The shortlisted companies are National Projects & Construction, Abu Dhabi Maintenance & Contracting, Al-Husam, Hilal Bilbadi & Partners, COPRI Construction Enterprises Establishment, Al-Muhairy General Contracting and Saif Bin Darwish. The tender was issued in June for a construction period of four months. The main construction contract is currently under tender (MEED 14:7:06).

  • Coping with the soaring cost of living

    The Gulf boom's dark side hit home in July with news that rents in Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and Knowledge Village will rise by 25 per cent in a single step. Hiking the operating expenses of much of Dubai's large and growing media industry ensures the news will spread that it is becoming increasingly expensive to live and work in the GCC. In Dubai, residential rents are rising by more than 10 per cent on average this year and further steep increases are expected in 2007. Some priv

  • Correction

    DHL is Germany-based since its acquisition in 2002 by Deutsche Post World Net, and not as stated in MEED 21:7:06.

  • Crunch time

    For the people of Qana in the south of Lebanon, history has a tragic way of repeating itself. Ten years ago, during Operation Grapes of Wrath, Israeli shells landed on the UN's Fijian battalion headquarters where civilians were sheltering, killing 106 people. On 30 July, more than 50 civilians were reported killed in an Israeli air strike which destroyed several buildings in the same village. Displaced families from other areas in the south had been sheltering there following the latest clash

  • Curtains fall for DPC

    The Dubai government announced on 7 August that it will take over operatorship of four offshore fields in the emirate from Dubai Petroleum Company (DPC). 'Effective April 2007, DPC will end its role as operator, marking the end of Dubai's first offshore oil concession,' says an official statement. DPC is wholly-owned by the US' ConocoPhillips and is part of the Dubai Marine Areas (DUMA) consortium, which includes Total of France, Repsol of Spain, RWE Dea, part of RWE and Wintershall, part of BAS

  • Damascus ends private investment project

    State-owned regulator General Organisation for Cement & Building Materials (GOCBM) has cancelled the build-operate-transfer (BOT) tenders to expand and upgrade the capacity of five local cement companies. This was the first time that private companies had been invited to become involved in the local cement sector (MEED 27:1:06).

  • Damascus turns to Moscow for new planes

    The Transport Ministry is expected to sign an agreement by October with Russia's Voronezh Aircraft Public Joint Stock Company and Moscow-based Ilyushin Finance Company for the delivery of three Ilyushin II-96-300/400s and four Tupolev Tu-204-300s to national carrier Syrian Arab Airlines (SyrianAir).

  • Damascus turns to Moscow for new planes

    The Transport Ministry is expected to sign an agreement by October with Russia's Voronezh Aircraft Public Joint Stock Company and Moscow-based Ilyushin Finance Company for the delivery of three Ilyushin II-96-300/400s and four Tupolev Tu-204-300s to national carrier Syrian Arab Airlines (SyrianAir).

  • Dana targets 2007 drilling

    The UK's Dana Petroleum announced in early August that it had completed 3D seismic work in the South Feiran concession in the Gulf of Suez. Data evaluation is under way, but initial results have been encouraging. Dana expects to define its exploration targets ahead of spudding the first well in 2007. Dana holds a 20 per cent interest in the concession, which is operated by Italy's Eni. Dana also has a 30 per cent stake in the West El-Burullus concession in the Nile Delta, where it plans to drill

  • Darfur rebel to become assistant to president

    The leader of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA), Minni Minnawi, will be sworn in as assistant to President Al-Bashir, a spokesman for the Darfur rebel group said on 3 August. 'Minni Arko Minnawi will be sworn in as assistant to the president of the republic, the fourth highest constitutional post in the country on [6 August],' Maghboub Hussein said. The SLA is the largest of three rebel groups operating in Darfur and the only one which signed the Darfur Peace Agreement with

  • Darwish starts building Al-Ameera roads

    The local Darwish Engineering has started work on the internal roads package on the $300 million Al-Ameera village project off Emirates road in Ajman. Once completed, the village will have 50 residential and commercial buildings designed in traditional Gulf architecture, a shopping mall and a hotel. The UK's Halcrow is the infrastructure consultant. Sharjah-based Tameer Holding, which is 50 per cent-owned by Saudi Arabia's Al-Rajhi Group, is the client (MEED 15:7:05).

  • Databank

  • Databank

  • Daunting challenges for Damascus

    The Syrian economy faces 'daunting challenges' over the medium-term, the IMF has warned in its Article IV consultation issued in early August. 'The decline in oil reserves poses a threat to fiscal and external sustainability,' it says. 'The associated fall in oil revenues will make it harder to preserve, much less expand, living standards. These challenges are further compounded by political uncertainties and a volatile regional environment.'The IMF warned that 'in this context, the surg

  • DCE picked for 23 Marina

    The local Dubai Civil Engineering (DCE) has been selected for the AED 485 million ($132 million) main construction contract on the 23 Marina tower project in Dubai Marina. The three-year contract calls for the construction of a 380-metre, 88-storey tower (MEED 10:3:06).

  • Deal struck for Al-Ain central market

    Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Agriculture has signed an agreement with the local Nail & Bin Harmal Investment Company to redevelop Al-Ain's central market for livestock and poultry products. The estimated AED 300 million ($82 million) project is being developed as a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. The new market will cover 1,500 square metres and will feature a shopping mall, entertainment facilities and parking for 3,000 cars. The market will also include a fully automated

  • Desal dropped from IWPP

    The desalination element has been removed from the planned Mesaieed independent water and power project (IWPP). The three developer teams which submitted bids in April are now being asked to offer revised proposals for a 2,000-MW independent power project (IPP), with the same generation capacity as originally envisaged.

  • DEWA mulls M options

    Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) is evaluating its options on how to proceed with the $1,800 million Jebel Ali M station project after just one contractor submitted a bid for the power island and only two participated in the desalination tender. M station, which has a planned capacity of 2,000 MW and 105 million gallons a day, is the first of two massive cogeneration complexes planned by DEWA to meet surging power and water demand in the emirate (MEED 21:7:06).

  • DIFX and FTSE partner for sharia indices

    The Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) and the UK's FTSE Group have established two indices to measure the performance of 15 sharia-compliant stocks in Kuwait and 10 in Qatar. The indices include stocks that are open to all investors, domestic and international, and are expected to aid the creation of tracker funds, index certificates and exchange-traded funds. The DIFX plans to allow exchange-traded index derivatives to list. The DIFX and FTSE launched in June three tradable indices

  • Distiller work tendered

    The Ministry of Energy (Electricity & Water) has tendered two major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts to rehabilitate and upgrade distillation units at the Doha west and Doha east power and desalination plants. Awards for both contracts are due in the first quarter of 2007.

  • Distiller work tendered

    The Ministry of Energy (Electricity & Water) has tendered two major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts to rehabilitate and upgrade distillation units at the Doha west and Doha east power and desalination plants. Awards for both contracts are due in the first quarter of 2007.The two projects call for the modification and rehabilitation of the auxiliary power and desalination units at the plants. Work on upgrading the units will require temporary shutdown

  • Dow in talks over Ras Lanuf

    Negotiations are at an advanced stage between National Oil Corporation (NOC) and the US' Dow Chemical Company over a $1,000 million-2,000 million project to upgrade and expand the Ras Lanuf and Marsa el Brega petrochemicals complexes.NOC is talking to a number of international companies including Dow and Europe's BASF about upgrading the country's petrochemicals production capacity, but discussions with Dow are said to be the most advanced, says a senior NOC official. The deal will cover

  • Dozens die as trains collide

    Dozens of people were killed on 21 August when two trains collided at Qalyoub station, 20 kilometres from Cairo. Health Minister Hatem al-Gabali said 51 people had been killed and 138 injured after several carriages were derailed and one train burst into flames. The trains had been travelling from the Nile Delta southwards to Cairo.Al-Gabali said the government would pay £E 5,000 ($871) to the families of the dead and £E 1,000 ($174) to the wounded. The incident comes four

  • Dozens die as trains collide

    Dozens of people were killed on 21 August when two trains collided at Qalyoub station, 20 kilometres from Cairo. Health Minister Hatem al-Gabali said 51 people had been killed and 138 injured after several carriages were derailed and one train burst into flames. The trains had been travelling from the Nile Delta southwards to Cairo.Al-Gabali said the government would pay £E 5,000 ($871) to the families of the dead and £E 1,000 ($174)

  • Dredgers line up for mega Dammam project

    At least six companies submitted bids in early August for the dredging and reclamation of a mixed-use waterfront development adjacent to King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam. The scope of works centres on the dredging of 92 million cubic metres of rock and extensive revetment work for the entire site of the proposed Al-Nassim development.The bidders include Geneva-registered Archirodon Construction (Overseas), Royal Boskalis Westminster of the Netherlands, Dredging International and Jan de

  • Dredgers line up for mega Dammam project

    At least six companies submitted bids in early August for the dredging and reclamation of a mixed-use waterfront development adjacent to King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam. The scope of works centres on the dredging of 92 million cubic metres of rock and extensive revetment work for the entire site of the proposed Al-Nassim development.

  • Drilling at Block 22

    Oracle Energy Corporation of Canada has announced plans to drill a new well at onshore Block 22 in the fourth quarter. Fatima-1 well will be drilled to a depth of 2,250 metres. Block 22 is spread over 8,151 square kilometres and is located in the Tihama basin in the west. Oracle Energy has a 15 per cent interest in field operator Yemen Mayfair Petroleum Corporation (YMPC). Until now, YMPC has invested more than $20 million in exploration activities at the block.

  • DUBAI AEROSPACE ENTERPRISE: Dubai spreads its wings

    Dubai has long recognised the importance of aviation. When Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed al-Maktoum became ruler in 1958, one of his first moves was to develop Dubai International Airport. Following his father's example, the present ruler, Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid al-Maktoum, made it one of his first priorities to introduce an aviation initiative aimed at promoting further economic development.

  • Duqm hotel gets moving

    Three companies submitted bids on 14 August for the consultancy contract for the Duqm Beach hotel. The 27-month contract includes concept design and project management. The local Larsen Architects & Consulting Engineers is low bidder: KEO International Consultants and Malaysia's Pentago Spowers International also priced the contract. The proposed 200-bed, four-star hotel will have conference rooms, a business centre, recreational facilities, self-catering chalets and staff accommodation. The hot

  • Duqm refinery crystallises

    Oman Oil Company (OOC) with the Oil & Gas Ministry has invited companies to submit technical and commercial bids by 1 September for a bankable feasibility study on its proposed new refinery at Duqm in the southeast. The invitees include ABB Lummus Global and Foster Wheeler, both US, Paris-based Technip, Australia's WorleyParsons and the UK's Mott MacDonald (MEED 19:5:06).

  • EBI expands into home finance

    Emirates Bank International (EBI) will open more branches, expand its loyalty points programme and launch home finance products to capitalise on buoyant UAE retail banking demand, its retail banking general manager Louis Scotto said in a mid-August interview in Dubai.

  • EBI expands into home finance

    Emirates Bank International (EBI) will open more branches, expand its loyalty points programme and launch home finance products to capitalise on buoyant UAE retail banking demand, its retail banking general manager Louis Scotto said in a mid-August interview in Dubai.

  • ECONOMIC ANALYSIS: Counting the costs

    As the conflict wears on, the scale of the humanitarian disaster is becoming clearer. As of 29 July, the government of Lebanon's Higher Relief Council (HRC) reported that 620 people had been killed and 3,225 people injured, according to the daily situation report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

  • ECONOMY: Good will hunting

    On paper, Iran's economy is doing surprisingly well. Another year of huge windfall oil revenues boosted the trade and current account surpluses to $19,000 million and $14,000 million respectively in the last Iranian year that finished in March. Government figures show inflation fell to 12.1 per cent, easily meeting targets.

  • ECONOMY: Good will hunting

    On paper, Iran's economy is doing surprisingly well. Another year of huge windfall oil revenues boosted the trade and current account surpluses to $19,000 million and $14,000 million respectively in the last Iranian year that finished in March. Government figures show inflation fell to 12.1 per cent, easily meeting targets.However, economists warn that spending from oil revenue is far too undisciplined, leading to an exorbitant budget deficit of IR 60,853,400 million last year. This

  • ECONOMY: Papering over the cracks

    On paper, the Libyan economy is doing well, with all the key economic indicators showing solid growth in both the oil and non-oil sectors. According to the conclusions of the IMF's latest Article IV consultations with Tripoli, published in April, the economy expanded by about 3.5 per cent in 2005. Perhaps most encouragingly for a country whose economy is heavily skewed towards the energy sector, growth in the non-oil sector was strongest, at about 4.5 per cent, largely due to expansionary fis

  • EGYPT

    Tender no 10047-P0-109A. Project no P091945. Provision of circulating water pump house pumps and drives as part of the El-Tebbin two-by-350-MW gas oil fired thermal power plant project for the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company's Cairo Electricity Production Company. The project comprises the design, furnishing of materials, fabrication of parts, shop testing, delivery, transport to site, and provision of on-site technical assistance of the pumps and drives. Financed by the World Bank. Bid bon

  • EGYPT

    Tender no 2/2005/2006. Supply of computer equipment and software as part of the IT sector's second line of credit to Principal Bank for Development & Agricultural Credit project. The project comprises the supply of the following: 1) a sun storage upgrade for headquarter sun cluster servers; 2) backup site storage; 3) external backup solution; 4) two line printers; and 5) 10 personal computers. Financed by the African Development Bank.

  • Egypt frees Muslim Brotherhood members

    An appeal court in Cairo on 14 August ordered the release of 11 Muslim Brotherhood members, including two leading figures from the group. Essam al-Erian and Mohammed Mursi, both members of the group's Guidance Office, were arrested in May during protests in support of Egyptian judges seeking greater judicial independence. The Muslim Brotherhood was banned in 1954, but continues to field candidates as independents at elections. The group won 20 per cent of the seats in the

  • Egypt frees Muslim Brotherhood members

    An appeal court in Cairo on 14 August ordered the release of 11 Muslim Brotherhood members, including two leading figures from the group. Essam al-Erian and Mohammed Mursi, both members of the group's Guidance Office, were arrested in May during protests in support of Egyptian judges seeking greater judicial independence. The Muslim Brotherhood was banned in 1954, but continues to field candidates as independents at elections. The group won 20 pe

  • EGYPT PRESS LAW: A minefield for journalists

    The People's Assembly (parliament) approved the last of the new articles of the penal code governing the press on 10 July. The legislation places numerous restrictions on journalists, despite an intervention by the president to overturn the controversial article 303, which specifies prison sentences for journalists who question the financial integrity of officials and publicly elected figures.

  • EGYPT: Opening the doors

    Heavy bidding had been expected ahead of the auction of a third Egyptian mobile licence, but the sheer size of the final deal still surprised many in the industry. A consortium led by Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) beat off local and international competition with a bid of£E 16,700 million ($2,900 million).

  • EGYPT: Opening the doors

    Heavy bidding had been expected ahead of the auction of a third Egyptian mobile licence, but the sheer size of the final deal still surprised many in the industry. A consortium led by Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat) beat off local and international competition with a bid of£E 16,700 million ($2,900 million).

  • Egypt's Gamaa Islamiya denies Al-Qaeda link

    The Egyptian militant group Gamaa Islamiya on 7 August denied it had formed an alliance with the Al-Qaeda network led by Osama bin Laden. A day earlier, Al-Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri, the group, had joined Al-Qaeda. 'We announcethe good news of the unification of a great faction of the knights of the Gamaa Islamiyawith the Al-Qaeda group,' Al-Zawahiri said in a video aired by Al-Jazeera television. Thousands of the group's member

  • Egypt's Gamaa Islamiya denies Al-Qaeda link

    The Egyptian militant group Gamaa Islamiya on 7 August denied it had formed an alliance with the Al-Qaeda network led by Osama bin Laden. A day earlier, Al-Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahiri said the group had joined Al-Qaeda. 'We announcethe good news of the unification of a great faction of the knights of the Gamaa Islamiyawith the Al-Qaeda group,' Al-Zawahiri said in a video aired by Al-Jazeera television. Thousands of the group's mem

  • Egypt's Mubarak blasts criticism over Lebanon

    Egyptian President Mubarak has dismissed accusations that his handling of the crisis in Lebanon was slow and indecisive. My nerves are strong, thank God, and I am fortified against provocation, and I ask God to guide all those who lose their cool, which leads them to slips of the tongue,' he said in an interview for Al-Massai newspaper published on 24 August. Mubarak was responding to criticism from Arab politicians such as Syrian President Asad

  • Egypt's rail director fired after train crash

    Egypt's railways director Hanafi Abdel Qawi was fired, Transport Minister Mohammed Mansour announced on 21 August. The move followed the collision of two passenger trains near Cairo that left 58 people dead and at least 140 wounded. Officials have launched an investigation into the incident which occurred at Qalyoub station, 20 kilometres from Cairo (MEED 21:8:06).

  • Eight Palestinians killed in Gaza

    Israeli air strikes in the southern Gaza Strip on 3 August killed five militants and two civilians, including a 10-year-old boy. At least 25 people were injured. Another civilian was killed by gunfire. Palestinian militants confronted about 50 Israeli tanks as they pushed further into Gaza before deploying near Rafah where troops carried out house-to-house searches. The Israeli military confirmed the operation in southern Gaza and said troops were there to arrest militants and search for

  • Emaar buys British

    Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties has signed a share purchase agreement with Singapore's Wheelock Properties to acquire its UK-based subsidiary Hamptons International.

  • Emaar scoops Mediterranean resort

    Dubai-based Emaar Properties was awarded on 5 August the contract to develop the 6.2 million-square-metre Sidi Abdul Rahman resort on the Mediterranean coast. It submitted the highest bid of£E 1,004 million ($176 million) in an auction conducted by the Egyptian General Company for Tourism & Hotels (Egoth). Emaar beat off competition for the land from Orascom Hotels & Development (OHD) and Talaat Moustapha Group, both local (MEED 28:7:06).Emaar will invest $1,740 million to develop the si

  • EoIs due for housing study

    Expressions of interest (EoIs) have been invited by 20 August for a consultancy contract to assess the land market and land management systems in Isfahan and Langeroud. The scope of the 10-month contract includes a review of the socio-economic context for land use, assessment of the urban land market pattern and a study of the legislative framework. The World Bank is financing the project, which is being carried out by the Housing & Urban Development Ministry.

  • EStyrenics takes two on board

    Two key appointments have been made by Egyptian Styrenics (EStyrenics) on its planned 200,000 tonne-a-year styrene/polystyrene plant to be built near Alexandria. Ineos Europe will provide its proprietary licensed technology for the units; US-based ABB Lummus Global will carry out the front-end engineering and design (FEED). The project is part of a 20-year masterplan of Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company (ECHEM) to develop domestic petrochemical capacity. The project's first phase is due to

  • EU pays Palestinian health workers

    EU external relations commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner announced in late July that the European Commission will soon make its first social allowance payments to Palestinian health workers, under the temporary international mechanism (TIM). Up to 13,000 employees will benefit from the scheme. The payments will be made directly to workers' bank accounts. It consists of three 'windows' covering the health sector, utilities and social allowances. The EU has contributed Eu105 million ($134.6 milli

  • Failaka utilities BOT may be scrapped

    The government is understood to be on the verge of cancelling the concession to provide power and potable water to Failaka after deciding the island's utilities should be state-funded. A final decision is expected to be reached by the end of August. Almost 30 local and international companies submitted prequalification applications earlier in the year for the 20-year build-operate-power (BOT) concession calling for the construction of 180 MW of power generating and 1.25 million gallons a day of

  • Fatah meets for unity government talks

    Fatah officials convened in Amman on 23 August for a two-day meeting to discuss the formation of a coalition government with Hamas. Fatah's Central Committee was meeting for the first time since Hamas' victory in parliamentary elections in January. 'After the difficult conditions that our people are going through, we are searching for a way out. And this way out, Fatah and the other factions believe, lies in a national unity government that faces the challenges ahead,' Salim Za

  • Filipinos to run Tartous container terminal

    International Container Terminal Services (ICTS) of the Philippines has been awarded the the 10-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract for the container terminal at Tartous port, 258 kilometres west of DamascusThe Filipino firm was competing against Kuwait & Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL), and Terminalink, a subsidiary of France's CMA CGM (MEED 2:6:06).

  • Finance flows for Ghannouch power plant

    Fonds Arabe pour le Developpement Economique et Social (FADES) in mid-July signed an agreement with state power company Societe Tunisienne de l'Electricite & du Gaz (STEG) to provide TD 155 million ($117 million) funding for the estimated TD 360 million ($273 million) project to develop a combined cycle plant at Ghannouch near Gabes (MEED 3:3:06).

  • Financial adviser due for Royal appointment

    The Executive Privatisation Commission (EPC) has shortlisted five financial advisers for the contract to provide consultancy advice on the privatisation of flag-carrier Royal Jordanian (RJ). Bidders include HSBC, JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs. An award is expected to be made in September (MEED 8:7:05).The EPC is also planning to appoint legal and technical consultants on the planned privatisation, for which the World Bank carried out a financial study. 'We have set next year as the date

  • Financial adviser due for Royal appointment

    The Executive Privatisation Commission (EPC) has shortlisted five financial advisers for the contract to provide consultancy advice on the privatisation of flag-carrier Royal Jordanian (RJ). Bidders include HSBC, JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs. An award is expected to be made in September (MEED 8:7:05).The EPC is also planning to appoint legal and technical consultants on the planned privatisation, for which the World Bank carried out a financial study. 'We have set next year as the date to

  • First Takaful company for Palestine

    Ramallah-based Arab Islamic Bank (AIB) will establish the first takaful company in the Palestinian Territories. AIB will own a 25 per cent stake in the new company, which will have a capital of $10 million. Palestine Investment Bank will take a 12 per cent stake. Three local insurance companies National Insurance Company, Trust Insurance Company and Ahliea Insurance Group will each hold 750,000 shares or a 7.5 per cent stake. Private investors will take a 30.5 per cent stake. The remaining 10

  • First troops in Lebanon within a week, says EU

    The EU hopes that the first reinforcements for the UN force in Lebanon will deploy within a week. 'We would like to see the first reinforcements arrive within a week if possible,' Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Erkii Tuomioja said on 24 August. Finland currently holds the EU presidency. Tuomioja is due to visit Paris and Berlin to discuss European contributions to the international force in southern Lebanon before EU foreign affairs ministers meet UN Secretary-General Ko

  • First troops in Lebanon within a week, says EU

    The EU hopes that the first reinforcements for the UN force in Lebanon will deploy within a week. 'We would like to see the first reinforcements arrive within a week if possible,' Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Erkii Tuomioja said on 24 August. Finland currently holds the EU presidency. Tuomioja is due to visit Paris and Berlin to discuss European contributions to the international force in southern Lebanon before EU foreign affairs ministers m

  • First witness speaks at Saddam trial

    The first witness for the prosecution testified at the trial of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein on 22 August. Ali Mustapha Hama told the court of a chemical weapons attack on his village of Balisan in April 1987. 'I saw 12 jets patrolling the sky,' he said. 'There was greenish smoke from the bombs. There was a smell of rotten apple or garlic.' When asked how he could tell the planes were Iraqi, Hama said he had helped guerrillas hide in the village.Earlier, two of Sa

  • First witness speaks at Saddam trial

    The first witness for the prosecution testified at the trial of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein on 22 August. Ali Mustapha Hama told the court of a chemical weapons attack on his village of Balisan in April 1987. 'I saw 12 jets patrolling the sky,' he said. 'There was greenish smoke from the bombs. There was a smell of rotten apple or garlic.' When asked how he could tell the planes were Iraqi, Hama said he had helped guerrillas hide in the village.

  • Five in for Seeb interchange

    Five companies have submitted bids for the contract to build an interchange at Seeb International Airport. India's Nagarjuna submitted the lowest bid at RO 10.5 million ($27.3 million), 2 per cent lower than the next price of RO 10.7 million ($27.8 million) submitted by the UK/local Carillion Allawi. Muscat Municipality is the client. The US's Parsons International is the consultant. (MEED 26.6.06).

  • Forasol piles into Palm residences project

    The local/Swiss Arabian Forasol has been awarded the foundations package on the estimated AED 2,000 million ($544 million) Marina Appartments project on Palm Jumeirah. The project involves the construction of a number of apartment buildings at the end of the trunk. Nakheel, part of Dubai World, is the client (MEED 5:5:06).

  • Four in for EO/EG mega plant

    Four international contractors submitted technical bids on 18 August for the contract to build the world's largest ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol (EO/EG) plant at the Jubail petrochemicals complex planned by Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company. Commercial bids are due on 8 September. The client intends to make an award by the end of November (MEED 18:8:06).

  • Four in for EO/EG mega plant

    Four international contractors submitted technical bids on 18 August for the contract to build the world's largest ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol (EO/EG) plant at the Jubail petrochemicals complex planned by Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company. Commercial bids are due on 8 September. The client intends to make an award by the end of November (MEED 18:8:06).

  • Four in line for Irish college

    Four companies have been shortlisted for the estimated BD 30 million ($78.9 million) main construction contract on the planned Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RSCI) Medical University of Bahrain at Muharraq. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2007.

  • Four in line for Irish college

    Four companies have been shortlisted for the estimated BD 30 million ($78.9 million) main construction contract on the planned Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RSCI) Medical University of Bahrain at Muharraq. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2007.

  • Fouzan gets more Imam university work

    The local Al-Fouzan Trading & General Construction Company has been awarded an estimated SR 750 million ($200 million) contract to build the third phase of the Imam Muhammed bin Saud Islamic University expansion in Riyadh. Al-Fouzan is already working on the estimated SR 500 million ($133 million) phase 2 contract comprising construction of two colleges for female students (MEED 1:4:05).The latest contract centres on construction of three colleges for female students, including: facultie

  • Fouzan takes healthy work

    The local Al-Fouzan Trading & General Construction Company has been awarded an estimated SR 165 million ($44 million) contract to build a new 300-bed maternity hospital in Mecca. The three-year project forms part of the estimated SR 1,000 million ($270 million) Mecca Al-Mukarrama Medical City (MAMMC). The entire project centres on the construction of a five-storey hospital complex with a built-up area of about 550,000-square metres and located in the Al-Aziziyah district. Saudi Consolidated Engi

  • Fouzan takes Riyadh hospital work

    The local Al-Fouzan Trading & General Construction Company has been awarded an estimated SR 265 million ($70 million) contract to build a 300-bed general hospital in Riyadh. The project is expected to take three years to be completed. A consultant has yet to be appointed. The client is the Health Ministry.

  • Fox journalists snatched in Gaza

    Palestinian gunmen kidnapped two journalists from US broadcaster Fox News on 14 August in the Gaza Strip. The two men are Steve Centanni, a correspondent, and Olaf Wiig, a freelance cameraman from New Zealand. Palestinian security forces are searching for the two journalists. Khaled Abu Hilal, a spokesperson for the Hamas-led Interior Ministry, said roadblocks had been set up across the Gaza Strip. 'This is not acceptable at all,' Abu Hilal said. Meanwhile,

  • Fox journalists snatched in Gaza

    Palestinian gunmen kidnapped two journalists from US broadcaster Fox News on 14 August in the Gaza Strip. The two men are Steve Centanni, a correspondent, and Olaf Wiig, a freelance cameraman from New Zealand. Palestinian security forces are searching for the two journalists. Khaled Abu Hilal, a spokesperson for the Hamas-led Interior Ministry, said roadblocks had been set up across the Gaza Strip. 'This is not acceptable at all,' Abu Hilal said.

  • France in UN force u-turn

    France on 24 August pledged an additional 1,600 troops to be deployed in Lebanon, bringing the French force to 2,000 soldiers. Initially, France had said it would send only 200 troops to add to the 200 already operating under the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). President Chirac said the turnabout came after France received assurances that its troops would be allowed to defend themselves fully if attacked. 'Two thousand French troops will thus be placed under the UN in Lebanon,' Chi

  • France in UN force u-turn

    France on 24 August pledged an additional 1,600 troops to be deployed in Lebanon, bringing the French force to 2,000 soldiers. Initially, France had said it would send only 200 troops to add to the 200 already operating under the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). President Chirac said the turnabout came after France received assurances that its troops would be allowed to defend themselves fully if attacked. 'Two thousand French troops will thus be placed under the UN in Leb

  • French pave way for Riyadh contracts

    Riyadh and Paris signed in late July two agreements to pave the way for the sale of French military equipment to the kingdom and to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries. Under the accord, several deals are due to be completed swiftly.

  • French win more work with Emirates

    Dubai-based carrier Emirates has selected Messier Services, part of France's Safran Group, to provide landing gear exchange, overhaul and support services for its fleet of 37 Airbus A330-200s and A340-300s. The seven-year contract is the latest award for Messier in Dubai. It has been providing similar services to Emirates since 1987.

  • Gaddafi sounds warning note

    Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi called for increasing economic self-reliance in a speech in which he appeared to toughen his stance towards the participation of foreign companies in the construction of local infrastructure projects.

  • Galfar scoops PDO jobs

    Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has awarded the local Galfar Engineering & Contracting two contracts worth a combined $70 million. A $50 million road contract covers the resurfacing of 125 kilometres of unpaved road from Fahud to Lekhwair oilfield in the northwest interior. The project is due to be completed in 2008. The second contract involves the upgrade of PDO's existing airports at Fahud, Qarn Alam and Marmul. The scope of works includes the construction of a 2.4-kilometre runway at eac

  • Gaza air strikes continue, but Abbas optimistic

    Several people were injured in Israeli air strikes on Gaza on 30 July. Tel Aviv said it had targeted premises used by militants form Hamas and the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza City and the northern town of Beit Hanoun, where an Israeli shell killed a 16-year-old civilian. One person was injured when a Palestinian missile landed in the Israeli town of Sderot. Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Abbas began a regional tour aimed at garnering support for the P

  • Gaza air strikes continue, but Abbas optimistic

    Several people were injured in Israeli air strikes on Gaza on 30 July. Tel Aviv said it had targeted premises used by militants form Hamas and the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza City and the northern town of Beit Hanoun, where an Israeli shell killed a 16-year-old civilian. One person was injured when a Palestinian missile landed in the Israeli town of Sderot. Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Abbas began a regional tour aimed at

  • Gaza should not be overshadowed by Lebanon, Annan says

    UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 9 August warned that the Israeli-Lebanese conflict could detract attention from the situation in Gaza and the 'need to work towards a solution in the occupied Palestinian territory'. 'The continued killing and injuring of hundreds of civilians, including children, in Gaza, by Israeli forces is utterly unjustifiable,' said Annan's spokesman Stephane Dujarric. He also expressed concerns over the 'arbitrary arrests' of Palestinian officials

  • Gaza should not be overshadowed by Lebanon, Annan says

    UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on 9 August warned that the Israeli-Lebanese conflict could detract attention from the situation in Gaza and the 'need to work towards a solution in the occupied Palestinian territory'. 'The continued killing and injuring of hundreds of civilians, including children, in Gaza, by Israeli forces is utterly unjustifiable,' said Annan's spokesman Stephane Dujarric. He also expressed concerns over the 'arbitrary arrests

  • Gaza transmission line takes shape

    Jordan's El-Concorde Construction (Hamid Jaber & Partners) is close to completing the construction of a 5,000 cubic metre concrete reservoir at Durra. The reservoir is part of a project financed by Agence Francaise de Developpement to build a 22-kilometre transmission line to connect Halhul, Durra and Yatta in Gaza. The project is due to be completed by June 2007. El-Concorde has also completed work on an emergency pipeline to connect Gaza to Israel's national water company Mekorot. The complet

  • GAZA/WEST BANK: Gaza damages on the rise

    As the international community focuses its efforts on the Lebanese-Israeli crisis, aid agencies are warning of a deepening humanitarian disaster in besieged Gaza. An Israeli offensive was launched in retaliation for the 25 June abduction of the Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit by Palestinian militants. 'The situation in Gaza is very bleak and will only get worse if nothing is done,' says Ehab Shanti, director of communications for the UN Development Programme (UNDP). 'A fact that has escaped not

  • GAZA/WEST BANK: Gaza damages on the rise

    As the international community focuses its efforts on the Lebanese-Israeli crisis, aid agencies are warning of a deepening humanitarian disaster in besieged Gaza. An Israeli offensive was launched in retaliation for the 25 June abduction of the Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit by Palestinian militants. 'The situation in Gaza is very bleak and will only get worse if nothing is done,' says Ehab Shanti, director of communications for the UN Development Programme (UNDP). 'A fact that has escaped notice

  • GCC institutions team up with Rabat

    Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank Venture Capital Bank, Kuwait's Commercial Real Estate Company and Morocco's state-run pension fund Caisse de Depot et de Gestion (CDG) have signed a memorandum of understanding to seek investment opportunities in Morocco across various economic sectors. 'The current economic policies and plans of the Moroccan government converge with those of Venture Capital Bank, where the bank focuses on investment in real estate and property opportunities and on promis

  • GCC institutions team up with Rabat

    Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank Venture Capital Bank, Kuwait's Commercial Real Estate Company and Morocco's state-run pension fund Caisse de Depot et de Gestion (CDG) have signed a memorandum of understanding to seek investment opportunities in Morocco across various economic sectors. 'The current economic policies and plans of the Moroccan government converge with those of Venture Capital Bank, where the bank focuses on investment in real estate and property opportunities and on promising

  • GCC trust established

    HSBC and Daman Asset Management have established a $200 million unit trust to invest in GCC real estate. The Arabian Real Estate Investment Trust will invest in developed commercial and specialised properties in the region.

  • GEM bids imminent

    Two consortia have been formed to submit bids by 21 August for the project management consultancy (PMC) contract on the $600 million-700 million Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) project. The groups are: Pacific Consultants International (PCI) and Yamashita Architects, both of Japan; and the US' Hill International with the local EHAF and Japan's Nihon Sekkei. A third unidentified group may also bid.About 16 companies were originally shortlisted for the PMC contract. The tender was issued in Ju

  • Golden Tulip grows

    Europe's Golden Tulip has expanded its portfolio in the kingdom with the acquisition of a five-star hotel complex on the Atlantic coast, 20 kilometres south of Casablanca. The Hotel des Arts in Dar Bouazza, with 30 rooms, 12 suites and 44 residential apartments, will be Golden Tulip's sixth hotel in the country. It follows the signing of a long-term agreement in February with Consortium Maroco-Koweitien de Developpement to manage five luxury hotels that the consortium had operated for the past f

  • Groundstar takes stake

    Canada's Groundstar Resources announced in early August that it had approved a preliminary farm-in agreement with the local Aminex Petroleum Egypt (APEL) covering the onshore 1,328-square-kilometre West Esh El-Mallaha (WEEM) block in the Gulf of Suez basin. Under the terms of the agreement, Groundstar has acquired a 20 per cent working interest in the concession for an undisclosed fee and will pay 40 per cent cost of the initial three-year exploration work estimated at $9 million.

  • Gulf Capital takes i2 stake

    Abu Dhabi-based Gulf Capital has acquired a stake in Itsalat International (i2), the Middle East's largest mobile phone distributor, for AED 150 million ($40.9 million). I2's core market is the GCC but the firm is expanding in North & Central Africa.

  • Gulf Capital takes i2 stake

    Abu Dhabi-based Gulf Capital has acquired a stake in Itsalat International (i2), the Middle East's largest mobile phone distributor, for AED 150 million ($40.9 million). I2's core market is the GCC but the firm is expanding in North & Central Africa.

  • Gulf investment for transport company

    A consortium led by Abu Dhabi-based National Holding, and including Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House and Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH), has signed an agreement with Cairo to create a holding company to develop infrastructure projects worth $30,000 million. The agreement was signed in Cairo by the General Authority for Roads, Bridges & Land Transportation, the Egyptian National Rail Authority and Port Said Port Authority. The company will have an initial capital of $1,000 million. Transpor

  • Gulf investment for transport company

    A consortium led by Abu Dhabi-based National Holding, and including Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House and Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH), has signed an agreement with Cairo to create a holding company to develop infrastructure projects worth $30,000 million. The agreement was signed in Cairo by the General Authority for Roads, Bridges & Land Transportation, the Egyptian National Rail Authority and Port Said Port Authority. The company will have an initial capital of $1,000 million. Transpo

  • Gulf investors commit

    Three more Gulf-based real estate developers have announced plans to invest in real estate projects in Morocco. Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House (GFH) is planning schemes in Marrakech and Tangiers, and two Abu Dhabi-based companies, Sorouh Real Estate and Reem Investments, plan to build mixed-use developments in Rabat and Marrakech.

  • Gulf investors commit to more projects

    Two more Gulf-based real estate developers have announced plans to invest in real estate projects in Morocco. Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House (GFH) is planning schemes in Marrakech and Tangiers, and Abu Dhabi-based Sorouh Real Estate plans to build a mixed-use development in Rabat.

  • Gulf Navigation sets new course

    The initial public offering (IPO) of shares in Dubai-based shipping company Gulf Navigation Holding closed 3.5 times oversubscribed on 7 August. On offer were 910 million shares priced at AED 1 ($0.27), or 55 per cent of its total issued share capital, while the subscription raised AED 3,100 million ($844 million).

  • Hamas, Fatah discuss unity

    Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya say they will resume negotiations to form a unity government. 'The consultations and contacts to achieve this goal [of a unity government] will begin from this moment,' Abbas said on 16 August after holding talks with Haniya. 'It was agreed to begin the consultations to form this government to strengthen national unity and lift the siege on the Palestinian people and alleviate the suffering,' Haniya said

  • Hamas, Fatah discuss unity

    Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya say they will resume negotiations to form a unity government. 'The consultations and contacts to achieve this goal [of a unity government] will begin from this moment,' Abbas said on 16 August after holding talks with Haniya. 'It was agreed to begin the consultations to form this government to strengthen national unity and lift the siege on the Palestinian people and alleviate the suffering,' Ha

  • Haniya questions viability of Palestinian Authority

    Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya on 9 August questioned the viability of the Palestinian Authority following Israel's arrests of MPs and ministers. 'All political elites, the presidency, the factions and the government are invited to discuss the future of the Palestinian Authority following this [Israeli] attack,' Haniya said, referring to the detention of parliamentary speaker Aziz Dweik on 6 August. 'Can the Palestinian Authority function under the occupation, kidnappings and a

  • Haniya questions viability of Palestinian Authority

    Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya on 9 August questioned the viability of the Palestinian Authority following Israel's arrests of MPs and ministers. 'All political elites, the presidency, the factions and the government are invited to discuss the future of the Palestinian Authority following this [Israeli] attack,' Haniya said, referring to the detention of parliamentary speaker Aziz Dweik on 6 August. 'Can the Palestinian Authority function under the occupation, kidnapp

  • Hefty response for Zadco full field project

    About 14 local and international companies submitted expressions of interest by the 1 August to Zakum Development Company (Zadco) for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract covering the Satah full-field development project in offshore Abu Dhabi. Estimated to be worth $300 million, the 30-month contract will be carried out in two packages - onshore and offshore (MEED 28:7:06).

  • Heisco selected for new fuel oil pipeline

    The Central Tenders Committee (CTC) has approved the bid of KD 37 million ($128 million) submitted by the local Heavy Engineering Industries & Shipbuilding Company (Heisco) for the contract to build two new liquid fuel oil pipelines from the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery to the Doha west power and desalination plant. The client, the Ministry of Energy (Electricity & Water), is expected to sign the contract soon (MEED 25:11:05).

  • Heisco selected for new fuel oil pipeline

    The Central Tenders Committee (CTC) has approved the bid of KD 37 million ($128 million) submitted by the local Heavy Engineering Industries & Shipbuilding Company (Heisco) for the contract to build two new liquid fuel oil pipelines from the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery to the Doha west power and desalination plant. The client, the Ministry of Energy (Electricity & Water), is expected to sign the contract soon (MEED 25:11:05).

  • Hezbollah: Back to basics

    Hizbollah, as an identifiable entity, took shape gradually. The 'party of God' is a composite of various Shia combatant groups that came together to resist the Israeli armed forces following the invasion of Lebanon in 1982. Hizbollah emerged as the dominant force in what became known as the Islamic Resistance in Lebanon, garnering support from other centres of Shia radicalism. During the civil war, Iran contributed finance and even soldiers from the Revolutionary Guards.

  • Hidd rebids due

    Bids are due on 8 August for the re-tendered infrastructure contract on the new Khalifa bin Salman port at Hidd. The local Ahmed Mansour al-A'Ali was the low bidder when prices were originally submitted in late 2004 with the lowest of its three options, which ranged from BD 26.5 million-28.3 million ($69.7 million-74.5 million), followed by Haji Hassan, also local. However, a dispute over the bidding process forced the client, the Works & Housing Ministry, to cancel the tender. The contract cove

  • Hopkins, WSP take DWTC work

    Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has selected two consultants for a 130,000-square-metre project within the estimated AED 16,000 million ($4,400 million) DWTC complex redevelopment. The UK's Hopkins Architects has been appointed as lead architect, while WSP Middle East, also of the UK, will carry out engineering consultancy services. UK-based Mace International is the project manager on the entire development, which will include a convention centre, office and residential towers, hotels, shopp

  • Hopkins, WSP take DWTC work

    Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has selected two consultants for a 130,000-square-metre project within the estimated AED 16,000 million ($4,400 million) DWTC complex redevelopment. The UK's Hopkins Architects has been appointed as lead architect, while WSP Middle East, also of the UK, will carry out engineering consultancy services. UK-based Mace International is the project manager on the entire development, which will include a convention centre, office and residential towers, hotels, shopping

  • Hospital work out to bid

    The General Directorate for Health Affairs in the northern border region has issued two tenders each worth about SR 200 million ($53 million) to build two health centres in the north of the country. The first project calls for the construction of a central hospital in Arar. Bids are due to be submitted by 9 September. The second project centres on the construction of a paediatric and maternity hospital in Rafha. Bids are due by 10 September.

  • Ibn Zahr OCU bidding moves ahead

    International engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors are gearing up to bid for the contract to build the new 288,000-tonne-a-year olefins conversion unit (OCU) at the Saudi European Petrochemical Company (Ibn Zahr) polypropylene complex in Jubail. A date of 18 September has been set for the submission of technical bids, with commercial offers due 11 days later. The prequalifiers are understood to be Japan's Toyo Engineering Corporation, Taiwan-based CTCI, Samsung Engineering

  • Imagining $100-a-barrel oil this winter or hoping for less?

    It says something about the times that Standard & Poor's (S&P) published a report earlier this month that considered the impact of oil prices rising to $240 a barrel in 2007. The credit ratings agency says this would be the consequence of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in an extreme regional crisis. You don't have to be an economics professor to conclude that the global effect would be bad.

  • Imagining $100-a-barrel oil this winter or hoping for less?

    It says something about the times that Standard & Poor's (S&P) published a report earlier this month that considered the impact of oil prices rising to $240 a barrel in 2007. The credit ratings agency says this would be the consequence of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in an extreme regional crisis. You don't have to be an economics professor to conclude that the global effect would be bad.

  • In search of a more sensible way to deal with Iran

    It is said in the West that Iran's President Ahmadinejad is dangerously unbalanced and, potentially, a political leader in the mould of Adolf Hitler. His violent comments about Israel are cited to support efforts to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear technology. The issue rose to the top of the UN agenda at the end of August, the Security Council deadline for Iran to stop its enrichment programme.

  • In search of a more sensible way to deal with Iran

    It is said in the West that Iran's President Ahmadinejad is dangerously unbalanced and, potentially, a political leader in the mould of Adolf Hitler. His violent comments about Israel are cited to support efforts to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear technology. The issue rose to the top of the UN agenda at the end of August, the Security Council deadline for Iran to stop its enrichment programme.

  • Indago signs up for new RAK concession

    The UK's Indago Petroleum has entered a new petroleum concession agreement (PCA) with the Ras al-Khaimah government for exploration and production of the offshore Saleh field. The company has also announced the final relinquishment of the Ras al-Khaimah onshore block (MEED 27:1:06). Indago will take a 40 per cent stake in the new project company and will act as the operator, while the state-owned Ras al-Khaimah Gas Commission will hold the remainder. The acreage is located 42 kilometres offshore

  • Insurgents kidnap 25 people

    Gunmen kidnapped 25 people from the offices of a mobile phone company in central Baghdad on 31 July. The insurgents, dressed in police uniforms, abducted employees and customers from a shopping street in the Arasat district. Police said those abducted included 11 members of the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce. A day earlier, insurgents attacked two Sunni mosques in western Baghdad. In the first incident, gunmen opened fire on the Mohammed Rassulluallah mosque. An hour l

  • Insurgents kidnap 25 people

    Gunmen kidnapped 25 people from the offices of a mobile phone company in central Baghdad on 31 July. The insurgents, dressed in police uniforms, abducted employees and customers from a shopping street in the Arasat district. Police said those abducted included 11 members of the Iraqi-American Chamber of Commerce. A day earlier, insurgents attacked two Sunni mosques in western Baghdad. In the first incident, gunmen opened fire on the Mohammed Ras

  • Intermass awarded Damac towers

    Local real estate developer Damac Properties has awarded the local Intermass Engineering Contracting Company the main construction contract on its Crescent tower project at the International Media Production Zone. The two-year contract covers the construction of three 15 storey residential towers. New York-based BM Design Group is the architectural consultant (MEED 11:2:06).

  • Investors flock to Emaar IPO

    The initial public offering (IPO) of shares in Emaar the Economic City closed 1.8 times oversubscribed in early August. On offer were 255 million shares priced at SR 10 ($2.70) each or 30 per cent of the company's SR 8,500 million ($2,266 million) capital while subscription raised some SR 7,200 million ($1,920 million). Only nationals were eligible.

  • IOCs beeline for Abu Dhabi sour gas project

    Thirteen international oil companies (IOCs) responded to an initial inquiry in early August to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for the position of developer on the onshore sour gas programme in the emirate. A separate inquiry is due to be issued later for the development of offshore sour gas deposits. A tender is scheduled to be issued in mid-September, with technical and financial proposals to be submitted in late December. An award is due in early 2007 (MEED 16:6:06).

  • IOCs beeline for Abu Dhabi sour gas project

    Thirteen international oil companies (IOCs) responded to an initial inquiry in early August to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for the position of developer on the onshore sour gas programme in the emirate. A separate inquiry is due to be issued later for the development of offshore sour gas deposits. A tender is scheduled to be issued in mid-September, with technical and financial proposals to be submitted in late December. An award is due in early 2007 (MEED 16:6

  • IPIC takes charge of PTA and PET complex

    Plans for the construction of a purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and a polyethylene teraphthalate resins (PET) complex in Abu Dhabi emirate are moving ahead, with International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) the investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government being awarded the mandate to carry out the project. IPIC, acting on behalf of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), is set to implement the proposed scheme along with Taiwan's Chinese Petroleum Corporation (CPC) as its foreign partner (

  • IRAN

    Tender no OF/85/051. Obtaining directional and horizontal drilling services for 18 months. Bid bond is IR 392.9 million or $42,700.

  • IRAN

    Tender no 85/CE/677. Manufacture, delivery and installation of an access control system for the detection and identification of persons, machineries and goods for Khorramshahr Special Economic Zone ports. The question-and-answer session will be held on 17 September. Details, available until 13 September, on payment of IR 200,000 - to account no 90160, Bank Melli Iran, Villa branch - from Ports & Shipping Organisation, Director-General of Equipment Supply & Maintenance, Fifth Floor, South Di

  • IRAN

    Tender no 85/29/SH. Supply of bearing grease to be used in EPB-type tunnel boring machines for the Shiraz light railway transport (LRT) project. Bid bond is IR 180 million or $20,000. Bids must be delivered to Shiraz Urban Railway Organisation, Shiraz Municipality, Project Management Office, Metra Behan Sadd, 12 Second Road, North Kargar, opposite the Economics College, Tehran, telephone (9821) 88029418/88027646.

  • IRAN

    Provision of consultancy services for the renovation of the five-star, 29-storey Azadi Grand Hotel in Tehran over 52,000 square metres. The construction period is 16 months.

  • IRAN

    Prequalification. Project no 30408-4-0385-PH. Supply of 360 tonnes of Claus catalyst for H2S/SO2 conversion and 50 tonnes of Claus catalyst for COS/CS2 hydrolysis of the Shahid Hashemi Nejad gas refinery.

  • IRAN

    Prequalification. Project no 30408-4-0386-PH. Supply of 850 tonnes of methyl diethanol amine (MDEA) for gas treating units of the Shahid Hashemi Nejad gas refinery.

  • IRAN

    Tender no 85/28/SH. Supply of sealant grease to be used in EPB-type tunnel boring machines for the Shiraz light railway transport (LRT) project. Bid bond is IR 180 million or $20,000. Bids must be delivered to Shiraz Urban Railway Organisation, Shiraz Municipality, Project Management Office, Metra Behan Sadd, 12 Second Road, North Kargar, opposite the Economics College, Tehran, telephone (9821) 88029418/88027646.

  • IRAN

    CD extension. Tender no REP-50983-ER. Supply of: two five-tonne carry deck cranes; spare parts for two years of continuous operation of cranes; and three comprehensive operation, installation and maintenance manuals including fully illustrated parts list. Bid bond is IR 65 million or Eur 5,540.

  • IRAN

    Tender no IDM/W202. Project no P071170. Implementation of the Raeiskola diversion dam system and its relevant canals as part of the Al-Borz integrated land and water management project for the Mazandaran Regional Water Company. The construction period is 30 months. Financed by the World Bank. Bid bond is IR 1,200 million. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 27 August.

  • IRAN

    CD extension. Supply of 60 double-cabin pick-up trucks as part of the Bam earthquake emergency reconstruction project. Financed by the World Bank. Bid bond is: $30,000.

  • IRAN

    Tender no S.03145 540-SK. Supply of various types and sizes of hydrous calcium silicate sectional pipe insulation and flat aluminum cover sheet with poly craft moisture barriers. Bid bond is IR 200 million or Eur 20,000.

  • IRAN

    Tender no RSS7-P71-MT/06. Project no P076884. Construction of about 9.6 kilometres of wastewater collection main trunks in Rasht as part of the northern cities water supply and sanitation project. The project comprises the construction of about 5.1 kilometres of 1,400-millimetre-diameter, 900 metres of 1,000-millimetre-diameter, 1.5 kilometres of 800-millimetre-diameter and 2.2 kilometres of 600-millimetre-diameter pipes, all by the pipe jacking method. Financed by the World Bank. Bid bond is

  • IRAN

    Tender No MS/85/111. Prequalification, open only to joint venture or a local/international consortium contractor(s). Engineering, procurement, construction, installation, commissioning and start-up of three wellhead platforms in the Resalat offshore oil production field located 80 kilometres to the south of Lavan island.

  • IRAN

    Supply of 16 coupled, high-powered electro-pumps with horizontal centrifugal multistage pumps, and with capacity of each individual pump 250 L/sec for expanding existing capacity of water distribution of Ilam Water & Sewage Company.

  • IRAN

    Tender No OF/84/304. Two years' manning of the Alborz drilling rig. Bid bond is IR 508 million or $55,300.

  • IRAN

    Tender no 85/19B. Supply of 150 computers and 10 main boards, 150 LCD monitors and 55 printers. Bid bond is IR 26 million, IR 17 million and IR 18 million, respectively.

  • IRAN

    Supply of steel in the following four lots: 1) 65,000 tonnes of deform bar A3 no 8-28; 2) 85,000 tonnes of iron bar IPE no 12-27; 3) 70,000 tonnes of hot rolled steel plate no 6-25; and 4) 20,000 tonnes of equal angle no 6-15. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • IRAN

    Expressions of interest. Prequalification. (Open only to local contractors or local/foreign joint ventures with at least 51 per cent local partner share). Design and execution of a seventh water treatment plant, on a turnkey finance, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis. The seventh Tehran water treatment plant will be designed and executed in two modules, each of 2,500 litres a second, or an alternative in four modules, as part of a water conveyance from the Mamloo reservoir da

  • Iran denies use of force to seize Romanian rig

    Petro Iran Development Company (Pedco) on 23 August denied it had used military force to seize the Romanian Orizont oil rig owned by Grup Servicii Petroliere (GSP). 'There was no military action only policemen came in a helicopter to the oil fields on 21 August with the court order for attachment of the rig,' said Pedco managing director Mustafa Khoee. 'But when they were not allowed to land, they were returned by boats. This is routine procedure in Iran whenever a dispute arises.'

  • Iran denies use of force to seize Romanian rig

    Petro Iran Development Company (Pedco) on 23 August denied it had used military force to seize the Romanian Orizont oil rig owned by Grup Servicii Petroliere (GSP). 'There was no military action only policemen came in a helicopter to the oil fields on 21 August with the court order for attachment of the rig,' said Pedco managing director Mustafa Khoee. 'But when they were not allowed to land, they were returned by boats. This is routine procedure in Iran whenever a dispute aris

  • Iran may use Lebanon conflict to destabilise Iraq, says US

    The US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad on 8 August warned that Iran could take advantage of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah to destabilise Iraq. 'The region is very much interconnected. What [happens] in Lebanon affects things here. Khalilzad also said Iranian troops had infiltrated the country. 'Iranhas some forces here. There is a possibility that they might encourage those forces to create increased instability here.'

  • Iran open to nuclear talks

    Tehran is ready to discuss its nuclear enrichment programme with the West, but will seek to show that its suspension would be 'illogical,' Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on 16 August. 'We are ready to discuss all the issues including the suspension,' he said. 'There is no logic behind the suspension of Iran's activities. We are ready to explain this to them.' An incentives package offered in June by the five permanent me

  • Iran open to nuclear talks

    Tehran is ready to discuss its nuclear enrichment programme with the West, but will seek to show that its suspension would be 'illogical,' Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on 16 August. 'We are ready to discuss all the issues including the suspension,' he said. 'There is no logic behind the suspension of Iran's activities. We are ready to explain this to them.' An incentives package offered in June by the five permanent members of the UN Security Co

  • Iran ready to strike Israel if provoked

    Iranian missiles will hit Tel Aviv if the Islamic republic is attacked, the senior Shia cleric Ahmed Khatami said on 15 August. 'If they [US and Israel] militarily attack Iran they should be afraid of the day when our missiles with a 2,000-kilometre range will hit Tel Aviv,' he said. Khatami is a member of the Assembly of Experts which constitutionally oversees Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has repeatedly warned that it will launch its Shahab 3 rockets if it

  • Iran ready to strike Israel if provoked

    Iranian missiles will hit Tel Aviv if the Islamic republic is attacked, the senior Shia cleric Ahmed Khatami said on 15 August. 'If they [US and Israel] militarily attack Iran they should be afraid of the day when our missiles with a 2,000-kilometre range will hit Tel Aviv,' he said. Khatami is a member of the Assembly of Experts which constitutionally oversees Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has repeatedly warned that it will launch

  • Iran replies to nuclear offer

    Chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani on 22 August handed over Iran's reply to a package of nuclear incentives to western diplomats in Tehran. The details of the response were not immediately available, but Tehran said it was ready to start 'serious talks' with western powers.The written response was passed on to representatives from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, all of whom offered Iran a package of political, economic and security in

  • Iran replies to nuclear offer

    Chief nuclear negotiator Ali Larijani on 22 August handed over Iran's reply to a package of nuclear incentives to western diplomats in Tehran. The details of the response were not immediately available, but Tehran said it was ready to start 'serious talks' with western powers.The written response was passed on to representatives from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, all of whom offered Iran a package of politica

  • Iran says it will reply to nuclear incentives

    Iran says it will still reply to a package of nuclear incentives proposed by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany by 22 August despite earlier rejections of the deal by several politicians. 'We are still ready to answer the proposed package in the timeframe we gave, and we will answer,' government spokesman Gholamhossein Elham was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency. On 31 July, the UN Security Council passed resolution 1696 whic

  • Iran unlikely to end nuclear programme

    Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on 21 August Iran would not halt its nuclear programme. 'The Islamic republic of Iran has made its decision and, in the issue of nuclear energy, will continue its path powerfully,' Khamenei was quoted as saying by Iranian state television.Several officials have indicated that Iran will not end uranium enrichment despite a UN Security Council resolution which demands that the Islamic republic do so. 'Considering the technica

  • Iran unlikely to end nuclear programme

    Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on 21 August Iran would not halt its nuclear programme. 'The Islamic republic of Iran has made its decision and, in the issue of nuclear energy, will continue its path powerfully,' Khamenei was quoted as saying by Iranian state television.Several officials have indicated that Iran will not end uranium enrichment despite a UN Security Council resolution which demands that the Islamic republic do so

  • IRAN: A force to contend with

    For nearly two years, Iranian political analysts have watched the seemingly unstoppable rise of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to top positions across the government. The fact that many former guardsmen now hold senior positions in every branch of power is undeniable.

  • IRAN: A force to contend with

    For nearly two years, Iranian political analysts have watched the seemingly unstoppable rise of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) to top positions across the government. The fact that many former guardsmen now hold senior positions in every branch of power is undeniable.But analysts are divided as to whether this constitutes an attempted institutional takeover by the military, in the tradition of Pakistani or Turkish politics. They are also unsure how it will affect s

  • Iranian cleric calls on Muslims to arm Hezbollah

    Ayatollah Ahmed Jinnati, the head of Iran's Guardian Council on 1 August called on Muslim nations to supply Hezbollah with arms. 'We are expecting Muslim nations to provide various kinds of support, including arms, medicine and food to Hezbollah,' Jinnati told the Iranian Students News Agency. Israel and the US have accused Iran of backing Hezbollah and supplying the group with weapons. The Islamic republic, however, has said it only provides Hezbollah with moral support.

  • Iranian student leader dies in prison

    An Iranian student leader died in prison on 31 July after going on hunger strike. Akbar Mohammadi, a democracy activist and dissident went on strike to demand his realease. 'He was under intense supervision by the prison physician. Last night his health condition deteriorated,' said Iranian Justice Minister Jamal Karimirad. 'He insisted on going back to his cell. His condition weakened again there and he died on his way to the hospital.'Akbar was first arrested in 1999 dur

  • Iranian student leader dies in prison

    An Iranian student leader died in prison on 31 July after going on hunger strike. Akbar Mohammadi, a democracy activist and dissident went on strike to demand his realease. 'He was under intense supervision by the prison physician. Last night his health condition deteriorated,' said Iranian Justice Minister Jamal Karimirad. 'He insisted on going back to his cell. His condition weakened again there and he died on his way to the hospital.'Akbar wa

  • Iran's reply is unsatisfactory, says Merkel

    German Chancellor Angela Merkel on 24 August said Iran's reply to a package of nuclear incentives is unsatisfactory. 'From everything I hear, we cannot be satisfied with it,' she said in an interview with Germany's N24 television. 'This needs to be addressed.'Speaking in Berlin on 24 August, Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Erkki Tuomioja said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana will brief European officials on the standoff with Iran in Brussel

  • IRAQ

    Provision of a fluid catalytic cracker (FCC) unit at the North Refineries Company's refinery in the Salahudin complex in Baiji. The scope of works comprises the licence agreement and turnkey basic and detailed engineering design, supply, construction, commissioning of the new FCC complex with a capacity of 30,000 standard barrels a day (b/d). The offer for the FCC complex must include the following associated unit: 1) a solvent deasphalting unit with capacity of 32,000 b/d; 2) a VGO hydrotrea

  • IRAQ

    Re-bid. Tender no 2172/QR-03A. Design and supply of seven drainage vessels for the Al-Najaf oil refinery.

  • IRAQ

    Tender no 1621/2006. Supply of operative chemical materials comprising 2,000 kilos of activated carbon, 1,900 kilos of silicagel, 6,000 kilos of activated alumina for driers, 5,000 kilos of porceline balls and 5,000 kilos of ceramic alumina balls. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • IRAQ

    Tender no 1620/2006. Supply of 65 tonnes of catalyst. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • IRAQ

    Tender no 3578/2006. Supply of two eight-tonne carry deck cranes. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.Details on payment of ID 100,000 from Midland Refineries Company, Oil Ministry, Daura, PO Box 2075, Baghdad, telephone (9641) 7750300/7750911, fax (9641) 7751096.

  • IRAQ

    Tender no X40/06/04. Supply of the following heavy vehicles: 1) 48 single-cabin pick-up trucks; 2) 42 double-cabin pick-up trucks; 3) 18 station wagons; and 4) three ambulances. Bid bond is 3 per cent of tender price.

  • IRAQ

    Tender no ME-ICB 001/2006. Project no P087734. Rehabilitation and execution of erection works for units 2 and 3 of the Al-Hartha thermal power station as part of the emergency electricity reconstruction project. The scope of works comprises: supply of the remaining required equipment, installation and commissioning of two 660-tonne-an-hour boilers, six feed pumps, two 250-MVA transformers, two self-excitation systems with excitation transformers, two bus ducts of generator voltage, execution

  • IRAQ

    Tender no 3578/2006. Supply of two eight-tonne carry deck cranes. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • IRAQ

    Tender no 1621/2006. Supply of operative chemical materials comprising 2,000 kilos of activated carbon, 1,900 kilos of silicagel, 6,000 kilos of activated alumina for driers, 5,000 kilos of porceline balls and 5,000 kilos of ceramic alumina balls. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • Iraq blast kills 9 people

    At least nine people were killed and 20 injured when a bomb exploded in the centre of Baghdad on 3 August. The motorcycle bomb dentonated near the Al-Rashid shopping area. A day earlier, 12 people were killed and 15 wounded after two bombs exploded on a Baghdad football field. Police said the bombs had been buried in the pitch. The blasts occurred in the predominantly Shia district of Amil. At least 24 people were killed in several attacks across Iraq on 2 A

  • Iraq needs two years to reconstruct security forces, says Al-Hashemi

    Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi says Iraq will require one to two years to rebuild its security forces, despite earlier predictions by President Talabani that Iraqi forces could take over the country's security by the end of the year. 'The biggest challenge is the reconstruction of the security forces. The problem is that we do not have professional forces,' Al-Hashemi said. 'It will take one to two years to reconstruct those forces, to train and arm them.'Hashemi wa

  • Iraq needs two years to reconstruct security forces, says Al-Hashemi

    Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi says Iraq will require one to two years to rebuild its security forces, despite earlier predictions by President Talabani that Iraqi forces could take over the country's security by the end of the year. 'The biggest challenge is the reconstruction of the security forces. The problem is that we do not have professional forces,' Al-Hashemi said. 'It will take one to two years to reconstruct those forces, to train and arm them.'

  • Iraq takes over security in Kirkuk and Tikrit

    The US announced it was handing over responsibility for security in Tikrit and Kirkuk to Iraqi forces on 8 August. 'These turnovers from coalition forces to Iraqi security forces reflect the increased operational capacity of the Iraqi security forces,' US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and General George Casey said in a joint statement. 'We pledge our continued support to them and the Iraqi government as they seek to provide peace and prosperity for all of Iraq's peoples.'

  • Iraq takes over security in Kirkuk and Tikrit

    The US announced it was handing over responsibility for security in Tikrit and Kirkuk to Iraqi forces on 8 August. 'These turnovers from coalition forces to Iraqi security forces reflect the increased operational capacity of the Iraqi security forces,' US ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad and General George Casey said in a joint statement. 'We pledge our continued support to them and the Iraqi government as they seek to provide peace and prosperity for all of Iraq's peoples.'

  • Iraq will be ready to take over security, says Al-Maliki

    Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on 23 August said the country's forces would be ready to take control over most provinces within months. 'We will assume responsibility for security in one province this month and another next month,' he said. 'At the end of the year we will take control of most provinces.'A day earlier, the US said it was calling up inactive troops to return to duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The US has increased the number of its troops in Iraq from 127

  • Iraq will be ready to take over security, says Al-Maliki

    Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on 23 August said the country's forces would be ready to take control over most provinces within months. 'We will assume responsibility for security in one province this month and another next month,' he said. 'At the end of the year we will take control of most provinces.'A day earlier, the US said it was calling up inactive troops to return to duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The US has increased the number of

  • IRAQI GSM: Welcome opportunities

    Making a call to Iraq over the fixed-line network is never easy. Dead lines, barely audible connections and even the odd crossed line frustrate the process. On the ground, the mobile phone has become an essential part of daily life. People are willing to pay anywhere between $300-800 for the latest Nokia. Prepaid cards, while not extortionate, sell for $10-30, and represent a significant portion of an average salary. For the average Iraqi, the mobile is a way of avoiding potential dangers and ke

  • Israel arrests Palestinian speaker

    Israeli forces, on 6 August, arrested the speaker of the Palestinian parliament Aziz Dweik, who is a member of Hamas, at his home in Ramallah. Israel said the arrest was legitimate. 'Since Hamas is a terrorist organisation, he is a target for arrest,' an Israeli spokesman told Reuters news agency. Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniya denounced the arrest. 'We condemn and reject this Israeli piracy we urge all Arab and international parliamentarians to condemn

  • Israel arrests Palestinian speaker

    Israeli forces, on 6 August, arrested the speaker of the Palestinian parliament Aziz Dweik, who is a member of Hamas, at his home in Ramallah. Israel said the arrest was legitimate. 'Since Hamas is a terrorist organisation, he is a target for arrest,' an Israeli spokesman told Reuters news agency. Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Ismail Haniya denounced the arrest. 'We condemn and reject this Israeli piracywe urge all Arab and international p

  • Israel launches fresh incursions into Gaza

    Israeli troops backed up by tanks pushed into Gaza on 22 August, triggering clashes with Palestinians. At least three Palestinians were killed near the Kissufim border crossing. Palestinian officials identified the men as members of Islamic Jihad and said they were planning an attack. Israeli soldiers also moved into areas near the Karni cargo crossing and carried out house-to-house searches. The Israeli army said soldiers had surrounded a house before arresting five milit

  • Israel launches fresh incursions into Gaza

    Israeli troops backed up by tanks pushed into Gaza on 22 August, triggering clashes with Palestinians. At least three Palestinians were killed near the Kissufim border crossing. Palestinian officials identified the men as members of Islamic Jihad and said they were planning an attack. Israeli soldiers also moved into areas near the Karni cargo crossing and carried out house-to-house searches. The Israeli army said soldiers had surrounded a house

  • Israel launches Lebanon investigation

    Israeli Defence Minister Emir Peretz on 16 August appointed retired army chief Amnon Lipkin-Shahak to head a commission which will lead an inquiry into Israel's handling of the war in Lebanon. The commission will produce an interim report within three weeks. Opposition politicians have said the move falls far short of their demands for an independent investigation into the war. Peretz together with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have faced criticism over the way the of

  • Israel launches Lebanon investigation

    Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz on 16 August appointed retired army chief Amnon Lipkin-Shahak to head a commission which will lead an inquiry into Israel's handling of the war in Lebanon. The commission will produce an interim report within three weeks. Opposition politicians have said the move falls far short of their demands for an independent investigation into the war. Peretz together with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have faced cr

  • Israel readies for deeper Lebanese incursion

    Israeli Defence Minister Emir Peretz ordered the army to prepare for a possible advance which could extend the ongoing incursion up to the Litani river, 30 kilometres north of the border with Lebanon. The order comes as Israeli jets continued to strike Beirut and areas north of the capital on 4 August. An Israeli naval vessel shelled the suburbs of Harat Hreik and Roweiss while overnight air strikes targeted the Ouzai neighbourhood of southern Beirut, killing at least one Lebanese soldie

  • Israel says it will delay offensive, but operations continue

    Israel said on 10 August it would delay expanding its offensive in Lebanon to allow more time for a diplomatic solution to emerge. 'There is a certain diplomatic process under way, Tourism Minister Yitzhak Herzog told Israel's Army Radio. 'We can allow a little more time to see if there is a possibility for a diplomatic process.' Israel's security cabinet a day earlier announced plans to extend its ground offensive up to the Litani River. Despite the announcement, however,

  • Israel says it will delay offensive, but operations continue

    Israel said on 10 August it would delay expanding its offensive in Lebanon to allow more time for a diplomatic solution to emerge. 'There is a certain diplomatic process under way, Tourism Minister Yitzhak Herzog told Israel's Army Radio. 'We can allow a little more time to see if there is a possibility for a diplomatic process.' Israel's security cabinet a day earlier announced plans to extend its ground offensive up to the Litani River. Despite

  • Israel slams UN force for Lebanon

    Israel's envoy to the UN Dan Gillerman on 18 August told the BBC it would be 'difficult if not inconceivable' for Tel Aviv to accept countries which do not recognise Israel's right to exist as part of a UN force in southern Lebanon. Indonesia and Malaysia, which do not recognise Israel, have both said they will send troops to join the planned 15,000-strong force. Malaysia said Israel should not interfere with the composition of the force. 'We are going to be on Lebanese territory,' said

  • Israel slams UN force for Lebanon

    Israel's envoy to the UN Dan Gillerman on 18 August told the BBC it would be 'difficult if not inconceivable' for Tel Aviv to accept countries which do not recognise Israel's right to exist as part of a UN force in southern Lebanon. Indonesia and Malaysia, which do not recognise Israel, have both said they will send troops to join the planned 15,000-strong force. Malaysia said Israel should not interfere with the composition of the force. 'We are going to be on Lebanese territo

  • Israel strikes militants' Gaza homes

    Israeli air raids destroyed the homes of two Palestinian militants in Gaza on 11 August. A three-storey building belonging to Naim Abu al-Foul, a member of the Popular Resistance Committees, was hit in the Jabalya refugee camp. 'We attacked a site used by the Popular Resistance Committees to manufacture and store weapons material, an Israeli army spokesperson said. 'Prior to the attack, residents of the area were told to leave for their personal safety.'

  • Israel suspends air strikes, but still no ceasefire

    Israel on 31 July announced it will suspend air strikes on Lebanon for 48 hours to allow time for an investigation into the bombing of a three-storey building in the Lebanese town of Qana a day earlier. At least 54 civilians were killed in the attack, including more than 30 children. Israeli Defence Minister Emir Peretz, however, said the temporary suspension which he described as a 'humanitarian gesture' does not signify an imminent ceasefire. If the offensive stops 'the extremists will

  • Israel to deepen offensive

    Israel's security cabinet on 9 August approved plans to widen its ground offensive in Lebanon. An additional 30,000 troops may be needed for the operation which aims to extend as far as the Litani river, 30 kilometres north of Israel's border. 'The assessment is it will last 30 days. I think it is wrong to make this assessment. I think it will take a lot longer,' Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai said. Yishai was one of three ministers who abstained from the vote. Nine ministers voted in

  • Israel to deepen offensive

    Israel's security cabinet on 9 August approved plans to widen its ground offensive in Lebanon. An additional 30,000 troops may be needed for the operation which aims to extend as far as the Litani river, 30 kilometres north of Israel's border. 'The assessment is it will last 30 days. I think it is wrong to make this assessment. I think it will take a lot longer,' Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai said. Yishai was one of three ministers who abstained from the vote. Nine ministers

  • Israel warns of strikes on South

    The Israel army, on 8 August, warned residents of southern Lebanon that it would intensify attacks on the area. Leaflets dropped by Israeli planes said all moving vehicles south of the Litani river would be targeted under the assumption that they are carrying rockets. Hezbollah anti-tank missiles killed one Israeli soldier near the town of Bint Jbeil. Two more soldiers were killed during a gun battle in the village of Labbouneh. Hezbollah launched over 140 missiles into Is

  • Israel widens ground assault, reneges on ceasefire

    Israeli ground forces pushed deeper into Lebanon on 1 August after Tel Aviv said it would widen its ground offensive. Despite the announcement of a 48-hour suspension of air strikes on southern Lebanon a day earlier, Israeli jets targeted alleged Hezbollah positions near the villages of Taibe, Adiasse and Kfar Kila. Tel Aviv said 20 Hezbollah fighters have been killed in fighting in the last two days. Three Israeli soldiers were also killed according to reports by Al-Arabiya television.

  • Israeli air strikes hit Gaza

    Israeli air strikes on 25 August destroyed two buildings in the Gaza Strip. Jets first targeted a house in the Jabaliya refugee camp while the second attack destroyed a house in Gaza City. Relatives of Salim Thabet, an Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades activist, said the Israeli army told him to evacuate his home before striking the building. The Israeli military said both buildings were 'weapons storage facilities'. Also on 25 August, the Hamas-led gove

  • Israeli air strikes hit Gaza

    Israeli air strikes on 25 August destroyed two buildings in the Gaza Strip. Jets first targeted a house in the Jabaliya refugee camp while the second attack destroyed a house in Gaza City. Relatives of Salim Thabet, an Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades activist, said the Israeli army told him to evacuate his home before striking the building. The Israeli military said both buildings were 'weapons storage facilities'. Also on 25 August, the Hamas-led government said progress had be

  • Israeli shelling kills three in Gaza

    At least three Palestinians were killed on 13 August when Israel fired two rockets into Beit Hanoun in Gaza in retaliation for an earlier missile attack on Israel. Palestinians said the dead were civilians and included a 17-year-old boy. Two relatives who came to the boy's aid were also killed. Israel said it was responding to a rocket which hit the Israeli town of Ashkelon, wounding one person. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the attack (

  • Israeli strike kills 40 Lebanese

    At least 40 people were killed in an Israeli air strike on the Lebanese village of Houla on 7 August. 'There was a horrific massacre in the village of Houla in which more than 40 martyrs were victims of deliberate bombing,' Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora told a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Beirut. Witnesses said most of the dead were shepherds who had refused to escape the fighting. Hezbollah said earlier it had killed four Israeli soldiers in the village. F

  • Israelis want Olmert out

    A majority of Israelis think Prime Minister Ehud Olmert should resign, according to a poll published on 25 August in the daily Yedioth Ahronoth. Some 63 per cent of respondents said they would like to see Olmert step down. Another 74 per cent said Defence Minister Amir Peretz should resign and 54 per cent felt Dan Halutz, the head of the military, should do the same. The poll also showed that if elections were held now, the right-wing Likud party

  • Israelis want Olmert out

    A majority of Israelis think Prime Minister Ehud Olmert should resign, according to a poll published on 25 August in the daily Yedioth Ahronoth. Some 63 per cent of respondents said they would like to see Olmert step down. Another 74 per cent said Defence Minister Emir Peretz should resign and 54 per cent felt Dan Halutz, the head of the military, should do the same. The poll also showed that if elections were held now, the right-wing Likud party led by Benjamin Netanyahu

  • Istithmar Hotels boosts management

    Istithmar Hotels, a subsidiary of Dubai-based investment house Istithmar, has announced changes to its management team. The company has appointed Alex Mavridis as executive director, asset management, Binod Narasimhan as chief financial officer, Andrew Lavoipierre as executive director, operations, and David Atkinson as executive director, business development. Istithmar Hotels manages its parent company's investments in the hospitality sector, which include the Atlantis resort on Palm Jumeirah,

  • Italy could lead UN force in Lebanon

    The Italian government has said it is willing to lead the UN force to be deployed in Lebanon and has pledged 3,000 of its troops for the mission. Prime Minister Romano Prodi, responding to a request made by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on 20 August for Italy to lead the UN force, began efforts to secure French, German and Turkish support. On 19 August, Israeli troops raided a Hezbollah stronghold in the village of Bodai in eastern Lebanon, killing three militants in

  • Italy could lead UN force in Lebanon

    The Italian government has said it is willing to lead the UN force to be deployed in Lebanon and has pledged 3,000 of its troops for the mission. Prime Minister Romano Prodi, responding to a request made by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on 20 August for Italy to lead the UN force, began efforts to secure French, German and Turkish support. On 19 August, Israeli troops raided a Hezbollah stronghold in the village of Bodai in eastern Lebanon,

  • J Ray McDermott wins Qatargas 3/4 topsides

    Jebel Ali-based J Ray McDermott (Middle East) announced on 1 August that it had been awarded the fabrication and installation contract of three wellhead decks and topsides for Qatargas 3 and Qatargas 4 projects in the North field. The contract is worth an estimated $150 million (MEED 6:1:06).

  • Jabal Omar IPO approved

    The Commerce & Industry Ministry has approved plans by Jabal Omar Development Company to offer 30 per cent of its capital, equivalent to SR 201 million ($53.6 million), in an initial public offering (IPO). No timing has been set for the share sale.

  • Jafza to boost Salalah free zone

    Salalah Free Zone Company (SFZC) and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) have established a working group to conduct a feasibility study for the development of the Salalah zone. Jafza has until mid-August to submit a management proposal to SFZC to take over the running of the Omani facility. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in late July that sets out a framework for future co-operation.

  • Japanese to manage Amwaj hotel

    Japan's JAL Hotels has signed an agreement with the local Ossis Property Developers to manage a planned five-star beach resort and spa on the Fanar Beach portion of the $1,500 million Amwaj Islands resort, located off the coast of Muharraq. The appointment of a consultant and architect is expected imminently. JAL was also awarded a contract late last year to manage hotels in Dubai and Fujairah for ACICO International, an affiliate of Kuwait Aerated Concrete Industries Company (MEED 11:11:05).

  • Jazeera signs up Lufthansa Technik

    Local low cost carrier Jazeera Airways has signed a 10-year, $70 million maintenance contract with Germany's Lufthansa Technik. The contract covers the maintenance, repair and overhaul of Jazeera's Airbus A320 fleet and total engine maintenance support (MEED 27:1:06).

  • Jeddah mixed-use moves

    Local property developer Arbah Real Estate and Dubai-based real estate firm Cayan Investment & Development Company have selected three consultants for its proposed mixed-use development in Jeddah. The project, valued at about SR 1,000 million ($270 million), is expected to take 30-36 months to complete (MEED 9:6:06).

  • JGC withdraws from Hassi Messaoud crude

    Japan's JGC Corporation has withdrawn from the bidding process for the estimated $800 million-1,000 million contract to build a crude oil stabilisation plant on the Hassi Messaoud field in east central Algeria, citing capacity constraints. JGC was shortlisted in February along with Italy's Saipem and UAE-based Petrofac International following the submission of technical bids in 2005. State energy company Sonatrach has still to set a deadline for commercial bids, although project sources expect p

  • Jordan appeals to Russia over Muslim Brotherhood ban

    The Jordanian parliament on 23 August requested that Russia remove the Muslim Brotherhood from a list of 17 terrorist organisations compiled by the country's supreme court. 'This decision is unrealistic and a clear injustice,' a statement published by the official Petra news agency said. 'The Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan is a respectable charity organisation that is far removed from any terrorist activity and is an undivided part of the Jordanian national fabric.' The Musl

  • Jordan appeals to Russia over Muslim Brotherhood ban

    The Jordanian parliament on 23 August requested that Russia remove the Muslim Brotherhood from a list of 17 terrorist organisations compiled by the country's supreme court. 'This decision is unrealistic and a clear injustice,' a statement published by the official Petra news agency said. 'The Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan is a respectable charity organisation that is far removed from any terrorist activity and is an undivided part of the Jordanian national fabric.'

  • Jordan jails Al-Zarqawi supporters

    Jordan's state security court on 6 August jailed two politicians for 'instigating sectarian strife and fuelling national discord' by praising former Al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Mohammed Abu Fares and Ali Abu Sukkar were sentenced to two years and one-and-a-half years in prison, respectively. A third defendant, Jaafar al-Hourani was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. The three defendants paid their condolences at Al-Zarqawi's home after he was killed

  • JORDAN: Ringing endorsement

    It has been a busy time for the Jordanian telecoms market. The last few years have seen a flurry of activity as the government flung the doors wide open to private investors. Jordan Telecom (JT), the country's flagship telco, came under the spotlight when Amman divested itself of its remaining stake in the firm. And one of the most open markets in the Middle East has also been drawing admiring glances from other regional operators seeking to consolidate their position in the local market.

  • JORDAN: Ringing endorsement

    It has been a busy time for the Jordanian telecoms market. The last few years have seen a flurry of activity as the government flung the doors wide open to private investors. Jordan Telecom (JT), the country's flagship telco, came under the spotlight when Amman divested itself of its remaining stake in the firm. And one of the most open markets in the Middle East has also been drawing admiring glances from other regional operators seeking to consolidate their position in the local market.

  • July worst month ever for Darfur aid agencies

    Aid agencies operating in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region say July was the worst month for humanitarian workers since the conflict began. 'July was the worst month of the three-year-old conflict in terms of attacks on air workers and operations. Eight humanitarian workers were violently killed in Darfur during July,' a joint statement by Care International, Oxfam, World Vision and the International Rescue Committee said on 8 August. There are 14,000 aid workers taking part in the Darfur e

  • KCC selected for Maseela work

    Kuwait Controls Company (KCC) has been selected for a contract, worth KD 9.4 million ($32.4 million), to build and maintain infrastructure for a new residential area in the Maseela district. The client, the Ministry of Public Works, is expected to sign the contract soon. Under the terms of the 30-month contract, the contractor will build roads, mosques, street lights and stormwater drainage and sewerage networks. KCC was low bidder for the work earlier in the year (MEED 16:12:05).

  • KEO gets Al-Bustan

    KEO International Consultants has been awarded the project management services contract on the renovation of the Al-Bustan Palace hotel. The Tourism Ministry has invited companies to submit bids by 11 September for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the hotel's redevelopment. The work involves reconstruction of the beachfront and swimming pool areas, renovating guest rooms, public spaces and restaurants as well as building a spa and villa complex. Bids are d

  • KEO gets Al-Bustan

    KEO International Consultants has been awarded the project management services contract on the renovation of the Al-Bustan Palace hotel. The Tourism Ministry has invited companies to submit bids by 11 September for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the hotel's redevelopment. The work involves reconstruction of the beachfront and swimming pool areas, renovating guest rooms, public spaces and restaurants as well as building a spa and villa complex. Bids are due in

  • Khamenei warns US over Israel

    Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 2 August warned the US over its role in Israel's offensive in Lebanon. 'Muslims everywhere must know that the only way to fight the savage wolf of Zionism and [the] great Satan's aggression is devoted resistance,' AFP news agency reported Khamenei as saying. 'The American regime must expect a hard slap and a destructive punch by the Islamic nations for its support of Zionist criminals.' Calling on Muslim countries to stand up to the US and

  • King Fahd library goes to bid

    Arriyadh Development Authority has invited contractors to submit bids by 1 October for the construction of a new public library, known as King Fahd National Library. The estimated SR 250 million ($67 million) project calls for the construction of a building with a gross floor area of about 85,000 square metres. Located on King Fahd street in downtown Riyadh, the project's scope of works also includes renovating and rehabilitating the existing library. An award is due by year-end with constructio

  • Kipco profits rocket

    Kuwait Projects Company (Kipco) has announced first-half profits of KD 26 million ($89.9 million), a 53 per cent increase on the same period last year. Kipco has a full-year profit target of KD 47 million ($162.5 million).

  • KJO studies seismic survey bids

    Bids are under evaluation at Al-Khafji Joint Operations (KJO) for the 26-month contract to carry out a 3D seismic survey of the western half of the Dorra and part of the Lulu offshore fields and a 2D survey of its complete offshore area. Bidders for the contract include Saudi Arabia's Arabian Geophysical & Surveying Company (Argas), Western Geco GSI, part of the US' Schlumberger, and the UK's BGS. Production from the Dorra field will be shared equally between Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iran (ME

  • KJO studies seismic survey bids

    Bids are under evaluation at Al-Khafji Joint Operations (KJO) for the 26-month contract to carry out a 3D seismic survey of the western half of the Dorra and part of the Lulu offshore fields and a 2D survey of its complete offshore area. Bidders for the contract include Saudi Arabia's Arabian Geophysical & Surveying Company (Argas), Western Geco GSI, part of the US' Schlumberger, and the UK's BGS. Production from the Dorra field will be shared equally between Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iran (M

  • KNPC eyes IOCs for Al-Zour refinery

    Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC) reaffirmed plans to take on board an international oil company (IOC) to partner it for its new refinery project at Al-Zour. 'We are looking to grant a maximum equity of 40 per cent to a foreign partner,' the official KUNA news agency quoted KNPC Chairman Sami Al-Rushaid as saying on 31 July. The new $6,300 million refinery will have a nameplate capacity of 615,000 barrels a day and will be the largest in the region (MEED 19:5:06).

  • KOC issues new substation work

    State upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has issued four tenders inviting international contractors to bid by 19 September for the construction and extension of substations and overhead lines at its oil fields. Seven international contractors have been invited to bid for two contracts covering the construction of the Sabriya A 132/11-kV and the Magwa A 132/11-kV substations. Two contractors are prequalified to bid for the contract to supply and install the overhead line between the two s

  • Kogas ups stake in YLNG

    State-owned Korea Gas Corporation (Kogas) has increased its stake in the Yemen LNG (YLNG) project through the purchase of 2.88 per cent of shares held by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) of South Korea for an undisclosed value. Kogas' shares now stands at 8.88 per cent. The other shareholders in the grassroots gas export venture are France's Total at 39.6 per cent; state-owned Yemen Gas Company, with 21.2 per cent; the US' Hunt Oil (17.2 per cent); South Korea's SK Engineering & Construction (10 p

  • KSE: Fighting a resurgence

    In a show of defiance, the Beirut Stock Exchange re-opened for trading on 1 August after a two-week closure. Trading was restricted by limits on price fluctuation. Less than $1 million of shares were traded on the bourse and most stock prices fell to the 5 per cent floor set by the exchange within the first 30 minutes of trading. The BLOM Stock Index closed down 4 per cent at 1,230 points.Across the region, markets traded flat as investors remained cautious, scared by instability in Leb

  • Kurdish offices attacked in southern Iraq

    Gunmen raided the offices of Iraqi President Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Kerbala on 11 August. The attack was motivated by an article in the PUK-owned Al-Ittihad newspaper which accused the senior Shia cleric Sheikh al-Yaqoubi of 'pouring oil on fire to inflame a war between Arab Shias and Kurds' in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. The PUK office in the nearby city of Kut was also attacked. In other violence at least two policemen were killed and two

  • Kurdish offices attacked in southern Iraq

    Gunmen raided the offices of Iraqi President Talabani's Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Kerbala on 11 August. The attack was motivated by an article in the PUK-owned Al-Ittihad newspaper which accused the senior Shia cleric Sheikh al-Yaqoubi of 'pouring oil on fire to inflame a war between Arab Shias and Kurds' in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. The PUK office in the nearby city of Kut was also attacked. In other violence at least two po

  • Kurdish party offices attacked

    At least nine people were killed and more than 30 wounded by a suicide bomber who targeted the offices of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Mosul. The PUK is Iraqi President Talabani's party. The party's offices in Karbala and Kut were raided on 11 August after a PUK-owned newspaper accused a Shia cleric of inflaming sectarian tensions in Kirkuk. Talabani later issued a statement in which he denied prior knowledge of the article and expressed regret over any hurt caused.

  • Kurdish party offices attacked

    At least nine people were killed and more than 30 wounded by a suicide bomber who targeted the offices of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) in Mosul. The PUK is Iraqi President Talabani's party. The party's offices in Karbala and Kut were raided on 11 August after a PUK-owned newspaper accused a Shia cleric of inflaming sectarian tensions in Kirkuk. Talabani later issued a statement in which he denied prior knowledge of the article and expressed regret over any hurt caused

  • Kurds unveil draft oil law

    The Kurdish regional government (KRG) issued on 8 August a draft hydrocarbons law to increase control within the autonomous Kurdish areas and the province of Kirkuk.

  • Kurds unveil draft oil law

    The Kurdish regional government (KRG) issued on 8 August a draft hydrocarbons law to increase control within the autonomous Kurdish areas and the province of Kirkuk.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no HMQ/99. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Construction, implementation and maintenance of a new police academy building for the Public Works Ministry. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 2 September.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no 3/2006-2007. Carrying out a platform maintenance project at Kuwait International Airport for the General-Directorate of Civil Aviation. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 19 September.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no PTT/605/2006-2007. Supply, installation, operation, maintenance and development of an information network for the Communications Ministry. Bid bond is 2 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/EW/18/2006-2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Carrying out digging and construction works for deep water productive well no. 1 at brigade 35 in Shagaya and no. 2 in the Al-Salem airbase including electrical and concrete works, well rooms and extensions of wellheads, and supply and bringing down of suction pipes and sinking pipes and accessories for the Energy Ministry. Bid bond is 2.5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    CD extension. Tender no RFP/1286. Building new gathering centre (GC) no. 24 at the Sabriya field (NK) for Kuwait Oil Company.

  • KUWAIT

    CD extension. Tender no ME/EW/109/2005-2006. Engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the Shuaiba North co-generation power and distillation plant for the Energy Ministry.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no KPMN/12/L/2005. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Upgrading of security systems for Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 4 September.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no PTT/610/2006-2007. Three years' operation and maintenance (O&M) of the Al-Tahreer communications tower complex building and systems for the Communications Ministry. Bid bond is KD 80,000. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 4 September.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no 22/2006-2007. Operation and maintenance (O&M) of traffic control cameras for red signal crossings and over speeds for the Interior Ministry's general directorate of traffic regulation. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no RFQ/1029276. Supply of wellheads and x-mas trees. Bid bond is 2.5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no 20/2006-2007. Supply of networks, computers and accessories for Interior Ministry departments. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no 1/2006-2007. Supply and installation of personal computers and accessories for the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/13/2006-2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Implementation of tile works and external works for schools, buildings and annexes in the Ahmadi educational area for the Education Ministry. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 6 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/10/2006-2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Implementation of tile works and external works for schools, buildings and annexes in the Farwaniya educational area for the Education Ministry. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 5 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/12/2006-2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Implementation of tile works and external works for schools, buildings and annexes in the Hawally and Mubarak al-Kabeer educational areas for the Education Ministry. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 6 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/14/2006-2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Implementation of tile works and external works for schools, buildings and annexes in the Jahra educational area for the Education Ministry. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 5 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/11/2006-2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Implementation of tile works and external works for schools, buildings and annexes in the Capital educational area for the Education Ministry. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 6 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no 1/2006/2007. Construction, completion and maintenance of a marine rescue centre for the General Fire Department at Kuwait port.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no 2414726060. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Supply of computers and accessories for the Defence Ministry's local supplies department. Bid bond is 2 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no KPA/11/2006. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Carrying out cleaning works for Kuwait Ports Authority's Shuaiba Port and its annexed container terminal. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no KPA/26/2006. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Carrying out cleaning works for Kuwait Ports Authority's Shuwaikh Port. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 26 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no 17/2006/2007. Supply of chemicals and appliances for a DNA database project for the Interior Ministry's General Directorate of Criminal Evidence. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no 2-2006/2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Supply, installation, operation and maintenance of 330-kVA uninterrupted power supply (UPS) devices at stations E and Y at Kuwait International Airport. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 20 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no RFP/1346. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Extension of the existing 132-kV switchgear at Ahmadia A and C and the Rawdatain B substations. Bid bond is 2.5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 30 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no RFP/1367. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Carrying out modification and improvement works, part 1, to Ahmadi hospital. Bid bond is 2.5 per cent of tender price. An obligatory pre-bid meeting will take place on 21 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no RFP/1368. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Carrying out modification and improvement works, part 2, to Ahmadi hospital. Bid bond is 2.5 per cent of tender price. An obligatory pre-bid meeting will take place on 21 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no KU/104/2006-2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Construction, completion and maintenance of an administrative services complex building at the new Kuwait University campus in Al-Shadadiya. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 19 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/EW/42/2006-2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Upgrading and production increasing works for the first relay distillers at Doha power station for the Energy Ministry. Bid bond is 2.5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 20 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/EW/93/2005-2006. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Supply, installation, operation and maintenance of pre-paid meter system at Hawally governorate for the Energy Ministry. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 26 September.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/EW/17/2006/2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Supply of dry electrical distribution transformers for the Energy Ministry. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 26 September.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no HMA/143. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Expansion of the Public Works Ministry headquarters building at the Farwaniya governorate. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    CD extension. Tender no NRP/EPC-0015. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Engineering, supply, construction and commissioning of a new refinery project for Kuwait National Petroleum Company at Al-Zoor, according to the requirements of package 1, which will constitute an integral part of the new refinery project. Bid bond is KD 5 million.

  • KUWAIT

    CD extension. Tender no NRP/EPC-0016. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Engineering, supply, construction and commissioning of a new refinery project for Kuwait National Petroleum Company at Al-Zoor, according to the requirements of package 2, which will constitute an integral part of the new refinery project. Bid bond is KD 3.3 million.

  • KUWAIT

    CD extension. Tender no NRP/EPC-0017. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Engineering, supply, construction and commissioning of a new refinery project for Kuwait National Petroleum Company at Al-Zoor, according to the requirements of package 3, which will constitute an integral part of the new refinery project. Bid bond is KD 3.7 million.

  • KUWAIT

    CD extension. Tender no NRP/EPC-0018. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Engineering, supply, construction and commissioning of a new refinery project for Kuwait National Petroleum Company at Al-Zoor, according to the requirements of package 4, which will constitute an integral part of the new refinery project. Bid bond is KD 3.3 million.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no AM/6/2006. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Carrying out auxiliary services works for a technical services department. Bid bond is 2 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 28 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/EW/8/2006-2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Carrying out civil, mechanical and electrical works for the construction, completion and maintenance of a water mixing and treatment plant and water laboratory at Shuwaikh for the Energy Ministry. Bid bond is 2.5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/EW/48/2006-2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Carrying out annual maintenance works to cranes and handling tools at electrical power and distillation stations for the Energy Ministry. Bid bond is 2.5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 29 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/EW/25-2006/2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Maintenance of an 11-kV medium-tension overhead lines network, low-tension lines and related civil works in the south for the Energy Ministry. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no ME/EW/6/2006-2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Maintenance of mechanical, electrical and heavy machinery for main workshops for the Energy Ministry. Bid bond is 2.5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 27 August.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no PA/MM/5-2006/2007. Supply and maintenance of three marine boats and trawlers for the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs & Fish Resources. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 27 August.

  • KUWAIT

    CD extension. Tender no NRP/MISC-0019. Provision of shipping services for desulphurisation unit vessels at a new oil refinery for Kuwait National Petroleum Company.Details from Central Tenders Committee, PO Box 1070, Safat 13011, telephone (965) 2401200, fax (965) 2416574.

  • KUWAIT

    Re-bid. Tender no ME/EW/73/2005-2006. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Renovation of distillation units and auxiliaries at the Doha East power and water distillation station for the Energy Ministry. Bid bond is 2.5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no KU/PP/T/9/2006. Upgrading and rehabilitation of a training and development department site at Kuwait Airways Corporation's headquarters. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • KUWAIT

    Tender no PA/MM/2/2006/2007. (Open to prequalified contractors only.) Operation and maintenance (O&M) of a palm irrigation network at an agriculture experimentation station at Amghara for the Public Authority for Agriculture Affairs & Fish Resources. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price. A pre-bid meeting will take place on 13 August.

  • Lagoon contracts let

    The local Ahmed Mansour Al-A'Ali with Singapore's BPL has received a letter of intent (LoI) for the main construction package on the $86 million The Lagoon project, part of the Amwaj Islands development off the coast of Muharraq. The scheme calls for the construction of eight low-rise buildings housing restaurants and retail outlets over an area of 600,000 square metres. It will also entail the building of a 1 kilometre-long walkway encircling the central lagoon. A joint venture of India's Si

  • Leaked UK memo warns of Iraq civil war

    Iraq is more likely to descend into civil war than become a democracy, the UK's outgoing ambassador in Iraq warned Prime Minister Tony Blair in his final diplomatic telegram. 'The prospect of a low intensity civil war and a de facto division of Iraq is probably more likely at this stage than a successful and substantial transition to a stable democracy,' William Patey wrote in the document leaked on 3 August. 'Even the lowered expectation of President Bush for Iraq - a government that ca

  • Lebanese troops cross Litani River

    Lebanese forces on 17 August crossed the Litani River and will continue progressing southwards as Israeli troops withdraw. About 2,000 troops have been deployed so far and the size of the force will subsequently rise to 15,000 as agreed by the Lebanese cabinet a day earlier. Hezbollah has said it will co-operate with Lebanese and UN forces, but stresses that it will not disarm. Israeli troops continued their withdrawal from southern Lebanon and Israel announced that respon

  • Lebanese troops cross Litani River

    Lebanese forces on 17 August crossed the Litani River and will continue progressing southwards as Israeli troops withdraw. About 2,000 troops have been deployed so far and the size of the force will subsequently rise to 15,000 as agreed by the Lebanese cabinet a day earlier. Hezbollah has said it will co-operate with Lebanese and UN forces, but stresses that it will not disarm. Israeli troops continued their withdrawal from southern Lebanon and I

  • Lebanon appoints new head of reconstruction

    The Lebanese cabinet on 24 August appointed Nabil Jisr as the president of the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR). The move came a day after Fadl Shalaq resigned from the position. Jisr, who is also vice-president of the Higher Relief Committee, has headed the CDR in the past. Jisr pledged to rebuild Lebanon to higher standards than before the conflict with Israel. 'The Israelis did not miss anything, from schools to clinics to brid

  • Lebanon appoints new head of reconstruction

    The Lebanese cabinet on 24 August appointed Nabil Jisr as the president of the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR). The move came a day after Fadl Shalaq resigned from the position. Jisr, who is also vice-president of the Higher Relief Committee, has headed the CDR in the past. Jisr pledged to rebuild Lebanon to higher standards than before the conflict with Israel. 'The Israelis did not miss anything, from schools to clinics to bridges to roads,' told IRIN ne

  • Lebanon ceasefire holds

    The Lebanese-Israeli ceasefire held for the second day running on 15 August, despite sporadic violence in southern Lebanon which left one Hezbollah militant dead. The Israeli army said Hezbollah fighters fired several mortars overnight, but they did not land in Israel and no casualties were reported. Israeli troops withdrew from the southern town of Marjayoun, which they had taken on 10 August. Witnesses said soldiers also began to pull out from the town of Qlaia

  • Lebanon ceasefire holds

    The Lebanese-Israeli ceasefire held for the second day running on 15 August, despite sporadic violence in southern Lebanon which left one Hezbollah militant dead. The Israeli army said Hezbollah fighters fired several mortars overnight, but they did not land in Israel and no casualties were reported. Israeli troops withdrew from the southern town of Marjayoun, which they had taken on 10 August. Witnesses said soldiers a

  • Lebanon faces environmental disaster

    The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on 31 July expressed 'grave concern' about oil contamination of Lebanese coastal waters due to infrastructure damage from Israeli bombardment. 'The Lebanese government has requested international assistance from the UN, and we stand ready to do all we can,' said Unep Executive Director Achim Steiner. Oil began seeping into Lebanese water after Israeli air strikes targeted storage tanks at the Jiyah power plant 30 kilometres south of Beir

  • LEBANON: Bitter memories

    As Israel's military offensive gathers momentum, Lebanon's long-suffering southern residents may find echoes of Israel's first major invasion of its northern neighbour in March 1978. Then, Israel used the pretext of Palestinian guerrillas hijacking an Israeli bus south of Haifa to launch its assault, massing 25,000 men on the border, backed up by massive aerial and naval bombardments.

  • LEBANON: Bitter memories

    As Israel's military offensive gathers momentum, Lebanon's long-suffering southern residents may find echoes of Israel's first major invasion of its northern neighbour in March 1978. Then, Israel used the pretext of Palestinian guerrillas hijacking an Israeli bus south of Haifa to launch its assault, massing 25,000 men on the border, backed up by massive aerial and naval bombardments.

  • Legal deal sealed

    President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan has ratified the 1958 New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards. The federation is one of the last countries in the region to sign up to the convention. It is the single most important international convention concerned with the recognition and enforcement of arbitral awards and has over 135 signatories, including Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.The convention stipulates that the federation's court

  • Libya pays Pan Am creditors $30 million

    Creditors of Pan Am World Airways, which went out of business in 1991, will receive $30 million in payments from the Libyan government, a court-appointed trust for the airline announced on 16 August. Creditors, including some 15,000 former employees, will receive the payment by the end of the year, thereby officially ending the company's bankruptcy.The airline filed criminal and civil lawsuits against Libya for its role in the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie in

  • Libya pays Pan Am creditors $30 million

    Creditors of Pan Am World Airways, which went out of business in 1991, will receive $30 million in payments from the Libyan government, a court-appointed trust for the airline announced on 16 August. Creditors, including some 15,000 former employees, will receive the payment by the end of the year, thereby officially ending the company's bankruptcy.The airline filed criminal and civil lawsuits against Libya for its role in the bombing of Pan Am f

  • Libyan Foreign Investment Company: Libya, and beyond

    Towering over the Al-Mogran district of Khartoum, at the confluence of the Blue Nile and the White Nile, is the Burj al-Fatah, soon to be Khartoum's first five-star hotel. Jointly financed by the Libyan Foreign Investment Company (LFIC) and the Libyan African Investment Fund (LAIF), the sail-shaped tower is set to become as iconic for Khartoum as the Burj al-Arab is for Dubai.

  • Libyan Foreign Investment Company: Libya, and beyond

    Towering over the Al-Mogran district of Khartoum, at the confluence of the Blue Nile and the White Nile, is the Burj al-Fatah, soon to be Khartoum's first five-star hotel. Jointly financed by the Libyan Foreign Investment Company (LFIC) and the Libyan African Investment Fund (LAIF), the sail-shaped tower is set to become as iconic for Khartoum as the Burj al-Arab is for Dubai.

  • Litwin wins Mohammedia

    Paris-based Litwin has been awarded a $41 million contract to design and build a cogeneration plant at the Mohammedia refinery. Under the 24-month contract, Litwin will build a 40-MW plant, producing a minimum of 70 tonnes an hour of high-pressure steam. It will be responsible for design, supply, transport, construction supervision, commissioning and start-up.

  • Lurgi signs up for biodiesel plant

    Germany's Lurgi has signed a Eur 10 million ($12.8 million) contract with state energy company Sonatrach to build a biodiesel plant on the Mediterranean coast. The plant will use rapeseed and palm oil feedstock to produce 200,000 tonnes a year of biodiesel, a cleaner-burning fuel, for export to Europe. Lurgi will provide engineering and procurement services, while Sonatrach will be responsible for construction activities. The exact location of the plant is still to be decided.

  • Lurgi signs up for biodiesel plant

    Germany's Lurgi has signed a Eur 10 million ($12.8 million) contract with state energy company Sonatrach to build a biodiesel plant on the Mediterranean coast. The plant will use rapeseed and palm oil feedstock to produce 200,000 tonnes a year of biodiesel, a cleaner-burning fuel, for export to Europe. Lurgi will provide engineering and procurement services, while Sonatrach will be responsible for construction activities. The exact location of the plant is still to be decided.

  • MAHAN AIR: Window on the world

    Iran's first private airline is fast becoming its most successful. With flights connecting Western Europe to the Indian subcontinent and the Far East, Mahan Air is taking advantage of Iran's favourable geographic location to carve out a profitable niche that has yet to be explored by its state-owned rivals.

  • MAHAN AIR: Window on the world

    Iran's first private airline is fast becoming its most successful. With flights connecting Western Europe to the Indian subcontinent and the Far East, Mahan Air is taking advantage of Iran's favourable geographic location to carve out a profitable niche that has yet to be explored by its state-owned rivals.Set up in 1993, Mahan was much like any other domestic Iranian airline. It ran flights between Tehran and Kerman, where its investors were based, and owned just two old Russian Tup

  • Malaysians mix with Swiss

    Malaysia's IJM Corporation Berhad has been awarded the AED 177 million ($48.2 million) contract for the design and construction of the Swiss Tower on plot Y3 at Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT). The project, which is scheduled for completion by October 2008, involves the construction of a 40-storey tower with a glass exterior that will have a printed image of the Matterhorn, reflecting its Swiss theme. Germany's Gunter Buerk JSK is the concept designer. The client is Swiss Tower, which is backed b

  • Malaysians mix with Swiss

    Malaysia's IJM Corporation Berhad has been awarded the AED 177 million ($48.2 million) contract for the design and construction of the Swiss Tower on plot Y3 at Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT). The project, which is scheduled for completion by October 2008, involves the construction of a 40-storey tower with a glass exterior that will have a printed image of the Matterhorn, reflecting its Swiss theme. Germany's Gunter Buerk JSK is the concept designer. The client is Swiss Tower, which is backed by

  • Malaysians take bridges

    Malaysia's Gamuda has been awarded the long-awaited contract to expand the Sitra causeway for an estimated $170 million. The company was low bidder by a considerable margin when revised prices were submitted in May by Gamuda and a team of Belgium's Six Construct with the local Haji Hassan, after original prices came in over-budget (MEED 19:5:06).

  • MANUFACTURING: RENAULT PARS: Putting on the brakes

    When the Renault Pars deal was signed in May, it represented one of the few items of good news to come out of Iran in recent months. Here at last was a major international company prepared to go into its pocket for a flagship industrial project in the Islamic republic.

  • MANUFACTURING: RENAULT PARS: Putting on the brakes

    When the Renault Pars deal was signed in May, it represented one of the few items of good news to come out of Iran in recent months. Here at last was a major international company prepared to go into its pocket for a flagship industrial project in the Islamic republic.

  • Marine services sought for Aqaba

    Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) has given local and international companies until 7 May to submit expressions of interest for the contract to rehabilitate, equip, finance, operate and transfer the marine service assets at the port of Aqaba.The successful bidder will form a joint venture with ADC to: provide pilotage services, pilot boat, towage and mooring services; operate tow boats and barges; and oversee the operation of the marine slipway. The new contract is in line with ADC'

  • MARKET IN FOCUS: BAHRAIN: Calmly confident

    The Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE) is accustomed to being eclipsed by its GCC counterparts. Over recent months, the bourse has been happily in the shadows, undergoing only a mild correction while other regional markets went into freefall.

  • MARKET IN FOCUS: BAHRAIN: Calmly confident

    The Bahrain Stock Exchange (BSE) is accustomed to being eclipsed by its GCC counterparts. Over recent months, the bourse has been happily in the shadows, undergoing only a mild correction while other regional markets went into freefall.'The main reasons for the rise of the BSE were always different from elsewhere in the Gulf, driven more by strong fundamentals than by high liquidity and speculation,' says Najla al-Shirawi, head of investments & treasury at the local Securities & Investme

  • Mashreqbank launches Islamic subsidiary

    Badr al-Islami, the AED 500 million ($136 million) sharia-compliant financial services subsidiary of Mashreqbank, plans to hold the first meeting of its sharia board in late August. The board will discuss the scope of its retail and corporate banking services, which will be offered through its own branches. The firm plans to start operations by year-end.

  • Masterplan moves ahead

    A joint venture of the US' MWH and the local Gulf Consult is working on a water masterplan covering the entire state. Under the terms of the 14-month contract, due to be completed next summer, the consultants will draw up a masterplan for the supply of fresh and brackish water over the next 24 years. The study will also review alternative water resources, the use of water in emergency conditions and the use of treated wastewater. The client on the masterplan is the Ministry of Energy (Electricit

  • McDermott scoops major Aramco offshore work

    Jebel Ali-based J Ray McDermott (Middle East) announced on 15 August that it had been awarded the fabrication and installation contract of 16 production deck modules (PDMs) at the offshore Safaniya, Marjan, Berri and Zuluf fields. Estimated to be worth $350 million-400 million, the lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract is part of Saudi Aramco's offshore maintenance potential programme. It aims to increase production from the four fields by 150,0000 barrels a day (b/d) to 450,000 b/d by 2009/10 (ME

  • McDermott scoops major Aramco offshore work

    Jebel Ali-based J Ray McDermott (Middle East) announced on 15 August that it had been awarded the fabrication and installation contract of 16 production deck modules (PDMs) at the offshore Safaniya, Marjan, Berri and Zuluf fields. Estimated to be worth $350 million-400 million, the lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract is part of Saudi Aramco's offshore maintenance potential programme. It aims to increase production from the four fields by 150,0000 barrels a day (b/d) to 450,000 b/d by 2009/10 (MEED

  • MEA transfers operations, calculates substantial profit loss

    National carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) has transferred its operations to Damascus in a bid to restore its schedule following the ongoing Israeli offensive in Lebanon.

  • MEA transfers operations, calculates substantial profit loss

    National carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) has transferred its operations to Damascus in a bid to restore its schedule following the ongoing Israeli offensive in Lebanon.'We have transferred up to 25 per cent of our operations to Damascus,' says Nizar Khoury, commercial manager at MEA. 'Most of our planes are now based in Amman, Damascus, Paris and Larnaca.' However, passengers seeking to fly out of Damascus have faced substantial delays due to the closure of border crossing po

  • Melrose drills deep

    Edinburgh-based Melrose Resources announced in early August details of its drilling and exploration programme at the Southeast el-Mansoura concession in the Nile Delta basin (MEED 28:4:06).

  • Melrose drills deep

    Edinburgh-based Melrose Resources announced in early August details of its drilling and exploration programme at the Southeast el-Mansoura concession in the Nile Delta basin (MEED 28:4:06).

  • Militants to stop attacks on Israel, says Abbas

    Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas on 17 August announced he had struck a deal with militants who agreed to stop firing rockets into Israel. 'Yesterday all factions met and agreed on calm and stopping all actions that may give others a pretext to attack us,' Abbas said at a graduation ceremony for 500 officers who will join his presidential security forces. However, militants said halting attacks would depend on Israel stopping its military operation in Gaza. 'If aggression ag

  • Militants to stop attacks on Israel, says Abbas

    Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas on 17 August announced he had struck a deal with militants who agreed to stop firing rockets into Israel. 'Yesterday all factions met and agreed on calm and stopping all actions that may give others a pretext to attack us,' Abbas said at a graduation ceremony for 500 officers who will join his presidential security forces. However, militants said halting attacks would depend on Israel stopping its military operation in Gaza. 'If agg

  • Mineral rail LoIs issued

    The Public Investment Fund has issued letters of intent (LoIs) to two groups for the advanced earthworks packages in the Al-Nufud region on its planned $2,800 million minerals railway.

  • Mineral rail LoIs issued

    The Public Investment Fund has issued letters of intent (LoIs) to two groups for the advanced earthworks packages in the Al-Nufud region on its planned $2,800 million minerals railway.The successful contractors will excavate and shore up more than 200 million cubic metres of earth, and fill in crevices and wadis to ensure a flat surface for the railway track laying (MEED 4:8:06).The first of the 42-month contracts covers a section around Hail. The local joint venture (JV)

  • Minerals rail list ready

    The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has finalised the list of prequalifiers for the first three civil and trackwork packages on the planned $2,800 million minerals railway project. The consortiums will now be invited to submit technical and commercial proposals by 24 September (MEED 28:7:06). Eighteen consortiums have been prequalified for the packages, the first three portions of the 2,400-kilometre-long minerals railway project. The fourth package is due to be issued in the final quarter. PIF is

  • MINES & DEMINING: Buried in the sand

    The carnage suffered by both sides is the clearest common factor between the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the recent Israeli incursion into southern Lebanon. A less obvious link is the abrupt end brought to two of the Middle East's most advanced landmine clearance programmes. Unexploded landmines are in general, a topic accorded little publicity in the region. Yet they are present in virtually every country from North Africa through the Levant to the Gulf, endangering civilian lives and h

  • Mobile licence deadline extended

    The Telecommunications & Information Technology Ministry has extended the deadline to 30 August for operators to bid as a strategic partner for a 40 per cent share in the second mobile telecommunications licence in the Palestinian Territories. Bids will be evaluated by the ministry with the assistance of the local Engineering & Management Consulting Centre (MEED 17:3:06).www.meed.com/telecomsit

  • MobiNil net income dips

    Egyptian Company for Mobile Services (MobiNil) announced in late July a small decrease in its first half net income.Net income for the first six months of 2006 reached £E 657 million ($114 million), down 3 per cent from the same period in 2005.MobiNil's earnings before interest, tax deductions and amortizations (EBITDA) rose 11 per cent to £E 1,465 million ($288 million) as active subscriber numbers rose 40 per cent to 7,231,000.However, the EBITDA margin also fell by 1.5

  • More awards for Pearl

    Two more awards have been made on the Pearl GTL project by the Royal Dutch/Shell Group. Jebel Ali-based J Ray McDermott (Middle East) announced on 16 August that it had been awarded the lumpsum fabrication and installation contract covering two wellhead platforms with processing topsides to be installed at the North field. Construction of the platforms will start in late August at McDermott's yard in Jebel Ali. Each platform, Pearl 1 and Pearl 2, will weigh an average 3,600 tonnes. An award is a

  • More Durrat villas let

    Cyprus-registered GP Zachariades (GPZ-Overseas) has been awarded a BD 49 million ($128.9 million) contract for the construction of 138 villas on atolls 2 and 3 on the Durrat al-Bahrain resort, being developed off the south coast of the main island. Work will begin in October and is scheduled for completion during the first half of 2008. The project manager on the estimated $1,000 million development is a joint venture of Australia's Bovis Lend Lease and Kuwait Finance House (KFH) subsidiary Kuwa

  • More Israeli air strikes on Lebanon

    Israel launched at least 130 air strikes on Lebanon overnight on 28 July. The eastern Bekaa valley, the southern town of Nabatiya and roads in the south of the country were among the targets. At least 11 people were killed as a result of cross-border shelling and strikes on villages near the port town of Tyre. Some 40 air raids in the south of the country left at least 8 people, including a Jordanian dead. Hezbollah continued to fire missiles into northern Israel as fighti

  • More talks on UN resolution

    UN Security Council members meeting in New York on 10 August failed to agree on a resolution to end the hostilities in Lebanon due to differences over how and when Israeli troops should pull out. Hopes that a deal was near were shattered when Lebanon objected to the deployment of additional UN forces under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which provides for the use of force, not only self-defence. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in New York on 11 August to push for the conclus

  • More talks on UN resolution

    UN Security Council members meeting in New York on 10 August failed to agree on a resolution to end the hostilities in Lebanon due to differences over how and when Israeli troops should pull out. Hopes that a deal was near were shattered when Lebanon objected to the deployment of additional UN forces under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, which provides for the use of force, not only self-defence. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in New York on 11 August to push for t

  • Morocco breaks up terror cell

    Moroccan security forces broke up a terror cell planning attacks in the northeast of the country on 7 August, the official Map news agency reported. Officials said the 44 detainees belong to the previously unknown Jamaat Ansar al-Mehdi (Mehdi Support Group). Police seized explosives, communication equipment and propaganda material in Casablanca and other towns.The leader of the group 'managed to recruit radical Islamists with a view to training them to use explosives in th

  • Mosul imposes curfew after deadly attacks

    A curfew was imposed in Mosul on 4 August after two attacks by insurgents left at least 19 people dead. In the first attack, a suicide bomber struck a police post guarding a sports field in Hadhar. At least ten people, including three policemen, were killed in the blast.Earlier, at least nine policemen died in Mosul as a result of six bombs. A gunbattle with insurgents followed, leaving several gunmen dead in the first violence the city has seen since the end of last year.

  • Mott rolls onto monorail

    Local real estate developer Nakheel has appointed the UK's Mott MacDonald to provide engineering and site supervision services for the Palm Jumeirah monorail in Dubai.

  • Mubarak dismisses new Middle East concept

    Egyptian President Mubarak dismissed the concept of the 'new Middle East' promoted by US Secretary of State Condoleezza at the start of the Lebanese-Israeli conflict. 'To talk about the new Middle East ignores the real problem in the region, which is the suspension of the peace process,' Mubarak said in an interview published in the local magazine 'October' on 10 August. 'That leads to a rise in feelings of despair, frustration and extremism.'Mubarak said it would be impos

  • Mubarak dismisses new Middle East concept

    Egyptian President Mubarak dismissed the concept of the 'new Middle East' promoted by US Secretary of State Condoleezza at the start of the Lebanese-Israeli conflict. 'To talk about the new Middle Eastignores the real problem in the region, which is the suspension of the peace process,' Mubarak said in an interview published in the local magazine ‘October' on 10 August. 'That leads to a rise in feelings of despair, frustration and extremism.'

  • Muslim Brotherhood ready to support Hezbollah

    The Muslim Brotherhood is ready to send 10,000 fighters to support Hezbollah in Lebanon, the group's leader Mohammed Mehdi Akef told the AFP news agency on 3 August. He added, however, that it was unlikely that Egyptian volunteers would deploy in Lebanon. 'There are enough people but you would need Arab regimes to authorize their deployment or at least turn a blind eye on their departure,' Akef said. 'Training ... is not as easy as it once was; there was a time when a week was all it too

  • Mustang takes green diesel

    The US' Mustang Engineering has been awarded the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the sulphur-free gas oil (SFGO) project at Ruwais. About four other companies submitted commercial bids in early 2006 for the contract. They are Paris-based Technip, the UK's Stone & Webster, part of the US' Shaw Group, and Washington Group International and Fluor Corporation, all US-based (MEED 4:11:05).

  • Najaf suicide bomber kills 35

    At least 35 people were killed and 90 injured in an explosion near the Imam Ali shrine in the southern Iraqi city of Najaf. The suicide bomber detonated the explosive at a police checkpoint. Witnesses reported that two separate blasts rocked the city.The attack came as around 6,000 additional Iraqi forces and 3,300 US troops continued to deploy in and around Baghdad as part of a new security crackdown which aims to quell sectarian violence. On 9 August, officials at Baghda

  • Najaf suicide bomber kills 35

    At least 35 people were killed and 90 injured in an explosion near the Imam Ali shrine in the southern Iraqi city of Najaf. The suicide bomber detonated the explosive at a police checkpoint. Witnesses reported that two separate blasts rocked the city.The attack came as around 6,000 additional Iraqi forces and 3,300 US troops continued to deploy in and around Baghdad as part of a new security crackdown which aims to quell sectarian violence. On 9

  • Nass/Burhan take hospital job

    The joint venture (JV) of the local Nass Contracting with Kuwait's Burhan International Construction Company received a provisional letter of intent in early August for the main construction contract on the planned King Hamad General Hospital at Muharraq. The contract value is BD 49.2 million ($129.5 million - MEED 24:2:06).

  • Nass/Burhan take hospital job

    The joint venture (JV) of the local Nass Contracting with Kuwait's Burhan International Construction Company received a provisional letter of intent in early August for the main construction contract on the planned King Hamad General Hospital at Muharraq. The contract value is BD 49.2 million ($129.5 million MEED 24:2:06).

  • Nasser al-Hajri takes Tasnee subcontract

    The local Nasser al-Hajri Corporation has been awarded the $20 million mechanical, electrical and instrumentation (MEI) subcontract for the 1.2 million-tonne-a-year ethane/propane cracker under construction at Jubail. The order was placed by the German/South Korean consortium of Linde and Samsung Engineering Company and covers seven furnaces. The Linde/Samsung team is carrying out the technology-plus-EPC contract for the local Tasnee Petrochemicals (MEED 11:11:05).

  • Nasser al-Hajri wins RasGas offplots work

    Saudi Arabia's Nasser al-Hajri Corporation has been awarded an estimated $100 million subcontract covering the civils package on the common offplots project at Ras Laffan. The order was placed by the US' Fluor Corporation, which is evaluating bids for the mechanical, electrical and instrumentation (MEI) and structural steel package. The bidders for the estimated $150 million subcontract are Nasser al-Hajri, Pakistan's Descon Engineering and Enka of Turkey. The fast-track engineering, procurement

  • NBAD to list notes

    National Bank of Abu Dhabi's (NBAD) 10-year convertible notes, issued in March, were listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Market on 8 August, following approval from the Emirates Securities & Commodities Authority. The notes are the first of their kind to be listed on the federation's markets and have a face value of AED 100 ($27.2). The AED 2,500 million ($681.2 million) issue raised the bank's regulatory capital by 35 per cent. They pay 25 basis points over Eibor (MEED 24:3:06).

  • NBP seeks sale of BAJ stake

    National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), the original foreign partner in Bank Aljazira (BAJ), is seeking to divest its remaining 5.8 per cent stake in the bank. NBP has stated its intention in an announcement made through the Karachi Stock Exchange and officials say a deal is likely by the end of the year. The shares are expected to be sold at a considerable discount to BAJ's existing share price, which stood at about SR 314 ($83.70) on 9 August. NBP has a licence from the Saudi Arabian Monetary

  • NBP seeks sale of BAJ stake

    National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), the original foreign partner in Bank Aljazira (BAJ), is seeking to divest its remaining 5.8 per cent stake in the bank. NBP has stated its intention in an announcement made through the Karachi Stock Exchange and officials say a deal is likely by the end of the year. The shares are expected to be sold at a considerable discount to BAJ's existing share price, which stood at about SR 314 ($83.70) on 9 August. NBP has a licence from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agen

  • NCC bids low for Tabuk

    The local National Contracting Company (NCC) is low bidder at SR 426 million ($113.6 million) for the 24-month contract to build the 250-MW Tabuk power plant, following the opening of prices in early August. The client, Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), is expected to award the contract by the end of the year.

  • New business centre for Aqaba

    Abu Ghazaleh Consulting Company has signed an agreement with Aqaba Development Corporation to establish the Aqaba Centre for Business, north of the town. The JD 10 million ($14.2 million) centre will involve the construction of 10 buildings with a total built-up area of 20,000 square metres. TAGI has shortlisted several local architects including Jafar Tukan and is expected to make a selection by the end of October.

  • New find for Total

    France's Total announced in late July its first discovery in Block NC 191 in the southern Murzuq basin. The 1,735-metre deep, D1 well tested at 675 barrels a day (b/d). Appraisal of the new find and of the potential of the remainder block, for which Total signed an exploration and production sharing agreement in May 2001, is under way. In November, a consortium of the National Oil Corporation, Spain's Repsol, Austria's OMV and Norway's Hydro made a sixth discovery on the nearby NC 186 block whic

  • New housing project planned

    The government is planning an estimated BD 300 million ($789 million) new social housing scheme on reclaimed land to the west of Amwaj islands. The project aims to alleviate the housing shortage in Muharraq. The Works & Housing Ministry, the National Assembly's (parliament) Public Utilities & Environment Committee and the Royal Court are finalising the details. Comprising some 16,000 units capable of housing about 90,000 people, it will become one of the largest housing projects in the kingdom.

  • New international tennis stadium on the way

    At least four local contractors have been invited to bid by 4 September for a major contract to build a new international tennis complex in South Surra for Kuwait Commercial Market Complex Company (KCMCC). The complex will comprise three main elements covering a plot area of more than 52,000 square metres.The scope of works involves the construction of car parking, indoor and outdoor tennis stadiums, with capacity for more than 6,000 spectators, a 120-bed hotel, a health club and players

  • New real estate firm gets the nod

    Commerce Minister Hashem Yamani has approved the formation of Ro'ya Real Estate Investment Company, capitalised at SR 100 million ($26.7 million). The new Riyadh-based firm will invest in the development of commercial and residential real estate.

  • New regulations delay Nuqul HQ

    Plans to build the new headquarters for the local Nuqul Group have been delayed following new regulations from the Greater Amman Municipality. 'The Mayor is currently reviewing regulations over the height of towers in the capital,' says a company representative. Nuqul is in negotiations with Sharjah-based Al-Hamad Contracting Company and an unidentified Australian company for the main construction package on a $100 million mixed-use comercial tower complex near the third circle in Amman. The

  • New university campus moves ahead

    The Canadian/local team of Webb Zerafa Menkes Housden (WZMH) and SSH International has been awarded the one-year infrastructure design consultancy contract on the estimated $3,500 million new Kuwait University campus in Shadidiyah. The group was awarded the work as an option to the campus masterplan contract it won in 2004 (MEED 24:9:04).

  • Next IWPP nears

    Work on the kingdom's next independent water and power project (IWPP) is due to start after the summer, with a view to tendering it among developers during 2007. The greenfield plant is expected to have eventual capacity of 3,000-4,000 MW and 100 million gallons a day.

  • Next IWPP nears

    Work on the kingdom's next independent water and power project (IWPP) is due to start after the summer, with a view to tendering it among developers during 2007. The greenfield plant is expected to have eventual capacity of 3,000-4,000 MW and 100 million gallons a day.The IWPP is likely to be located in the east of the main island between Ras Abu Jarjur and Addur. It will be commissioned in several phases. No advisory team has yet been appointed, and a final decision on configuration

  • No evidence of Iranian involvement in Iraq, says US major

    The US military has no evidence that the Iranian government is backing Shia militias in Iraq, Major General William Caldwell said on 14 August. 'There is nothing that we definitively have found to say that there are any Iranians operating within the country of Iraq,' he said.Caldwell said Iranian-made weapons and munitions had been found in Iraq. 'We know that some Shia elements have been in Iran receiving training,' he said. 'But the degree to which it is known and endors

  • No evidence of Iranian involvement in Iraq, says US major

    The US military has no evidence that the Iranian government is backing Shia militias in Iraq, Major General William Caldwell said on 14 August. 'There is nothing that we definitively have found to say that there are any Iranians operating within the country of Iraq,' he said.Caldwell said Iranian-made weapons and munitions had been found in Iraq. 'We know that some Shia elements have been in Iran receiving training,' he said. 'But the degree to w

  • No withdrawal from Iraq, says Bush

    US President Bush says American troops will not withdraw from Iraq while he remains in office. Bush was speaking at a news conference in Washington on 21 August. 'There's a lot of people - good, decent people - saying withdraw now,' he said. 'They are absolutely wrong. It would be a huge mistake.'Bush admitted that keeping US forces in Iraq was 'straining the psyche of our nation,' but stressed the importance of supporting the Iraqi government in its efforts to unify the c

  • No withdrawal from Iraq, says Bush

    US President Bush says American troops will not withdraw from Iraq while he remains in office. Bush was speaking at a news conference in Washington on 21 August. 'There's a lot of people - good, decent people - saying withdraw now,' he said. 'They are absolutely wrong. It would be a huge mistake.'Bush admitted that keeping US forces in Iraq was 'straining the psyche of our nation,' but stressed the importance of supporting the Iraqi government in

  • Northern Town infrastructure bids in

    Bids were opened on 2 August for the consultancy contracts on four infrastructure packages on the estimated $4,000 million North Bahrain New Towns (NBNT) project. During the first phase, the scheme will create homes for more than 100,000 residents over an area of about 3 million square metres off the northwest coast of the main island. Dredging and reclamation is under way by Royal Boskalis Westminster and Van Oord Bahrain, both of the Netherlands (MEED 7:10:05).

  • Northern Town infrastructure bids in

    Bids were opened on 2 August for the consultancy contracts on four infrastructure packages on the estimated $4,000 million North Bahrain New Towns (NBNT) project. During the first phase, the scheme will create homes for more than 100,000 residents over an area of about 3 million square metres off the northwest coast of the main island. Dredging and reclamation is under way by Royal Boskalis Westminster and Van Oord Bahrain, both of the Netherlands (MEED 7:10:05).

  • NPCC takes two from Maersk Oil

    Abu Dhabi-based National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC) announced on 2 August that it has been awarded the pipeline design, fabrication and installation contract to serve packages 9 and 10 on the offshore Al-Shaheen oil field development (MEED 14:4:06).

  • NRP deadline extended

    The bid deadlines for all four main packages on the estimated $6,300 million new refinery project (NRP) at Al-Zour have been extended by more than a month to 3 October. More than 10 international contractors are prequalified for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts. The client is state refinery operator Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC MEED 28:4:06).

  • OASIS LEASING: A deepening pool

    Gordon Dixon, chief executive officer of Abu Dhabi-based Oasis Leasing, is one of the few people who, on his frequent trips abroad, surveys long airport queues with a degree of satisfaction. The global travel market is buoyant and so is the aircraft-leasing business that provides the bedrock of Oasis' income. 'Many airlines are struggling to keep up with demand,' says Dixon.

  • OICT nears launch

  • OIL AND GAS: Hard up

    For all the other difficulties Iran faces in the projects sector, it is the lack of foreign finance that has hit it hardest. Foreign - particularly European - banks are now refusing to do almost any business with the Islamic republic at all, let alone fund projects worth hundreds of millions or billions of dollars.

  • OIL AND GAS: Hard up

    For all the other difficulties Iran faces in the projects sector, it is the lack of foreign finance that has hit it hardest. Foreign particularly European banks are now refusing to do almost any business with the Islamic republic at all, let alone fund projects worth hundreds of millions or billions of dollars.So far, the Oil Ministry and its political masters in government do not appear to have taken this message on board. Most of the big projects tendered still come with a reques

  • Oil prices could reach $100 a barrel, says Iran

    Iranian deputy oil minister Mohammed Hadi Nejad-Hosseinian on 4 August said world crude oil prices could hit $100 a barrel as a result of the ongoing Middle East crisis and high winter demand. 'There is still a possibility of crude reaching $100 a barrel due to geopolitical problems worldwide and peaking of winter demand,' Nejad- Hosseinian said. He was speaking during a visit to India for talks on a proposed $7 billion pipeline.He added that Iran was not considering cutti

  • OIL ROUND-UP: Alaska spikes price

    Oil prices spiked in the second week of August, as news of a major US field shutdown compounded the fears of traders already nervous about the escalating military confrontation between Israel and Hizbollah. Spot Brent was trading at $78.46 a barrel on 9 August, compared to $77.91 a barrel a week earlier.

  • OIL ROUND-UP: Alaska spikes price

    Oil prices spiked in the second week of August, as news of a major US field shutdown compounded the fears of traders already nervous about the escalating military confrontation between Israel and Hezbollah. Spot Brent was trading at $78.46 a barrel on 9 August, compared to $77.91 a barrel a week earlier.The UK's BP sent ripples through the market on 7 August with the announcement that it was stopping production from Alaska's Prudhoe Bay field the US' largest, producing some 400,000

  • Oil sector shake-up begins

    National Oil Corporation (NOC) chairman Shukri Ghanem in early August instructed managers at NOC's overseas procurement companies, the UK-based Umm Al-Jawaby Oil Service Company and Technica, and the German-based Mediterranean Oil Services (Medoil), to begin the transfer of all their activities to Tripoli. The move is part of a wide-ranging shake up of the local oil sector by the former prime minister as he seeks to realign the industry to operate in the country's post-sanctions era (MEED 21:7:0

  • OIL: Oil change

    One of Tripoli's most impressive achievements throughout the sanctions era has been to keep the country's energy sector functioning. By ring-fencing the strategically crucial sector and placing it under the stewardship of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Tripoli has been able to keep the oil flowing, albeit it in diminishing quantities.

  • Olmert authorises wider ground offensive

    Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on 11 August authorised the expansion of the ground offensive in Lebanon following the failure of the UN to adopt a resolution on the ongoing crisis. 'We said two days ago that we would stop the fire, either militarily or diplomatically,' an Israeli political source was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. 'We see that the ceasefire deal in the U.N. is not making the required progress, and therefore we have authorized the military action.'

  • Olmert authorises wider ground offensive

    Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on 11 August authorised the expansion of the ground offensive in Lebanon following the failure of the UN to adopt a resolution on the ongoing crisis. 'We said two days ago that we would stop the fire, either militarily or diplomatically,' an Israeli political source was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. 'We see that the ceasefire deal in the U.N. is not making the required progress, and therefore we have authorized the military action.'

  • Olmert may suspend plans for West Bank withdrawal

    Israeli Prime Minsiter Ehud Olmert has put on hold plans for a unilateral withdrawal from parts of the West Bank according to Housing Minister Meir Shetreet. 'It is my assessment the prime minister will not deal with this in the coming period, because it is really not on the agenda,' Shetreet said on 18 August. 'I cannot say that the prime minister has dropped the plan,' she added. 'I do not think he has reached such a conclusion.'In recent days Olmert has faced growing cr

  • Olmert may suspend plans for West Bank withdrawal

    Israeli Prime Minsiter Ehud Olmert has put on hold plans for a unilateral withdrawal from parts of the West Bank according to Housing Minister Meir Shetreet. 'It is my assessment the prime minister will not deal with this in the coming period, because it is really not on the agenda,' Shetreet said on 18 August. 'I cannot say that the prime minister has dropped the plan,' she added. 'I do not think he has reached such a conclusion.'In recent days

  • Olmert says no ceasefire yet

    Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on 2 August said a ceasefire in Lebanon would have to be preceded by the deployment of an international force in the south of the country. 'I said I'd be ready to enter a ceasefire when the international forces, not will be ready, but will be deployed,' Olmert said. Israeli commandos landed in Baalbek and captured five alleged Hezbollah fighters. At least 19 people were killed during the operation which marked Israel's deepest incursion into Lebanon sin

  • Olmert urged to launch Lebanon investigation

    Israel's attorney-general on 23 August called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to launch a formal inquiry into the war with Lebanon. Menachem Mazuz presented Olmert with a list of options for the investigation. The alternatives include an independent commission of inquiry imbued with the power to dismiss senior government and military officials.Olmert has so far rejected calls for a broad independent inquiry. According to Israeli daily Haaretz, Olmert is likely to select his

  • Olmert urged to launch Lebanon investigation

    Israel's attorney-general on 23 August called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to launch a formal inquiry into the war with Lebanon. Menachem Mazuz presented Olmert with a list of options for the investigation. The alternatives include an independent commission of inquiry imbued with the power to dismiss senior government and military officials.Olmert has so far rejected calls for a broad independent inquiry. According to Israeli daily Haaretz, Olme

  • OMAN

    Tender no 126/2006. Carrying out road construction works comprising the dualisation of the Ma'amurah Taqah road for the Transport & Communications Ministry.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 128/2006. Provision of project management services for various engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) projects for Oman Gas Company.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 107/2006. Provision of architectural services for the redevelopment of the Al-Bustan Palace hotel for the Tourism Ministry.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 117/2006. Expansion of the Omantel broadband network for Oman Telecommunications Company.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 108/2006. Provision of interior design services for the redevelopment of the Al-Bustan Palace hotel for the Tourism Ministry.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 104/2006. Development of touristic sites at Dhofar (Salalah) for the Tourism Ministry.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 118/2006. Provision of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the Al-Bustan Palace hotel, central plant, for the Tourism MinistryDetails on payment of RO 750 from Tender Board, PO Box 787, PC 133, Al-Khuwair, telephone (96824) 602073, fax (96824) 602063.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 119/2006. Construction of a 33-kV new overhead line feeder from the Mudhaibi grid substation to the Aflaj junction and construction of a 33-kV overhead line and a 33/11-kV substation at Aflaj in the Al-Sharqiyah region for Mazoon Electricity Company.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 116/2006. Construction, completion and maintenance of a dispensary for dependency at Al-Khoud in Muscat's Wilayat Seeb.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 120/2006. Provision of consultancy services for the construction of the International Maritime College Oman (IMCO) at Sohar for the Manpower Ministry.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 122/2006. Supply, installation, integration, testing and commissioning of hardware and software equipment for a passive monitoring system for the telecommunications sector.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 123/2006. Extension of the Khasab power station in the Musandam governorate for the Rural Areas Electricity Company.

  • OMAN

    Tender no 125/2006. Provision of electrical emergency and maintenance services for a 433-V, 11-kV network at the Wilayat Ibri, Dhank and Yanqul in the Al-Dhahir region for the Majan Electricity Company.

  • Omantel boosts broadband

    Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) has invited bids by 11 September for the turnkey contract covering its broadband network expansion. The 12-month project involves the engineering, design, supply, installation and commissioning of the network, including access nodes and cabling to optical, digital and main distribution frames.

  • Only one in for Al-Zour north

    The state's failure to attract international contractors to its major power generation and desalination projects was again highlighted in early August after only one group submitted a bid for the contract to build the 2,500-MW Al-Zour north power plant. Local tender rules stipulate that major projects must receive at least two offers, and the Central Tenders Committee (CTC) is now likely to recommend that the scheme be retendered (MEED 14:4:06).A three-strong group of the US' Washington

  • Orascom and Emaar in race for the Med

    Dubai-based Emaar Properties and Orascom Hotels & Investment and Talaat Moustapha Group, both local, are due to be awarded by early August a concession to develop a major project on the Mediterranean coast. The 1,560-acre site, located between Sidi Abdul Rahman and Al-Alamein, is being sold by Egyptian General Company for Tourism & Hotels (Egoth). Orascom said that it plans to build between 3,000 and 5,000 hotel rooms in a new town that would also include a marina, a golf course, a hospital, sch

  • OTA secures extra funds

    Orascom Telecom Algerie (OTA), the mobile services subsidiary of Orascom Telecom, has secured $307 million of additional long-term funding to finance existing euro-denominated debt and future investment. The facilities, which were arranged by Calyon and Citibank, have a five-year maturity and comprise an Algerian dinar-denominated tranche for the equivalent of $103 million and two dollar-denominated tranches, one of $137 million, which is guaranteed by the French export credit agency Coface,

  • OTA secures extra funds

    Orascom Telecom Algerie (OTA), the mobile services subsidiary of Orascom Telecom, has secured $307 million of additional long-term funding to finance existing euro-denominated debt and future investment. The facilities, which were arranged by Calyon and Citibank, have a five-year maturity and comprise an Algerian dinar-denominated tranche for the equivalent of $103 million and two dollar-denominated tranches, one of $137 million, which is guaranteed by the French export credit agency Coface,

  • Palestinian bourse freezes public offering

    The Palestinian Securities Exchange (PSE) in early August announced it was freezing its request to become a public shareholding company. The PSE had been trying to finalise procedures with the National Economy Ministry for four months. 'We have frozen our request to protest against the ministry's bureaucracy and to increase pressure on the government,' said PSE chief executive officer Hassan Abu Libdeh. The companies controller has failed to respond to the PSE's requests while it awaits the subm

  • Palestinian rocket hits Ashkelon

    A Qassam rocket fired by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip landed in an industrial area of the Israeli town of Ashkelon on 2 August, injuring one person. A second missile hit the western Negev.Israel meanwhile continued its air campaign against Hamas targets in Gaza. Jets bombed a house allegedly used as a weapons store in the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. A second building west of Gaza City was also hit. Israel said naval vessels had targeted a building and

  • Palestinian speaker hospitalised

    The speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council (parliament) Aziz Dweik was taken to hospital on 7 August. Dweik complained of chest pains and breathing difficulties after he was arrested by Israeli forces a day earlier in the West Bank. A spokesman for the Hamas official said he was hospitalised after being beaten by Israeli guards. The Israeli army denied the allegations. 'He was not beaten up by prison guards,' an army spokesman said. 'We know he suffered from dizziness and heart p

  • Palestinian unity talks fail

    Fatah officials on 18 August announced that negotiations over the creation of a unity government had failed and blamed Hamas' demands for the deadlock. Hamas insisted that it would keep all central ministerial posts including that of prime minister. 'Hamas is talking about annexing other groups to their government and not about forming a unity coalition,' Azzam al-Ahmed head of Fatah's parliamentary bloc. 'I say in the name of Fatah that we will not accept to be an annex to the governmen

  • Palestinian unity talks fail

    Fatah officials on 18 August announced that negotiations over the creation of a unity government had failed and blamed Hamas' demands for the deadlock. Hamas insisted that it would keep all central ministerial posts including that of prime minister. 'Hamas is talking about annexing other groups to their government and not about forming a unity coalition,' Azzam al-Ahmed head of Fatah's parliamentary bloc. 'I say in the name of Fatah that we will not accept to be an annex to the

  • PalTel takes Express route

    Palestine-based VTEL has acquired a 25 per cent stake in Jordanian mobile phone operator Express, increasing the company's capital to JD 60 million ($84.5 million). VTEL is the regional telecommunications investment arm of the Palestinian Telecommunications Company (PalTel). The agreement provides for co-operation in coverage of Middle Eastern and Saudi Arabian markets. VTEL will provide the technological and financial support to develop and improve services.

  • Path cleared for de-mining programme

    Ten international companies attended a pre-bid meeting in Abu Dhabi on 4 March for the second phase of the $50 million Operation Emirates Solidarity. The aim of the project is to clear mines and unexploded ordnance from the former Israeli-occupied area of southern Lebanon. Bids for the two-year scheme, which is funded by the UAE, are due on 28 March.

  • PDO eyes small field

    Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has invited international companies to bid for a service contract to develop the Rima satellite cluster. The cluster covers nine undeveloped fields in addition to nine others currently producing 2,100 barrels a day and has original oil in place of 650 million barrels. The contract is expected to be awarded in early 2007 and is the second service agreement tendered by PDO to develop its smaller fields. The first was awarded to Indonesia's MedcoEnergi in January to

  • PDO tenders MOL

    Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has issued for bid the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to replace a main oil line (MOL) near Qarn Alam. Technical and commercial bids are due to be submitted by 13 September and 25 September respectively. Called the Hubara-Sahmah and Sahmah-KP 114 MOL, the estimated $40 million scheme covers the installation of 102 kilometres of 32-36-inch-diameter pipeline and a 114-kilometre, 28-inch pipeline. Prospective bidders include Turkey's Tekfen

  • Pearl goes fishing

    Pearl Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Aabar Petroleum Investments Company, has jointly acquired an oil concession in Vietnam with UK-based Serica Energy Corporation and Sweden's Lundin Petroleum. The three will each hold a 33.3 per cent stake in offshore block 06-94, which covers an area of 4,148 square kilometres in the south. Pearl is the operator. Aabar was created by local investors in early 2005 and acquired Pearl earlier this year (MEED 7:4:06).

  • Petrofac tightens grip on Dubai

    The local Petrofac International announced in early August that it has been awarded a contract to provide production and well management services covering the offshore oil and gas fields in Dubai emirate. The contract whose value was not disclosed was placed by Dubai Petroleum Establishment (DPE), which has signed an agreement with Dubai Petroleum Company to take control of the Fateh, Southwest Fateh, Falah and Rashid fields. The deal comes into effect in April 2007. DPE is 100 per cent owned

  • Petronet amends RasGas deal, eyes Egypt SPA

    Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company II (RasGas II) announced on 5 August that it had signed a side letter' agreement with India's Petronet LNG for the export of the remaining 2.5 million tonnes a year (t/y) of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The new deal is an amendment to the original 25-year sales and purchase agreement (SPA) signed by both parties in 1999 for 7.5 million t/y. Deliveries under the first phase, covering 5 million t/y, started in 2004. The second-phase delivery for the remaini

  • Pets plans hit hurdle

    The bidding process is understood to have hit a stumbling block on two of the five concessions to take equity stakes and develop five new integrated petrochemical projects at Skikda and Arzew due to concerns over feedstock pricing and capacity constraints (MEED 2:6:06).

  • Pets plans hit hurdle

    The bidding process is understood to have hit a stumbling block on two of the five concessions to take equity stakes and develop five new integrated petrochemical projects at Skikda and Arzew due to concerns over feedstock pricing and capacity constraints (MEED 2:6:06).

  • Pigment plant for Kahnuj

    Iran Mines & Mineral Industries Development & Renovation Organisation (IMIDRO) is to build a new titanium dioxide pigment complex at Kahnuj in southern Kerman province. Contractors have been invited to prequalify by 11 October for three separate engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) packages. A previous tender for the project issued as a single tender received bids estimated at $500 million.The complex will consist of three plants: a 70,000 tonne-a-year (t/y) slag processing un

  • Piling let, infrastructure bids in for Uni

    The local NSCC has been awarded the foundations package on the UAE University expansion project in Al-Ain. The other bidders were Germany's Bauer, Swissboring, part of Italy's Trevi Group, and the local Middle East Foundations (MEED 9:6:06).

  • Piling let, infrastructure bids in for Uni

    The local NSCC has been awarded the foundations package on the UAE University expansion project in Al-Ain. The other bidders were Germany's Bauer, Swissboring, part of Italy's Trevi Group, and the local Middle East Foundations (MEED 9:6:06).

  • Pipeline bids opened

    Three companies submitted bids in late July for the RO 60 million ($156 million) contract to supply carbon steel pipes to Oman Gas Company (OGC). The bidders for the line pipe contract are Jindal Saw and Welspun Gujarat Stahl Rohren, both Indian, and Greece's Corinth Pipeworks. The contract involves the supply of a 24-inch-diameter, 45-kilometre longitudinal seam submerged-arc welded (SAW) steel gas pipeline and a 32-inch, 330-kilometre-long crude oil pipeline.The gas pipeline will run f

  • PMA mulls end of shekel

    The Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) says it will be forced to end shekel trading if Israel terminates its correspondent agreements with Palestinian banks. 'It is the duty of Israel to keep providing the Palestinian territories with the shekel and to settle all shekel transactions between the Palestinian Territories and Israel,' the PMA told MEED in a written statement on 7 August.

  • PMC awarded for flagship road project

    A consortium of France's Vinci, Autoroutes du Sud de la France and Canada's Dessau-Soprin has been awarded the project management consultancy contract on the estimated $11,000 million east-west highway project. Consortiums from China and Japan were selected in April for three main design and build contracts. The project calls for the construction of a 1,216-kilometre highway between the country's borders with Tunisia and Morocco. Construction is due to be completed by the second half of 2009. Th

  • PME issues HQ tender

    The Presidency of Meteorology & Environment has invited contractors to submit bids by 13 September to build its new headquarters in Jeddah. Located on Prince Majed street, the project comprises construction of a 22-storey tower with a built-up area of 45,000 square metres. Project costs are estimated at about $60 million. The local Zuhair Fayez Partnership (ZFP) is the consultant.

  • Politics pushes up prices

    Oil prices rose further to $80 a barrel in late July and early August. Continued escalation of the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, pipeline problems in several producing countries and a storm in the US all contributed to the spike. Spot Brent was trading at $77.98 a barrel on 2 August, compared to $74.81 barrel a week earlier.The Israeli incursion into Lebanon is providing constant support to prices, in spite of the lack of any impact on physical supplies. Fears of regional contag

  • Population gets a boost

    The population of the federation grew by 74.8 per cent over the past 10 years according to census data released by the Economy & Planning Ministry in late July. At the end of 2005, the population of the UAE stood at 4,104,695.

  • PP10 award nears

    A local/Pakistani joint venture (JV) of Saudi Consulting Services (SaudConsult) and National Engineering Services of Pakistan (Nespak) is low bidder for the contract to design the 2,000-MW PP10 power plant following the submission of proposals in late July. The client, Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), is due make an award soon. Under the terms of the six-month contract, the successful consultant will carry out basic engineering and prepare tender documents for the plant's construction contract,

  • PQs in for Hassi Messaoud

    Prequalification applications have been submitted for the contract to build a third liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant at the Hassi Messaoud field. The client is state energy company Sonatrach.Among the companies to have submitted bids are Japan's JGC Corporation and Stone & Webster, part of the US' Shaw Group. One other of the five originally invited has also applied, although its identity is not known.Prequalified firms will be asked to submit front-end engineering and design

  • Premier Oil gives up well

    The UK's Premier Oil announced on 11 August that it had stopped drilling at Al-Amir 2 in its onshore Northwest Gemsa concession, as tests showed lower than expected crude flow rates. Al-Amir 2 was drilled recently after an appraisal well tested at 750 barrels a day. 'We are considering options for a three-six month production test at Al-Amir 1,' a Premier Oil official said on 14 August. Premier holds a 37.5 per cent stake in the concession, with Greece's Vegas Oil & Gas, the field operator, hold

  • Prequalification starts for Gulf Hotel

    Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) has invited selected contractors to prequalify for the redevelopment of the Gulf hotel on Abu Dhabi Island. The waterfront resort will be built on the site of the old Gulf hotel next to the Grand Mosque. The resort will feature a five-star hotel made up of several interconnected towers, a large waterfront with a marina, a beach club, a spa, retail space and restaurants. Completion is expected in 2008. Germany's SSW & Partner is the architect and the UK's Mace Int

  • President decrees insurance shake-up

    Under a presidential decree issued in early August, Cairo has established a new holding firm aimed at transforming the country's insurance sector. The Egyptian Insurance Holding Company (EIHC) will lead a broad range of insurance sector reforms and assume primary responsibility for the restructuring of several state-owned insurance companies.

  • Prices due for Borouge cracker

    Commercial bids are due to be submitted by 25 September to Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) for the cracker package on its Ruwais expansion project.

  • Prices fall as Alaskan outlook improves

    Oil prices eased in mid-August, after a brief spike following the news of an alleged bomb plot against airlines in the UK.

  • PROJECT RISK: Spanners in the works

    It started with a bang, but the construction boom could end with a whimper. In late July, Peter Voser, chief financial officer (CFO) of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group, publicly admitted his concerns over major cost overruns on the Pearl GTL project in Qatar. In mid-2004, capital expenditure on the scheme was projected at about $6,000 million. By the time the final investment decision was taken on 26 July, the cost of the integrated gas development had risen to an estimated $12,000 million.

  • PROJECT RISK: Spanners in the works

    It started with a bang, but the construction boom could end with a whimper. In late July, Peter Voser, chief financial officer (CFO) of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group, publicly admitted his concerns over major cost overruns on the Pearl GTL project in Qatar. In mid-2004, capital expenditure on the scheme was projected at about $6,000 million. By the time the final investment decision was taken on 26 July, the cost of the integrated gas development had risen to an estimated $12,000 million.

  • Punj Lloyd takes YLNG subcontract

    India's Punj Lloyd announced on 10 August the award of a $69 million subcontract covering the civil and mechanical, electrical and instrumentation (MEI) works for the offsites and utilities to serve the grassroots liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant at Bel Haf. The client is Yemgas a three-member consortium of Paris-based Technip, Japan's JGC Corporation and the US' Kellogg Brown & Root which is carrying out the main liquefaction plant package under a contract awarded in late 2005. The Yemen LNG

  • Putting on a brave face

    Despite the ongoing Israeli assault on the country, the Beirut Stock Exchange (BSE) reopened for business in early August in an effort to preserve investor confidence. The exchange had closed its doors on 14 July for fear that the benchmark BLOM Share Index (BSI) would go into freefall given the current crisis. Since reopening, the index has dropped by 20.7 per cent from a high of 1,499.16 points on 10 July to 1,188.25 points on 7 August.

  • PWC to advise Nepco

    PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) has been awarded the contract to provide consultancy services to National Electricity Power Company (Nepco) in preparation for the privatisation of the power sector. The award follows the grant of two loans totalling JD 40 million ($57 million) in late July towards the upgrade of Nepco's infrastructure (MEED 21:4:06).

  • PWC to advise Nepco

    PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) has been awarded the contract to provide consultancy services to National Electricity Power Company (Nepco) in preparation for the privatisation of the power sector. The award follows the grant of two loans totalling JD 40 million ($57 million) in late July towards the upgrade of Nepco's infrastructure (MEED 21:4:06).

  • QATAR

    Tender no. PWA/GTC/043/06-07. Construction of seven. new schools around Doha and in its surrounding villages, package b (BEC 2005003/B). Bid bond is QR 7 million.

  • QATAR

    Tender no GTC/06/244/FSD. Beautification of the following degassing stations within the Dukhan fields: Khatiyah main, Fahahil main and Jeleha. Block paving will be constructed around process areas and all access areas will be reasphalted. Drainage catchment channels will be built around all control rooms, all surface water will be drained into catchments/holding pits, and no contaminated water must be drained into the surrounding soil. Bid bond is QR 500,000.

  • QATAR

    Tender no GTC/06/252/CSD. Carrying out irrigation, landscaping, maintenance and refurbishment works at the Dukhan township and its surrounding areas in the Dukhan fields. Bid bond is QR 300,000.

  • QATAR

    Tender no GTC/06/263/HTO. Carrying out miscellaneous civil projects at Halul. Bid bond is QR 350,000.

  • QATAR

    Tender no. PWA/GTC/043/06-07. Construction of seven. new schools around Doha and in its surrounding villages, package b (BEC 2005003/B). Bid bond is QR 7 million.

  • QATAR

    Tender no GTC/06/244/FSD. Beautification of the following degassing stations within the Dukhan fields: Khatiyah main, Fahahil main and Jeleha.

  • QATAR

    Tender no GTC/06/252/CSD. Carrying out irrigation, landscaping, maintenance and refurbishment works at the Dukhan township and its surrounding areas in the Dukhan fields. Bid bond is QR 300,000.

  • QATAR

    Tender no GTC/06/241/MT. Provision of the following equipment and personnel for the Ras Laffan stores operations on a three-year call-off basis: rough-terrain cranes (80 tonne, 50 tonne and 35 tonne), fork-lift trucks (10 tonne and 5 tonne), a flat-bed trailer truck and personnel such as foreman/supervisor, crane/fork-lift operator, and riggers/banksmen, trailer truck driver. Bid bond is QR 230,000.

  • QATAR

    Tender no PWA/GTC/014/06-07. Construction of the Al-Wakra hospital (BHC-2005012). Bid bond is QR 10 million.

  • QATAR

    Tender no PWA/GTC/044/06-07. Carrying out pre-contract professional design consultancy services for the upgrade and refurbishment of package treatment plants. Bid bond is QR 160,000.

  • QATAR

    Tender no GTC/109/2006. Carrying out upgrading and improvement works for the Madinat al-Shamal water station including the construction of reinforced concrete reservoir, new pump house building and installation of all required new equipment and instrument, pipes, power, control panels and some refurbishment works. Bid bond is QR 1 million.

  • QATAR

    Tender no LTC/06/342. Provision of front-end engineering and design (FEED) services for a supervisory, control and data acquisition (SCADA) control and monitoring system upgrade at Mesaieed. Bid bond is QR 50,000.

  • Qatar Airways hijacking attempt

    A man attempted to force his way into the cockpit of a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Amman on 10 August before he was stopped by cabin crew, airport officials said. The plane returned to Amman and landed safely.According to witnesses, the man began walking towards the cockpit, shouting abuse at flight attendants and demanding to speak to the pilot. Officials said they did not believe the man was trying to hijack the flight.The incident came as global air

  • Qatar Airways hijacking attempt

    A man attempted to force his way into the cockpit of a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Amman on 10 August before he was stopped by cabin crew, airport officials said. The plane returned to Amman and landed safely.According to witnesses, the man began walking towards the cockpit, shouting abuse at flight attendants and demanding to speak to the pilot. Officials said they did not believe the man was trying to hijack the flight.

  • QP goes with SOM for new admin building

    Qatar Petroleum (QP) has awarded the design contract for its new administrative complex to Chicago-based architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). Design will be carried out over the next two years and the complex is expected to be completed by 2010. The new administrative complex will be located in Doha and will cover an area of 570,000 square metres.

  • QP invites Halul bids

    Qatar Petroleum (QP) has invited bids by 27 August for the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract covering the replacement of the existing rider buoys at single buoy mooring (SBM) 1 and SBM 2 at offshore Halul Island. Halul is home to 11 large crude oil storage tanks with a total capacity of 5 million barrels, crude oil pumping facilities and power generation.

  • Quattro comes to the fore

    A group of three developers plan to build an estimated AED 1,000 million ($272 million) mixed-use development at Jumeirah Village South (JV3 Circle). The Quattro hotel and business park will comprise two office towers and two 143 room hotels. The local Dimensions Engineering is the design consultant. The project is being promoted by Pakistan's Rufi Real Estate, Egypt's Sharm Land and the local A&A Investments. Limitless, part of Dubai World, is the master developer.

  • Rafah border fails to open

    The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip failed to reopen on 1 August. A day earlier Palestinian officials said the border would open for 48 hours to allow humanitarian traffic from Gaza to Egypt. 'We have agreed with European observers to open Rafah tomorrow [1 August] for two days to allow people from Gaza to leave,' senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat told AFP news agency. European monitors have said they are on standby and are ready to open the crossing at sho

  • Rafah crossing re-opens briefly

    The Rafah border crossing, which links the Gaza Strip to Egypt, re-opened briefly on 10 August. Palestinian and Israeli officials agreed to open the crossing following negotiations brokered by the European Union Border Assistance Mission. The terminal was re-opened to humanitarian cases only and was due to remain open from 8.30am to 8.00pm daily. However, only hours later and after about 1,000 Palestinians had entered Egypt, the crossing was closed for security reasons. Th

  • Rafah crossing re-opens briefly

    The Rafah border crossing, which links the Gaza Strip to Egypt, re-opened briefly on 10 August. Palestinian and Israeli officials agreed to open the crossing following negotiations brokered by the European Union Border Assistance Mission. The terminal was re-opened to humanitarian cases only and was due to remain open from 8.30am to 8.00pm daily. However, only hours later and after about 1,000 Palestinians had entered Egypt, the crossing was closed for security reasons.

  • Rakeen to develop Al-Marjan island

    The government of Ras al-Khaimah has established a new real estate company to develop projects in the emirate. Rakeen Development will develop projects across the emirate including Al-Marjan island and a mixed-use development off Emirates road that will include an exhibition and convention centre (MEED 3:6:05).

  • Rakeen to develop Al-Marjan island

    The government of Ras al-Khaimah has established a new real estate company to develop projects in the emirate. Rakeen Development will develop projects across the emirate including Al-Marjan island and a mixed-use development off Emirates road that will include an exhibition and convention centre (MEED 3:6:05).

  • Ramses escapes Cairo congestion

    A granite statue of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II was on 25 August moved from Ramses square to a location near the pyramids. The statue, which stood in downtown Cairo since the 1950s, will now be located at the site where the Grand Museum of Egypt is due to be built.The statue was transported in one piece overnight as tens of thousands of onlookers lined the streets. The decision to move the statue, which is more than 3,200 years-old, 11 metres high and weighs 83 tonnes,

  • Ramses escapes Cairo congestion

    A granite statue of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II was on 25 August moved from Ramses square to a location near the pyramids. The statue, which stood in downtown Cairo since the 1950s, will now be located at the site where the Grand Museum of Egypt is due to be built.The statue was transported in one piece overnight as tens of thousands of onlookers lined the streets. The decision to move the statue, which is more than 3,200 years-old, 11 metres

  • RBS advises on Mesaieed

    Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has been awarded the financial advisory mandate on the planned 2,000-MW independent power project (IPP) at Mesaieed. Revised bids are due imminently from three developers for the role of foreign partner on the project, following a late change in the scope to eliminate the desalination element. Germany's Fichtner is the technical adviser; the steering committee consists of Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa), Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Electric

  • RBS advises on Mesaieed

    Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has been awarded the financial advisory mandate on the planned 2,000-MW independent power project (IPP) at Mesaieed. Revised bids are due imminently from three developers for the role of foreign partner on the project, following a late change in the scope to eliminate the desalination element. Germany's Fichtner is the technical adviser; the steering committee consists of Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (Kahramaa), Qatar Petroleum and Qatar Electrici

  • Refinancings out

    The refinancing of debt packages to fund the Taweelah A-1 independent water and power project (IWPP) in Abu Dhabi and the Sohar refinery in Oman have been launched in early August. Bank responses to the proposed refinancing of the commercial and metals tranches of the Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) fifth potline expansion financing are also due in mid-August (MEED 4:8:06).

  • Refinancings out

    The refinancing of debt packages to fund the Taweelah A-1 independent water and power project (IWPP) in Abu Dhabi and the Sohar refinery in Oman have been launched in early August. Bank responses to the proposed refinancing of the commercial and metals tranches of the Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) fifth potline expansion financing are also due in mid-August (MEED 4:8:06).The proposed refinancing of the $1,100 million Taweelah A-1 debt would extend the tenor in line with an extended power and

  • Regional ambitions

    After a month-long distraction in Lebanon, the West is once more beginning to focus its attention on Iran's nuclear programme. Iran says it will respond by 22 August to a package of incentives and threats aimed at ending its uranium enrichment plans. All the signs suggest it will reject key parts of the package, setting the scene for a new round of confrontation.For the US, Iran represents the biggest threat to Western interests in the Middle East and it will push hard for severe pen

  • Regional ambitions

    After a month-long distraction in Lebanon, the West is once more beginning to focus its attention on Iran's nuclear programme. Iran says it will respond by 22 August to a package of incentives and threats aimed at ending its uranium enrichment plans. All the signs suggest it will reject key parts of the package, setting the scene for a new round of confrontation.

  • Region's biggest home finance company formed

    Arab National Bank (ANB) and the local Kingdom Instalment Company have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a home financing company in association with Dar al-Arkan Real Estate Development Company, also local, and the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank.ANB will take a 40 per cent stake in the venture, while the exact shareholdings of the other partners remain to be finalised. With a capital of $534 million, the company will be

  • Results season draws to a close

    GCC banks' first-half results continued to trickle out in late July and early August. With most banks and the vast majority of the heavyweights having reported, the overall picture is of the overall economic boom outweighing stock market corrections to leave the sector in continuing good health.

  • Results season draws to a close

    GCC banks' first-half results continued to trickle out in late July and early August. With most banks and the vast majority of the heavyweights having reported, the overall picture is of the overall economic boom outweighing stock market corrections to leave the sector in continuing good health.Regional giant Arab Banking Corporation posted the steepest profits surge, with net income rising by 82 per cent year-on-year to $111 million. A gradual build-up in lending, in addition to higher

  • Riyadh LR plans roll on, as traffic masterplan nears

    Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) is aiming to issue tender documents to consultants by year-end on its proposed $2,000 million Riyadh light railway (LR) project. A group comprising Semaly of France and Beirut-based Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners) completed the 30 per cent preliminary engineering design contract in July (MEED 25:4:06).

  • Road project blasts ahead

    The Transport & Communication Ministry has received bids from five contractors for the RO 50 million ($130 million) contract to widen the Salalah-Thumrait road. The local Shanfari & Partners is low bidder at RO 47.7 million ($124 million) for the project. Its bid was 4 per cent lower than the next bid of RO 49.9 million ($129 million) submitted by Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC).

  • Road project blasts ahead

    The Transport & Communication Ministry has received bids from five contractors for the RO 50 million ($130 million) contract to widen the Salalah-Thumrait road. The local Shanfari & Partners is low bidder at RO 47.7 million ($124 million) for the project. Its bid was 4 per cent lower than the next bid of RO 49.9 million ($129 million) submitted by Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC).

  • Roads planning picks up speed

    Bids have been invited by 15 August by the Works & Housing Ministry for the implementation of an immediate roads strategic project, designed to upgrade road junctions to reduce congestion and delays. It includes roadworks, underpasses, bridges, drainage and landscaping and is one of a host of projects under way to better manage the kingdom's traffic. France's Systra was recently awarded the 15-month contract to study the development of an intelligent transport system (ITS), including looking

  • Romanian oil rig attacked by Iran

    Group Servicii Petroliere (GSP) a Romanian oil company on 22 August accused Iran of attacking one of its offshore oil rigs. A spokesman for the company told Reuters news agency that Iranian soldiers had boarded the rig after firing at it from a nearby ship. 'Since then, we haven't heard anything from [the 26 employees on board],' Radu Petrescu said.Orizont rig has been stationed near Kish Island since October 2005. GSP operates a second rig in the same area. Both rigs are

  • Romanian oil rig attacked by Iran

    Group Servicii Petroliere (GSP) a Romanian oil company on 22 August accused Iran of attacking one of its offshore oil rigs. A spokesman for the company told Reuters news agency that Iranian soldiers had boarded the rig after firing at it from a nearby ship. 'Since then, we haven't heard anything from [the 26 employees on board],' Radu Petrescu said.Orizont rig has been stationed near Kish Island since October 2005. GSP operates a second rig in th

  • Rome to send up to 3,000 troops to Lebanon

    Italy on 22 August said it would contribute up to 3,000 troops to a UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. Foreign Minister Massimo d'Alema said Italian troops would be joined by contingents from Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and other countries. 'In the end, our troops, between 2,000 and 3,000, will represent about a third of the total sent from Europe,' D'Alema said in an interview published by La Republicca newspaper on 22 August. However, he stressed that troops would not be deployed un

  • Rome to send up to 3,000 troops to Lebanon

    Italy on 22 August said it would contribute up to 3,000 troops to a UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon. Foreign Minister Massimo d'Alema said Italian troops would be joined by contingents from Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium and other countries. 'In the end, our troops, between 2,000 and 3,000, will represent about a third of the total sent from Europe,' D'Alema said in an interview published by La Republicca newspaper on 22 August. However, he stressed that troops would not be d

  • RTA issues documents for road contracts

    Dubai's Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has issued tender documents for five contracts to upgrade various road projects across the emirate. The largest package is the interchange 1 redevelopment on Sheikh Zayed road.

  • RTA retenders Muhaisnah, Mizhar roads

    Dubai's Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has reissued tender documents with a closing date of 27 August for road works in the Muhaisnah and Mizhar residential areas. Four local companies submitted prices when the package was originally bid in June. Emirates Road Contracting was the low bidder with a price of AED 168.8 million ($46 million). The other bidders were Al-Muhairy General Contracting Company, Saif bin Darwish, and Al-Ahmadiah Contracting & Trading. The UK's Hyder Consulting is the con

  • S&P rates its first sharia institution

    Standard & Poor's (S&P) has assigned BBB-/A-3 long and short-term counterparty credit ratings to Gulf Finance House. The bank is the first sharia-compliant institution to be rated by S&P.

  • SAA privatisation takes shape

    The long-awaited privatisation of Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA) took a step forward in late July, with government approval of a restructuring plan. The national flag carrier will become a holding company and five business units will be transformed into independent companies.The five firms will cover catering, cargo, ground-handling, pilot training and technical services. International strategic investors will be sought in each business and some shares will be sold to the public through in

  • Saddam trial unfair, says human rights group

    The court which is due to try former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on charges of genocide is incapable of fairness, Human Rights Watch said on 18 August. The same court has tried Saddam over his role in the 1982 massacre of 148 people in the village of Dujail. 'None of the Iraqi judges and lawyers has shown an understanding of international criminal law,' a statement by the group said. 'Based on extensive observations of the tribunal's conduct of its first trial Human Rights Watch belie

  • Saddam trial unfair, says human rights group

    The court which is due to try former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on charges of genocide is incapable of fairness, Human Rights Watch said on 18 August. The same court has tried Saddam over his role in the 1982 massacre of 148 people in the village of Dujail. 'None of the Iraqi judges and lawyers has shown an understanding of international criminal law,' a statement by the group said. 'Based on extensive observations of the tribunal's conduct of its first trialHuman Rights Wa

  • Sadr City bombing kills seven

    At least seven people were killed and 26 wounded by a car bomb in a market in the Sadr City district of Baghdad. In a separate attack, three policemen were injured by a blast near their patrol in Baghdad's Mansour area. In Baqubah, at least six people were killed in a series of shootings. A mortar attack on a market in Muqdadiya wounded at least 20 people.

  • Saipem scoops Burullus

    Italy's Saipem announced on 4 August that it had been awarded an engineering, procurement, installation and construction (EPIC) contract for the expansion of the offshore Scarab/Saffron and Simian subsea gas developments in the Nile Delta. Saipem beat off competition from Paris-based Technip, the UK's Acergy and Cayman Islands-registered Subsea 7 for the estimated $400 million contract. The order was placed by Burullus Gas Company (BGC MEED 1:8:03).

  • Saipem scoops Burullus

    Italy's Saipem announced on 4 August that it had been awarded an engineering, procurement, installation and construction (EPIC) contract for the expansion of the offshore Scarab/Saffron and Simian subsea gas developments in the Nile Delta. Saipem beat off competition from Paris-based Technip, the UK's Acergy and Cayman Islands-registered Subsea 7 for the estimated $400 million contract. The order was placed by Burullus Gas Company (BGC - MEED 1:8:03).

  • Saudi Arabia buys 72 Eurofighters from BAE

    Saudi Arabia on 18 August confirmed it will buy 72 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the UK's BAE Systems. The deal, which was struck between Riyadh and the UK's Defence Ministry, is thought to be worth $19,000 million. The Saudi Eurofighters order is the first to come from outside the EU.The move comes 20 years after the UK began supplying Saudi Arabia with arms under the Al-Yamamah deal. The original 'arms for oil' initiative was discredited following allegations of corrupti

  • Saudi Arabia buys 72 Eurofighters from BAE

    Saudi Arabia on 18 August confirmed it will buy 72 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the UK's BAE Systems. The deal, which was struck between Riyadh and the UK's Defence Ministry, is thought to be worth $19,000 million. The Saudi Eurofighters order is the first to come from outside the EU.The move comes 20 years after the UK began supplying Saudi Arabia with arms under the Al-Yamamah deal. The original 'arms for oil' initiative was discredited follow

  • Saudi Arabia donates $2 million to WFP in Lebanon

    Saudi Arabia on 2 August donated $2 million to support the work of the UN World Food (WFP) Programme in Lebanon. The donation is part of the proceeds from a 26 July telethon during which Saudi people made contributions to the emergency relief efforts. 'This generous Saudi donation will cover nearly a quarter of the food requirements for the emergency three-month operation; it will ensure that those Lebanese people affected by this crisis receive much-needed assistance,' said John Powell

  • SAUDI ARABIA: Waiting for the next wave

    It may only be a year since the kingdom's second mobile operator, Mobily, entered the domestic market, but already telcos are preparing their proposals for a new round of fixed-line and mobile licensing. And if Mobily's experience is anything to go by - winning 3 million subscribers in its first 12 months of operations - strong interest is guaranteed.

  • SAUDI ARABIA: Waiting for the next wave

    It may only be a year since the kingdom's second mobile operator, Mobily, entered the domestic market, but already telcos are preparing their proposals for a new round of fixed-line and mobile licensing. And if Mobily's experience is anything to go by winning 3 million subscribers in its first 12 months of operations strong interest is guaranteed.

  • SAUDI ARAMCO: Plumbing the depths

    You can't manage what you can't measure,' is a basic rule of thumb for oil geologists. The notion is particularly apt for the world's largest oil field, Ghawar, which recently came under the spotlight following fears in the industry of an unplanned production collapse. Saudi officials firmly rebutted the claims. Saudi Aramco countered by announcing plans for a $46,000 million five-year upstream investment programme. But it is only now, with the release to MEED of detailed well data and drilli

  • SAUDI ARAMCO: Plumbing the depths

    You can't manage what you can't measure,' is a basic rule of thumb for oil geologists. The notion is particularly apt for the world's largest oil field, Ghawar, which recently came under the spotlight following fears in the industry of an unplanned production collapse. Saudi officials firmly rebutted the claims. Saudi Aramco countered by announcing plans for a $46,000 million five-year upstream investment programme. But it is only now, with the release to MEED of detailed well data and drilling

  • Saudi gunmen surrender

    Saudi Arabia on 21 August said four gunmen who were hiding in a building in Jeddah surrendered after clashes with security forces. 'The four people surrendered to security forces after heavy clashes,' an Interior Ministry spokesman told Reuters news agency. 'Nobody was hurt.' The official Saudi Press Agency said two of the militants were among seven people who had escaped from Al-Malaz prison near Riyadh in July (

  • Saudi King Abdullah visits Turkey

    Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah arrived in Turkey on 8 August in the first visit by a Saudi ruler to the secular country in 40 years. 'Forty years ago, King Faisal went to Turkey for a summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, but that was not an official visit,' Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal was quoted as saying by Turkey's Milliyet newspaper. 'King Abdullah's is the first formal visit. A new page will be opened in relations.' King Abdullah will hold talk

  • Saudi opposition party established in Paris

    Prince Talal Mohammad al-Rashid, son of the last ruler of Saudi Arabia's independent Rashidi emirate, on 8 August announced the formation of an opposition party in Paris. 'We announce the birth of the Saudi Democratic Opposition Front, which will struggle by peaceful means for the establishment of democracy in the country,' Prince Talal told AFP news agency. 'The Al-Saud [family] must either respect liberties and introduce democracy or give up the power they usurped.' Prin

  • Saudi opposition party established in Paris

    Prince Talal Mohammad al-Rashid, son of the last ruler of Saudi Arabia's independent Rashidi emirate, on 8 August announced the formation of an opposition party in Paris. 'We announce the birth of the Saudi Democratic Opposition Front, which will struggle by peaceful means for the establishment of democracy in the country,' Prince Talal told AFP news agency. 'The Al-Saud [family] must either respect liberties and introduce democracy or give up the power they usurped.'

  • Saudi police clash with militants

    Saudi Arabian police forces and militants clashed in the Al-Jamea area of Jeddah on 21 August, a statement by the Interior Ministry said. Police pursued the militants before surrounding a building where they were believed to be hiding. It was not clear how many militants were in the group.

  • Saudia rolls out new divisions

    Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has given companies until 27 September to submit expressions of interest (EoIs) for the privatisation of the catering unit of the airline. The EoI is the first of five scheduled to be issued before year-end to transform five units of the national flag carrier into independent businesses (MEED 11:8:06).For the catering unit, experienced operators in the sector, either alone or in a consortium, will be invited to acquire 30-49 per cent of the issued share ca

  • Saudia rolls out new divisions

    Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has given companies until 27 September to submit expressions of interest (EoIs) for the privatisation of the catering unit of the airline. The EoI is the first of five scheduled to be issued before year-end to transform five units of the national flag carrier into independent businesses (MEED 11:8:06).

  • Saxon in line for White Nile

    UAE-based Saxon Energy has been awarded the design and build contract to relocate a high-tension line across the White Nile. The contract is part of phase 1 of the Al-Mogran real estate project in development near Khartoum.

  • Second Saddam trial begins

    Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein refused to enter a plea as his trial over his role in the 1980s Anfal campaign began on 21 August. Hussain, who faces charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, refused to give his name when asked to identify himself by chief judge Abdullah al-Amiri. 'You know my name,' he said, before later identifying himself as 'president of the republic and commander in chief of the armed forces'. The prosecution told the trial th

  • Second Saddam trial begins

    Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein refused to enter a plea as his trial over his role in the 1980s Anfal campaign began on 21 August. Hussain, who faces charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, refused to give his name when asked to identify himself by chief judge Abdullah al-Amiri. 'You know my name,' he said, before later identifying himself as 'president of the republic and commander in chief of the armed forces'. The pr

  • Series of blasts kill 55 in Iraq

    At least 55 people were killed in a series of attacks by insurgents in Iraq on 1 August. A bomb attack on a bus carrying Iraqi troops between Tikrit and Baiji left up to 23 soldiers dead. A suicide bomb in Baghdad's Karrada district targeted security personnel collecting their salaries from the Al-Rafidein bank. At least 14 people were killed and 22 injured. One policeman and at least 6 civilians were killed in an attack on a police patrol near the northeastern city of Muqdadiya. Another

  • Shadidiyah campus design work let

    Kuwait University has selected design consultants for two more colleges on its planned $3,500 million new campus in Shadidiyah. Design proposals have also been submitted for two other faculties (MEED 11:8:06).

  • Shadidiyah campus design work let

    Kuwait University has selected design consultants for two more colleges on its planned $3,500 million new campus in Shadidiyah. Design proposals have also been submitted for two other faculties (MEED 11:8:06).

  • ShawCor takes Khurais pipeline contract

    Toronto-based ShawCor has announced that its in-kingdom joint venture affiliate, Arabian Pipecoating Company (APCO), has been awarded a contract for epoxy-coating of more than 2,200 kilometres of oil, gas and salt-water pipelines to serve the Khurais crude increment programme. Placed by Saudi Aramco, the contract is worth at least $60 million and will be carried out at APCO's facility in Jubail in the Eastern Province. The $11,000 million oil field development project is aimed at the delivery of

  • Shell awards $4bn contracts for Pearl

    The Royal Dutch/Shell Group issued letters of intent on 28 July to three groups for key engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts on its integrated Pearl gas-to-liquids (GTL) project. The contracts are worth a total of more than $4,000 million and came after a final investment decision was taken on 26 July. Successful contractors held project kick-off meetings on 2 August (MEED 28:7:06).The largest contract, worth $1,750 million, was awarded to a group of Japan's Chiyoda

  • Shifting sands

    Although relations between Tripoli and Washington have thawed since the lifting of economic sanctions in mid-2004, many analysts were still caught out by President Bush's announcement in May that he intended to remove Libya from Washington's list of states that sponsor terrorism. Despite condemning all forms of terrorism and renouncing its weapons of mass destruction in December 2003, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi still remains a hate figure in many corners of Washington and, with Congressional

  • Shimizu takes major Palm development

    Japan's Shimizu Corporation has been awarded the main construction contract on the estimated AED 2,000 million ($544 million) Marina residences and townhouses project on Palm Jumeirah. The contract is the first to be awarded to the firm in the emirate. The scope of works centres on the construction of a residential complex comprising six 15-storey residential towers and 40 townhouses. Beirut-based Dar al-Handasah (Shair & Partners) is the consultant. The US' HHCP Design International is the conc

  • Shuaa Capital set to lead corporate buyback phase

    The Emirates Securities & Commodities Authority (ESCA) has approved Dubai-based Shuaa Capital's application to buy-back as much as 10 per cent of its shares in a move worth AED 55 million ($15 million). Under new rules introduced in mid-May, the company is required to announce in the local press its intention to buy-back its own shares two weeks beforehand.'It is generally felt by companies that at current price levels shares are not properly valued,' says Shuaa general counsel Gary Feul

  • Shuaa profits plummet

    Dubai-based Shuaa Capital announced first quarter profits for fiscal year 2006/07 of AED 2 million ($544,499), from AED 56.5 million ($15.4 million) in the previous quarter. Shuaa said in a statement that the fall was a result of its exposure to a region-wide stock market correction. Net operating revenues dropped to AED 28 million ($7.6 million) from AED 89 million ($24 million), with operating profit at AED 17.4 million ($4.7 million), down from AED 70.5 million ($19.2 million). Shuaa has

  • Shuaa profits plummet

    Dubai-based Shuaa Capital announced first quarter profits for fiscal year 2006/07 of AED 2 million ($544,499), from AED 56.5 million ($15.4 million) in the previous quarter. Shuaa said in a statement that the fall was a result of its exposure to a region-wide stock market correction. Net operating revenues dropped to AED 28 million ($7.6 million) from AED 89 million ($24 million), with operating profit at AED 17.4 million ($4.7 million), down from AED 70.5 million ($19.2 million). Shuaa has r

  • Shuwaikh desal deal may go ahead

    The Central Tenders Committee (CTC) is re-evaluating the bid submitted by South Korea's Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Company to build the Shuwaikh desalination plant. The move, requested by the client, the Ministry of Energy (Electricity & Water), suggests that Doosan may win the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract despite being the sole bidder for the project (MEED 7:10:05). Kuwait has suffered from potable water shortages this summer and the ministry is keen t

  • Shuwaikh desal deal may go ahead

    The Central Tenders Committee (CTC) is re-evaluating the bid submitted by South Korea's Doosan Heavy Industries Construction Company to build the Shuwaikh desalination plant. The move, requested by the client, the Ministry of Energy (Electricity & Water), suggests that Doosan may win the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract despite being the sole bidder for the project (MEED 7:10:05). Kuwait has suffered from potable water shortages this summer and the ministry is keen to

  • Siemens wins rail contract

    A consortium of Germany's Siemens and the local Estel was awarded in late July a $55.7 million contract for the supply and installation of safety and telecommunications systems for the Tebessa-Ain M'Lila and Gue de Constantine-Oued Smar railway lines. The client is state rail company Societe Nationale des Transports Ferroviaires (SNTF). On the 204-kilometre Tebessa-Ain M'Lila line, the contract involves the supply of telecommunication systems and 17 relay interlockings with electronic user inter

  • Siniora wins Hezbollah support for ceasefire plan

    Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora on 27 July received the backing of Hezbollah for his plan for a ceasefire with Israel. Hezbollah said the move was intended to 'reinforce national unity'. Siniora first presented his seven-point plan at the Rome summit a day earlier. The plan calls for the exchange of prisoners between Lebanon and Israel, the strengthening of the UN force operating in Lebanon, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the return of displaced Lebanese to their villages. Mo

  • Sinopec to build Arak refinery

    National Iranian Oil Refining & Distribution Company (NIORDC) has signed a major engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to increase capacity at Arak refinery and improve product quality. The contractor is a consortium of China's Sinopec, Oil Design & Construction Company (ODCC) and Sazeh Consult, both local (MEED 30:6:06).The contract, worth $2,700 million, according to state television, will involve increasing capacity to 250,000 barrels a day (b/d) from 150,000 b/d. T

  • Six BoA bidders shortlisted

    The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the Investment Ministry shortlisted in early August six groups for the purchase of Bank of Alexandria (BoA). They are: Arab Bank with Arab National Bank; Mashreqbank with Dubai Investment Group; BNP Paribas; Commercial International Bank (CIB); Sanpaolo IMI; and EFG Eurobank. Technical and commercial proposals are to be submitted by late September. BoA is to be sold in three tranches - 75-80 per cent will be sold to a single investor, 5 per cent is to be of

  • Six BoA bidders shortlisted

    The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) and the Investment Ministry shortlisted in early August six groups for the purchase of Bank of Alexandria (BoA). They are: Arab Bank with Arab National Bank; Mashreqbank with Dubai Investment Group; BNP Paribas; Commercial International Bank (CIB); Sanpaolo IMI; and EFG Eurobank. Technical and commercial proposals are to be submitted by late September. BoA is to be sold in three tranches 75-80 per cent will be sold to a single investor, 5 per cent is

  • Sky to drill new well

    US' Sky Petroleum announced in late July plans to drill a second exploratory well at the Mubarak H2 concession offshore Sharjah. Work is due to start in the third quarter and follows the drilling of the first well in May to a depth of 15,020 feet at the Ilam/Mishrif reservoir. 'The well is continuing to produce just over 200 barrels a day [b/d] of oil, with high water cut,' says a statement made by Sky Petroleum. The reservoir is estimated to have reserves of 275 million barrels of oil and gas.

  • Social Security increases stake in local telco

    The Social Security Corporation (SSC) has agreed to increase its stake by 5 per cent in Jordan Telecom (JT) to 17.6 per cent. The agreement follows a secondary public offering of a 2.5 per cent government stake in JT on the Amman Stock Exchange in late July. Amman offered 6.25 million shares at JD 4.66 ($6.62) in the company. The local Arab Jordan Investment Bank is the lead manager. JT underwent restructuring in 2006. France Telecom now has a 51 per cent share. The government expect

  • Social Security increases stake in local telco

    The Social Security Corporation (SSC) has agreed to increase its stake by 5 per cent in Jordan Telecom (JT) to 17.6 per cent. The agreement follows a secondary public offering of a 2.5 per cent government stake in JT on the Amman Stock Exchange in late July. Amman offered 6.25 million shares at JD 4.66 ($6.62) in the company. The local Arab Jordan Investment Bank is the lead manager. JT underwent restructuring in 2006. France Telecom now has a 51 per cent share. The government expects to sell

  • Sohar refinery debt successfully signed

    The project documents for Sohar Refinery Company (SRC) were signed in Muscat on 14 December and the financing documents were signed in London on 17 December.

  • Solvay takes PVC tech

    Belgium's Solvay has been selected by Arabian Petrochemical Company (Petrokemya) to supply polyvinyl chloride (PVC) technology for its planned vinyl complex in Jubail.

  • Solvay takes PVC tech

    Belgium's Solvay has been selected by Arabian Petrochemical Company (Petrokemya) to supply polyvinyl chloride (PVC) technology for its planned vinyl complex in Jubail.Under the terms of the contract, Solvay will license its proprietary technology for the suspension-grade PVC unit, which will have nameplate capacity of 450,000 tonnes a year (t/y). Petrokemya and technology providers are negotiating over the technology supply for the 550,000-t/y vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) plant.I

  • South Sinai work gets under way

    The South Sinai governorate has awarded two design contracts under its EU-financed South Sinai Regional Development Programme (SSRDP).

  • Spaniards take Saih Rawl

    A team of Spain's Tecnicas Reunidas (TR) with the local Bahwan Engineering has been selected for the combined front-end engineering and design (FEED) and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract on the Saih Rawl gas depletion project. The 48-month contract is estimated to be worth about $545 million. 'An official contract signing is due in early September,' says a project source (MEED 16:6:06).

  • Spaniards take Saih Rawl

    A team of Spain's Tecnicas Reunidas (TR) with the local Bahwan Engineering has been selected for the combined front-end engineering and design (FEED) and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract on the Saih Rawl gas depletion project. The 48-month contract is estimated to be worth about $545 million. 'An official contract signing is due in early September,' says a project source (MEED 16:6:06).

  • Speer prepares criminal complex

    Albert Speer & Partner (AS&P) has started work on the schematic designs for a new criminal court complex near Salem park in Riyadh. The project centres on the construction of a 15-storey building with a built-up area of about 45,000 square metres. Rising to a height of 75 metres, the complex will include car parking and extensive landscaping. The main construction packages are due to be tendered around the second quarter of 2007. Imar Urban Consultants is the local consultant. Arriyadh Develo

  • Speer prepares criminal complex

    Albert Speer & Partner (AS&P) has started work on the schematic designs for a new criminal court complex near Salem park in Riyadh. The project centres on the construction of a 15-storey building with a built-up area of about 45,000 square metres. Rising to a height of 75 metres, the complex will include car parking and extensive landscaping. The main construction packages are due to be tendered around the second quarter of 2007. Imar Urban Consultants is the local consultant. Arriyadh Developme

  • Spudding starts at Isarene

    Dublin-based Petroceltic International spudded in late July the first well in the Isarene permit, marking the start of its exploration programme. US' Schlumberger plans to drill two appraisal wells, each to a depth of 2,300 metres. As part of its field development strategy, Petroceltic has issued a tender for a 2D seismic survey contract over the TXA Couloir ridge area in Isarene blocks 228 and 229 in the Illizi basin.

  • SRECO plans capital hike

    Local property developer Saudi Real Estate Company (SRECO) plans to increase its capital to SR 900 million ($240 million) from SR 600 million ($160 million) through the issue of bonus shares. One free share will be granted for every two held by investors.

  • STC enhances customer service

    Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has signed an estimated SR 200 million ($53 million) contract with India's Tata Consultancy Services to improve the operator's customer services. Under the deal, Tata will work in conjunction with Convergys and Oracle, both of the US, to introduce and develop customer service systems including providing enhanced billing solutions. The move comes as STC faces more competition at home. Mobily, the country's second operator, began operations last year. With the prospe

  • STC enhances customer service

    Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has signed an estimated SR 200 million ($53 million) contract with India's Tata Consultancy Services to improve the operator's customer services. Under the deal, Tata will work in conjunction with Convergys and Oracle, both of the US, to introduce and develop customer service systems including providing enhanced billing solutions. The move comes as STC faces more competition at home. Mobily, the country's second operator, began operations last year. With the prosp

  • Steel works heads towards Sohar

    Muscat-based The Zubair Corporation has formed a joint venture with India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to establish a fabrication yard at Sohar industrial port. L&T will have a 65 per cent stake in the firm with Zubair holding the remainder. L&T Modular Fabrication Yard company will manufacture offshore steel structures, such as platforms, jackets and topsides. The assembly yard expects to receive orders from GCC, African and Indian companies.An award is imminent for the main construction con

  • Sudan jails Slovenian diplomat

    Sudan on 14 August sentenced a Slovenian diplomat to two years in prison after he was found guilty of espionage, publishing false information and breaking immigration laws, the state news agency said. Tomo Kriznar, a special presidential envoy, was arrested in July for not holding a valid entry visa. 'The court sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 Sudanese dinars [$2,350] and confiscation of exhibits found with the defendant of photography equipment and

  • Sudan jails Slovenian diplomat

    Sudan on 14 August sentenced a Slovenian diplomat to two years in prison after he was found guilty of espionage, publishing false information and breaking immigration laws, the state news agency said. Tomo Kriznar, a special presidential envoy, was arrested in July for not holding a valid entry visa. 'The court sentenced the defendant to two years imprisonment and a fine of 500,000 Sudanese dinars [$2,350] and confiscation of exhibits found with the defendant of photography equ

  • Sudan warns it will fight UN force

    Sudanese President Al-Bashir on 15 August cautioned the West against sending a UN force to the war-torn region of Darfur. He warned that Sudan was 'determined to beat any forces entering the country, just as Hezbollah beat the Israeli forces'. Bashir was speaking at a ceremony to mark the 52nd anniversary of the country's army. Al-Bashir praised Hezbollah for 'its steadfastness and for breaking the thorn of the Israeli forces forever'. He added that 'the Sudanese people an

  • Sudan warns it will fight UN force

    Sudanese President Al-Bashir on 15 August cautioned the West against sending a UN force to the war-torn region of Darfur. He warned that Sudan was 'determined to beat any forces entering the country, just as Hezbollah beat the Israeli forces'. Bashir was speaking at a ceremony to mark the 52nd anniversary of the country's army. Al-Bashir praised Hezbollah for 'its steadfastness and for breaking the thorn of the Israeli forces forever'. He added t

  • Syria seeks to fragment Lebanon, says Al-Hariri

    Saad al-Hariri, leader of Lebanon's largest parliamentary bloc and son of the assassinated former prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, on 17 August accused Syria of trying to destabilise Lebanon. 'The Syrian people are like support for Lebanon, but the Damascus regime is taking advantage of the Arab children's blood in Qana, Gaza and Baghdad to cause strife in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq,' he said. 'There is a neighbouring country that is threatening to shake the stability in Lebanon but we r

  • Syria seeks to fragment Lebanon, says Al-Hariri

    Saad al-Hariri, leader of Lebanon's largest parliamentary bloc and son of the assassinated former prime minister Rafiq al-Hariri, on 17 August accused Syria of trying to destabilise Lebanon. 'The Syrian people are like support for Lebanon, but the Damascus regime is taking advantage of the Arab children's blood in Qana, Gaza and Baghdad to cause strife in Lebanon, Palestine and Iraq,' he said. 'There is a neighbouring country that is threatening to shake the stability in Lebano

  • Syria supports Lebanese right to resistance

    Syrian Vice President Farouq al-Shaara on 27 July stressed the Palestinian and Lebanese right to resistance. Syria will continue to support the right of the Palestinian and Lebanese peoples to resist the Israeli occupation,' Al-Shaara said during a meeting with Nayef Hawatmeh, leader of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. According to a statement issued by the Front, Shaara also 'condemned American partiality in favour of the aggressive policies of Israel'.

  • Syria will influence Hezbollah, says Spain

    Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos says Syria will use its influence over Hezbollah if circumstances in Lebanon change. Moratinos was speaking after meeting Syrian President Assad on 3 August in the first visit to the country by an EU envoy since March. The Syrians 'are going to exercise all their influence on Hezbollah, but the circumstances and the political and military context of Lebanon must change', said Moratinos. He added that Syria 'wants to be part of the solution. Syria

  • SYRIA: Linking the nation

    Damascus International Airport has seen better days. Aircraft sit rusting at the side of the runways, while paint peels off the walls of the arrivals lounge. 'They keep some of the old aircraft just to use for spare parts. The US sanctions make it difficult to repair them,' says a Damascus resident, pointing towards a batch of redundant planes.

  • Syria's Assad orders army to be on high alert

    Syrian President Assad called on the country's army to increase its readiness to face 'regional challenges.' Assad was addressing the military as Syria celebrated its annual army day. He ordered the army 'to intensify efforts in training and to work for more preparations and raise readinessthe barbaric war of annihilation the Israeli aggression is waging on our people in Lebanon and Palestine is increasing in ferocity.'Syria has so far avoided be

  • Taameer plans $1bn housing project

    Local real estate company Taameer has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the local Housing & Urban Development Corporation (HUDC) to develop an estimated $1,000 million residential project, south of Queen Alia International Airport. To be built over an area of about 3 million square metres, the development will involve the construction of 17,000 residences, water pipelines, sewerage systems and a wastewater treatment plant.

  • Taghazout plan takes shape

    A consortium of Colony Capital of the US and Spain's Grupo Satocan Lopesan signed in late July a memorandum of understanding for the development of the estimated $1,400 million coastal resort of Taghazout in the southwest. The development is the fifth of six projects to be awarded under the estimated $3,500 million Plan d'Azur, part of Rabat's programme to boost tourist numbers to the kingdom to 10 million a year in 2010 from 2.3 million in 2004 (MEED 18:8:05; Construction, MEED Special Report,

  • Taghazout plan takes shape

    A consortium of Colony Capital of the US and Spain's Grupo Satocan Lopesan signed in late July a memorandum of understanding for the development of the estimated $1,400 million coastal resort of Taghazout in the southwest. The development is the fifth of six projects to be awarded under the estimated $3,500 million Plan d'Azur, part of Rabat's programme to boost tourist numbers to the kingdom to 10 million a year in 2010 from 2.3 million in 2004 (MEED 18:8:05; Construction, MEED Special Repo

  • Talks on Lebanese peacekeeping force postponed

    The UN on 31 July postponed a meeting of potential contributors to an international peacekeeping force in Lebanon until such a time when there is greater political clarity on how to end the ongoing violence. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan had been due to host a meeting between EU member states, Turkey and the countries now contributing forces to the UN interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). In January 2006, UNIFIL's mandate was extended to 31 July. The UN Security Council met

  • Talks set to resume on Mediterranean power

    The election of a new government in Italy in April has delayed the development of plans to build a 1,200-MW combined cycle power plant at El-Haouaria, Abdelaziz Rassaa, energy director at the Energy Ministry told MEED on 27 July. Negotiations on the scope of the project, which will supply electricity to the domestic market and by subsea cable to Italy, were due to be completed in March, but are now set to resume with the new administration in the next few weeks. Invitations to prequalify for the

  • Tameer plans marina tower

    Sharjah-based Tameer Holding, which is 50 per cent-owned by Saudi Arabia's Al-Rajhi Group, is planning to build an estimated AED 1 billion ($272 million) tower at Dubai Marina. Known as the Elite Residence, the 91-storey tower will comprise 76 floors of residential space. The local Adnan Safarini is the consultant.

  • Tameer unveils town plans

    Sharjah-based Tameer Holding, which is 50 per cent-owned by Saudi Arabia's Al-Rajhi Group, has announced plans to build an estimated $20,000 million development in the eastern valley, near Tripoli. Covering an area of about 40 square kilometres on the Mediterranean coast, the scheme will comprise residential, commercial, entertainment and tourism facilities to house 500,000 people. The project will be built in phases in partnership with the Arab Fund for Economic & Social Development. Tatweer Pr

  • TE announces moderate growth

    Telecom Egypt (TE) recorded net profits after tax of £E 1,100 million ($191 million) in the first half of 2006, a 7 per cent rise on the corresponding period in 2005. Revenues reached £E 4,400 million ($765 million), up from £E 4,030 million ($700 million) in the first half of 2005. TE's customer base grew by 8.5 per cent to 10.6 million fixed-line subscribers over the period.

  • Teams crystallise for refinery advisories

    International banks invited to submit proposals for the financial advisory mandates on the two planned export refineries at Jubail and Yanbu have teamed up with shortlisted local partners, as instructed by the client, Saudi Aramco.On the Jubail refinery, being built in partnership with France's Total, the teams are: Calyon with Banque Saudi Fransi, HSBC with SABB, and Mizuho Financial Group with Gulf International Bank.On the Yanbu refinery, being developed by Aramco in joint ven

  • Techint wins EMethanex work

    Italy's Techint has been selected for the contract to carry out detailed engineering and early procurement works on the greenfield methanol plant planned in Damietta port by Egyptian Methanex Methanol Company (EMethanex). The four-month contract will also determine the final cost and plant configuration. The next stage in the project's implementation will be the final investment decisions to be taken by EMethanex by December (MEED 26:5:06).

  • Tekfen wins Rabigh infrastructure work

    Turkey's Tekfen has received a letter of intent for a $90 million contract to carry out infrastructure work on the worldscale Rabigh Refining & Petrochemical Company (Petro-Rabigh) integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex. Contract signing is set for 5 September. Called utilities and offsites (U&O) 1, the contract involves piping and mechanical erection work at the $9,800 million complex. The client is Petro-Rabigh. The US' Foster Wheeler is the project management services contractor (MEED

  • TELECOMS: Coming together

    The telecoms markets of the Middle East have come a long way. In many ways, the relatively backward nature of communications in the 1990s worked in the favour of Arab states. New mobile phone technology meant that governments could dispense with costly upgrades to their fixed-line networks and leapfrog into the 21st century. Take-up was rapid. Most Gulf states now have four or five times as many GSM subscribers as they do fixed telephone lines. In Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, there are already mo

  • Tender for SHY-1 phase 2

    Saudi Aramco is due to issue a tender by late August for the second-phase expansion of the Shedgum-Yanbu east-west (SHY-1) natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline, following the submission of initial responses from about ten companies for the estimated $500 million lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract. A job explanation meeting will be held in Dhahran in mid-August. Bids are due to be submitted by late September (MEED 14:7:06).

  • Tender issued for Khurais gas pipeline

    Saudi Aramco has invited 13 local and international companies to submit bids by 9 September for another pipeline package to serve its Khurais crude increment programme. Called the Khurais downstream gas line, the lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract covers the installation of a 38-inch-diameter, 145-kilometre-long pipeline from the proposed central processing facility at Khurais to Shedgum. Invitees for the estimated $100 million-125 million contract are: Lebanon's Contracting & Trading Company (CAT

  • Tender out for King Abdullah street

    Contractors have been invited to submit bids by early September for the contract to redevelop King Abdullah street in Riyadh. The estimated $150 million scheme centres on creating a freeway with three underpasses, a 1.7 kilometre tunnel, major landscaping and associated works. Saudi Consolidated Engineering Company (Khatib & Alami) is the consultant. Arriyadh Development Authority is the client.

  • Tenders due for sulphur plant upgrades

    Saudi Aramco is due to issue tenders in the third quarter for two lumpsum turnkey (LSTK) contracts covering the construction and upgrade of the five 550 tonne-a-day (t/d) sulphur recovery units (SRUs) at Shedgum and Uthmaniyah. Estimated to be worth a total of $100 million-150 million, the scope of works will include the supply and installation of carbon absorption drums, waster water stripper units and related facilities. The US' Jacobs Engineering will supply its proprietary Superclaus technol

  • Tenders issued for Aviation Club hotel

    The Aviation Club and Dubai Duty Free, both local, have invited five companies to bid by 7 August for the main construction package on the Aviation Club hotel project in Garhoud. The contract calls for the construction of an eight-storey, 250-room, five-star boutique hotel with a built-up area of about 60,000 square metres. The UK's RMJM International is the lead consultant on the project (MEED 2:12:06).

  • Thousands of Shias take to Baghdad streets

    Thousands of Shia civilians responsible for guarding Iraqi neighbourhoods took to the streets of Baghdad on 2 August. Members of the so-called popular committees chanted slogans accusing 'terrorists' and Saddam loyalists of leading a Sunni Arab insurgency against the Shia-led government. 'We have to benefit from this wide popular base and the state and Iraqi people should form these popular regional committees from the best of our young men to face terrorism,' Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, a seni

  • Threat and counter-threat

    The centre of the military balance in the Middle East is shifting. Ever since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Arab governments have been concerned by the apparent spread of radical Shia groups in the north of the region. There was little love lost between the Sunni rulers of the Gulf and Saddam Hussein, but the Baathist regime in Baghdad was seen as a bulwark against the Ayatollahs. Now it is gone. 'You have Moqtada al-Sadr in Iraq and Hizbollah growing in Lebanon and Iranian agents all over the Gulf

  • Threat and counter-threat

    The centre of the military balance in the Middle East is shifting. Ever since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Arab governments have been concerned by the apparent spread of radical Shia groups in the north of the region. There was little love lost between the Sunni rulers of the Gulf and Saddam Hussein, but the Baathist regime in Baghdad was seen as a bulwark against the Ayatollahs. Now it is gone. 'You have Moqtada al-Sadr in Iraq and Hezbollah growing in Lebanon and Iranian agents all over the G

  • Three eye Mesaieed NGL

    Three companies submitted revised bids in early August to Qatar Petroleum (QP) for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to upgrade and revamp the natural gas liquids (NGL) 1 and NGL 2 plants at Mesaieed. The bidders are: France's Cegelec; a local/US team of Black Cat Construction and Inelectra; and the local/Omani Galfar al-Misnad Engineering & Contracting. The upgrade, valued at up to $100 million, involves replacing the electrical systems with digital control systems at

  • Three killed in pre-election clashes

    At least three people have been killed and eight more injured in clashes between supporters of Yemen's ruling party and those of the opposition Islamist Islah party, Yemeni officials said on 25 August. The violence in Al-Jawf province comes ahead of local council elections, which are due to be held in September. A member of the ruling General People's Congress who was running for election was among those killed. The head of the local election committee, a member of the Isl

  • Three killed in pre-election clashes

    At least three people have been killed and eight more injured in clashes between supporters of Yemen's ruling party and those of the opposition Islamist Islah party, Yemeni officials said on 25 August. The violence in Al-Jawf province comes ahead of local council elections, which are due to be held in September. A member of the ruling General People's Congress who was running for election was among those killed. The head of the local election com

  • Three on the green for Ouarzazate golf resort

    Three bidders have been shortlisted for the contract to develop a golf-based tourist resort at Ouarzazate, on the edge of the desert in the south.

  • Three Palestinians die in Gaza

    At least three Palestinians, including one Hamas militant, were killed by Israeli forces in southern Gaza on 4 August. Israel launched ground and air strikes aimed at Palestinian militants in the Rafah area. Troops carried out house-to-house searches while armoured vehicles surrounded the eastern entrance to the city. The Israeli army said troops were searching for the tunnel used by Palestinians militants to enter Israel and capture Corporal Gilad Shalit on 25 June. Israe

  • TIM fuels Gaza generators

    The European Commission (EC) agreed in late July to supply fuel oil to power emergency generators at water pumping stations and water treatment plants in Gaza. Under the temporary international mechanism (TIM), the commission will distribute 920,000 litres a month of feedstock oil to serve 109 water supply stations and 27 wastewater plants over a period of six months. The Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU), operator of the facilities, estimates that 18,000 litres of fuel are needed e

  • Time to resume talks, says Jordan

    Jordanian King Abdullah on 15 August called for the immediate resumption of Middle East peace talks. He warned that the conflict in Lebanon 'could be repeated unless the international community shoulders its responsibility and works for a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict'. King Abdullah was speaking during the visit by German Foreign Affairs Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Jordan. 'We have to have negotiations and solve outstanding issues, particular

  • Time to resume talks, says Jordan

    Jordanian King Abdullah on 15 August called for the immediate resumption of Middle East peace talks. He warned that the conflict in Lebanon 'could be repeated unless the international community shoulders its responsibility and works for a comprehensive solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict'. King Abdullah was speaking during the visit by German Foreign Affairs Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to Jordan. 'We have to have negotiations and solve out

  • Too early to discuss Iran sanctions, says Russia

    Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov on 25 August said it is too early for talk of imposing economic sanctions on Iran. 'I know of no instances in world practice and previous experience in which sanctions have achieved their aim and proved effective,' he said on Russia's NTV television. 'Moreover, I believe that the question is not so serious at the moment for the UN Security Council to consider any introduction of sanctions.'The Islamic republ

  • Too early to discuss Iran sanctions, says Russia

    Russian Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov on 25 August said it is too early for talk of imposing economic sanctions on Iran. 'I know of no instances in world practice and previous experience in which sanctions have achieved their aim and proved effective,' he said on Russia's NTV television. 'Moreover, I believe that the question is not so serious at the moment for the UN Security Council to consider any introduction of sanctions.'The Islamic republic on 22 August submitted

  • Tripoli launches third oil round

    National Oil Corporation (NOC) on 14 August launched its third oil and gas exploration licensing round since the lifting of international sanctions in 2004. International oil companies (IOCs) have until 20 December to submit bids for 14 exploration licences, covering 100,430 square kilometres in 12 offshore and 29 onshore blocks. Prequalification documents from interested companies must be submitted by 9 September, following technical seminars in late August in London and Tripoli. NOC will an

  • Tripoli launches third oil round

    National Oil Corporation (NOC) on 14 August launched its third oil and gas exploration licensing round since the lifting of international sanctions in 2004. International oil companies (IOCs) have until 20 December to submit bids for 14 exploration licences, covering 100,430 square kilometres in 12 offshore and 29 onshore blocks. Prequalification documents from interested companies must be submitted by 9 September, following technical seminars in late August in London and Tripoli. NOC will annou

  • Trust laws hit the books

    The Dubai Financial Services Authority, the regulator of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has announced new rules to permit the operation of real estate investment trusts (REITs) within the financial centre. The new rules will allow REITs to list on the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX), which would be the first bourse in the region to trade shares in them. REITs invest in property directly but are traded like stock, allowing the trust to raise capital and offering in

  • Tunisair posts revenue growth

    National flag carrier Tunisair has posted revenues of TD 204.9 million ($155.2 million) for the second quarter of 2006, a year-on-year increase of 10.9 per cent. The airline also reduced its debt by 13 per cent to TD 426.1 million ($322.8 million). Load factor rose marginally to 64.4 per cent from 64.3 per cent, while total passenger numbers were up by 6.5 per cent to 992,634.

  • Tunisair posts revenue growth

    National flag carrier Tunisair has posted revenues of TD 204.9 million ($155.2 million) for the second quarter of 2006, a year-on-year increase of 10.9 per cent. The airline also reduced its debt by 13 per cent to TD 426.1 million ($322.8 million). Load factor rose marginally to 64.4 per cent from 64.3 per cent, while total passenger numbers were up by 6.5 per cent to 992,634.

  • TUNISIA

    Tender no 2005/A/2066. Supply of mechanical computation equipment for low-tension and medium-tension overhead electricity lines as part of an electricity distribution network project. Financed by the African Development Bank.

  • TUNISIA

    Tender no 01/2006TR. Project no P048825. Carrying out a cultural heritage project. Financed by the World Bank.

  • Tusdeer plans year-end tender for new terminal

    Saudi Trade & Export Development Company (Tusdeer), a subsidiary of Saudi Industrial Services Company (Sisco), is planning to issue a tender for the dredging contract on its proposed new berth at Jeddah Islamic Seaport by December. Malaysia's SMS, which is also an equity partner in the project, is carrying out the marine survey and soil testing on the site. The reclamation contract will include dredging of about 5 kilometres at a depth of 16.5 metres (MEED 17:2:05). Tusdeer signed a build-o

  • Tusdeer plans year-end tender for new terminal

    Saudi Trade & Export Development Company (Tusdeer), a subsidiary of Saudi Industrial Services Company (Sisco), is planning to issue a tender for the dredging contract on its proposed new berth at Jeddah Islamic Seaport by December. Malaysia's SMS, which is also an equity partner in the project, is carrying out the marine survey and soil testing on the site. The reclamation contract will include dredging of about 5 kilometres at a depth of 16.5 metres (MEED 17:2:05). Tusdeer signed a build-op

  • Twelve weeks to ponder Israel's Hezbollah war

    In a televisual age, it seems the more you see, the less you know. The world is watching many of the same images of Israel's assault on Lebanon. It is drawing starkly different conclusions.

  • Two die in Gaza air strike

    At least two people were killed when an Israeli missile landed near a car travelling outside the town of Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza. One woman was killed and three other passengers were wounded. A 14-year-old boy was killed by shrapnel, Palestinian medical staff said. The Israeli army said it had targeted locations used by Hamas to launch missiles into Israel earlier. At least 154 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its offensive in Gaza on 28 June. Over

  • Two in for gas plant expansion

    Khalda Petroleum is evaluating bids from two companies for the contract to expand its gas plant in Matruh in the Western Desert. Bids were submitted in mid-August by UAE-based Petrofac International and South Korea's Samsung Engineering Company. The lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract covers the doubling of the plant's capacity to 400 million cubic feet a day. Khalda is a 50:50 joint venture of Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and Apache Egypt.

  • Two in for gas plant expansion

    Khalda Petroleum is evaluating bids from two companies for the contract to expand its gas plant in Matruh in the Western Desert. Bids were submitted in mid-August by UAE-based Petrofac International and South Korea's Samsung Engineering Company. The lump-sum turnkey (LSTK) contract covers the doubling of the plant's capacity to 400 million cubic feet a day. Khalda is a 50:50 joint venture of Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) and Apache Egypt.

  • Two track Fertil expansion

    Two groups of companies have submitted cost estimates to Ruwais Fertiliser Company (Fertil) for the combined licence, front-end engineering and design (FEED) and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract on its major expansion project.

  • Two track Fertil expansion

    Two groups of companies have submitted cost estimates to Ruwais Fertiliser Company (Fertil) for the combined licence, front-end engineering and design (FEED) and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract on its major expansion project.

  • UAE

    Tender no CE/234/2006. Supply, installation and commissioning of a mobile high-voltage test system for power transformers. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • UAE

    Tender no CNE/074/2006. Supply, installation and construction of civil, electromechanical, interior decoration and associated works at the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority head office in Dubai. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • UAE

    Tender no CE/309/2006.

  • UAE

    Tender no CE/319/2006.

  • UAE

    Tender no CNE/350/2005. Construction of a storage area at Burj Nahar. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • UAE

    Tender no CE/345/2006. Supply of unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) pipes for underground cables. Bid bond is 5 per cent of tender price.

  • UAE issues election decree

    UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan on 11 August issued a decree on upcoming elections to the Federal National Council (FNC). According to the decree, half of the 40 council members will be elected by electoral colleges in each of the seven emirates. The remaining 20 members will be appointed by the emirates' rulers. Each electoral college will comprise at least 100 times the number of FNC representatives for each emirate. Abu Dhabi, the largest and richest of the seven emir

  • UAE issues election decree

    UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan on 11 August issued a decree on upcoming elections to the Federal National Council (FNC). According to the decree, half of the 40 council members will be elected by electoral colleges in each of the seven emirates. The remaining 20 members will be appointed by the emirates' rulers. Each electoral college will comprise at least 100 times the number of FNC representatives for each emirate. Abu Dhabi, the largest and richest of the

  • Uhde takes Sabic Europe

    Germany's Uhde has been awarded an estimated$256.1 million contract by Sabic Europe to construct a bimodalhigh-density polyethylene (HDPE) plant at the company's site in Gelsenkirchen, in Germany.

  • UK firm acquires LC Consulting

    The UK's WSP has acquired the Dubai business of South Africa's LC Consulting. The combined firms will trade as WSP Middle East and provide civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and environmental consultancy services across the region.

  • UN action plan for Lebanese oil clean-up

    UN and EU officials meeting in Greece on 17 August have agreed on a plan to deal with an oil slick along the Lebanese and Syrian coasts. 'Now the bombs have stopped and the guns have been silenced we have a chance to rapidly assess the true magnitude of the problem and finally mobilise the support for an oil clean-up and a restoration of the coastline,' said the executive director of the UN environment programme Achim Steiner. The preliminary clean-up is expected to cost Eu50 million ($6

  • UN action plan for Lebanese oil clean-up

    UN and EU officials meeting in Greece on 17 August have agreed on a plan to deal with an oil slick along the Lebanese and Syrian coasts. 'Now the bombs have stopped and the guns have been silenced we have a chance to rapidly assess the true magnitude of the problem and finally mobilise the support for an oil clean-up and a restoration of the coastline,' said the executive director of the UN environment programme Achim Steiner. The preliminary clean-up is expected to cost €

  • UN agrees on Lebanon resolution, says Germany

    UN Security Council members 'appear to have agreed' on the text of a resolution to end the Israeli-Lebanese conflict, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on 8 August. Speaking before a visit to the Middle East, Steinmeier added that a ceasefire would only be possible 'on condition that both parties, Israel as much as Lebanon, are agreed on the installation of an international stability mission in southern Lebanon'.Arab League representatives were due to pu

  • UN closer to resolution on Lebanon

    UK Prime Minister Tony Blair on 3 August said a UN resolution on a ceasefire in Lebanon could emerge within days. He added that only 'very slight' differences between the positions of the parties to the negotiations remained. The US State Department a day earlier announced that it expects a deal within days following a narrowing of differences between French and American approaches to achieving a ceasefire. 'I would say that our view and the French point of view are really

  • UN condemns Middle East war crimes

    UN human rights commissioner Louise Arbour on 11 August condemned both Israel and Hezbollah for their use of indiscriminate force in the ongoing crisis. Arbour was speaking at an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council at the behest of 16 states. Members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference together with four other states put forward a resolution which called for a 'high-level' investigation into Israel's 'systematic' attacks on Lebanese civilians. The resolution, howev

  • UN condemns Middle East war crimes

    UN human rights commissioner Louise Arbour on 11 August condemned both Israel and Hezbollah for their use of indiscriminate force in the ongoing crisis. Arbour was speaking at an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council at the behest of 16 states. Members of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference together with four other states put forward a resolution which called for a 'high-level' investigation into Israel's 'systematic' attacks on Lebanese civilians. The resolut

  • UN negotiates Lebanon force

    The UN on 16 August continued negotiations over the deployment of an international force in southern Lebanon. It aims to install 3,500 troops in Lebanon within two weeks. No country has officially pledged troops so far, but it is expected that France will lead the force. French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy met Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in Beirut on 16 August to discuss the deployment of French troops. Foreign ministers from Turkey, Malaysia and Pakistan are also due

  • UN negotiates Lebanon force

    The UN on 16 August continued negotiations over the deployment of an international force in southern Lebanon. It aims to install 3,500 troops in Lebanon within two weeks. No country has officially pledged troops so far, but it is expected that France will lead the force. French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy met Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in Beirut on 16 August to discuss the deployment of French troops. Foreign ministers from Turkey, Malaysia and Pakistan ar

  • UN Security Council delays vote after Lebanese objection

    The UN Security Council on 6 August delayed a vote on a draft resolution drawn up by the US and France after objections from Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. The draft resolution demands a 'full cessation of hostilities' and the deployment of an international peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, but fails to call for the withdrawal of Israeli troops. The Council was expected to adopt the document by 8 August, but following Lebanese objec

  • UN Security Council delays vote after Lebanese objection

    The UN Security Council on 6 August delayed a vote on a draft resolution drawn up by the US and France after objections from Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. The draft resolution demands a 'full cessation of hostilities' and the deployment of an international peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, but fails to call for the withdrawal of Israeli troops. The Council was expected to adopt the document by 8 August, but following Lebanese objections, it is unclear when t

  • UN Security Council demands end to Iran's nuclear programme

    The UN Security Council on 31 July demanded that Iran suspend its uranium enrichment programme by 31 August and warned that failure to do so could result in sanctions. The resolution was adopted by 14 votes to one, with Qatar voting against. The resolution calls upon the Islamic republic to 'suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities, including research and development.' Iranian Ambassador to the UN Javad Zarif rejected the Secur

  • UN warns ceasefire is fragile

    Senior UN envoy Terje Roed-Larson has warned that the fragile security situation in Lebanon is likely to persist for the next two-three months. 'Unintended incidents can kick off renewed violence, which might escalate and spin out of control,' he said on 22 August.EU officials met in Brussels on 22 August to discuss the rules of engagement for the 15,000-strong UN force to be deployed in southern Lebanon. European nations have so far been reluctant to contribute ground tro

  • UN warns ceasefire is fragile

    Senior UN envoy Terje Roed-Larson has warned that the fragile security situation in Lebanon is likely to persist for the next two-three months. 'Unintended incidents can kick off renewed violence, which might escalate and spin out of control,' he said on 22 August.EU officials met in Brussels on 22 August to discuss the rules of engagement for the 15,000-strong UN force to be deployed in southern Lebanon. European nations have so far been relucta

  • Uneasy truce in Lebanon

    A UN ceasefire to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon came into force at 05.00 GMT on 14 August. Israeli air raids continued until minutes before the truce was due to begin. Israel announced some of its soldiers began pulling out of southern Lebanon after the ceasefire began. 'There are forces going out but there are enough forces that are staying,' said a spokesperson for the Israeli army. Tel Aviv said it would not lift its air and sea blockade of Lebanon yet

  • Uneasy truce in Lebanon

    A UN ceasefire to end fighting between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon came into force at 05.00 GMT on 14 August. Israeli air raids continued until minutes before the truce was due to begin. Israel announced some of its soldiers began pulling out of southern Lebanon after the ceasefire began. 'There are forces going out but there are enough forces that are staying,' said a spokesperson for the Israeli army. Tel Aviv said it would not lift its air and sea blockade of L

  • Unicorn records H1 profit surge

    Bahrain-based Unicorn Investment Bank (UIB) has announced that net profits in the first half of 2006 reached a record $23.8 million, compared with $5.3 million in the corresponding period last year. The profits rise was driven by a 163 per cent increase in earnings over the period to $43.4 million and saw UIB's return on equity improve to 17.5 per cent in the first six months from 4.8 per cent in the first half of 2005. UIB has recently doubled its capital to $233 million (MEED 2:6:06).

  • United Foods lists on DFM

    Dubai-based United Foods Company (UFC) listed shares on 30 July on the Dubai Financial Market. Only UAE investors can buy shares in the company, which traded at AED 3.3 ($0.89) in early August. UFC, which refines edible oils at its factory complex in Dubai, has a paid-up capital of AED 25 million ($6.8 million).

  • US homes in on multi-billion dollar military deals

    Despite ongoing hostilities in Lebanon and Iraq, US military sales to the Arab world have spiked with more than $11,000 million worth of proposed contracts announced since 20 July. The US' Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which oversees all foreign arms sales, has notified Congress of the possible sale of weapons, military vehicles, helicopters and the provision of extensive training for Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Jordan. Congress will now have until the end of August

  • US rejects kidnappers' demands

    The US State Department on 23 August rejected an ultimatum for the release of Muslim prisoners put forward by the Holy Jihad Brigades, a previously unknown Palestinian militant group. The group has claimed responsibility for the abduction of two Fox television journalist in the Gaza Strip. 'We don't make concessions to terrorists, and we continue to call for the release of these journalists without conditions,' State Department press officer Gonz

  • US team takes airport

    The US team of Lee-Fisher Associates with Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) has been appointed to prepare a masterplan for Bahrain International Airport. Three bidders were competing for the job (MEED 28:4:06).

  • US team takes airport

    The US team of Lee-Fisher Associates with Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM) has been appointed to prepare a masterplan for Bahrain International Airport. Three bidders were competing for the job (MEED 28:4:06).

  • US troops clash with Shia militia in Baghdad

    Iraqi and US forces clashed with Shia militias overnight in Baghdad on 7 August. Fighting erupted after US troops raided the predominantly Shia district of Sadr City. The operation was aimed at 'individuals involved in punishment and torture cell activities', a US statement said. In a separate incident, six Iraqi soldiers were killed and 15 wounded when gunmen attacked their checkpoint near the city of Baqubah.On 6 August, a roadside bomb hit a US patrol southeast of Baghd

  • US, France mull changes to UN resolution

    US and French diplomats on 9 August began revising the draft UN resolution to end the conflict in Lebanon after Arab League representatives pressed for amendments a day earlier. The US is reluctant to amend the draft based on Lebanese objections to the fact that it does not call for the withdrawal of Israeli troops. A vote on the resolution has been repeatedly delayed.In Beirut, US Assistant Secretary of State David Welch met Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora. The deta

  • US, France mull changes to UN resolution

    US and French diplomats on 9 August began revising the draft UN resolution to end the conflict in Lebanon after Arab League representatives pressed for amendments a day earlier. The US is reluctant to amend the draft based on Lebanese objections to the fact that it does not call for the withdrawal of Israeli troops. A vote on the resolution has been repeatedly delayed.In Beirut, US Assistant Secretary of State David Welch met Lebanese Prime Minis

  • US, UK propose resolution on Sudan

    The US and the UK on 17 August proposed a draft UN Security Council resolution which calls for the 'expeditious deployment' of a UN peacekeeping force in the war-torn Sudanese region of Darfur. The draft proposes the extension of the UN's existing mission in southern Sudan - Unmis- to include Darfur and would authorise the deployment of up to 20,000 troops and police in the region. The floundering African Union (AU) contingent which comprises 7,000 troops would be amalgama

  • US, UK propose resolution on Sudan

    The US and the UK on 17 August proposed a draft UN Security Council resolution which calls for the 'expeditious deployment' of a UN peacekeeping force in the war-torn Sudanese region of Darfur. The draft proposes the extension of the UN's existing mission in southern Sudan - Unmis- to include Darfur and would authorise the deployment of up to 20,000 troops and police in the region. The floundering African Union (AU) contingent which comprises 7,0

  • Usco syndication launched

    Syndication has been launched of the loan to fund the United Stainless Steel Company (Usco) plant at Hidd. The tenor of the $153 million, conventionally structured facility is 10 years. Arab Banking Corporation is acting as financial adviser and sole mandated lead arranger (MLA). Usco is owned by a group of investors led by Kuwait-based Gulf Investment Corporation (MEED 4:8:06).

  • Video shows kidnapped journalists

    Two Fox television journalists kidnapped in the Gaza Strip appeared in a videotape released on 23 August. Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig said they were in 'fairly good health' and appealed for help to secure their release. 'I know my family will already be doing this, but if you could apply any political pressure, both here in Gaza and the West Bank, that would be much appreciated by both Steve and myself,' Wiig said.The previously unknown Holy Jihad Brigades claimed respons

  • Video shows kidnapped journalists

    Two Fox television journalists kidnapped in the Gaza Strip appeared in a videotape released on 23 August. Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig said they were in 'fairly good health' and appealed for help to secure their release. 'I know my family will already be doing this, but if you could apply any political pressure, both here in Gaza and the West Bank, that would be much appreciated by both Steve and myself,' Wiig said.The previously unknown Holy Jih

  • Washington grants 2006 assistance package

    Washington and Amman signed on 10 August four grant agreements totalling $247.5 million as part of the US' 2006 economic assistance package to the kingdom. The grants will support trade, government finances and the water, health and education sectors. Under the first agreement, the US will provide $37.7 million to support small and medium-sized local companies to capitalise on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, while also supporting the IT and tourism industries. The second $45 mill

  • Washington grants 2006 assistance package

    Washington and Amman signed on 10 August four grant agreements totalling $247.5 million as part of the US' 2006 economic assistance package to the kingdom. The grants will support trade, government finances and the water, health and education sectors. Under the first agreement, the US will provide $37.7 million to support small and medium-sized local companies to capitalise on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, while also supporting the IT and tourism industries. The second $45 mil

  • West has no Middle East strategy, says King Abdullah

    Jordan's King Abdullah says the West has failed to develop a comprehensive strategy to solve the problems of the Middle East. 'Whether it's the Israeli-Palestinian one, whether it's Lebanon or whether it's Iraq or the issue of Iran, I don't think there's an overall strategy,' King Abdullah told BBC World on 8 August. 'This is why I think the Egyptians, the Jordanians and Saudis with a lot of the Arab countries are trying to get a unified position, because we're not seeing the internation

  • West has no Middle East strategy, says King Abdullah

    Jordan's King Abdullah says the West has failed to develop a comprehensive strategy to solve the problems of the Middle East. 'Whether it's the Israeli-Palestinian one, whether it's Lebanon or whether it's Iraq or the issue of Iran, I don't think there's an overall strategy,' King Abdullah told BBC World on 8 August. 'This is why I think the Egyptians, the Jordanians and Saudis with a lot of the Arab countries are trying to get a unified position, because we're not seeing the i

  • West mulls Iranian response to nuclear offer

    Fatah officials convened in Amman on 23 August for a two-day meeting to discuss the formation of a coalition government with Hamas. Fatah's Central Committee was meeting for the first time since Hamas' victory in parliamentary elections in January. 'After the difficult conditions that our people are going through, we are searching for a way out. And this way out, Fatah and the other factions believe, lies in a national unity government that faces the challenges ahead,' Salim Zanoun, head

  • Wind farm blows nearer

    Societe Tunisienne de l'Electricite & du Gaz (STEG) is expected to issue in September a tender for the contract to develop three wind farm projects in the north with combined capacity of 100-120 MW. The project has been under study for more than two years. The project will be offered to the private sector on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis, with STEG expected to retain a share in it. The new facility will meet the country's aim for wind farms to provide 100 MW of electricity under the 2002-

  • Work starts on Frisco Ridge

    Tatweer, part of Dubai Holding, has awarded the local Khansaheb Civil Engineering the estimated AED 30 million ($8 million) road works and infrastructure contract for a new development in Dubailand known as Frisco Ridge. The consultant is the UK's Halcrow. Khansaheb is working on a roads and infrastructure package on Tatweer's Dubai City project, also in Dubailand (MEED 3:3:06).

  • Work to start on new motorway

    Construction work is due to start by the end of August on the first two phases of the Jahra-Subiya motorway upgrade project. The first phase, won by the local Combined Group, covers the construction of a 22-kilometre section from Jahra. Shaheen Alghanim Roads & Bridges, also local, will carry out the second phase, involving a further 23 kilometres toward Subiya. The duration of both contracts is 30 months. The tender for the third and largest package, a 27-kilometre-long section with two spurs t

  • Working week changed

    The cabinet on 30 July agreed to change the public sector working week. From 1 September, the weekend for government employees will be Friday and Saturday instead of Thursday and Friday. The decision follows a similar one made in the UAE in May, aimed at improving efficiency (MEED 19:5:06).

  • YEMEN

    Tender no CGS-MSDW/2006-34. Construction of the Al-Kadashia spate diversion works in the Wadi Maaden, Lahej governorate, as part of a groundwater and soil conservation project. Financed by the International Development Association. Bid bond is 2 per cent of tender price.

  • YEMEN

    Tender no MGS/06-37. Supply of polyethylene pipes and fittings as part of a groundwater and soil conservation project. Financed by the World Bank.Details on payment of YR 20,000 or $100 from the Agriculture & Irrigation Ministry, Project Co-ordination Unit, Groundwater & Soil Conservation Projects, Director, PO Box 18733. Al-Hay al-Seyasi, Near Djibouti Embassy, Sanaa, telephone: (9671) 445315/443219, fax (9671) 445261, email GSCP@yemen.net.ye.

  • YEMEN

    General procurement notice. Project no P086865. Supply of goods, carrying out works and provision of consultancy and related services as part of a power sector project. The project will include the following: 1) a generation subcomponent consisting of the supply and installation of a 160-tonne-an-hour boiler in the Al-Hiswa power plant in Aden; 2) a transmission subcomponent consisting of supply and erection contracts for (i) about 12 kilometres of 132-kV double/single conductor double-circuit t

  • Yemen Mobile shares sold

    An initial public offering (IPO) was launched on 29 July of 45 per cent of shares in Yemen Mobile, the country's third mobile operator. The company is wholly owned by the government's Public Telecommunications Corporation.

  • YouGov moves into region

    UK online polling and market research firm YouGov has acquired Dubai-based consumer research company Siraj Marketing Research & Consultancy, in a deal worth AED 8 million ($2.2 million).

  • Zonescorp steams ahead with port plans

    The Higher Corporation for Specialised Economic Zones (Zonescorp) is moving ahead with a number of major developments across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. It has unveiled plans to develop a bulk handling port, which will be located in ICAD 3; a new sewage treatment plant (STP) to serve its developments in Mussafah; and to build an estimated AED 4,000 million ($1,090 million) office park for the oil and gas industry. Contracts have also been signed with two local companies to develop and operate W

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