MEED
Issue 5 3-9 February 2012
View all stories from this issue.
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Abu Dhabi receives bids for Al-Ain hospital
At least seven contracting groups submit prices for $708m hospital -
Abu Dhabi sets tender deadlines for offshore work
Four packages tendered by Adma-Opco for Umm al-Lulu and Satah al-Rasboot fields -
An assertive Arab League
Efforts to lead the agenda on Syria are made more complicated by the disparate opposition -
Arab League withdraws observers from Syria
Observers had been in Syria since 26 December 2011 -
Assad Said submits low price for Jeddah hospital expansion project
A total of 13 groups submitted bids for the main construction package -
Bahrain prisoners start hunger strike
Tensions rise ahead of first anniversary of anti-government protests -
Barclays Capital reveals mandates for IPO and bond issues
UK investment bank expects growth to come from GCC markets in 2012 -
Business slumps amid Syria unrest
Escalating violence in Syria and the economic impact of tougher international sanctions are beginning to take their toll on small and medium-sized firms -
Business waits on Kuwait elections
Questions raised over whether new Kuwaiti government will end political impasse -
Construction prices to fall in 2012
Construction costs are forecast to fall further this year before rebounding in 2013. Developers need to bring their projects to market now if they want to benefit from the lower prices -
Construction Special Report: Foreign firms lose out to locals
In the wake of the global financial crisis and the subsequent property crash, government-backed infrastructure projects have become an important source of activity in the GCC construction sector -
Costs to reflect global sentiment
Construction costs forecast to fall further this year reflecting global sentiment, says MEED Cost Indices -
Daewoo wins Kuwait crude tanker deals
Two of three shipbuilding contracts won by South Korean firm -
Demand for marine works slumps
With major offshore real estate developments being shelved in the wake of the global financial crisis and the collapse of the regional property market, the Gulf is no longer a hub for dredging -
Dubai banking & finance
Six key individuals involved in Dubai’s debt obligations due in 2012 -
Egyptian Exchange buoyed by renewed confidence
Egypt, Dubai and Saudi Arabia bourses the only gainers in the region for January -
Emal first to test project finance market in 2012
Banks will be approached in about a month’s time to finance $5bn Taweelah plant expansion scheme -
Erbil exchange to begin trading this year
Iraq Securities Commission also considers launching Basra exchange -
GCC plans to award $30bn of rail contracts in 2012
Most progress in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE -
GCC to focus on healthcare in 2012
Bids submitted for three hospitals worth a combined $1.7bn show resolve of regional governments -
Gulf contractors raise their game
Local firms emerged as the dominant force in the GCC projects market in 2011, reflecting the shift away from ambitious real estate schemes towards state-backed housing and infrastructure -
Hisham Abdullah al-Shirawi
Hisham Abdullah al-Shirawi is chairman, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) -
Holcim Liban
The firm’s strong performance will be tested by falling exports, particularly to crisis-hit Syria -
Holcim Liban: MEED Assessment
It benefits from being owned by a leading multinational -
Ibn Sina starts prequalification for $400m Jubail project
Contractors asked to submit documents for polyacetal plant in Jubail -
In dire need of insolvency law in Saudi Arabia
To deal with rampant corporate defaults, the kingdom’s banks need a legislative framework that ensures restructuring is worked out quickly -
Iraqiya-bloc ends parliamentary boycott
Political uncertainty still plagues Iraq -
KJO set to award contracts to McDermott and Daewoo
Contractors to be awarded offshore and onshore packages for Neutral Zone upgrade work -
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia lead growth
Value of projects planned or under way in both countries increases by 0.5 per cent -
Kuwait receives bids for cancer centre
Nine groups submit bids for construction contract of the 600-bed facility -
Kuwait rejects Acwa-led bid for Al-Zour North IWPP
Remaining four commercial bids for the private water and power plant to be opened on 5 February -
Looking to stimulate economic growth
Bahrain and Oman have outlined spending plans to address the pressing social and economic issues that led to civil unrest in 2011. It is now a matter of finding the political will to execute them -
Mohammad al-Gergawi
Mohammad al-Gergawi is chairman, Dubai Holding -
QP and Shell seek adviser for $6.4bn petrochemicals scheme
Banks pitching to advise on fundraising for huge olefins scheme -
Rick Pudner
Rick Pudner is CEO, Emirates NBD -
Riyadh invites bids for Saudi Stock Exchange tower
Contractors have until 25 March to submit bids for main construction package -
Riyadh supports heavy industry
Saudi Arabia’s decision to freeze its gas prices will support the kingdom’s industrial diversification -
Saeed Ahmed Saeed
Saeed Ahmed Saeed is CEO, Limitless -
Saudi Airlines signs $1.9bn debt extension
Deal arranged in late 2010 is extended by one extra year -
Saudi Arabia: Monitoring camera O&M
Carrying out operation and maintenance (O&M) of monitoring cameras and electronic gates -
Saudi Arabia's gas feedstock price to remain low in 2012
Saudi Arabian petrochemicals producers to enjoy $0.75 gas prices for another 12 months -
Saudi private sector credit growth levels off
Rising deposits and slower credit growth will put banks under additional pressure to lend -
Shahli Akram Juma
Shahli Akram Juma is managing director, DIFC Investments -
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum holds several roles -
Sipchem tells contractors to revise bids for $500m plant
Bidders requested to resubmit bids for polybutylene terephthalate plant at complex in Jubail -
UAE: Equipment O&M
Operation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment -
UAE: Medical equipment O&M
Carrying out operation and maintenance of mechanical and electrical equipment installations at various medical facilities -
Unrest in Syria takes on sectarian hue
The ruling Alawi sect will ensure the unrest continues to avoid handing over power to the Sunni majority -
Westerngeco wins Kuwait survey contract
Kuwait deal worth $184m for onshore seismic survey -
Zain Saudi Arabia prepares for $2.7bn debt refinancing
Banks appointed for debt refinancing and rights issue planned for later this year
