Sector Special Reports
Middle East Special Reports - in-depth features, trends and data on the region's sectors and countries.
Finance
Banking Special Report: The next step for Islamic finance
Welcome signs that the sharia banking sector is entering a new age of maturity
Banking Special Report: Provisioning impacts Islamic banks
The flurry of interest from banks keen to open Islamic banking branches in Oman, following a royal decree issued by Sultan Qaboos in May, shows that the sector remains an attractive prospect for many financial institutions
Saudi Arabia Banking Special Report: Weak loan growth hits sector
In 2007, people were talking optimistically of the Middle East being shielded from the global banking crisis. Time proved wrong
Construction & Real Estate
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
Construction Special Report: The Middle East's Top 100 Projects
MEED’s 2011 ranking of the 100 largest projects in the Middle East mirrors the changes in the wider regional economy
Petrochemicals: Shift in balance leaves Middle East under pressure
Middle East Petrochemicals producers face new challenges with US competition and a predicted slowdown in consumption
Oil & Gas
Oil & Gas: Gulf refiners buy overseas assets
The days when the Gulf was content to rely on crude exports to fill state coffers are long gone
Oil and gas Special Report : Mature fields to benefit from EOR techniques
As the world’s largest exporter of oil, there is no escaping the fact that the Middle East plays a major role in the depletion of the ozone layer
Oil and gas firms: Staying on top of new technology
Economic pressures on oil and gas companies has seen a push for information, communication and technology systems to be treated as an utility
Power & Water
Power & Water Special Report
As the GCC’s population soared during the boom leading up to 2008 and governments struggled to keep pace with rising demand for water, the concept of subsidy reform started to become more palatable
Power and Water Special Report: 2011 developer rankings
MEED Insight’s annual survey of the GCC power and desalination developer market highlights the emergence of an industry heavy-weight
Power & Water Special Report: The GCC's wastewater drive
The protests that have spread across the Middle East and North Africa region this year serve as a reminder of governments’ duty to provide for their people
Petrochemicals
Petrochemicals: Shift in balance leaves Middle East under pressure
Middle East Petrochemicals producers face new challenges with US competition and a predicted slowdown in consumption
Markets
Special Report: Capital markets - The Middle East's 100 largest listed companies 2011
After a strong rebound in 2010, growth in the Middle East’s capital markets has stalled
Industry
Metals & Mining Special Report: Middle East invests in phosphates
Morocco does not dominate many league tables, but when it comes to phosphates, it is far and away the most well-endowed country
Healthcare & Education
Middle East fails to make the grade
Middle East universities are lagging behind their global counterparts with just two featuring in the ranking of the world’s 400 leading higher education institutions
Telecoms & IT
Technology Special Report
The mobile-payment and electronic-commerce sectors are unlikely to flourish until regulations are loosened and a freer market emerges between banks and retailers
Transport
Transport & Logistics: Doha's $20bn road plan
The changing nature of demand for postal services has been causing headaches for postal operators in the West over the past decade
Transport & Logistics Special Report: Airline growth set to slow
The region’s aviation industry has had mixed fortunes over the past couple of years
Transport & Logistics Special Report: Ports sector slow to emerge from trade slump
The Middle East ports industry has been slow to emerge from the trade slump brought about by the global financial crisis
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