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Home | About | Middle East Business News Pack | Site Map | Terms | Privacy featured news service: 'Middle East Economic Digest (MEED)' Published weekly in London, MEED (Middle East Economic Digest) offers a comprehensive and in-depth review of economic and business activity in the Middle East. Up-to-the-minute news items are accompanied by well researched feature stories, background to news items, tenders, contracts, economic and legal briefings, finance and statistics, together with weekly analysis of business developments in 27, alphabetically listed, states. MEED provides uncensored and authoritative data on major events in the region, enabling subscribers to make well informed business decisions. Introduction | Headlines | Buy | Free Trial Each week MEED has delivered its impartial, practical advice drawing on the experience of its renowned team of experts who follow every major financial and economic development in the region. MEED (the Middle East Economic Digest) is relied on for its reporting on the economies and major opportunities throughout the Middle East. Each week MEED has delivered its impartial, practical advice drawing on the experience of its renowned team of experts who have followed every major crisis in the region during that time. Each weekly issue contains: The Cover Story - Full of insight and detailed research, backed by relevant statistics. Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) puts you in the picture on the region's most important issues. Concise view of your markets - Each week there is a succinct, country-by-country digest of the latest news on contracts, project loans, development plans, companies and people in some 21 Middle East and North African countries. New business leads - Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) gives you access to over 100 new tenders each week. Contracts awarded - Each month there is a summary of contracts awarded, complete with details on who won which contract, for how much and who is sub-contracting. Special reports - Over 51 a year covering Middle East Economies, Major industries and Principal trading partners. To make important decisions, you need accurate data, and in a region where quality information can be hard to find, a subscription to Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) means you know you are getting a reliable source of business news. Buy now! GB £ Payments: Middle East Economic Digest Annual Subscription (51 issues) GB £ Payments: Paper - 51 issues                   £585            Paper - 104 issues               £1053            Top of Page Headlines MEED: the Middle East Economic Digest (economic analysis, contracts & tenders) Friday 28 March 2008 Top MEED News Headlines Oil and gas contract awards slump as costs soar in Gulf Value of awards in the Gulf oil and gas sector has fallen by almost two-thirds over the past year. In MEED magazine this week Rule change to raise cost of city building in Saudi Arabia Consolidated and Six Construct win $1.7bn Ras Laffan deal Baghdad signs $5.5bn Boeing deal Aramco upgrades refineries to meet US rules on sulphur Cairo set to launch economic courts for businesses Marafiq takes on risk under Yanbu deal Aramco sparks hope of capacity increase at Harmaliyah field Muscat ditches plans for coal-fired plant News Speculation grows over Sabic and Aramco joint venture Cairo targets global mining companies Project delays hit Algiers’ export targets Friendi Mobile wins first virtual network licences in region Nakheel to award three major real estate deals Features The $2 trillion question Rapid expansion risks oversupply Al-Habtoor Leighton Group on Gulf expansion plans Business Close-up: Qatalum Ankara targets Gulf investors Special Report Special report: Kuwait The need for stability A welcome development Major project financings in the Middle East A journey into unknown territory More than the sum of its parts Commentary Sulphur clean-up makes economic sense in the region Growth can be sustained in the Gulf Political stability must be first step in Kuwait Securing gas is vital for growth in the Gulf Saudi Arabia right to plan long term for economic cities Editor's Choice Rule change to raise cost of city building in Saudi Arabia Special report: Kuwait The $2 trillion question Rapid expansion risks oversupply Friday 21 March 2008 Top MEED News Headlines Samref plans $2bn Yanbu upgrade Diyar al-Muharraq development to relaunch in June Sama investors lose patience over '100 per cent' losses Emirates raise tariffs in line with Dubai International firms line up for Abu Qir Cost of dollar funding rises as market turmoil increases Adco invites fresh interest in Bab deal Oil companies lobby Baghdad over future licensing round News Adwec forecasts shortfall in power and water supply Abu Dhabi awards $1bn in road deals Baghdad speeds up reform in WTO bid Oger Telecom shelves plans for mobile phone service Import tax breaks fail to curb costs Features Business Close-up: Qatalum Reform boosts Egypt's economic strength Closure of Libya's ministries causes concern Gas shortfall hits utilities profits Resolution to airlines dispute in sight after long haul Special Report Credit agencies set for bigger role Funds struggle to deliver results Riyadh puts the markets to work Rising costs delay projects Tight market hits big deals Sharia deals enter mainstream Commentary Riyadh must end two-tier market Gaddafi's reforms are bold but misguided Baghdad needs Big Oil on board Electricity and water costs should be spelled out Lack of dollars will delay deals Editor's Choice Special Report: Banking - Searching for dollars Gulf war on inflation can't wait for revaluation Special report: UAE - Impact of the cabinet reshuffle US increases pressure on Gulf over Tehran Friday 1 February 2008 Top MEED News Arab Banking Corp confirms subprime exposure Doosan bids low for Jeddah phase three Cairo wastewater deadline extended Oman power privatisation plans gain momentum Nakheel plans Dubai Waterfront rail project Chevron's Divided Zone concession likely to be renewed NanoDynamics to list on Dubai bourse by mid-February Kuwait Investment Opportunities Fund aims to raise $93m Chinese manufacturer opens Jordan’s first car plant China buys stake in Yemen oil field Banking and Finance Arab Banking Corp confirms subprime exposure International Finance Corporation extends help to Palestinians Oman opts out of GCC single currency QNB reports 26 per cent profit rise Sub-prime crisis hits regional banks Doha Bank to expand into Yemen through joint venture Construction Nakheel plans Dubai Waterfront rail project Contracts awarded for Dubai’s Parallel roads Bids received for Bahrain sanitation services Cisco wins Saudi economic city infrastructure contract Bidders line up for $2bn Qatar-Bahrain causeway Dubai to start work on landmark bridge in March Energy Kuwait to import gas to fuel power plants Chevron's Divided Zone concession likely to be renewed China buys stake in Yemen oil field Black Cat wins Qatar Petroleum contract Saudi Aramco to boost capacity at offshore Karan gas field Big Oil assists with Qatar North field studies Power Oman power privatisation plans gain momentum Doha prepares solar and nuclear plans Egyptian nuclear tender to go ahead in mid-February Taqa makes billion dirham profit Saudi Electricity seeks interest in power plant Bids for Tunisia's Ghannouch power plant due in February Real Estate Tabreed to provide district cooling at Sohar Kuwaiti firm secures Al Areen contract Omran receives bids for three hotel projects Exhibition City contract goes to Samsung and Baytur Kuwait issues first tender for Future City Four shortlisted to design Masdar headquarters < Water Doosan bids low for Jeddah phase three Cairo wastewater deadline extended Oman power privatisation plans gain momentum Bids received for Bahrain sanitation services Riyadh delays wastewater services privatisation plan Bahrain starts race for Addur water and power plant Commentary High oil prices help industry absorb rising exploration costs Ratings will ease Ras al-Khaimah's access to funding GCC membership is no panacea for Yemen's economic problems Call for port operators to put customers first < Construction boom brings foreign competition Doha should act to cool economy Change will bring opportunities in Bahrain UAE utilities reform must match Masdar ambitions Volatility offers lesson for Sabic Time for action on inflation in GCC Tenders IRAN TENDER: Wireless local loop system QATAR TENDER: Effluent over-pumping facilities OMAN TENDER: Electricity feeder construction QATAR TENDER: Mosques construction IRAN TENDER: Sewerage treatment plant construction KUWAIT TENDER: Transformer station construction OMAN TENDER: Sewage network Headlines: Friday 11 January 2008 Abu Dhabi to provide power to northern neighbours Conoco takes lead in Shah gas bidding Pipeline upgrade forces gas export cut China Harbour wins contract to build Ras al-Zour port Tehran offers land to metro developers Collapse of Tel Aviv gas talks revives Idku terminal project Dewa extends deadlines as suppliers struggle with demand Tripoli plans $5bn upgrade of refineries State invites foreign firms to apply for clean fuels project Amman to launch oil shale round Banking and Finance Foreign banks to capitalise on industrial development Sudan to issue sukuk Omani banking sector sees rapid growth Al-Mal Capital gets into private equity Saudi’s Al-Rajhi Bank looks to enter Kuwait Amlak enters Qatari mortgage market Construction Dewa extends deadlines as suppliers struggle with demand Dubai invites firms to bid for controversial creek extension Tenders issued for Silverene at Dubai Marina Gulf Finance House plans Energy City Libya Hong Kong contractor builds two towers in Dubai Arabtec to build drains and sewers in northern Dubai Energy Conoco takes lead in Shah gas bidding Pipeline upgrade forces gas export cut Collapse of Tel Aviv gas talks revives Idku terminal project Tripoli plans $5bn upgrade of refineries State invites foreign firms to apply for clean fuels project Amman to launch oil shale round Power Abu Dhabi to provide power to northern neighbours Dewa extends deadlines as suppliers struggle with demand Suez Energy enters exclusive talks to develop Ras Laffan Cairo prepares El-Dabaa nuclear power site Addur power plant issues prequalification list Dewa tenders second phase of Hassyan P power and water plant Real Estate Emaar awards key deals for Jeddah development Jafza signs with Rakisa to manage economic city Dubai caps residential rental hikes Dubai based developer takes Canadian stake Power shortages lead to project delays Dubai Pearl buyer promises to honour previous contracts Water Abu Dhabi overhauls sewage system Dubai invites firms to bid for controversial creek extension Addur power plant issues prequalification list Jeddah receives bids for water management deal Al-Nahar takes pipeline contract Dewa tenders second phase of Hassyan P power and water plant Commentary Bush visit is too little, too late Transparency will lead to respect Co-operation is the way forward UAE needs to reform further Reasons for optimism Market makes common sense Contractors face labour challenge Region needs gas to drive projects A year of opportunity: Lebanon/ Syria Generous budget will fuel inflation Tenders IRAQ TENDER: Electricity generator spares EGYPT TENDER: Housing construction IRAQ TENDER: Electricity generators TUNISIA TENDER: Electricity installations QATAR TENDER: Wellhead maintenance vessel charter IRAQ TENDER: Industrial computers TUNISIA TENDER: Auto-regulators Headlines: Friday 28 December 2007 Top News Contractor picked for Egyptian residences NBK raises acquisition funds Kuwait passes new income tax law Abraaj sells internet stake Foreign banks to get greater freedom in UAE market South Koreans on board for new Ajman project Kuwait Airways to face full audit Tamoil wins oil exploration deal India to refine more Sudanese crude Ben Ali backs laws to boost economy Commentary Iraq can now make progress Food subsidies need a rethink Palestinians need more than money Delaying projects risks raising costs Banks must offer Islamic finance Tenders JORDAN TENDER: Theme park development IRAN TENDER: Oil field floating storage unit EGYPT TENDER: Supply chain integration SUDAN TENDER: Veterinary services – Eastern Equatoria IRAN TENDER: Wastewater collection system subzone Banking and Finance NBK raises acquisition funds Foreign banks to get greater freedom in UAE market Agency set up to monitor inflation CBQ takes control of UAE bank QIB signs $300m bridge loan Construction Contractor picked for Egyptian residences South Koreans on board for new Ajman project US/UK joint venture picked for Abu Dhabi infrastructure New commercial tower planned for Burj Dubai complex Indians to build Muscat golf course development Energy Bids in for Kuwait’s new refinery project Tamoil wins oil exploration deal India to refine more Sudanese crude Tehran signs record gas deal with Malaysia Germans awarded Taweelah-Fujairah pipeline contract Power Power shortages lead to project delays Rising costs put Saudi energy scheme on verge of collapse Saudi Electricity launches first independent power project SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Independent power plant QATAR TENDER: Air-conditioning and refrigeration services Real Estate Dubai based developer takes Canadian stake Power shortages lead to project delays QATAR TENDER: Industrial city civil maintenance and plumbing services Dubai Pearl buyer promises to honour previous contracts Al Jaber Group Water French to operate Fujairah desalination Manmade river to flow for 200 years IRAN TENDER: Wastewater collection system subzone Dubai’s big stink and the GCC water reuse challenge QATAR TENDER: Air-conditioning and refrigeration services Events Construction Skills and Labour Resource Management 2008 Middle East Private Equity 2008 The Qatar Conference 2008 The Ras Al Khaimah Conference 2008 Middle East Port Development 2008 Insight Can sharia-compliant project finance challenge the conventional? Where next for Dubai’s freehold areas? Islamic Project Finance Report – A roadmap for the future of Middle East structured finance GCC Cement - market outlook to 2010 Headlines: Friday 7 December 2007 Fujairah IWPP financing to close before end of the year Top MEED News Tadawul hits 13-month high Maaden calls for plant operation bids ArtParis-Abu Dhabi sees strong sales Gulf District wins Dubai district cooling deal Cable Company shares soar on listing Mizin tenders Remraam at Dubailand Contractors approached for Dubai Waterfront building works Contractors prepare offers for Kuwait oil deals National Contracting wins Rabigh expansion Abu Dhabi to award $10bn sour gas deal Commentary Cost risk can be managed out Reduce the need for gas Petrol subsidies do not work in Jordan Citigroup rescue heralds a new era Annapolis failure was inevitable Tenders EGYPT TENDER: Heavy vehicles EGYPT TENDER: Housing construction SAUDI ARABIA TENDER: Electric switches KUWAIT TENDER: Wellhead equipment BAHRAIN TENDER: Electricity network upgrade Banking and Finance Fujairah IWPP financing to close before end of the year Nakheel to launch infrastructure trust Red Sea Gateway secures $454m for Jeddah port terminal Hedge funds target Dubai International Financial Centre Emirates secures new aircraft finance Construction Gulf District wins Dubai district cooling deal Mizin tenders Remraam at Dubailand Kuwait finalises plans to build city metro Nakheel to launch infrastructure trust Energy Contractors prepare offers for Kuwait oil deals Abu Dhabi to award $10bn sour gas deal GS Ruwais green diesel bid highlights rise of Koreans Sinopec gas find sparks exploration hopes in Empty Quarter Iran tenders Alpha oil field Power Maaden calls for plant operation bids National Contracting wins Rabigh expansion Dubai in talks with private developer for Fujairah plant Algiers searches for uranium to expand nuclear energy Reduce the need for gas Real Estate Nakheel to launch infrastructure trust EGYPT TENDER: Housing construction Abu Dhabi forms tourism partnership with Gulf Leighton Moevenpick signs up for Al-Ain hotel Aldar approaches contractors for Al-Raha Gardens Water Dubai in talks with private developer for Fujairah plant Degremont awarded Gabal el-Asfar contract Riyadh to invite interest in wastewater privatisation YEMEN TENDER: PVC pipes and fittings GCC water grid to use local plants Events Middle East and North Africa Fertilisers 2007 Middle East Healthcare Projects 2007 Middle East Wastewater Treatment and Reuse 2007 Middle East Private Equity 2008 The Ras Al Khaimah Conference 2008 Insight Can sharia-compliant project finance challenge the conventional? Where next for Dubai’s freehold areas? Islamic Project Finance Report - A roadmap for the future of Middle East structured finance GCC Cement - market outlook to 2010 Headlines: Friday 13 April 2007 Gates to visit Israel over Saudi arms deal Al-Qaeda claims responsibility for parliament bombing Olmert ready to discuss future Palestinian state Egypt 'offended' by accusations of sytematic human rights abuses Three MPs killed in Green Zone blast Bomb attacks will not halt elections, says Belkhadem Northern pipeline will boost oil production Doha signs insurance cooperation agreement with US state Standard & Poor's index measures stocks for foreigners European Parliament upgrades Islamic Development Bank Bomb attacks kill 30 in Algiers Landmark Indian labour agreement reached Amnesty warns of Egyptian anti-terror law impact Gulf car sales rise for General Motors Asset quality to weaken at Gulf banks, S&P Gas exporters consider gas Opec King Abdullah unveils Riyadh infrastructure programme Borouge enters the melamine market Khartoum threatens military action against Chad Currencies fall as dollar peg stays UK insists Hamas boycott continues, despite talks Beirut split over UN role in Hariri tribunal Oil chief calls it a day Lehman granted licence to operate in Qatar UK sailors to be released UN Middle East envoy to quit Asad ready to talk to Israel, says Pelosi African Union forces struggle to cope in Darfur Byblos granted $50m loan to support small firms Central Bank to launch Islamic certificate of deposit Headlines Friday 16 March 2007 UAE: Claims that Dubai is at risk from corporate collapses SAUDI ARABIA: Authorities clamp down on extremist teaching Mauritanian elections go to second round EGYPT: Opposition members arrested IRAQ: Al-Maliki visits Ramadi Solana arrives in Riyadh to discuss Lebanon US to co-operate with Libya on nuclear power Orascom Telecom customer numbers top 51 million IRAN: Atomic note for Tehran signals inflation Halliburton moves its head office to Dubai ALGERIA: Opposition party to boycott elections UAE: Bangladeshi airline crashes at Dubai Airport IRAN: Oil firms face US sanctions over Iran deals Kuwait Finance House partner takes control of Malaysian bank EGYPT: Fresh calls for arrest of Israeli Infrastructure Minister IRAN: Payment dispute delays Bushehr plant Egypt cuts dollar reserves ALGERIA: Chinese strike oil and gas in Sahara UAE: Mondial launches investment bank UAE: Istithmar buys UK business centres Riyadh warns foreigners against attacks GAZA WEST BANK: Palestinians close to forming unity government IRAQ: Democrats urge US troop withdrawal from Iraq SAUDI ARABIA: Patey set to be new UK ambassador to Riyadh Tel Aviv advises against travel to Jordan and Egypt IRAQ: Shia pilgrims hit by new attacks JORDAN: King Abdullah calls for renewed US peace efforts Egypt Cabinet Libyan Cabinet List Top of Page Search the cmsinfo market research portal now! 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