MEED Middle East Economic Digest articles from October 2004

MEED Middle East Economic Digest archives from October 2004

Banging the drum.(Comment)(petroleum)
October 1, 2004... With the balance between world oil supply and demand as tight as a drum skin, and trader's nerves also stretched, it takes little news flow-positive or negative--to move markets. In recent months, individual events kept kicking the cost of...

On the record.(Seven Days)(quotations)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... "Before we can talk about the lack of democracy in the world, we must first admit that it is lacking in the UN" Libyan Foreign Minister Abdurrahman Mohamed Shalghem, calling for a permanent UN Security Council seat for Libya

Looking back ...(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... 2 October 1964 Damascus draws up new development plans for Hama after a series of strikes and growing unrest in the town, which has become a centre of political resistance to the regime 29 September 1989 Hopes fade for an early...

Mixed news for hostages, bad news for politicians: political faultlines deepen between Iraqi groups.(Iraq)
October 1, 2004... Hostage-taking dramas continued to dominate the headlines in late September, with some of the victims' families given cause for celebration and others becoming increasingly desperate. Against this backdrop, both the US and UK governments came...

Conflict broadens on intifada's fourth anniversary.(Regional)
October 1, 2004... As the second Palestinian intifada reached its fourth anniversary on 28 September, there was little encouragement for those hoping to see an end to the internecine struggle between Israel and the Palestinians. Palestinian Prime Minister...

Unified call to prayer planned in Cairo: 25 September.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Egypt's government announces plans to unify the calls to prayer in Cairo, which are currently relayed separately from mosque loudspeakers. Some Muslims oppose the suggestion, with one Islamic website saying it amounts to "treason".

Saudi security forces in new clashes: 26 September.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Police clash with suspected Islamic militants in Riyadh, hours after a French worker is killed in Jeddah in an alleged terrorist attack. Laurent Barbot, a technician for the French defence and electronics firm Thales, was attacked in his car...

Protests as Al-Qaeda suspect dies in Lebanese custody: 27 September.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Angry protesters gather near the home of an Al-Qaeda suspect after Lebanese authorities confirm his death from a "massive heart attack" while in custody. Ismail Mohammed al-Khatib was arrested the previous week on charges of plotting to blow up...

Attack kills four Iraqi policemen: 27 September.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A car bomb kills four Iraqi National Guards and wounds at least five others in Mosul, echoing a warning by US Secretary of State Colin Powell that Iraq's insurgency is worsening and needs to be defeated.

Kingdom to raise production: 28 September.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Saudi Arabia states it will raise oil production from 9.5 million barrels a day (b/d) to 11 million b/d. Petroleum & Mineral Resources Minister Ali Naimi says the increase will become effective within weeks.

Bahraini human rights group disbanded: 28 September.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Authorities in Bahrain close down the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), days after its director is arrested for criticising Manama's economic policy

USS Cole killers sentenced: 29 September.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A Yemeni court sentences two men to death for their role in the bomb attack on the USS Cole, which killed 17 US sailors in October 2000. Saudi national Abdul Rahim al-Nashiri and Yemeni national Jamal Mohammed al-Bedawi are handed the death...

Twin Baghdad blasts kill more than 16: 30 September.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Insurgents detonate two bombs near a convoy of US military vehicles in southern Baghdad, killing at least 16 people, according to Iraqi police. After the first blast, a suspected car bomb, a second bomb explodes as US troops help those hit in...

Jordan bans opposition rallies: 30 September.(News Digest)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Amman bans the largest opposition bloc in parliament from organising rallies in support of the Palestinian uprising. Hamza Mansour, secretary-general of the Islamic Action Front, says two requests for marches marking the fourth anniversary of...

Step right up: the Gulf's project financiers are bracing themselves for a surge in deal flow that--while creating huge opportunity--will test the market's capacity for innovation. The first glimpse of the future is visible.(Project Finance)(Cover Story)
October 1, 2004... For those Gulf project financiers who had not already noticed, a deal from Doha has signalled the dawn of a new age. The expected $4,000 million financing for Qatar Liquefied Gas Company II (Qatargas II) is a seminal transaction. In terms of...

A regulator is born.(Interview: David King, DFSA)(DIFC Financial Services Authority)(Interview)
October 1, 2004... On 16 September, a Dubai law established the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority (DIFCA), the DIFC Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the DIFC Judicial Authority. Edmund O'Sullivan talks to David King, acting chief executive...

Gasco gears up for OGD-3/AGD-2.(UAE)(Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Company)
October 1, 2004... Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Company (Gasco) plans to award its three packages on the third phase of the onshore gas development (OGD-3) and phase 2 of the Asab gas development (AGD-2) programme by February 2005, general manager Mohammed Sahoo told...

ADNOC CEO sets out project plans.(UAE)(Abu Dhabi National Oil Company)(chief executive officer)
October 1, 2004... Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is studying a range of new projects in the upstream gas and the downstream petrochemicals sectors, said secretary-general of the Supreme Petroleum Council and ADNOC chief executive Yousef Omair bin Yousef....

Hawiyah NGL plant goes to bid.(Saudi Arabia)(natural gas liquids)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Saudi Aramco has released invitation to bid (ITB) documents to international contractors on the estimated $1,200 million project to build a greenfield natural gas liquids (NGL) plant at Hawiyah. The ITB release follows contractors' submissions...

Three bid for $400 million NF3.(Iran)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Bids are under evaluation at National Petrochemical Company (NPC) for the third natural gas fractionation project at Bandar Imam, known as NF3. The project is likely to be worth $400 million-500 million but is not thought to be a priority for...

MEED conferences.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
October 1, 2004... MEED Project Finance 2004 5-6 October 2004, Bahrain www.meed.com/projectfinance Under the patronage and supported by: Exclusive Lead Sponsor: Official Sponsor: Co-Sponsors: 2nd Middle East Airports 29-30 November 2004,...

KOC reissues crude export facilities tender ...(Kuwait Oil Company)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... State-owned upstream operator Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has reissued the tender for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract on the proposed Ahmadi oil storage and export facilities project (MEED 3:9:04). Seventeen...

... And invites bids for telemetry system.(Kuwait)(Kuwait Oil Company)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... State-owned Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) has invited engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors to submit bids by 17 October for a contract to install a telemetry system for its southern oil fields. Prospective bidders include...

Dolphin umbilicals bid.(Regional)(Dolphin Energy Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Abu Dhabi-based Dolphin Energy has received technical bids from four international companies for the final engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract, covering the umbilicals package in offshore Qatar, on the $3,500 million...

CCC wins isomer job.(Oman)(Consolidated Contractors International Company)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A team of Athens based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC) and India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been awarded the RO 33.4 million ($85.3 million) engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the isomerisation...

Oil prices break $50 barrier.(Oil Prices)
October 1, 2004... Oil prices briefly broke the $50-a-barrel mark in late September as new supply threats reared their heads and efforts from Washington, Moscow and Riyadh to calm the market failed. The impact of Hurricane Ivan and threats to foreign producers in...

Commercial bids in for Khurmala and Hamrin.(Iraq)(State Company for Oil Projects)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Commercial offers have been opened by State Company for Oil Projects (SCOP) for two contracts to develop the Khurmala dome structure and the Hamrin field. About four companies are understood to have bid for the Khurmala project, which involves...

Bids invited for Sohar bulk liquid berth.(Oman)(Transport & Communications Ministry calls for bids)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Bids are due by 11 October for the contract to build a bulk liquids terminal at Sohar port. About six companies are understood to have been prequalified for the 250-day contract, among them Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International...

New board named for Aramco.(Saudi Arabia)(appointments)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... King Fahd on 25 September ordered the formation of a new board of directors for Saudi Aramoo, under the chairmanship of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Minister All Naimi. The team will take office on 29 October and will serve for three years....

Takreer studies future projects.(UAE)(Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Co.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Abu Dhabi Oil: Refining Company (Takreer) is studying the feasibility of three potential projects, Mansoor al-Mehairbi, the company's business support division manager, told the MEED Major Project Opportunities in Abu Dhabi conference on 26...

SCOP issues Rumaila job.(Iraq)(State Company for Oil Projects)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... State Company for Oil Projects (SCOP) has issued a tender for the design, supply and commissioning of three turbo compression stations for the North Rumaila natural gas liquids (NGL) plant. Interested firms have until 27 November to submit...

NRA seeks sales adviser.(Jordan)(Natural Resources Authority accords with NFG Development Pty Ltd.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Natural Resources Authority (NRA) is seeking an adviser to promote oil and gas exploration. Potential bidders have been given until 7 October to submit expressions of interest in a contract to market to international oil companies (IOCs)...

Borouge prepares for phase 3 PMC commercials; early 2005 award for PMC/FEED work worth $20 million-30 million.(UAE)(front-end engineering and design)(Borouge Private Ltd.)
October 1, 2004... International contractors are due to submit commercial offers by 5 October to Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) for the contract to carry. out project management consultancy (PMC) services on the $2,500 million phase 3 expansion programme....

Amir Kabir assesses three LDPE bids.(Iran)(low-density polyethylene)(Amir Kabir Petrochemical Co.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Amir Kabir Petrochemical Company, a subsidiary of National Petrochemical Company (NPC), is evaluating three bids for its low-density polyethylene (LDPE) project. The plant was originally to have been part of the Simorgh petrochemical complex,...

Airport deaths expose safety problems; fatal accident is a wake-up call to booming construction industry.(UAE)
October 1, 2004... The deaths of five construction workers at Dubai International Airport has exposed serious safety Problems in the emirate's booming construction industry, say contractors. Speaking to MEED after the accident, senior industry, figures said...

Fanar Beach takes shape.(Bahrain)(Davenport Campbell inks a deal with Ossis Property Developers)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Australia's Davenport Campbell has been appointed to design two hotels for the Fanar Beach portion of the $1,000 million Amwaj Islands resort, under construction off the coast of Muharraq. Costing a total of about BD 25 million ($66 million),...

Local/Kuwaiti team to develop Adhari park.(Bahrain)(Kuwait Commercial Complexes Company, Global Investment House and Al-Khaleej Development Company receives contracts)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A team including Bahrain's Al-Khaleej Development Company (Tameer), Kuwait Commercial Complexes Company and Global Investment House, also of Kuwait, has been awarded the contract to develop Adhari park in the northern governorate, at a cost of...

Bids due for Basra children's hospital.(Iraq)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Bids are due by mid-October for the contract to build a 50-bed paediatric hospital in Basra. Four groups of companies are understood to be competing for the estimated $25 million contract. They are: the US' Midcon, with Amman-based UHS...

More prequalifiers for first ring-road scheme.(Kuwait)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Two additional companies--Egypt's Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Company) and the local Alghanim International General Trading & Contracting--have been added to the prequalication list for the first construction package on the first...

Projacs wins more Asian Games work.(Qatar)(Projacs International bags a contract recieves a contract from Sports Facilities & Installations Department)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Bahrain-based Projacs International has been awarded the project management consultancy (PMC) contract on the estimated QR 1,500 million ($401 million) scheme to upgrade and expand sports facilities across the country, in preparation for the...

JV closes in on Dubai Mall.(UAE)(joint ventures)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The joint venture of the local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty (DBB) and Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC) was on the verge of being awarded the main package on the Dubai Mall development in late September. Sources close...

Dam programme moves forward.(Lebanon)(CWE, Agricomplect and Dogus holding to bid for Aassi dam)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... International contractors are to be invited to bid in late October for two contracts to build two dams in the north of the country--an estimated $80 million contract to build a 65-metre-high rockfill dam on the Aassi river and an estimated $35...

Royal palace contracts awarded.(Oman)(Royal Court Affairs Ministry)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and the local Galfar Engineering & Contracting have been awarded the two main packages on the project to build a new royal palace at Barka, called Villa Number One. The client is the Royal Court Affairs Ministry...

Callison awarded marina design contract.(Qatar)(Callison Architecture Inc.)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The US' Callison has been awarded the design and construction architecture contract for the main marina on the $2,500 million Pearl of the Gulf project. Callison will act as the prime consultant and design architect for the masterplanning,...

Big interest in silo mega contract.(Syria)(General Company for Grain Silos)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The General Company for Grain Silos has so far received bids from 24 local and international contractors for the estimated $200 million turnkey contract to design and build 10 100,000-cubic-metre-capacity concrete grain silos at sites across...

Bids in for DIA package.(UAE)(Dubai International Airport)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Bids were submitted on 27 September for the AX 059 package, the largest contract on the $4,200 million Dubai International Airport (DIA) expansion project. Only two ventures--the local/UK Al-Naboodah Laing O'Rourke and the local/South...

AA Nass/Great Lakes scoop Durrat resort dredging.(Bahrain; AA Nass Contracting)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The joint venture of the local AA Nass Contracting and the US' Great Lakes Dredge & Dock has been awarded the dredging and reclamation contract on the Durrat al-Bahrain resort. The work was retendered in April to take account of the revised...

ACC takes Saba twin towers.(UAE)(Arabian Construction Company )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Lebanon's Arabian Construction Company (ACC) has received a letter of intent for the Saba twin towers project on the Jumeirah Lakes Towers development. The 21-month award, valued at up to AED 250 million ($68 million), calls for the...

Khor Fakkan contract imminent.(UAE)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Sharjah-based Gulftainer Company has shortlisted three companies for the estimated AED 200 million ($54.4 million) contract to expand Khor Fakkan container terminal in Sharjah emirate. Five companies submitted bids by the 27 September deadline....

Dubai LRT moves ahead; selection proposal for main package set to be completed by mid-March.(UAE)
October 1, 2004... Dubai Municipality has provided further details on phase 1 of the Dubai light rail transport (LRT) project, announcing amended bid deadlines and changes to the five prequalified international consortia pursuing the scheme. The announcement,...

PWC selected for region's first customs BOT.(Kuwait; PWC Logistics)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The local PWC Logistics has been selected by the government for a 25-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) concession to handle and modernise the country's customs freight clearing system. The contract is expected to be signed by the end of the...

VW plans parts JV in Abu Dhabi; Mussafah site being considered.(UAE; Volkswagen)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... MEED's Major New Project Opportunities in Abu Dhabi conference was told on 27 September that Abu Dhabi and Germany's Volkswagen (VW) are moving ahead with plans for joint venture vehicle component manufacturing units to be built in Mussafah...

Groups form for Shouaiba IWPP; three groups have formed; others still interested.(Saudi Arabia; Shouaiba independent water and power project)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Following clarification meetings with prequalified developers in Dubai in late September, it is expected that three groups will submit bids for the Shouaiba independent water and power project (IWPP) by the January deadline. The UK's...

Bids invited for water supply contracts.(Oman)(Ministry of Housing, Electricity & Water )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Tenders have been issued by the Ministry of Housing, Electricity & Water for two potable water supply contracts in the Muscat governorate. Bids are due by 25 October for work covering the Mobella area, including the supply and installation of...

GE wins Al-Wasit turbine contract.(UAE)(Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The US' GE Power Systems is understood to have been selected to supply two frame 9 gas turbines to be installed at Al-Wasit power station in Sharjah. The Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority (SEWA) contract is worth about $120 million. It is...

Deadlines extended for desal bids.(Algeria)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Algerian Energy Company (AEC) has extended the deadlines for submission of technical bids on tour desalination plants. Companies now have until 20 October to submit bids for a 100,000-cubic metre-a-day (cm/d) facility at Mostaganem and a...

Companies prepare for Al-Zour North PQs.(Kuwait)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... International contractors are preparing to submit applications for prequalification by 23 October for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) package to build the proposed 2,500-MW AI-Zour North power plant. The client, the Energy...

Siemens, ABB bid low for substation work for substation work.(Kuwait)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... Germany's Siemens and Europe's ABB are low bidders on five packages, worth more than KD 27 million ($93 million), to supply and install 13 33/11-kV substations across the country for the Energy Ministry. The contracts are expected to be signed...

Deadline extended on GMR phase 4.(Libya; Great Manmade River Authority)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Great Manmade River Authority (GMRA) has extended until 11 October the bid deadline for the project management consultancy (PMC) contract on the fourth phase of the great manmade river project Five-10 companies are understood to have...

QEWC group wins IWPP.(Qatar)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The three-strong consortium led by Qatar Electricity & Water Company (QEWC) received on 30 September a letter of award for the state's second independent water and power project (IWPP). The letter, which confirmed the QEWC-led group as the...

Al-Matar bids low for Sohar water transmission.(Oman)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The local Al-Matar Trading & Contracting is low bidder at RO 56.7 million ($145.3 million) for the contract to install a water transmission system linking Sohar port to service reservoirs in the Al-Batinah and Al-Dhahirah regions. Eight...

Subiya phase 2 tender issued.(Kuwait)(Energy Ministry )(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Energy Ministry has issued the tender for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to expand the Subiya desalination facility Seven companies have been invited to bid by 26 December on the estimated $300 million project,...

Bids in for ADWEA pipelines.(UAE)(Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA) is evaluating bids for two major water conveyance contracts. Eight companies submitted bids on 26 September for the contract to build a pipeline from Jebel dhanna to Delma via Sir Baniyas island,...

Hassi R'Mel hybrid plant out to bid.(Algeria)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Renewable energy agency New Energy Algeria (NEAL) has issued tender documents for the contract to develop a new solar/gas hybrid power plant at Hassr R'Mel in north central Algeria, 60 kilometres northwest of Ghardaia. The contract calls...

Siemens wins Berroughia EPC; Hadjret Ennous nears completion.(Algeria)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A consortium of Germany's Siemens and the French office of Italy's Saipem, along with local subsidiaries Siemens Algiers and Sofresid, was awarded on 27 September the Eur 234 million ($288 million) contract to build a 489-MW gas-fired power...

More Maroc Telecom for sale: Vivendi interested in taking controlling stake.(Morocco)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... France's Vivendi Universal has expressed interest in the purchase of a further stake in state telecoms operator Maroc Telecom. The sale would give the French company a 51 per cent controlling stake in the operator, following its $2,200 million...

Acer wins PC contract.(Jordan)(Education Ministry)(Personal Computer)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Taiwan's Acer Computer has signed a deal worth JD 10 million ($14 million) to equip computer laboratories at schools across the country. Under an initial JD 8.5 million ($11.9 million) contract, Acer will install IT hardware including printers,...

Siemens wins Omantel contract.(Oman)(Oman Mobile Telecommunications Company)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Oman Mobile Telecommunications Company, a subsidiary of Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel), has signed an agreement with Germany's Siemens to expand its prepaid network and offer additional services, The contract is worth about RO 4.6...

Siemens wins GSM network expansion.(Yemen)(Global System for Mobile Communications (cellular phone technology))(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Germany's Siemens on 29 September announced the award of a $28 million contract covering the upgrade, expansion and modernisation of the Sabafon GSM network. Under the contract, Siemens will provide its general packet-switched radio service...

Majlis, GC move against FDI; GSM and airport deals now in jeapardy.(Iran)
October 1, 2004... The Guardian Council (GC) has approved new legislation allowing the Majlis (parliament) to veto deals involving Turkish investors on Iran's GSM network and new international airport. The bill originally gave deputies the power of veto over all...

New company law beckons.(UAE)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Foreign investors will be able to take up to a 70 per cent stake in local companies under a new company law, for which a draft has been completed, Abu Dhabi Securities Market board member and Emirates Holdings chairman Hussain al-Nowais said on...

World Bank extends education loan.(Yemen)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The World Bank is to extend a $65 million loan to Sanaa to fund the government's Basic Education Development project. The 40-year project, being carried out under the auspices of the Education Ministry, will be rolled out initially across 10...

Ittihad finance coming: Samba Financial is sole lead manager on the issue.(Saudi Arabia)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The initial public offering (IPO) of a 20 percent stake in the Ittihad Etisalat is expected to be launched in October, subject to regulatory approval, sources close to the transaction say Samba Financial Group is the sole lead manager for the...

DCA debut sukuk coming, more in 2005.(UAE)(Department of Civil Aviation)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Roadshows for the planned $750 million sukuk from Dubai's Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) will be staged in the second week of October and will take place in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The issue is being...

HSBC to arrange Amlak sukuk.(UAE)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... HSBC has been mandated to arrange a sukuk worth AED 120 million ($32.7 million) for Amlak Finance, the property finance arm of Dubai-based real estate developer Emaar Properties. The sukuk will be the first in the region to have mortgage...

Regulators approve bank merger.(Oman)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Capital Markets Authority on 28 September and the Central Bank of Oman the following day approved "in principle" the merger between Bank Muscat and National Bank of Oman (NBO). Final approval is expected imminently from the Commerce &...

On target: the UAE construction boom shows no signs of coming to an end, but a great deal of work needs to be done to keep up the momentum.(Special report: UAE)
October 1, 2004... AA warm feel-good factor pervaded the UAE as the summer months drew to a close. Oil prices continued to ride high, keeping the treasury's coffers full. The country's population of migrant workers from the Indian subcontinent worked through the...

Twin engines purring: the UAE economy is finding it's not a bad time to rely on oil and construction.(Economy)
October 1, 2004... Whichever way you look at it--and there are various figures for economic growth floating around--the story remains the same. The UAE is enjoying a continuing boom, which saw gross domestic product (GDP) up by about 7 per cent in 2003, according...

On your marks, get set ... as the GCC begins to open up the regional telecommunications market, local companies are preparing to line up bids for the UAE's second GSM licence.(Telecoms)
October 1, 2004... The UAE is gearing up to enter a new era of telecommunications. In what has long been a closed market, companies are eagerly awaiting an announcement on new regulatory laws, expected by the end of November. If everything goes according to plan,...

Plastic fantastic: with most regions becoming net importers, Borouge is operating in a benign environment for polyethylene production.(Borouge)
October 1, 2004... Getting the timing right is always a challenge in the notoriously cyclical petrochemicals market. For Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge), it could hardly have been better. Since the UAE's first petrochemical producer shipped its initial...

Mission Arabia: locally based hotel chains are giving the international operators a run for their money.(Tourism)
October 1, 2004... Abu Dhabi's Beach Rotana Hotel has the feel of an internationally managed five star property. It has all the trimmings, comforts and glamour one would expect from a reputable global operator. However, where it differs is in nationality. The...

Tenders.(Business Opportunities)
October 1, 2004... GAZA/WEST BANK * Wastewater project Prequalification. Carrying out the Gaza Central wastewater project, which is divided into four packages: contract 1) performance based turnkey design and build construction of the new...

Contracts: September.(Illustration)
October 1, 2004... CONTRACTS: SEPTEMBER More than $2,386 million worth of contracts were awarded in the Middle East in September, according to this selected checklist compiled from MEED reports. If you want details of your organisation to be included,...

Bank on the merger of the banks: investors react to news that Oman's two biggest banks are to join forces.(Capital markets: Oman)
October 1, 2004... The planned merger of Bank Muscat and National Bank of Oman (NBO) monopolised talk at the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) in late September. However, the market's view, in contrast to that of most analysts, was unexpectedly negative. The...