MEED Middle East Economic Digest back issues from November 2005:
The appliance of science.(COMMENT)(David Frost to join Al-Jazeera's new English-language channel)
Nov 04, 2005 ... The news that Sir David Frost. one of the biggest names in television news broadcasting, is to become the face of Al-Jazeera's new English-language channel caused quite a stir in the UK's somewhat self-obsessed media industry It shouldn't have. The Middle East's media sector, ...
Trouble brews on two fronts for Iranian president: Ahmadinejad's judgment questioned by hardliners.(IRAN)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... President Ahmadinejad is trying to put his stamp on the Iranian presidency but his outspoken approach has caused a diplomatic crisis abroad and a clamour among his own supporters at home. Strident comments about Israel in late October, the decision to purge Iranian embassies of reformist ...
On the record.(SEVEN DAYS)(John Bolton speaks)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... "If I were a Syrian taxpayer, and my intelligence activities were visible, I would demand a ...
Looking back.(SEVEN DAYS)
Nov 04, 2005 ... 5 November 1965 Investors plan to build a 100-kilometre gas pipeline from the Shibargan deposits in northern Afghanistan to Soviet Tajikistan 2 November 1990 North African governments draw up plans for ...
Asad surrounded.(SYRIA)(Bashar al-Asad releases prisoners)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Facing challenges from within and outside Syria, President Asad ordered the release of almost 200 political prisoners on 2 November, the eve of Eid al-Fitr. Most of those released are members of the banned Muslim Brotherhood, some of whom had been jailed for decades, as well as 50 Syrian ...
WTO accession draws near for Riyadh: 28 October.(World Trade Organization)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Saudi Arabia gets the green light to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The WTO working group will ...
Ahmadinejad defends call for destruction of Israel: 28 October.(NEWS DIGEST in MEED.com this week)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Iran's President Ahmadinejad responds defiantly to widespread international condemnation of his call for Israel to be "wiped ...
Fighting breaks out between rebels and Sanaa: 29 October.(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Armed men ambush and kill 12 Yemeni policemen in the northwestern province of Saada. About 400 people have died in ...
Insurgents have killed thousands of Iraqis, Pentagon says: 30 October.(NEWS DIGEST in MEED.com this week)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Insurgents have killed about 26,000 Iraqis since January 2004, says a US Defence Department report. The survey says that ...
Violence continues in West Bank: 31 October.(NEWS DIGEST in MEED.com this week)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... The Israeli army kills three Palestinian militants near Jenin. Two militants die in a ...
FIS leader calls for general amnesty: 31 October.(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... The exiled leader of the banned Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) Abassi Madani calls on President Bouteflika to declare a general amnesty. He proposes a ...
Israeli air strikes persist: 1 November.(NEWS DIGEST in MEED.com this week)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Israel continues its campaign of air strikes against Palestinian militant targets and kills two militant ...
Saddam soldiers are invited back into the army: 2 November.(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Defence Minister Saadoun Dulaimi invites former junior army officers under Saddam Hussain to re-enlist. "Those who wish to ...
Libya to scrap death penalty: 2 November.(NEWS DIGEST)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Tripoli is preparing to scrap the death penalty. The move will "pave the way for commuting the sentences against the five Bulgarian nurses ...
The Arab world finds its voice: Al-Jazeera is preparing to launch its English-language news network next year, and has fixed audiences in the US, Europe and Asia in its sights. But the Qatar-based organisation is not the only Middle East broadcaster making headlines. The battle for local and international audiences has well and truly begun.(COVER STORY: BROADCASTING)(Cover Story)
Nov 04, 2005; ... Sir David Frost lights a Havana cigar and surveys the remains of his breakfast. "Do you think they'll succeed with this smoking ban?" he asks. It is the main topic of conversation in London on this grey October morning, as another new piece of Labour government legislation polarises ...
The empire service comes full circle: as part of an overhaul of its international services, the BBC has announced plans for a new Arabic-language TV channel. Nigel Chapman, director of the BBC World Service, explains the strategy behind the launch.(BBC ARABIC TV)
Nov 04, 2005 ... After decades of being known for crackly shortwave listening in all corners of the globe, the BBC World Service has announced plans for its most far-reaching transformation since it began international broadcasting in December 1932 as the Empire Service. The plans include ...
Pushing an industrial agenda: after years out of the limelight, Doha-based Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) is looking to regain its position as the region's leading industrial consultancy body, as its secretary-general Ahmed Khalil al-Mutawa tells Angus Hindley.(BRIEFING: GOIC)
Nov 04, 2005; ... The regional pioneer in industrial consulting is back. That is the message coming out of the Doha-based Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), as it prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2006. Convinced there has never been a better time to promote Gulf industry, GOIC ...
Selection nears on Yanbu export refinery project: Aramco talking to Conoco, Chevron and Exxon.(SAUDI ARABIA)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Saudi Aramco completed in late October the first round of discussions with three shortlisted international oil companies (IOCs)--ConocoPhillips, Chevron Corporation and ExxonMohil Corporation--looking to acquire an equity stake in its grassroots export refinery to be built at Yanbu. About ...
Knives out over oil ministry appointment.(IRAN)
Nov 04, 2005 ... President Ahmadinejad on 2 November nominated Sadeq Mahsouli as oil minister, shortly after political pressure forced him to withdraw another little-known name for Iran's top cabinet post. Majlis (parliament) deputies must now vote to ratify the new appointment, but it is far from clear ...
Adgas mulls LNG train options.(Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company)(liquefied natural gas )
Nov 04, 2005 ... Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company (Adgas) has invited companies to submit technical and commercial bids on 30 November for a feasibility study contract to suggest strategic options for the replacement of its first two liquefied natural gas (LNG) trains on Das island and their replacement ...
Sonatrach explores US LNG market.(liquefied natural gas )(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... State energy company Sonatrach signed on 24 October a 20-year heads of agreement (HoA) with the US' Sempra Energy to export 1,9 million-3,8 million tonnes a year (t/y) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Sempra's Cameron LNG termina under development on the east coast of the US near Lake ...
Linde, Sham join hands for NIOC LNG.(IRAN)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Germany's Linde and Italy's Snamprogetti are to work together on a single front-end engineering and design (FEED) package for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project being pursued ay National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) with a likely Indian partner. Under the arrangement, which has been ...
Project managers track Abu Dhabi gas link.(UAE)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Company (Gasco) has invited companies to submit technical bids by 14 November for the position of project manager for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) phase on the proposed offshore associated gas (OAG) scheme. The invitees include the ...
Yanbu gas plant project goes for bid.(SAUDI ARABIA)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Saudi Aramco has invited companies to submit bids by 24 December for the contract to expand Yanbu gas plant, after eight international contractors attended a job explanation meeting in Dhahran in mid-October. The attendees were Germany's Uhde, Italy-based Techint, Spain's Tecnicas ...
Warmer weather cools prices.(OIL PRICES)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Oil prices managed to remain just below $60 a barrel at the beginning of November, on the back of milder weather in key US consuming regions and the ongoing recovery of Mexican Gulf production. However, increased political uncertainty, in the Middle East continues to support the market, ...
Sonoran expects major finds in Azraq block.(JORDAN)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... The kingdom's oil reserves could be greater than previously realised, a leading US oil company operating in the country has claimed. The US' Sonoran Energy said that preliminary technical studies in the Hamza field in the Azraq block had revealed that it may contain up to 30 million ...
Tender due for new Aramco pipeline.(SAUDI ARABIA)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... About 10 companies responded to an initial inquiry by 1 November to Saudi Aramco for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to supply and install a 42-inch-diameter 32-kilometrelong seawater transfer pipeline between UWSS 1 and UWIPS 3 pumping stations at Abqaiq and ...
Petro-Canada to sell Al-Furat stake.(SYRIA)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... UK-based energy consultant Harrison Lovegrove has been appointed to advise PetroCanada on the divestment of its stake in Al-Furat Petroleum Company, which produces about 250,000 barrels a day from three concession areas. The sale is being conducted through a closed bid auction and data ...
Stroytransgaz in for Palmyra.(SYRIA)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Russia's Stroytransgaz has been awarded the engineering, procurement, installation and commissioning (EPIC) contract to build a gas treatment plant in the southern half of the Palmyra gas reserves region. The contract also includes a short spur to the existing pipeline and the tie-in of ...
ARC reissues Azzawiya upgrade.(LIBYA)(Azzawiya Oil Refining Company)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... International contractors have been given until 20 November to submit prequalification documents for the estimated $250 million-300 million engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to upgrade the country's second biggest refinery--the 120,000-barrel-a-day (b/d) Azzawiya ...
Green diesel FEED goes for bid.(UAE)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Abu Dhabi Oil Refining Company (Takreer) has invited six companies to submit technical bids on 17 December for the front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract for its sulphur-free gas oil (SFGO) project at Ruwais. A tentative deadline of 14 January has been set for the submission of ...
Tender due for Jebel Dhanna tank project.(UAE)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... At least five companies have been prequalified for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract to build two 1 million-barrel crude oil storage tanks at Jebel Dhanna in Abu Dhabi emirate. They include Turkeys' Tekfen, the local National Petroleum Construction Company ...
WorleyParsons in line for unmanned platform.(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Australia's WorleyParsons is understood to be in pole position for the contract to carry out front-end engineering and design (FEED) and detailed engineering to fabricate an unmanned wellhead platform at the offshore West Bukha gas field off the Musandam peninsula, following the completion ...
Finns lube up for Bapco JV.(BAHRAIN)(Bahrain Petroleum Company and Neste Corp. in a joint venture)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Negotiations are under way between Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) and Finland's Neste on putting in place a comprehensive joint venture (JV) agreement on the construction of a lube base oil refinery in the kingdom, following the signature of a framework deal earlier in the year. The ...
Bids studied for Khafji onshore facilities.(REGIONAL)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Bids were submitted on 31 October to Al-Khafji Joint Operations (KJO) for the second major onshore contract to expand production facilities at the Divided Zone (DZ). Called the Hout field expansion facilities, the estimated $150 million-200 million engineering, procurement, construction ...
GS in line for Sohar: EDC, aromatics awards imminent; MLAs signed.(OMAN)(GS Engineering & Construction)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... South Korea's GS Engineering & Construction is due to sign by early 2006 two contracts worth a total of about $1,800 million for the planned aromatics and ethylene dichloride (EDC) projects at Sohar. Mandated lead arrangers (MLAs) have already been appointed on the aromatics debt package ...
Consultants link up for Al-Reem infrastructure: Germans appointed for overarching role.(UAE)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Two groups of consultants have been appointed to design and manage the development of infrastructure on Al-Reem island, also known as Abu Shooum. The local Al-Reem Investments has appointed Germany's Drees & Summer as the project manager for the infrastructure that will link the Shams ...
Firms line up for Mina Zayed redevelopment.(UAE)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Bids are under evaluation at local developer ALDAR Properties for two key contracts on the proposed multi-billion dollar redevelopment of Mina Zayed, after quotes were submitted in late October for the infrastructure and project management consultancy (PMC) packages. For the ...
AMA takes BFH infrastructure work.(Ahmed Mansour Al-A'Ali bags contract, Bahrain Financial Harbour )(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... The local Ahmed Mansour Al-A'Ali (AMA) has been awarded the estimated BD 10 million ($26.3 million) contract for the infrastructure work covering all three phases of the Bahrain Financial Harbour project. Five companies bid for the job in August. The contract covers ...
Emaar gets Smart.(Emaar Properties signs contract with Egyptian government)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Dubai-based developer Emaar Properties has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Egyptian government to develop an integrated community in Cairo's new Smart Village. The 250,000-square-metre development will comprise a convention and exhibition centre, a hotel, serviced apartments, ...
Four bid for five-star Sulaimaniyah project.(IRAQ)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Four regional companies submitted bids on 28 October for the contract to build a new five-star resort in Sulaimaniyah. However, the project is likely to be reviewed after prices came in well above budget. The estimated $80 million scheme calls for the construction of a 30-storey building ...
Bids studied for Dammam dredging work.(SAUDI ARABIA)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Bids are under evaluation for the dredging package covering the construction of a new waterfront facility adjacent to the King Abdul Aziz port in Dammam. Estimated to be worth SR 200 million ($53 million), the nine-month contract includes 18 mill on cubic metres of dredging, revetment and ...
Firms reprice prison work.(Saudi Arabia Interior Ministry)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Four local companies submitted fresh prices in late October to the Interior Ministry for a design and build contract covering the construction of nine orisons. administration buildings, a car park and related facilities in the kingdom. Saudi Binladin Group (SBG) is understood to be the low ...
Contracts let for Umm al-Qura University.(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Umm al-Qura University has awarded four contracts to Al-Arrab Contracting Company, also local, worth a total of SR 259 million ($69 million) for the construction of major new facilities at its existing complex at Makkah. The centrepiece of the new development is a two-storey 400-bed ...
Work accelerates at Motorcity.(Al-Futtaim Carillion extends sites)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... The local/UK Al-Futtaim Carillion (AFC) has started enabling and grading works at Motorcity. The 700.000-squaremetre site is an extension of the already complete Dubai Autodrome and will be used as a business park for the automotive sector. The project includes the construction of the ...
Zueblin makes light work of the Torch.(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Germany's Zueblin has started piling work for a 74-storey tower in Dubai Marina Known as the Torch, the tower will provide 504 residential units. Six contractors have been shortlisted for the project's ...
Park Island tender out.(Emaar Properties, Dubai Marina)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Local developer Emaar Properties has invited contractors to submit bids by mid-November for the estimated AED 650 million ($177 million) Park Island contract in Dubai Marina. The scope of works covers construction of a four-tower complex with four levels of car parking and ...
Emirates lands in the Marina.(Emirates Airline)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Dubai-based airline Emirates has announced plans to build the Emirates Marina Serviced Apartments & Spa. Located in Dubai Marina. the estimated AED 300 million ($81.7 million) project is scheduled ...
NSCC piles into Tiffany, Downtown.(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... The local NSCC has been awarded the piling, shoring, excavation and dewatering contract for the Tiffany Towers project. Located in Jumeirah Lake Towers the 183-metre, 42-storey building will provide 49,000 square metres of residential space. The UK's Atkins is the architect: Sharjah-based ...
Bids in for Ras al-Khor 3.(Dubai Municipality)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Dubai Municipality received three bids on 30 October for the third package on the Ras al-Khor creek crossing project. The contract will take about 18 months to complete (MEED 9:9:05). The local Bin Hafeez General Contracting & Transport Establishment has submitted a low bid of AED 507 ...
Hyundai lays out dragnet.(Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company Ltd.)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Meetings were held in early November in London between South Korea's Hyundai Engineering & Construction Company and the Iraqi government to discuss the recovery of receivables. About $860 million is overdue for contracts carried out by the Korean firm from 1980-90 for the-then Housing ...
Twin tower project for DHCC.(Dubai Health Care City)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Dubai Health Care City (DHCC) has released details of its plans to build an estimated AED 860 million ($235 million) mixed-use twin tower project. The project involves the construction of a five-star hotel tower and one apartment tower. It will be located along the northeastern edge of the ...
Dutch Foundations awarded Citadel contract.(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... The local Dutch Foundations has been awarded the piling, shoring, excavation and dewatering contract for the Citadel project in Business Bay. Bids are due in on 15 November for the main package on the project, which calls for the construction of a 41-storey office tower with a six-level ...
DP World mulls P&O takeover: international operators wait in the wings.(Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Co.)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... DP World, which was created in September by the merger of Dubai Ports Authority and Dubai Ports International, has declined to comment on reports that it has tabled a bid of in excess of $5,000 million to acquire the UK's P&O. The UK firm has confirmed initial contact from a potential Gulf ...
PWC leads pack for air cargo and logistics.(JORDAN)(PWC Logistics )(Aqaba Special Economic Zone )(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Kuwait's PWC Logistics is the preferred bidder for two separate logistics contracts in the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ). A team of PWC with National Aviation Services, also of Kuwait, is frontrunner for the 10-year contract to equip and operate the existing cargo terminal at King ...
Bids in for Amman-Zarqa.(JORDAN)(railroads)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... At least two companies have submitted bids for the estimated $100 million build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) contract for a 26-kilometre light railway between Amman and Zarqa. France's Alstom Transport and an all-Egyptian consortium identified as Egyptian Railway Project & Transport replied ...
New body created to take on congestion.(UAE)(Dubai Roads & Transport Authority)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Dubai ruler Shaikh Maktoum bin Rashid al-Maktoum issued a decree on 1 November creating the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority. The new body will be responsible for planning and implementing transport projects in Dubai and overseas. The legislation states that all jurisdictions and ...
Tertiary scouts for new sister metals: tertiary keen to develop Ghurayyah deposit in the northwest.(SAUDI ARABIA)(Tertiary Minerals)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Tertiary (Middle East), 100 per cent owned by UK-based Tertiary Minerals, announced in late October that it had started work on a pre-feasibility study aimed at the commercial mining of tantalum and niobium deposits at Ghurayyah, 85 kilometres from Tabuk in the northwest. The study, to be ...
Investors flock to Dubai Techno Park.(UAE)(Proclad Group International )
Nov 04, 2005 ... Investments in Dubai Techno Park (DTP) have now topped AED 2,000 million ($545 million) after a raft of new agreements were signed in September and October. DTP aims to attract foreign direct investment in research for the energy and power sectors with work scheduled to be completed by ...
Sohar investment tops $11bn.(OMAN)(Sohar Industrial Port Co.)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Industrial and other projects now going ahead in the Port of Sohar are worth $10,800 million, Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC) chief executive Jan Meijer told MEED in Dubai on 31 October. The port has so far received about 100 vessels, though this figure will increase sharply following ...
New slab steel plant for Ahwaz.(IRAN)(Kaavian Steel Company )(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... State-owned Kaavian Steel Company has issued a turnkey tender to international and local companies for the delivery and installation of a new slab steel production unit. Kaavian says it plans to install 700,000 tonnes a year (t/y) of new slab production using continuous casting technology ....
DIC bids for diesel unit.(UAE)(Dubai International Capital)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Dubai International Capital (DIC) a subsidiary of Dubai Holding has submitted a joint bid with private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for Germany's MTU Friedrichshafen, the heavy diesel unit of German car manufacturer DaimlerChrysler. "The deal has not been finalised yet, but Dubai ...
RFP out for Barka IWPP: seven prequalifiers invited to bid.(OMAN)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... The request for proposals 0RFP) was issued on 1 November for the Barka/Rusayl brownfield independent water and power project (IWPP). Seven prequalified developers have been invited to submit bids by 27 March by the client, the National Economy Ministry. The project involves the ...
ADWEA kicks off wastewater privatization.(UAE)(Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA) has started the process of selecting advisers for a planned privatisation of two of the emirate's sewage treatment plants. The privatisation will be the first to take place in the Abu Dhabi sewerage sector and follows the late June decision ...
Three in for Al-Wahda power plant.(MOROCCO)(Brief Article)
Nov 04, 2005 ... Three companies have submitted technical bids for the estimated $5Q0 million Office National de l'Electricite (ONE) contract to develop an 800-MW combined cycle power plant at Al-Wahda (MEED 13:5:05). Bids were received from France's Alstom, Germany's Siemens and a consortium of the US' ...