Middle East back issues from March 2006:
IPW comes to successful conclusion with several high-profile property deals closed.(International Property Week )
Mar 01, 2006 ... The International Property Show 2006, comprehensive annual trade exhibition for international and Middle East property markets, came to a highly successful finish at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. The Show, organized as part of the International Property Week by Strategic ...
Falcon City of Wonders signs infrastructure design contract with Hyder Consulting Middle East.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Falcon City of Wonders, an AED 5.5 billion mega project in progress built within Dubailand, has signed a design agreement with leading infrastructure consultancy firm, Hyder Consulting Middle East, to carry out infrastructure design for the project. The agreement was signed by Salem Al ...
Deyaar Development records immense success at International Property Week 2006.(Dubai Islamic Bank)
Mar 01, 2006 ... Deyaar, a diversified real estate company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Islamic Bank has consolidated its position in the Middle East region's realty sector, as witnessed by the strong interest generated for its projects at the recently concluded International Property Week (IPW) ...
BD7 million contract awarded for construction of Durrat Al Bahrain villas.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Durrat Al Bahrain has announced the award of a BD6.998 million (US$18.5 million) contract for the construction of 83 villas on one island of the residential, leisure and tourist resort, the Kingdom's largest planned mixed-use development. The contract, awarded to Bahrain-based ...
Jordinvest Enhances Financial Investment Opportunities in the Region.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Jordan Investment Trust (Jordinvest), Jordan's first public shareholding company to offer integrated investment and banking services, is expanding its services for those across the region. Jordinvest made a notable presence for itself at the first regional Middle East IPO Summit as ...
BD7 MILLION CONTRACT AWARDED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF DURRAT AL BAHRAIN VILLAS.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Durrat Al Bahrain is pleased to announce the award of a BD6.998 million (US$18.5 million) contract for the construction of 83 villas on one island of the residential, leisure and tourist resort, the Kingdom's largest planned mixed-use development. The contract, awarded to ...
Aqaba Ports Corporation adopts XPress Telecommunications services.(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2006 ... In an effort to solidify its presence within the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), XPress Telecommunications recently singed an agreement with the Aqaba Ports Corporation. Through this agreement all employees and workers of the Aqaba Ports Corporation would be able to benefit ...
Diyar Outdoor launches billboard network in Diwaniya.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Diyar Outdoor, the largest outdoor advertising agency in Iraq, announced today that it has expanded its network in the holy city of Diwaniya, installing 15 4x3 panels in the heart of the city. The Diwaniya network continues to grow, with a target of 50 boards tot be in place by ...
INVESTCOM IPO WINS 'DEAL OF THE YEAR' AWARD.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Investcom LLC has been awarded The Banker magazine's prestigious 'Deal of the Year' award for the United Arab Emirates, in honour of its landmark Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Dubai International Financial Exchange in 2005. The listing of Investcom, a leading ...
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP ANNOUNCES THE LARGEST AND MOST SPECTACULAR PRESIDENTIAL SUITE IN HONG KONG.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Acclaimed as one of the world's top hotels for business and leisure and prized for its spectacular views, InterContinental Hong Kong has just completed the creation of Asia's most spectacular Presidential Suite. At 7,000 square feet, the 5-bedroom Presidential Suite is the largest in Hong ...
FORD EXPLORER CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP.
Mar 01, 2006 ... The world's best selling SUV for 15 years, the Ford Explorer, celebrates its 15th anniversary this month. Since its Middle East debut in 1991, sales of the the model have seen steady year on year growth, culminating in a 25 per cent year on year increase in 2005. The 2006 model promises ...
Dubai eGovernment's website attracts 167 per cent more visitors during 2005.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Dubai eGovernment, the region's most advanced digital governance project, initiated by the Government of Dubai has announced that its pioneering portal, www.dubai.ae, has received record responses from the public during 2005. The user traffic to the portal increased by an overwhelming 167 ...
Summer timetable 2006: better connections with Lufthansa.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Lufthansa is further extending its leading position as the strongest European airline in the growth market of Asia as of the summer timetable 2006. With three additional connections to Shanghai from Frankfurt and two additional flights to Hong Kong and four to Beijing from Munich, the ...
UPS SHIPS SEVEN TONS OF RELIEF MATERIALS TO PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS.(United Parcel Service of America Inc.)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2006 ... In keeping with its spirit of global volunteerism, UPS (NYSE:UPS) has shipped more than seven tons of relief materials to victims of the recent earthquake in Pakistan. Tents, sleeping bags, gas heaters, and clothing were collected by UPS UAE L.L.C. and delivered to the Pakistani Prime ...
IPOs in the region: Replacing Soccer in the Stadiums.(Initial public offerings)
Mar 01, 2006 ... Global Investment House - Initial Public Offerings - The spurt in IPOs so far in 2005, with the arithmetic average of post-listing stock price performance (both IPOs and newly listed companies) for the 87 new companies reaching more than 100%, sums up the optimism prevalent in the GCC ...
2008 White House Contender on United States and Yemen Jailbreak and USS Cole Terrorist Attack.(Daniel Imperato)
Mar 01, 2006 ... Today 2008 White House Contender Daniel Imperato brought the current situation in Yemen to the attention of the Bush Administration and the American people. "I call on our administration and our president George W. Bush to take a serious look toward Yemen. In these times of ...
Qatar: High rents and rising costs of building materials responsible for inflation.(Sheikh Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Thani of Minister of Economy and Commerce)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2006 ... The Qatari Minister of Economy and Commerce, Sheikh Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Thani on Tuesday said the inflation in the country is mainly due to high rents and rising costs of building ...
Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) Address to media by Chairman, HE Mohamed Al-Mady.(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2006 ... Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for attending today for this important announcement relating to the Gulf petrochemicals and chemicals industry. This morning, eight petrochemicals and chemicals companies operating in Gulf countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding, ...
DIFX welcomes Kingdom Hotel Investments as Exchange's first Listing of Ordinary Shares.(Dubai International Financial Exchange)
Mar 01, 2006 ... Shares in Kingdom Hotel Investments (KHI) list today on the Dubai International Financial Exchange (DIFX) following an initial public offering that raised US$397m. The IPO was oversubscribed by 14 times. The shares will begin trading at US $9.25. Henry Azzam, Chairman of the ...
ETA Star opens display center for customers of 'The Palladium'.
Mar 01, 2006 ... ETA Star, one of the biggest property developers in the UAE, has announced the opening of a display centre at its Hamrain Centre office for customers of its 'Palladium' apartments. The display centre is exhibiting samples of interior furnishings and fittings to help customers choose and ...
Master the Art of Cornering at the California Superbike School Day.
Mar 01, 2006 ... The Dubai Autodrome will host the final California Superbike School Day before the summer on Tuesday March 28, 2006. The school is expecting a lot of extra participants from all around the Gulf this time around, as the Dubai Bike Week is scheduled to be held soon after the event. ...
Fastlink Jordan Dials Up Business Continuity with EMC Solution.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Fastlink, the first mobile operator in Jordan and part of the Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC), has created a comprehensive business continuity strategy designed to protect the company's core data, including billing records and other key customer information, in the event of an ...
TOP TEN HIT FOR BETTER LIFE.(Easa Saleh Al Gurg)
Mar 01, 2006 ... Better Life, the Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group's specialist home appliance division, has opened its 10th retail store in the UAE. The new outlet is located inside Sharjah's newest shopping mall, Safeer Mall.Located on ground floor, the store has an open plan design. It carries the entire Better ...
ABN AMRO STRUCTURES US$ 17.9 MILLION FINANCING PACKAGE FOR TOPAZ.(Topaz Energy and Marine Ltd)(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2006 ... ABN AMRO announced today that it had concluded structuring a term loan facility of USD 17.9 million for Topaz Energy and Marine Ltd, the Dubai-based oil & gas services' company. The funding facility, which is backed by a leading European export credit guarantee institution, will assist ...
Deutsche Bank opens Dubai branch in the DIFC.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Deutsche Bank yesterday officially opened its Dubai branch in the DIFC (Dubai International Financial Centre). Deutsche Bank has had an office in Dubai since 2001, but opened a branch in the DIFC in order to take advantage of the growing opportunities in the region. Deutsche ...
UAE's Finest Exhibit For First Time at AVEX.(Royal Jet)
Mar 01, 2006 ... Royal Jet, the UAE's luxury flight services company, will showcase for the first time in Egypt two aircraft at AVEX (Sharm Al Sheikh, March 7-10). These will include one Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) and one Gulfstream(G300). Royal Jet is the world's largest operator of a BBJ1 fleet and today ...
Grosvenor House penthouse suite now available for short-term lease.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Grosvenor House Dubai, already named one of the most desirable addresses in the world, has just released its penthouse suite to the market for short-term lease. Available for between AED18,000 and 30,000 a night ($5-8,000), the penthouse covers the whole of the 45th floor of the ...
Roads & Transport Authority launches Road Safety Awareness Program in Dubai.
Mar 01, 2006 ... In an effort to reduce escalating road accidents in Dubai, the Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) today (Wednesday, March 01, 2006), announced the launch of a Road Safety Awareness Program for 2006, at a press conference held at RTA's premises in Al Rashidiya. The program ...
SYSTIMAX[R] Solutions names Hasoub as authorised Saudi distributor.
Mar 01, 2006 ... SYSTIMAX Solutions(tm), the worldwide leader in structured connectivity solutions, has announced that it has accredited Saudi solutions supplier Hasoub as an authorised distributor of SYSTIMAX Solutions throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Commenting on KSA strategy, ...
OFIS projects 50 per cent growth for 2006.
Mar 01, 2006 ... OFIS, the furniture, flooring and interior solutions business of the Easa Saleh Al Gurg group, has announced 59 per cent growth in 2005. Revenues were bolstered by the completion of several turnkey projects for UAE-based clients such as Unilever, DHL, Mashreq Bank and Commercial Bank of ...
Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan Visits the Dreams Workshop at TEGV Education Park in Istanbul.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Istanbul, Turkey: Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah met with an excited crowd of 150 children and volunteers at the Dreams Workshop in Istanbul today. A joint initiative of the Educational Volunteers Foundation (TEGV), Nokia and the International Youth Foundation, the Dreams Workshop ...
Al Areen Holding Company Shifts to On-site Client Relations Centre to Consolidate Operations.
Mar 01, 2006 ... The Al Areen Holding Company (Al Areen), developer of the landmark mixed-use Al Areen development in the Kingdom of Bahrain announced shifting its headquarters to the onsite Client Relations Centre (CRC) as part of consolidating its operations aimed at closely monitoring the progress of ...
Nicole Saba resents being banned from Egypt.(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2006 ... Lebanese singer Nicole Saba declared that she is no longer banned from holding concerts in Egypt by the Egyptian Musician's Union. The Union had banned Nicole until she resolved her disputes with production company 'Alam El Phan.' The singer had stressed that she resented the ...
Yaha al-Fakharani discovers Algeria.(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2006 ... At a ceremony welcoming prominent Egyptian actor Yahia al-Fakharani to Algeria he announced, "Dear guests, I am truly sorry, I was supposed to visit your country a long time ago," during his first visit to the country. According to the UAE based daily, Al Bayan, Yahia noted that ...
Global Investment House - Kuwait Stock Exchange Performance-.
Mar 01, 2006 ... Improved corporate earnings results and prevailing high oil prices could not elevate the investor sentiments during the month of February, as the Kuwait market measured by the "Global" General Index dropped by 3.19% and ended the month at 320.62 points. The bearish sentiments in the market ...
International Cards Company Raises Capital to JD 10 million.
Mar 01, 2006 ... International Cards Company (ICC) announced on Thursday, February 23, 2006 its strategic partnership with International Brokerage and Financial Markets Company (IBFM) and a group of other investors. This puts ICC's capital at JD 10 million. This partnership will support the company in ...
Ruby follows her instinct.(Brief article)
Mar 01, 2006 ... Controversial Egyptian singer Ruby is about to complete her latest music video for the song "Misheet wara Ihsasi" (I Followed a Feeling). The clip has been filmed on location in Sharm El Sheikh. Ruby's manager Sharif Sabri, who discovered the superstar, revealed that the new ...
A crumbling coalition
Mar 01, 2006; ... Despite the rhetoric from Washington, which attempts to persuade the international community things are improving, US allies are peeling away as the crisis in Iraq deepens. Ed Blanche reports THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S DECIsion to cut the number of American troops in Iraq, seeking to ...
A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS
Mar 01, 2006; ... Fatah is held accountable and Hamas reaps the benefits. Mariam Shahin reports from the West Bank on the results of the Palestinian elections and the politicians to watch as a new era is ushered in OVER ONE MILLION PALESTINIANS WENT TO THE POLLS ON 25 January and changed the course of ...
A NEW WORLD ORDER?
Mar 01, 2006; ... The world currently does all its oil trading in the US currency, commonly referred to as petro-dollars, but an Iranian decision to operate in euros could certainly put the cat among the pigeons and would explain Washington's increasingly hostile stance towards Tehran. While Iran's ...
Comment
Mar 01, 2006; ... The furore which swept through cities across the world following the publication, initially in Denmark and later further afield, of a series of cartoons deemed "offensive" to Muslims, was predictable. The scenes of outraged Muslims waving placards and burning flags in the streets were ...
Bird Flu threat causes mounting concern
Mar 01, 2006; ... The countries of the Middle East are on red alert for any evidence of avian flu. However, as Richard Seymour m discovered, the scale of the problem is difficult to assess and will remain so unless certain regional precautionary measures are introduced soon. AVIAN FLU IS NOW NO LONGER A ...
Islamic fund for China real estate market
Mar 01, 2006; ... BRIEF Bahrain-based commercial and investment bank, Shamil Bank, has launched the first Islamic property fund for investment in the Chinese real estate market, valued at $100m, in a joint venture with Chinese state-owned CITlC Group. The fund will undertake high-quality, ...
After Hamas victory, now Israelis go to the polls...
Mar 01, 2006; ... The victory by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Palestinian elections has presented the world (or more precisely America, Europe, the UN, Israel and Egypt) with Pontius Pilate's age old political dilemma: should we do what appears principled or opt for what is politically expedient ...
Tehran puts the cat among the pigeons
Mar 01, 2006; ... IRAN'S MULTIBILLION DOLLAR GAS deals with India should survive Delhi's decision to vote to refer the Iranian nuclear question to the United Nations (UN) Security Council. It had been expected Delhi would vote against the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) motion to refer Iran, partly ...
Iran takes on US but at what cost?
Mar 01, 2006; ... While Iran's nuclear aims are the accepted mainstream reason for the US's aggressive stance towards Tehran, these nuclear ambitions are not new. Speculation is increasing that the Iranian decision to open a euro-dominated bourse, thus ousting the mighty US dollar from all its future oil trading ...
SERVING THE SUPER RICH
Mar 01, 2006; ... IN ADDITION TO THE GCC MARKET, liquid foreign assets held by Arab individuals totalled $1trillion last year - and global investment banks are eyeing these riches with interest. As the demand for oil continues to indicate high energy prices in the medium term, many financial institutions, ...
In the eye of the beholder
Mar 01, 2006; ... AFGHANISTAN THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT 3,300 British soldiers were to be deployed to one of the most violent and unruly parts of Afghanistan coincided with the death in February of the 100th British soldier in Iraq. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, accused by parents of some of the dead soldiers ...
Mobily gains 2m customers in 6 months
Mar 01, 2006; ... Mobile phone operator Mobily has established a market share of more than 20% and a customer base of 2m less than six months after entering the Saudi Arabian market. The company puts its success in the 24m-people kingdom down to an experienced management ...
OIL & GAS: THE SKY'S THE LIMIT
Mar 01, 2006; ... Analyst Neil Ford looks at the oil market which appears set to soar, as higher than anticipated world demand shows no signs of abating RECORD GLOBAL DEMAND FOR OIL along with changes to the power sector generation mix around the world, are providing a host of opportunities for investors ...
Saudia Arabia builds $27bn city
Mar 01, 2006; ... Work is in progress on the $27bn King Abdullah Economic City north of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The mixed-used development is the single largest private sector investment in the kingdom. The city will comprise six components: a modern seaport, industrial district, financial island, education zone, ...
Algiers to have metro line
Mar 01, 2006; ... Algiers is to build its first metro line in a $456m, 35-month project. The first section of the 9km line will run mainly underground and will have 10 stops. Extensions are already being planned. The metro will be built by a consortium led by Siemens Transportation Systems, Vinci ...
Get the windfalls into circulation, IMF urges
Mar 01, 2006; ... Despite record oil income, Arab economies are growing far slower than those of the oil-dependent Asian tigers. The IMF and other international development agencies warn that this growth "gap" will widen sharply unless governments undertake major infrastructure investment and fundamental social ...
A voice for freedom
Mar 01, 2006; ... An Algerian singer-songwriter is creating an international sensation. Although she rarely sings in English, she has won hearts worldwide - for Souad Massi is not only blessed with a golden voice but quite remarkable courage. Stephen Williams profiles this extraordinary artist WHEN SHE ...
THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST
Mar 01, 2006; ... THE MODERN MIDDLE EAST By Ilan Pappé published by Routledge ISBN 041 521409 2 price £16.99 paperback In this expansive survey of Middle Eastern history over the last century, Ilan Pappé questions modernisation as the best framework for understanding that history and seeks to provide an ...
Foiling the fakers
Mar 01, 2006; ... Reports claim the Middle East region is one of the world's hotspots when it comes to counterfeit US currency. Stephen Williams looks at the evidence THIS MONTH, THE UNITED STATES (US) Federal Reserve will put the new-design $10 note into circulation, the final note to be issued in a ...
GATE OF THE SUN
Mar 01, 2006; ... GATE OF THE SUN By Elias Khoury published by Harvill Seeker ISBN 1 8434 3103 3 price £17.99 hardback In a makeshift hospital in a refugee camp on the outskirts of Beirut, Yunis, an ageing Palestinian freedom fighter, lies in a coma. His spiritual son, Dr Khaleel - who has no real medical ...
THE VIEW FROM THE FENCE
Mar 01, 2006; ... THE VIEW FROM THE FENCE By Neill Lochery published by Continuum ISBN 0 8264 8679 7 price £14.99 hardback The Arab-Israeli conflict has for too long been seen as a simple tale of right versus wrong, good versus evil or, since the 1967 War, the strong versus the weak. This original ...
Energy becomes an EU election issue
Mar 01, 2006; ... THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU) WILL outline its new thinking on energy security this month, following the scare in January when Russian gas supplies to a host of East European countries, as well as Germany, France and Italy, were temporarily cut off. But while Arab oil and gas producers could benefit, ...
Win some, lose some...
Mar 01, 2006; ... IN THE ROAD WHERE I LIVE THERE IS A RATHER BEAUTIFUL, if somewhat dilapidated old house, built over a hundred years ago, when Queen Victoria was on the throne of England. Some time ago a property developer offered the elderly couple who lived there a large sum of money for the property, bought ...
Iran Khodro plans to send 3,000 cars to Russia
Mar 01, 2006; ... Iranian car manufacturing company, Iran Khodro, plans to export in excess of 3,000 vehicles to Russia in the current year, according to Alireza Mirzaie, deputy director for exports and international affairs. The company, which sold 200 cars in the first month of 2006 in the former Soviet ...
NBK announces record profits
Mar 01, 2006; ... National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) has announced another record net profit of $704m for 2005, up 37% from last year. Reported earnings do not include unrealised profits of $123m that were attributed to strategic long-term investments. NBK's operating income topped $1bn, rising by 35% from a year ...
The Oil of Life
Mar 01, 2006; ... EVERYONE KNOWS THE POLITICS OF oil is crucial to life in the Middle East. In one corner of the region, however, "oil politics" has another connotation altogether. To Saudis, Kuwaitis, Iraqis, Omanis, Algerians and Libyans, oil means the vast petroleum reserves lying under the desert ...
Egyptian inspirations
Mar 01, 2006; ... Celebrating 50 years of creative weaving, an exhibition at the Brunei Centre in London presents a rare opportunity to see a dazzling collection of tapestries from one of the world's greatest schools of weaving, Egypt's ground-breaking Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre in Harrania. By Rhona ...
THE SECRET HISTORY OF AL-QA'IDA
Mar 01, 2006; ... THE SECRET HISTORY OF AL-QA'IDA By Abdel Bari Atwan published by Saqi Books ISBN 0 86356 760 6 price £16.99 hardback Over the last 10 years, journalist and Al Qaeda expert Abdel Bari Atwan has amassed a wealth of information about Al Qaeda's origins, masterminds and plans for the future ....