| Gulf project spending to soar |
INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING BY Gulf countries is expected to reach US$205 billion by 2013, according to recent estimates by Standard Chartered Bank. Although funding has emerged as a big challenge in the context of the global credit crisis, economists expect governments to support most infrastructure projects, and bond issues will be a major source of funding for many of these projects. |
SAUDI ARABIA IS firmly commited to the principle of privatisation in the development of its water and power industries. Investment partners from inside and outside the Kingdom will continue to form an essential part of the financial mix to address the huge infrastructure projects that will be necessary over the next two decades.
MEEZA HAS ANNOUNCED the opening of M-Vault 1, a state-of-the-art Data Centre based on Tier 3 specifications located at Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP). M-Vault 1 will form the base from which MEEZA will offer managed IT services and solutions to the market. The vision of QSTP is to spur the development of Qatar’s economy and forms the home of many technology
Technical Review Middle East - Issue Three 2009 Power 60 IN THE PRESENT economic climate the fact that renewable energy can cut pollution levels may not be enough. As Phil Desmond discovers, some recent innovations in the field of cellular communications are being promoted not just as being better for the environment than conventional fuels but better for business too.
| Saving the planet can save you money |
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MANPOWER, A GLOBAL leader in employment services, has released an insight paper highlighting the need for reforms in labour policies and practices throughout the world, particularly those involving female work participation. Titled “The Underworked Solution: Women and the Talent Crunch,” the Manpower study affirms that the rate of female participation in the labour force is significantly lower than that of men, not only in the Middle East but throughout the world. 
A RESEARCH TOOL which tracks travel trends quarterly has revealed that a sharp decline in air travel is expected, with many passengers switching to economy class. YouGovSiraj’s Travel Tracker result of answers from 844 travellers from the UAE who responded to the survey during January 2009. The amount of people flying from the UAE remained stable in 2008 compared to 2007 but this fell far short of the expected rise in travel. 
GULF AIR, THE national carrier of Bahrain, has signed an agreement to lease four new Boeing 777 ER aircraft as part of the airline’s re-fleeting and product-enhancement strategy. Three of the new aircraft joined the airline during March 2009 while the fourth one will join in May. The aircraft, leased from Jet Airways, will be used on a number of routes including London, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and intra Gulf Routes, gradually replacing the Airbus 340s.
THE SYRIAN ECONOMY grew 6.5 per cent in 2007 and last year, showing that the government's policies were effective, Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otri said. "Certain economic indicators reflect the correctness of our plans. GDP registered 6.5pc growth in 2007 and 2008. These figures inspire optimism and show we are on the right track," he told a meeting of engineers. 
UAE MINISTER OF Foreign Trade H.E. Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi welcomed the recent accession of the Democratic People's Republic of Algeria to the Greater Arab Free Trade Zone. The executive program of the Zone commenced in Algeria at the beginning of this year.
COMPANIES IN QATAR are looking to actively enhance their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies in light of the current global economic situation, according to the organisers of Qatar’s first major conference on the issue that took place recently.
Technical Review Middle East - Issue Three 2009 Power 60 IN THE PRESENT economic climate the fact that renewable energy can cut pollution levels may not be enough. As Phil Desmond discovers, some recent innovations in the field of cellular communications are being promoted not just as being better for the environment than conventional fuels but better for business too.
ARAMCO’S “FAIR” PRICE of US$75 a barrel has not yet been achieved but the giant Saudi economy is still surging ahead, prioritising the creation of new homes and diversified jobs in industry, social and other services to satisfy the needs of a 26mn young and wealthy population which grows at two per cent-plus every year. This means continued rapid progress on the development of the new Economic Cities, further and accelerated petrochemical and light industrial diversification, and the Middle East’s largest by far programme of dedicated passenger- and freightline rail construction.