SAUDI ARABIA PROPOSES ISLAMIC FORCE IN IRAQ
"In talks with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, Saudi Arabia [Jul. 28] proposed the creation of an Islamic force to help stabilize Iraq and potentially someday replace at least some of the U.S.-led military coalition.. ..Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Faisal confirmed that the proposal is now on the table.." Complete report..
Also:
SAUD SETS TERMS FOR MUSLIM TROOPS IN IRAQ
MIXED VIEWS ON IRAQ MUSLIM FORCE
GROUP VOWS TO HIT MUSLIMS WHO SEND TROOPS TO IRAQ
BAHRAIN IN TALKS OVER ARAB FORCE
~~GulfWire Link~~
IRAQ MULLS ARAB TROOP ROLE - GWD Jul 5, 2004

KUWAIT, IRAQ RESTORE TIES
"Kuwait and Iraq restored diplomatic relations [Aug 2], exactly 14 years after ties were severed when then Iraqi president Saddam Hussein sent his forces to occupy the small Gulf emirate.."  Complete report..

NATO STRIKES DEAL OVER TRAINING
"NATO countries agreed [Jul 30] to send an advance party of officers to Iraq to 'get right to work' preparing to train that country's security forces.. ..The Atlantic alliance sidestepped a dispute between France and the US about who should command the training mission, leaving this decision until after the advance party reports back in September.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
NATO AGREES TO TRAIN IRAQI FORCES - GWD Jun 29, 2004

POWELL TALKS WITH IRAQ PRESIDENT
"US Secretary of State Colin Powell has met the Iraqi president after arriving in Baghdad on an unannounced visit. Mr Powell restated Washington's determination to stand by the Iraqi interim government. He also promised that the US will speed up the flow of cash for reconstruction to help deal with continuing violence.. ..Mr Powell went on to meet US military commanders and diplomats in the Iraqi capital.." Complete report..       
                  

IRAQ POSTPONES KEY STEP ON ROAD TO DEMOCRACY
"A major political conference to chart Iraq's path to democracy has been postponed for two weeks after pressure from the United Nations, raising concerns that elections planned for early next year might also be delayed.. ..Several members of the organizing committee said the United Nations had threatened to withdraw its support for the event if it was not postponed. They decided to delay it until Aug. 15.." Complete report..

IRAQI PM VISITS SAUDI ARABIA
"Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has arrived in Saudi Arabia on the latest leg of his first tour of the Middle East since taking office on June 28.. .. The Saudi Foreign Minister has said his country is prepared to restore diplomatic relations with Iraq once security returns to the country. Relations were broken off by the regime of deposed president Saddam Hussein during the 1991 Gulf War when US-led multinational forces used Saudi Arabia as a springboard to free Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.." Complete report..
Also:
ALLAWI MEETS WITH KING FAHD
POWELL TO MEET ALLAWI IN SAUDI ARABIA: US OFFICIAL

SENIOR IRAQI OFFICIAL SHOT DEAD
"A senior Iraqi interior ministry official has been shot dead by gunmen in the capital Baghdad. Musab al-Awadi, the ministry's deputy chief in charge of tribal affairs, was killed along with two of his bodyguards.. ..It is the latest in a series of attacks by militants targeting senior officials in Iraq.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
HEAD OF REGIONAL OFFICE OF SHIITE PARTY ASSASSINATED - GWD Jul 19, 2004

GCC RAILWAY IS POSSIBLE IN THREE YEARS
"A railway system linking the UAE, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain could be in place within three years. A European firm has come up with a plan for the proposed project.. ..Some key railway routes are already being mapped out in the countries involved.." Complete report..
LEGAL SERVICES CONTRACT SIGNED FOR RAILWAY PROJECT
~~GulfWire Link~~
BAHRAIN CABINET APPROVES RAILWAY AND GCC ROAD LINKS - GWD Jun 14, 2004
GCC RAIL SYSTEM ONLY AFTER NATIONAL NETWORKS ARE IN PLACE, SAYS SRO CHIEF - GWD Dec 15, 2003

ARABS MAKE BID TO BLOCK SANCTIONS AGAINST SUDAN
"Egypt and the Arab League tried to put the brakes on the campaign for sanctions against Sudan [Jul 28].. ..The Sudanese government is under threat of UN sanctions if it does not crack down on the Arab militias, known as the Janjaweed, blamed for driving non-Arab villagers off the land in an arid region the size of France. Washington wants the Security Council to vote to set a deadline for sanctions this week.." Complete report..
Also:
UN DEMANDS SUDAN STOP DARFUR ATROCITIES

US HOMELAND SECURITY GETS DATA ON ARAB-AMERICANS
"The US Census Bureau has provided population data on Arab-Americans to the Department of Homeland Security, including their ancestry and the cities and postal areas in which they live.. ..While the information sharing is legal, so long as the data do not identify individuals, civil liberties and Arab-American groups called it a breach of public trust and likened it to steps taken against Japanese-Americans in World War II.." Complete report..

MORE POWERS URGED FOR BAHRAIN PARLIAMENT
"The Bahraini Parliament should have more powers, including the ability to question the Prime Minister.. ..The Annual Report for 2003, issued by the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS), also calls for the establishment of political parties in order to "encourage and sustain public participation" in the political process.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
BAHRAIN MPS IN BID FOR STATUTE CHANGES - GWD Apr 19, 2004

CLASHES SPARK CALL TO RELOCATE EXPATS
"A call has gone out to move large numbers of expatriates out of Manama, following clashes between Bahrainis and Asians living in the capital. It was suggested to Crown Prince and BDF Commander-in-Chief Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa during a meeting with the Housing and Urban Development Committee.. ..Bahrainis now account for just 20 percent of residents in Manama. If the current trend continues, Bahrainis are expected to account for just 11 percent of the Manama population within 10 years.. ..This has resulted in confrontations between Asians and Bahrainis.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP URGES BAHRAIN TO CHECK ABUSE OF EXPAT WORKERS - GWD Mar 8, 2004

BAHRAIN DENIES IT ORDERED US GROUP TO LEAVE KINGDOM
"Bahrain denied [Jul 27] it had ordered a US pro-democracy group to leave the kingdom, saying it only requested the group to obtain a legal license. A local newspaper reported [Jul 27] that the government had ordered the Washington-based National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) to 'close its Bahrain office' and asked its director, Fawzi Gulid, to leave the country.." Complete report..

BAHRAIN STEPS UP SECURITY AT PORTS
"Security has been beefed up at Bahrain's ports and ships have been equipped with secret alarm systems as part of the global war on terrorism. Tighter measures have been brought in around the world to prevent ships being turned into floating bombs by terrorists.. ..The International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code came into force on July 1 and is designed to deter any potential terrorist act.." Complete report..

BUSINESS LEADERS WARN AGAINST 'VICE' PANEL IDEA
"Bahrain's business leaders warned yesterday of "the dangers" of a proposed committee, intended to 'prevent vice and promote virtue,' saying the idea would restrict freedoms and promote extremism.. ..the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).. ..statement said the idea will hurt Bahrain's efforts to attract much-needed foreign investments.." Complete report..

BAHRAIN HQ IS PLANNED BY SOCIETY FOR ELDERLY
"The new Arab Wisdom Council General Secretariat headquarters are to be opened in Bahrain next month.. ..The decision to move here from Lebanon was made at a General Secretariat meeting held in Bahrain last month.." Complete report..

TALKS TO DECIDE FATE OF BAHRAIN SCHOOL
"US Department of Defense (DoD) officials are to hold a new meeting this week to try to reach a decision on whether to keep the Bahrain School under its wing.. ..The temporary relocation of over 1,000 family members of US military and non-essential US Department of Defense (DoD) staff, which include teachers of the school, threw the school's future in doubt. Many parents fear it will not reopen for the new academic year in September.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
BAHRAIN SCHOOL FATE HANGS IN BALANCE - GWD Jul 12, 2004

U.S. TELLS ITS CITIZENS IN KUWAIT TO BE ON ALERT
"The United States issued a warning to its citizens in Kuwait on [Jul 27] to be on alert after recent arrests of suspected al Qaeda supporters enlisting Kuwaitis for anti-U.S. attacks.. ..The Gulf Arab state has launched a crackdown on a local network of suspected al Qaeda supporters accused of brainwashing Kuwaiti youths and training them to fight foreign troops within the country and in neighboring Iraq.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
TERRORISTS THREATEN TARGETS IN KUWAIT: INTERIOR MINISTRY - GWD May 3, 2004

KUWAIT HUNTING THIRD AL QAEDA SUSPECT ON THE RUN
"Kuwaiti security forces are hunting a third fugitive suspected of having links to al Qaeda and a local network enlisting youths to fight U.S.-led forces in Kuwait and Iraq.. ..Adel Habib Abtaan Ghati, also known as Adel al-Shimmari, born in 1984, is being sought by state security for questioning along with another two suspected al Qaeda supporters identified [Jul 24] by the ministry.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
US WARNS KUWAIT OVER NINE SUSPECTED AL QAEDA OPERATIVES - GWD Jul 5, 2004

KUWAIT BANS 'FAHRENHEIT 9/11'
"Kuwait, a major U.S. ally in the Persian Gulf, has banned Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" because it deems the movie insulting to the Saudi Arabian royal family and critical of America's invasion of Iraq.. ..We have a law that prohibits insulting friendly nations, and ties between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia are special," Abdul-Aziz Bou Dastour, cinema and production supervisor at the Information Ministry.." Complete report..

INDIA NAMES OMAN ENVOY TO NEGOTIATE RELEASE OF IRAQ HOSTAGES
"India has named top diplomat Talmiz Ahmad as its special envoy to negotiate the release of three Indian truck drivers taken hostage by insurgents in Iraq on July 21.. ..An interpreter attached to India's Foreign Minister Zakir-ur-Rehman will assist Ahmad.." Complete report..

DEMOCRATS REMOVE AL-JAZEERA SIGN
"Americans tuning into television coverage of this week's Democratic convention will see signs for media outlets like CNN, ABC, NBC and CBS, but not Al-Jazeera after the Arab satellite channel was asked to remove its banner near the podium.. .. the TV channel had erected a colourful $30,000  banner that would have been seen by millions of television viewers as part of the convention backdrop. But it was ordered to remove the sign by convention organizers, who said the decision was made for aesthetic reasons.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
POWELL CALLS AL JAZEERA COVERAGE 'HORRIBLE' - GWD Jul 19, 2004

QATAR COURT UPHOLDS LIFE TERMS FOR RUSSIAN SPIES
"A Qatar court upheld life sentences today for two Russian spies convicted of murdering a Chechen separatist in the Gulf State.. ..The February murder of Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, who was briefly president of separatist Chechnya during its war with Russia, threatened a diplomatic breach between the Gulf State and Russia.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
RUSSIAN AGENTS JAILED IN QATAR - GWD Jul 5, 2004

NEWS IN BRIEF: EMIR GRANT TO SUDAN INSTITUTE
"The foundation stone of the Imams and Preachers Training Institute, to be built at a cost of $1 million and paid for by the Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, was laid down here [Jul 26].. ..the project came in the context of a series of projects Qatar is carrying out in Sudan.." Complete report..

SAUDI PANEL TO STUDY CAUSES OF TERRORIST ATTACKS
"Preparations are underway to set up the first independent commission to study the causes of the recent spate of terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia, according to Major General Abdul Khader Kamal, member of the Shura Council's security committee. 'The responsibility of the commission includes drawing up a plan to ensure such attacks will not recur. The commission will be directly linked to higher authorities to ensure effective coordination between the commission and government agencies'.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
TERRORISM IN SAUDI ARABIA: CAUSES AND SOLUTIONS - GWD Jan 12, 2004

SAUDI TO PAY PLEDGED AID SOON - IRAQ MINISTER
"Saudi Arabia has agreed to pay a $1 billion development aid pledge to Iraq soon, Iraqi Planning Minister Mehdi al-Hafidh said [Jul 29]. Saudi Arabia agreed to activate its bilateral pledge of $1 billion when we were there this week, the minister told reporters on a visit to Abu Dhabi.. ..Last October, Saudi Arabia announced a $1 billion financing package for neighboring Iraq that included $500 million in project finance and $500 million as an export facility.." Complete report..  
~~GulfWire Link~~
KINGDOM TO WITHHOLD $1 BILLION AID FOR IRAQ - GWD Dec 8, 2003

KERRY UNDER FIRE FOR SAUDI-BASHING
"Saudi Arabia has criticized Democratic presidential challenger Sen. John Kerry for 'bashing' the kingdom when he called on the United States to cut its dependence on the Middle East nation's oil. 'Saudi bashing is not an energy policy,' an official with the Saudi Embassy in Washington said.. ..The Saudi embassy official said Saudi Arabia has been a reliable supplier of oil to the US market for decades and expects to continue in that role whether or not Kerry becomes president.." Complete report.. 

U.S. FAMILY HELD IN SAUDI ARABIA TO FILE SUIT
"The family of a U.S. citizen held without charge for more than a year in Saudi Arabia plans to file a lawsuit [Jul 28] demanding that U.S. agencies order his release. The suit, a copy of which was made available to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, represents the first legal challenge of the government's authority to order the indefinite detention of U.S. citizens in foreign countries.." Complete report..

EGYPTIAN EXPAT AWARDED SR130,000 COMPENSATION FOR ILLEGAL DETENTION
"An Egyptian worker won his case against the Passport Department in Asir.. ..The court ordered the department to pay SR130,000 in compensation to the Egyptian worker, Redah Hasanain, for the time that he spent in illegal detention. The court ordered in addition that the Passport Department renew the Iqama for Hasanain.." Complete report..

ZAYED DECREE SPELLS OUT STEPS TO COMBAT TERRORISM
"President His Highness Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan has issued an anti-terrorism decree defining terrorist actions and punishment.. ..The law states that the death penalty will be given to anyone who establishes or runs a terrorist organization, or runs a society, organization, or a center, or a group of people, or a gang, or if he leads that group, organization or the center with the intention to commit a terrorist act provided in this law. 
The court will dissolve all societies, establishments, and centers involved.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
UAE TO INTRODUCE NEW LAW AGAINST TERROR FINANCING - GWD Apr 12, 2004

FEDERAL LAW ON TRADE UNIONS TO BE ISSUED SOON
"A federal law organizing trade unions in the UAE will be issued soon.. ..Under the law, UAE citizens and expatriate workers who have a residence visa for not less than three years would have the right to freely join trade unions and take part in their activities. The law is meant to observe obligations under two fundamental ILO conventions - Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, and the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
UAE PLANS NATIONAL LABOR UNION IN 2004 - GWD Aug 11, 2003

DUBAI STRATEGY FORUM WILL DISCUSS SCENARIOS IN ARAB WORLD UP TO 2020
"..This year's forum, which will be held from December 13 to 15, is expected to draw heads of state and NGOs, high-ranking government decision makers, prominent business executives, renowned international experts and other distinguished personalities.. ..The Dubai Strategy Forum aims to develop the region by bringing together key regional stakeholders to engage in activities that bridge differences and build opportunities for growth and prosperity.." Complete report..

HARVARD DIVINITY RETURNING UAE GIFT
"Harvard Divinity School said it will return a gift of $2.5 million from the president of the United Arab Emirates after the donor, criticized for possible links to anti-Semitism, asked for his money back.. ..In 1998, the university proposed that the gift be used for a divinity school professorship in Islamic religious studies. Zayed signed off on the donation in 2000.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
FOR HARVARD, QUESTIONS ON ARAB LEADER'S GIFT - GWD Jul 21, 2003

AUGUST 7 DECLARED A GOVERNMENT HOLIDAY
"Ministries, government and federal departments and public authorities in the UAE will remain closed on Saturday, August 7, to mark the 38th anniversary of President His Highness Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan's accession as Ruler of Abu Dhabi emirate.." Complete report..

World Press Review - Middle East North Africa

                   <<ONE YEAR AGO>>
              GULFWIRE DIGEST #208 WEEK OF AUGUST 4, 2003

U.S. ACCUSES ARAB TV STATIONS OF BIAS
"Two of the most high-profile Arab TV networks reacted angrily [Jul 27] to U.S. claims of biased news coverage about the Iraq war.. ..U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz accused Al-Jazeera, based in Qatar, and Dubai-based Al-Arabiya of bias in their reporting. Wolfowitz told Fox News that the networks incite violence against American forces with slanted reports that he asserted are funded by Middle East governments.."

                      <<TWO YEARS AGO>>
                  GULFWIRE DIGEST #158 WEEK OF AUGUST 5, 2002

ATTACK ON IRAQ WOULD BE DISASTER
"Any attack on Iraq would be a disaster for the region, Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa declared [August 3]. Leaders in the region must act together to halt such an attack, before it is too late, he told journalists.. ..An attack on Iraq would lead to its fragmentation and the installation of a new president, who would do the bidding of others, said the Premier.."

                      <<THREE YEARS AGO>>
                  GULFWIRE DIGEST #108 WEEK OF AUGUST 6, 2001

IRAQ SAYS U.N. SANCTIONS CRUMBLING AFTER 11 YEARS
"Iraq said United Nations sanctions were crumbling as they entered their 12th year on Monday and urged the Security Council to lift them…"

 <<FOUR YEARS AGO>>
   GULFWIRE DIGEST #57 WEEK OF AUGUST 7, 2000 

A DECADE LATER: KUWAIT FREE, IRAQ ISOLATED
Nearly a decade after Operation Desert Storm, the fight against Iraqi aggression is not over, but defense officials say U.S. and coalition forces have successfully contained Saddam Hussein and maintained stability in the region.  The situation in Kuwait and Iraq today highlight the fundamental accomplishment of the past decade, according to Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon. "Kuwait is free. It's rebuilt. It has a thriving economy," he said. "Iraq is contained. It has a broken economy. It is an isolated state."

<<FIVE YEARS AGO>>
GULFWIRE DIGEST #4 WEEK OF AUGUST 2, 1999

SAUDI ARABIAN ECONOMIC TRANSITION: STRENGTHENING OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS LOCAL, REGIONAL AND GLOBAL IMPLICATIONS
Saudi Arabia is in a period of transition in which the private sector is taking over the leading role in the economy from the government. The consensus is growing that the kingdom must achieve real economic liberalization, privatization and globalization. At the end of 1995, Saudi Arabia brought in a new and younger generation of senior officials. During the period from 1996 to 1998, the cushion of wealth remaining from the oil booms, growing domestic borrowing capacity from banks and pension programs, and higher oil prices eased the pressure for change.

[GulfWire] ENERGY FUTURES - 07.30.04
Light Crude (NYM) $43.80 bbl UP from $41.45 bbl on 07.23.04 
Brent Crude (IPE) $39.42 bbl UP from $38.30 bbl on 07.23.04 
Heating Oil (NYM) $1.1693 gal UP from $1.135 gal on 07.23.04 
Natural Gas (NYM) $6.112 mmbtu UP from $6.11 mmbtu on 07.23.04 
Unleaded Gas (NYM) $1.3049 gal UP from $1.258 gal on 07.23.04
Source: CNNfn    

OIL PRICES SOAR TO RECORD 21-YEAR HIGH
"Oil prices hit their highest level in at least 21 years {Jul 28] after bailiffs ordered beleaguered Russian oil giant Yukos to stop sales, threatening further strain on tight international supplies. The news intensified concerns over the lack of spare capacity in the international oil system, as the OPEC pumps at its highest level for a quarter of a century to meet strong global demand growth.." Complete report..
Also:
ATTACKS WARNING PUSHES OIL HIGHER

PRIVATE LIQUIDITY IN MENA CROSSES $2 TRILLION MARK
"The figures are mind-boggling. The private liquidity in the MENA (Middle East & North Africa) is in excess of $2.3 trillion - of which some $1.5 trillion is in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. This is the so-called new money, created by the oil price bonanza, the real estate boom, and investments in the equities markets.." Complete report..

TOP GULF COMPANIES TARGET SAUDI INSURANCE MARKET
"Saudi Arabia's insurance sector is still evolving, but leading GCC insurers are considering entering the market through new ventures or aligning with existing players in the kingdom, according to a senior industry source. Already, some leading UAE-based insurers have conducted feasibility studies regarding a move into Saudi Arabia. But a more formal undertaking will have to wait until the Saudi government comes out with clear guidelines.." Complete report..

AIR FRANCE SEEKS TO BOOST ITS PRESENCE IN THE GULF MARKET
"Air France has launched non-stop services to Kuwait and Doha, and re-launched direct flights to Tehran from Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport in a bid to increase its presence on both sides of the Gulf.. ..To expand its market, Air France has also launched a targeted service, the Petroleum Club, for corporates in the oil and gas industry. The product is perceived to complement the sector's needs.." Complete report..

MIDEAST'S FIRST RETAIL MAGAZINE LAUNCHED
"UAE-based media firm Concept Media [Jul 27] announced the launch of RetailME, the region's first business-to-business retail publication. A bi-monthly, RetailME is published by Concept Media in association with EMAP PLC, publishers of the UK's premier retail magazines - Retail Week and Retail World. The magazine is the first of its kind in the Middle East to cater to the region's retail sector.." Complete report..

US COMMISSION SET TO DEBATE FALLOUT OF DEAL
"The US International Trade Commission (ITC) will hold a public hearing on August 10 into the implications of the Free Trade Agreement with Bahrain. The investigation - US Free Trade Agreement with Bahrain: Potential Economy-wide and Selected Sectoral Effects - was requested by the US Trade Representative in a letter to the commission on June 28.. ..The report will include an assessment of the agreement on the US economy as a whole and on specific industry sectors, including the impact the agreement will have on the gross domestic products, exports and imports and other sectors.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
U.S., BAHRAIN REACH FREE-TRADE AGREEMENT - GWD May 31, 2004

NEW BAHRAIN FIRM FIRST IN THE REGION
"An aluminum composite panel production facility - the first of its kind to open in the Gulf, will officially open doors in Bahrain [Jul 27].. ..The facility is being set up by Bahrain-based Falcon Industries, owned by the Al Sawad Group. It will have a production capacity of 1.2 million square meters (on two shifts) of Alpobond cladding materials.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
ALUMINUM EXPO IN WORLD SPOTLIGHT - GWD Apr 19, 2004

BATELCO SIGNS UP FOR GLOBAL LINKS
"Batelco is investing millions to open up a new world of communications for its customers, says chief executive Tony Hart. He was speaking at an agreement signing ceremony with Fibre-optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) Telecom [Jul 27].. ..This means that the country's global connections would be vastly improved via submarine links stretching to Egypt in the west and to Hong Kong in the East.." Complete report..
Also:
BATELCO SIGNS ACCORD WITH FLAG TELECOM
~~GulfWire Link~~
BATELCO REVENUES UP BY 9PC AS NET PROFIT REACHES BD58M - GWD Mar 10, 2003
BAHRAIN TO SELL STAKE IN BATELCO - GWD May 10, 2004
ETISALAT PURCHASES (155 MBPS) UAE TO SAN FRANCISCO FROM FLAG TELECOM - GWD Jul 2, 2001

TRADE ACCORD, MOU SIGNED WITH BELARUS
"Bahrain and Belarus [Jul 26] signed an agreement on economic and trade cooperation and a memorandum of understanding on technical cooperation.. .. The agreement on economic and trade cooperation reflects the keenness of both sides to strengthen economic and trade relations on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. It also marks the two countries' efforts to observe the rules and regulations generally applied in international trade including those of the World Trade Organization.." Complete report..

KUWAIT AND IRAQ FORM JOINT COMMITTEE FOR OIL DEVELOPMENT
"Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer Al-Ghadban announced on [Aug 1] that officials in Kuwait have formed a joint committee to explore ways of cooperation in the fields of oil and natural gas. Al-Ghadban told reporters following a meeting with Kuwait Energy Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd Al-Sabah that future cooperation will include supplying Kuwait with natural gas. He added that the talks with the minister had focused on bilateral and strategic cooperation in the energy sphere.." Complete report..

WATANIYA SIGNS EIGHT ROAMING DEALS
"Wataniya Telecom, Kuwait, has launched eight new General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) and Multi- Media Messaging Services (MMS) roaming agreements with Singapore's Starhub, Jordan's Mobilecom, Bahrain's Batelco, Hong Kong's CSL, UAE's Etisalat, Orange from UK, Philippines' Smart Communications and T-Mobile of USA. With voice roaming services covering over 250 partner mobile operators in more than 108 countries worldwide.." Complete report..

FOREIGN OIL MAJORS MAY INVEST IN OMAN
"A few international oil majors are understood to be considering investing in Oman. 'Oman encourages foreign oil companies to invest in exploration and production of oil in the country. The Ministry of Oil and Gas already has a program of acreage releases, and a number of oil companies are considering investing'.. ..Oman's proven oil reserves as of December-end 2003 stood at 5.572 billion barrels.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
OMAN TAPS NEW TECHNOLOGY TO BOOST OIL OUTPUT - GWD May 17, 2004

PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT OMAN IN NEW OIL DISCOVERY
" Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has struck oil again in the Shuaiba Formation in northwest Oman's Malaan area, one of the country's most productive geological formations.. ..The Malaan location was first targeted in 2000 as a likely place to find more oil reserves in the formation.." Complete report..

SHUAA UNVEILS OMAN STOCK FUND
"Dubai-based Shuaa Capital has launched the Oman Gateway Fund to invest in listed Omani securities. The fund is dollar-denominated and open to all nationalities as the Oman market is largely open to foreign ownership. It will invest in equities listed on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).." 
Complete report..

POTENTIALLY HIGH FINDS OF METALLIC MINERALS
"The geological potential to find significant metallic minerals in Oman is very high, Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, minister of commerce and industry, told the Times of Oman.. ..The minister further added that the future vision of the Omani economy has targeted raising the minerals sector contribution from 0.6 percent in 1995 to around 2 percent in 2020.." Complete report..

US ENERGY GIANT SIGNS LNG SUPPLY DEAL WITH RASGAS II
"Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Company Ltd (II), popularly known as RasGas II, and FPL Group Resources LLC, a subsidiary of FPL Group Inc, have announced the signing of a Heads of Agreement (HoA) to supply LNG from Qatar to a proposed terminal and regasification facility located at South Riding Point on Grand Bahama Island.. ..The feed gas will come from Qatar's North Field, the largest offshore non-associated natural gas field in the world, with proven natural gas reserves in excess of 900 trillion cubic feet.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
QATAR TO SPEND $25B TO BOOST LNG EXPORT CAPACITY - GWD Jul 28, 2003

QATAR TO ALLOW STOCK TRADING BY FOREIGNERS
"Trading in shares of companies listed on the Doha Securities Market (DSM) will be open to non-Qataris by January. A statement by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce also said that non-Qatari stakes in listed companies should not exceed 25 per cent of their issued capital.. ..The decision is expected to help the DSM, which has 30 listed companies, attract major foreign institutional investors and companies keen to seek mergers with Qatari-listed firms.." Complete report..

AL JAZEERA LAUNCHES MOBILE SERVICE IN JORDAN
"Jordan has become the first country to launch Al Jazeera mobile service with two local telecom operators. Fastlink was the first operator in the Jordanian market to take up Al Jazeera Mobile short messaging system (SMS) service.. ..Al Jazeera Mobile will soon be going global over the summer, providing customers a new way to subscribe through pre-paid scratch cards.." Complete report..

THALES WINS SAUDI DEFENSE DEAL
"French defense firm Thales says it has been chosen to provide support for Saudi Arabia's air defense system in a deal worth 340m euros.. ..Thales said it had agreed to support and upgrade the Crotale and Shahine systems, which it had sold the Saudis. The conglomerate said most of the work would be carried out in France over five years.." Complete report.. 
~~GulfWire Link~~
SAUDI ARABIA TOP BUYER OF UK ARMS - GWD Jun 14, 2004

SABIC, MARUN TO FINALIZE JOINT VENTURE
"The Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and the Iranian company Marun Petrochemical Company are expected to finalize a joint venture agreement within the next two months.. ..This is the first joint venture between SABIC and the Iranian company, the two petrochemical giants in the region.." Complete report..

EMIRATES RAISES $111M FOR AIRBUS JET
"Emirates has signed a 91 million euro ($111 million) financing agreement with National Bank of Dubai (NBD) and Emirates Bank Group (EBG) for a new Airbus A340-500 aircraft.. ..The financing, structured as a euro-operating lease over a 12-year term, was arranged and funded fully by the two banks.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
EMIRATES AIRLINE UNVEILS $5OOM EUROBOND - GWD Mar 15, 2004

DIFC WILL BE ARMED WITH 13 LAWS TO GOVERN COMPANIES
"A total of 13 laws governing the performance of financial services companies in the Dubai International Finance Center (DIFC) will be issued immediately following the passing of the Dubai law setting up the center.. ..Recently, General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defense Minister, issued a letter to the DFSA Regulatory Council stating that the body would have full regulatory independence in line with the practices followed in the other prime international financial centers.." Complete report..

DUBAI AIR SHOW TO TARGET SOUTHEAST ASIA
"Fairs and Exhibitions, organizers of the Dubai Air Show, has expanded its sales agency network to Southeast Asia with the appointment of Singapore-based Zara Asia Network to market Dubai 2005, the ninth international aero-space exhibition, in Singapore, Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.." Complete report..

500 FIRMS REGISTERED AT RAK FREE TRADE ZONE
"The Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone is experiencing hectic activity this year with more than 100 companies having set up business here in the past seven months, bringing the total number to 500.. ..The phenomenal success can be attributed to the customer-friendly approach, the focused marketing strategies and receptiveness to the requirements of clients.." Complete report..

FCA BEGINS IMPLEMENTATION OF WTO'S CUSTOMS ACCORD
"The UAE Federal Customs Authority (FCA) has announced the implementation of the WTO's agreement for customs evaluation after it has met all legal and executive obligations of the World Trade Organization.." Complete report..

DUBAI LAUNCHES YACHT PROJECT
"Dubai International Capital has launched the Dubai Yachting project to position Dubai as a premier yachting destination. The project will include a state-of-the-art marina for yachts and will also involve the purchase of 50 yachts.. ..It will also include a yachting academy that will enter into a joint venture with one of the world's most reputed academies to provide certification for yachtsmen.." Complete report..

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