ASSAILANTS TARGET IRAQI MINISTERS
"Assailants [Aug 24] targeted convoys of the interim government's ministers of environment and education in two separate bombings in Baghdad.. ..Neither of the ministers was hurt, but at least five people were reported dead.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
CAR BOMB TARGETS IRAQI MINISTER - GWD Jul 19, 2004

PAKISTAN, US TAKE ON THE MADRASSAHS
"Despite resistance from clerics and the sheer scale of the task - there are some 20,000 'madrassahs' in Pakistan - the government, with US help, has embarked on several initiatives to combat zealotry by broadening educational offerings. A little over 300 'madrassahs' have introduced elementary subjects like English, math, science, and computers, and US funds have revitalized some government schools.."  Complete report..

KUWAIT ASSURES INDIA OF ALL-OUT EFFORT FOR RELEASE OF IRAQ HOSTAGES
"Kuwait on [Aug 25] assured India it was making all-out efforts to secure the release of Indian hostages abducted in Iraq over a month ago.. .. Al-Sabah expressed hope that the hostages would be released soon as they were working in Iraq in connection with reaching humanitarian aid and not as part of any military operation.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
TRUCKING FIRM PLANS PULLOUT TO SAVE HOSTAGES - GWD Jul 26, 2004

CALL FOR GCC CHARITY MEET 
"Poverty eradication, better services for needy among aims the Bahrain Philanthropic Society (BPS) has urged the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to work towards organizing an annual conference of charitable organizations in the GCC States.."  Complete report..

$1,250M GCC POWER PROJECT IS APPROVED
"The GCC has approved a joint electricity network project at an estimated cost of $1,250 million.. ..The GCC Electricity Network Bureau chairman Dr Abdulmajeed Al Awadh said Saudi will contribute 31.6 per cent of the total cost, Kuwait, 26.7pc, Qatar, 11.7pc, Bahrain, 9pc, UAE, 15.4pc and Oman, 5.6pc. He said that the tender for the project's first phase will be floated in the first quarter of 2005 and it is expected to be completed by 2008. A meeting will be held in Dammam on September 22 to discuss details related to the implementation of the project.."  Complete report..

ALUMINUM SMELTER BLAMED FOR BLACKOUT
"The Electricity Minister, Shaikh Abdullah Bin Salman Al Khalifa, defended the ministry and said at a press conference [Aug 23] that Bahrain's aluminum smelter, Alba - the biggest in the Middle East - was to blame for the unprecedented power failure.. ..The Parliament said it would "investigate any wrongdoings" in power disruptions and a report would be discussed in an extraordinary session expected to be held this month or early next month.." Complete report..
Also:
MPS DEMAND RESIGNATION OF BAHRAINI MINISTER
MAJOR POWER FAILURE IN BAHRAIN, PLANT FAULT BLAMED
BAHRAIN EYES POWER GRID UPGRADE
EXPERTS: COST OF BLACKOUT IN BAHRAIN PUT AT $26.5 MILLION
POWER FAILURE PROBE TO BE MADE PUBLIC: PM - BAHRAIN

BAHRAINIS READY FOR NAJAF MARCH
"Bahrain's top Shiite leaders said [Aug 26] that they would march to Najaf and protect it if Iraq's highest Shiite leader, Ayatollah Ali Sistani, called upon Muslims to join efforts to end the fighting and bring peace back to the city.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
MASSIVE RALLY IN BAHRAIN TO PROTEST US BLITZ IN IRAQ - GWD Aug 16, 2004

BAHRAIN TO PROBE ATHLETES' NATURALIZATION
"The Bahrain Parliament is planning to investigate the naturalization of a number of non-Bahraini athletes who are part of the Bahraini team taking part in the Athens Olympic Games.."  Complete report..

PATRIOTISM LESSONS LINED UP FOR SCHOOLS
"Patriotism and politics are to be taught in Bahrain's government schools, it was revealed [Aug 29]. There are plans to introduce lessons on patriotism in all government schools, while politics will be taught at the secondary level.."  Complete report..

EMIR IN NYC FOR MEDICAL TESTS
"Kuwait's emir, Sheik Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah, was traveling to New York City on [Aug 25] for 'routine' medical tests.. ..The statement said the tests were prescheduled but provided no further information. Sheik Jaber, 78, suffered a brain hemorrhage in 2001 and he was treated at a London hospital.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
EMIR RECOVERING IN LONDON - GWD Oct 1, 2001

KUWAIT SETS ASIDE $65M FOR IRAQ AID
"Kuwait earmarked [Aug. 29] $65 million in aid for Iraq, including $5m for the city of Najaf. Information Minister Mohammed Abul-Hassan told the Kuwait News Agency the decision was made by the Cabinet to help the people of Najaf face the consequences of the fighting."  Complete report..

INDIA, KUWAIT TO SIGN EXTRADITION PACT
"India and Kuwait will sign an extradition treaty [Aug 25], indicating their determination to jointly fight crime and to strengthen bilateral relations.. ..The two countries will also sign an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters, besides a memorandum of understanding for setting up a strategic consultative group.." Complete report..

DEPUTY COMMANDER, KUWAIT NAVAL FORCES VISITS US NAVY COMMANDERS
"The Deputy Commander of Kuwait Naval Forces, Brig. Gen. Marzouq Al-Bader, met with Marine Brig. Gen. Joseph V. Medina, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 3 [aboard the amphibious ship USS Belleau Wood] to discuss coordination between maritime forces.."  Complete report..

OMAN ISSUES DECREE NATIONALIZING JOBS OF DRIVERS
"In a bid to tackle growing domestic unemployment, Oman's Labor Ministry is to clamp down on the number of expatriates working as drivers. Under a ministerial decree issued recently by Labor Minister Juma bin Ali Bin Juma, regular driving jobs will have to be given to Omani nationals, although expatriates could still be eligible to drive vehicles over seven tons.." Complete report..

QATAR'S GDP TO CROSS QR80BN MARK
Qatar Central Bank (QCB) expects the country's gross domestic product (GDP) to cross QR80bn mark (over $22 billion) by the end of this year, according to Qatar News Agency (QNA). Currently Qatar's GDP is QR74bn, H E Sheikh Fahd bin Faisal Al Thani, Deputy Governor of Qatar Central Bank (QCB) said in a statement. 'These achievements were the result of huge investments made in the fields of gas, oil and petrochemicals'.."  Complete report..

QATAR IN TALKS WITH 23 COUNTRIES FOR JOINT ENTRY VISA SYSTEM
"Qatar and its GCC neighbors are taking a closer look at the possibility of having a joint entry visa system.. ..Currently, Qatar has a joint entry visa system with Oman and the experiment has been 'immensely' successful.. ..over 60,000 joint entry visas for Qatar and Oman were issued since the scheme was introduced in July 2002.." Complete report..

NEW SCHOOL FOR GIRLS SET TO OPEN IN THREE WEEKS
"The Cambridge International School for Girls (CISG), described as the first of its kind in Qatar, is set to open in three weeks.. ..The new school is a joint venture of the Taleb Group and Global Education Management Systems (GEMS), a member of the UAE-based Varkey Group. The CISG will be the first exclusive girls' school, from Year 5 onwards, in the private sector.." Complete report..

SHOTS FIRED AT U.S. DIPLOMATIC CAR IN SAUDI ARABIA
Shots were fired [Aug. 30] at a U.S. diplomatic car near the U.S. consulate in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia but there were no injuries.."  Complete report..

PAKISTANI AND FOUR MILITANTS ARRESTED BY SAUDI FORCES
"Saudi security forces have arrested four suspected militants and a Pakistani in different operations around the kingdom.."  Complete report..

SAUDI WEAPONS AMNESTY EXPIRES
"Saudi Arabia's two-month amnesty for citizens to surrender unlicensed weapons without penalty expired on [Aug. 27].  The Gulf state, battling a wave of militant violence, announced the amnesty in late June, less than a week after it granted a one-month amnesty to al Qaeda militants to surrender. 
It was not clear how many people had responded to the arms amnesty. Only a handful of wanted militants had handed themselves in under the initial amnesty.."  Complete report..
Also:
KINGDOM PLANS CAMPAIGN TO TRACE UNLICENSED ARMS

SAUDI AL-QAEDA CHIEF'S WIFE FREED
"Saudi police have released Fawzia Sauni, wife of the suspected al-Qaeda chief in the kingdom, Saleh Oufi. Her brother Humaid said she had been released on [Aug. 24]. Ms Sauni, who is said to be pregnant, was detained in July during a police raid.."  Complete report..

VOTE NEAR, SAUDIS PUSH TO MODERNIZE
"Even as Saudi Arabia struggles internally with violent extremists and externally with its image as the country that produced most of the attackers of Sept. 11, 2001, the desert kingdom's rulers are moving on multiple fronts to modernize and moderate their nation.."  Complete report..

'INSIDE THE MIRAGE' AUTHOR TALKS ABOUT TROUBLED RELATIONSHIP 
"..for all the troubles, the country is not in a revolutionary state; we're not talking regime change here. Serious people are doing serious work. There's a lot of creative and constructive thought being given to the future of the country. I don't necessarily believe that all is gloom and doom, but I do think we are in a period of very negative relations, very negative developments in the relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia. And, that a good bit of it is our fault. There are things that can be done to improve it.."  Complete report..

SAUDI TEAM IN US FOR WTO TALKS
"A Saudi team, led by Dr. Fawaz Al-Alamy, deputy commerce and industry minister, has left for Washington to hold another round of talks with US officials as part of the Kingdom's efforts to join the World Trade Organization. US Ambassador James C. Oberwetter has said in a published statement that his country will support the Kingdom's WTO accession.. ..The ambassador hoped the Kingdom would become a WTO member by the end of this year.. ..The United States is the only WTO member country, with which Saudi Arabia has not yet reached a bilateral agreement. However, Alamy has reported that negotiations with Washington had reached 'advanced stages'.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
BUSH PRESSURED TO OPPOSE SAUDI WTO ADMISSION - GWD Jul 12, 2004

SAUDI TO USE EXTRA INCOME TO REPAY PUBLIC DEBT
"Saudi Arabia will use this year's expected budget surplus to repay some of its public debt, the finance minister said in remarks published Sunday. Ibrahim al-Assaf said that the cabinet and the supreme economic council had agreed to "use the budget surplus this (financial) year to repay some of the public debt," Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper reported. The minister said, however, that it was "still too early" to estimate oil revenues for the current fiscal year but confirmed reports that they would exceed budget forecasts. The Saudi government has projected an $8 billion deficit for fiscal 2004. Total revenues were estimated at $53.3 billion and expenditures at $61.3 billion. But some private forecasts expect total revenues to be nearly double the official estimates due to the surge in world oil prices, and have projected a budget surplus as high as $35 billion.."  Complete report..

EASE RESTRICTIONS ON FAMILY VISAS, GCC STUDY SUGGESTS
"A new study has called for easing curbs to facilitate expatriates living in the Kingdom to bring their families to the country. The move will substantially reduce expatriates' remittances.. ..The study prepared by the economic affairs department of the GCC General Secretariat here said 'an expatriate's remittance decreases if his family is with him in Saudi Arabia'.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
REMITTANCES FROM GULF STATES REACHED $27 BILLION IN 2002 - GWD Mar 29, 2004

SAUDI ARABIAN OIL FIELDS BRIMMING
"If global petroleum markets required it, Saudi Aramco could nearly double its current world-leading oil production output to 15 million barrels a day and comfortably sustain that rate for at least 50 years.  In a nutshell, that's the company's short answer to recent speculation in some international media that production of the Kingdom's oil fields might be poised for an imminent and irreversible fall.."  Complete report..

FOUNDATION FOR THE GIFTED TO GET $55,000 US GRANT
"King Abdul Aziz & His Companions Foundation for the Gifted will receive a $55,000 grant this year under the US government's Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). The grant is part of a scholarship program to help gifted students from the Gulf states attending summer camps.. ..MEPI represents the US government's initiative to reach out to the Muslim world through partnership in trade, education, political and economic reforms, as well as freedom of expression.." Complete report..

AMERICAN SCHOOL TO REOPEN
"After more than a year of uncertainty and intensive negotiation, the former Saudi Arabian Airlines School has formally changed ownership and will open its doors [Aug. 28].. ..The future of the school was called into doubt last year when the airline deemed its existence as not essential to its core business. Parents, teachers and prominent local businessmen and officials protested against the move and for several months the future of the school was in the balance.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
SAUDI ARABIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL TO CLOSE - GWD Dec 22, 2003

LEBANESE DAILY TO BE PRINTED IN KINGDOM
"Saudi Research & Marketing Group (SRMG) signed an agreement here [Aug 23] with Arab Press United Co. (APUC) for the printing and distribution of the Lebanese newspaper Almustaqbal in Saudi Arabia.. ..The accord came after Saudi Distribution Company, an affiliate of SRMG won the approval from the Culture and Information Ministry in Riyadh to print and distribute the Lebanese daily in the Kingdom.." Complete report..

CHAOS AT SAUDI REFORMISTS' TRIAL
"A Saudi judge has postponed the second session of a trial of three reformists after their supporters staged an angry protest in court in the capital Riyadh. Tensions erupted after security forces initially barred entry to the hearing.. ..The accused, Matrouq Faleh, Ali Demaini and Abdullah Hamid, are charged with calling for a constitutional monarchy and questioning the judicial system.." Complete report..
Also:
PUBLIC DISSENT FORCES DELAY IN REFORMISTS' TRIAL
~~GulfWire Link~~
SAUDI ARABIA DETAINS REFORMERS - GWD Mar 22, 2004

SAUDI PR DRIVE IN US DOOMED TO FAILURE
"'Strong allies, committed friends': this is the signature tune to a series of ads which the Saudi government has recently launched in the US media. Coming in the middle of a hotly contested US presidential campaign in which Washington's relations with the Saudi monarchy remain a key issue, the timing is impeccable.. ..State-sponsored propaganda of this kind invariably fails to shift opinions, as the United States itself discovered when it tried to address ordinary Muslims around the world.."  Complete report..
Also:
SAUDI ARABIA LAUNCHES NEW PR CAMPAIGN
"Saudi Arabia has launched two new radio advertisements in 19 cities across the United States.."  Complete report..

DIALOGUE ON YOUTH ISSUES IN NOVEMBER
"Workshops for young Saudi men and women will be held in the Kingdom's different regions ahead of the fourth national dialogue session on youth issues scheduled to be held in the Eastern Province in November.. ..Crown Prince Abdullah, who initiated the dialogue forum, had issued instructions for the November gathering under the theme "Youth Issues, Facts and Aspirations," Muammar said, adding that it would be attended by prominent personalities.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUTH COMBATS MILITANT IDEOLOGY - GWD Jul 26, 2004

BBC CRITICIZED FOR REPORT ABOUT SAUDI ARABIA
"Britain's broadcasting watchdog criticized the BBC on [Aug 23] for a radio report that suggested corruption was widespread in Saudi Arabia. OFCOMs reprimand followed by a Saudi government complaint about the report on the British Broadcasting Corp. program "Today," which included an allegation by an interviewee that any business with the Saudi government required bribes to diplomats and other officials. OFCOM criticized the BBC for broadcasting the one-sided allegation without including a statement of denial it had received beforehand from Saudi Ambassador Turki Al Faisal in London.." Complete report..

SAUDI, AUSTRALIA REACH ISLAMIC FUNDING DEAL 
"Australia has reached a deal with Saudi Arabia to try to ensure funding from the oil-rich kingdom does not fall into the hands of Islamic militants in Australia, a newspaper reported [Aug. 28]. Saudi Arabia, which has contributed about A$100 million ($71 million) since the 1970s to help set up mosques and Islamic schools in Australia, would alert Australia of donations made by Saudi citizens or organizations to its Islamic community.."  Complete report..

DUBAI GEARS UP TO BE CENTER FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
"Dubai is planning to set up a biomedical research institute that will attract young scientists in the region and help in the discovery of drugs for various diseases.. ..Professor Paul L. Herrling, head of corporate research at the Swiss-based pharmaceutical company Novartis, told Gulf News initial talks are being held with Harvard University.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
INTERVIEW: HARVARD TO HELP BUILD TOP HEALTHCARE CITY IN DUBAI - GWD Oct 27, 2003

EUROPEAN VISA PROCEDURE EASED FOR NATIONALS
"European embassies in the Schengen Treaty area are considering easing visit visa procedures for UAE nationals and their servants.. ..The issue of easing procedures for UAE nationals to obtain Schengen visas is a potential topic of discussion among the Schengen embassies, the source said. It is being considered because the UAE issues visas to Schengen Treaty citizens without similar difficulties.." Complete report..
Related:
"Schengen Treaty" Info

FBI, UAE POLICE PLAN COOPERATION 
"The United States and the United Arab Emirates plan to bolster security cooperation in an effort to prevent the Gulf Arab state from becoming a way-station for illegal goods.."  Complete report..

RCS, UNRWA DISCUSS JOINT COOPERATION
"The UAE Red Crescent Society (RCS) the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East, (UNRWA) explored best mechanisms to deliver assistance to Palestinian refugees. RCS Chairman Khalifa Nasser Al Suweidi and UNRWA Resident Representative Mustafa Al Karkouti discussed final arrangements for the hand-over of the Jenin Camp reconstruction project in October. Al Suweidi said the project, ordered by H.H. President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, was one of the largest humanitarian projects ever carried out by the RCS in cooperation with UNRWA. Under the project, 3,500 houses were maintained and other 454 houses were constructed."
Source: The Emirates News Agency (WAM)

BLOCKING OF WEB SITES FRUSTRATES NET USERS
"Etisalat, the UAE's telecommunications provider, is blocking web sites arbitrarily, Internet users here have complained. Subscribers said they had been denied access to web sites, which do not contain any offensive content.. ..Blocking certain web sites has been a part of Etisalat's policy of upholding the cultural and social values of the UAE. This is sometimes, however, taken to a grave extent.." Complete report..

NEW FILM ON THE 'OPERATION EMIRATES SOLIDARITY' TO BE BROADCAST
"A new film on the 'Operation Emirates Solidarity' demining program in Southern Lebanon, entitled Lethal Legacy, is to be broadcast.. .. film shows how thousands of mines that were left behind after Israel withdrew from South Lebanon have been cleared by specialist demining teams, including UAE armed forces deminers, led by the UAE in cooperation with the United Nations and the Lebanese Government.."
Emirates Bulletin No. 162, August 29

EMAAR LAUNCHES PROGRAM TO EMPOWER NATIONALS
"Emaar [Properties] has launched its first-ever training initiative targeting fresh graduates from leading UAE universities, titled "National Development Program" for the development of local youth. The new scheme includes the selection and training of 12 high-merit students from select local universities across EMAAR¹s various divisions for the period of one year.." Source: Emirates Bulletin No. 162, August 29
Related:
Emaar Properties Web Site

THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE WEST:
 A TROUBLED HISTORY
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO SPECIAL REPORTS

                   <<ONE YEAR AGO>>
           GULFWIRE DIGEST #212 WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2003

US FORCES SCALE BACK IN SAUDI ARABIA
"The Pentagon has withdrawn most of its forces from the strategic Mideast nation of Saudi Arabia, ending a decade-long buildup started after the first war against Iraq's Saddam Hussein.. ..U.S. military officials transferred back to the Saudis control of portions of Prince Sultan Air Base and deactivated the 363rd Air Expeditionary Wing that has operated there.."

                            <<TWO YEARS AGO>>
            GULFWIRE DIGEST #162 WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2002

CHENEY SAYS PERIL OF A NUCLEAR IRAQ JUSTIFIES AN ATTACK
"Vice President Dick Cheney [August 26] presented the administration's most forceful and comprehensive rationale yet for attacking Iraq, warning that Saddam Hussein would 'fairly soon' have nuclear weapons." 

                             <<THREE YEARS AGO>>
             GULFWIRE DIGEST #112 WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2001

U.S. RESISTS ARAB MIDDLE EAST PRESSURE
"..Support for the Palestinians unites Arab populations from Morocco to the Gulf and Arab leaders cannot afford to ignore the issue.. Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah received lavish praise in the Arab media recently when he reportedly turned down a visit to Washington in protest over US policy in the Middle East.. But gestures aside, Arab leaders appear powerless to bring about any change in the US's perceived bias towards Israel.. .."For each individual member of Congress, the national security and the national interest of the United States is dependent on one thing and one thing only - and that is winning their next election.." 

                                  <<FOUR YEARS AGO>>
               GULFWIRE DIGEST #61 WEEK OF AUGUST 4, 2000

LEAGUE RENEWS SUPPORT TO UAE'S RIGHTS ON ISLES
"The Arab League's Council today renewed its stand on the Iranian occupation of the United Arab emirates' three islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb. At the end of its 114th session, held at the level of Foreign Ministers, the Council reiterated UAE's full sovereignty on its three islands. It also expressed support to the peaceful means adopted by the UAE to end the Iranian occupation of its islands.." 

                                <<FIVE YEARS AGO>>
                GULFWIRE DIGEST #8 WEEK OF AUGUST 30, 1999

WMD PROGRAM
"A Clinton administration report to Congress on August 25 warned that Iraq may have resumed activities at WMD and long range missile facilities.  The report stopped short of clearly stating production of proscribed materials had begun noting the limits to monitoring without on-site inspections.."

[GulfWire] ENERGY FUTURES - 08.27.04
Light Crude (NYM) $43.40 bbl DOWN from $46.80 bbl on 08.20.04
Brent Crude (IPE) $40.64 bbl DOWN from $43.85 bbl on 08.20.04
Heating Oil (NYM) $1.165 gal DOWN from $1.248 gal on 08.20.04
Natural Gas (NYM) $5.07 mmbtu DOWN from $5.54 mmbtu on 08.20.04
Unleaded Gas (NYM) $1.1745 gal UP from $1.268 gal on 08.20.04
Source: CNNfn  

OPEC UNLIKELY TO AGREE ON QUOTA FREE-FOR-ALL
"OPEC may be unwilling to take the final step aimed at trying to deflate record high oil prices by formally suspending production limits.. ..'Unofficially the quotas effectively have been suspended, and most likely they will continue to be suspended until prices come down,' said an OPEC delegate. 'So why create a dispute by turning this into a formal agreement?'.. ..The political implications of a formal quota suspension could once again dissuade some in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries from explicit endorsement.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
OPEC MAY SUSPEND QUOTAS TEMPORARILY - GWD May 31, 2004

PAKISTAN, GCC TO SIGN ECONOMIC PACT [AUG 26]
"The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Abdul Rahman Attiyah, was to arrive in Islamabad [Aug 25] followed by the Kuwait foreign minister, Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al Salem Al Sabah, [Aug 26]. During their visit, a framework economic cooperation agreement will be signed.. ..The agreement will pave the way for negotiations on the feasibility of establishing a free trade zone.." Complete report..

EU POISED TO OFFER DUTY-FREE STATUS TO GCC EXPORTERS
"Garment manufacturers in the UAE, and the GCC, can expect a welcome boost if the EU offers duty free status to their exports, as is widely expected. 'The EU already offers quota free status, and adding duty free to it would be of immediate benefit to manufacturers here,' said M. Lahori, managing director of Palmon.." Complete report..

NEW STC OFFER TO TRIGGER COMPETITION
"As UAE telecom giant Etisalat makes intense preparations to operate the Kingdom's second mobile network, Saudi Telecom Company recently offered new free services, triggering major competition in the market.. ..A consortium led by Etisalat won the Kingdom's second mobile license earlier this month.. ..Etisalat said it was planning to launch full-scale GSM services in major Saudi cities providing one million lines within six months.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
ETISALAT WINS LICENSE FOR 2ND MOBILE - GWD Aug 16, 2004

PAKISTAN AND GCC HOPE NEW AGREEMENT WILL BOOST TRADE 
"Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on [Aug. 27] hoped that the signing of the Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation between the two sides on Thursday would bring Pakistan closer to the GCC countries and enhance economic and trade activity between them.."  Complete report..

NEW BAHRAIN DRAFT SET TO REGULATE TELECOM MERGERS
"A new regulation governing mergers and acquisitions in the Bahrain telecom sector is now in the final stages of being drawn up.."  Complete report..

BAHRAIN TO HOST KEY POWER EXPOS
"The Bahrain Conventions and Exhibition Bureau (BCEB) is gearing itself up to host three world-class events next month.. ..The combined events - Water Middle East 2004, Power-Gen Middle East 2004 and Iraq Reconstruction 2004.."  Complete report..

GT FESTIVAL FOR BAHRAIN
"Following the phenomenally successful inaugural Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, the third round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, Bahrain International Circuit has now started to prepare for a variety of other motor sport activities at the state of the art circuit.."  Complete report..

KUWAIT'S TRADE SURPLUS UP 12PC
Kuwait's trade surplus rose 12 per cent by mid-2004 compared its level a year ago due to an increase in oil revenues, the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) said [Aug. 29].  CBK said in its quarterly bulletin that trade surplus on June 30 this year reached $6.3 billion up from $5.6B in mid-2003.."  Complete report..

AVERAGE SALE AT KUWAIT DUTY FREE UP 13.97 PERCENT OVER 2003
"The value of the average sale at Kuwait Duty Free (KDF) has risen by 13.97 percent over 2003.. ..KDF adopted a strategy of 'hot promotional points' in 2002 and 2003 and it paid off with excellent sales results particularly for cigarettes, food products, toiletries and perfumes.." Complete report..

NEW OIL-CONCESSION PACT WITH CHINESE FIRM SIGNED
"A new oil-concession agreement between the government of Oman and the Chinese Sinopec Corp was signed on the Ministry of Oil and Gas premises [Aug 23]. The agreement provides for oil and gas exploration and production in Blocks 36 and 38 in the southern part of the country.. ..Provisions of the agreement commit Sinopec to carry out geological and geo-physical assessment, conduct a seismic survey and drill an exploratory well in the first three-year exploratory period. The company will spend $22 million to finance the exploratory program.." Complete report.. 
~~GulfWire Link~~
FOREIGN OIL MAJORS MAY INVEST IN OMAN - GWD Aug 2, 2004

SHIPPING INDUSTRY GROWTH TO CONTINUE FOR A DECADE SAYS OMAN AUTHORITY
Management at Oman's Port of Salalah is predicting a boom in the region's shipping industry over the next decade.. .. Both port management and authority have invested US$ 249 million in two new berths and a 2.5 km breakwater that will be completed early in 2006.."  Complete report..

CITIGROUP, BNP MAY JOIN $3.6B QATAR GAS LOAN
"Citigroup Inc. and BNP Paribas SA are among 36 banks that may this week agree to lend $3.6 billion for Exxon Mobil Corp.'s expansion of natural-gas lines in Qatar. The banks will each pledge $100 million to the 15-year loan, which will fund a project to provide liquefied natural gas to the U.K.. ..Banks offered to lend about 50 percent more than the $2.5 billion Exxon and Qatar Petroleum originally sought for the Qatar gas II LNG Expansion project. The increase means the companies can build two production lines now.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
US ENERGY GIANT SIGNS LNG SUPPLY DEAL WITH RASGAS II - GWD Aug 2, 2004

WORK ON SR12B JABAL OMAR PROJECT BEGINS
"Work on the multibillion-riyal Jabal Omar real estate project in Makkah began [Aug 23].. ..The project, which is estimated to cost SR12 ($3.2) billion, is one of the largest schemes aimed at developing areas surrounding the Grand Mosque. Spread on an area of 230,000 square meters, the project includes five-star hotels, commercial centers, and prayer facilities for 200,000 worshippers.." Complete report..

BUSINESSMEN IRKED BY RECRUITMENT CURBS
"A number of businessmen and company owners have criticized the new curbs on foreign manpower recruitment and said such rules would lead to the closure of many businesses and flight of capital.. ..'The new instructions would affect businesses and reduce domestic investment. Moreover, it will force many investors to shift their businesses to other countries,' Okaz daily quoted the businessmen as saying.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
CURBS ON RECRUITMENT OF EXPATS - GWD Aug 23, 2004

DAM CONTRACT AWARDED TO TURKISH FIRM
"Saudi Arabia has awarded a SR263 ($70) million contract to a Turkish company to build Murwani Dam near Jeddah. The contract was part of the government's ambitious plan to build five dams at a total cost of over SR1 billion ($266 million) within a few years.. ..These multipurpose dam projects have been a priority for the Saudi government.." Complete report..

SAUDI ARAMCO FIGURES IN DESIGN DEAL FOR $3.5BN CHINA REFINERY
"Saudi Aramco, Exxon Mobil and China's Sinopec [Aug 26] reached agreement on design work for a $3.5 billion expansion of a refinery in China and the addition of a chemical complex.. ..The work includes completing initial engineering and design, selecting contractors, finalizing cost estimates and the development of the pre-ordering of long-lead time equipment. The parties will then make a final decision on joint venture formation and project construction.." Complete report..

CHINA OVERTAKES JAPAN, US AS TOP EXPORTER TO UAE
"China kept the heat turned up on its Gulf marketing blitz to overtake such industrial giants as the United States and Japan to become the top exporter to the UAE.. ..China captured 11.3 percent of the UAE's total imports of about $43.8 billion last year compared with only 8.2 per cent in 2002 to become the top exporter to the UAE for the first time.." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
UAE, CHINA TO COORDINATE VIEWS ON WTO TALKS - GWD Apr 26, 2004

UAE PRIVATE SECTOR POSTS HIGH GROWTH
"The UAE's private sector has nearly doubled its contribution to GDP over the past ten years - a trend that serves to offset volatile oil prices and ensure jobs for the fast-growing population.. ..In 2003, the UAE private sector's contribution to GDP was estimated at about Dh128.69 billion ($35 billion), nearly 44 per cent of the total GDP of Dh293.1 billion ($79.8 billion).." Complete report..
~~GulfWire Link~~
NATIONALS URGED TO BOOST PRIVATE SECTOR PRESENCE - GWD May 17, 2004

UAE MANUFACTURING SECTOR CONTRIBUTES DH36B TO GDP
In the UAE, the manufacturing sector contributed an estimated Dh36 billion to UAE¹s GDP in 2003, with 13.3 per cent share in the economy. Manufacturing sector is approximately 20 percent of the entire non-oil economy. Last year, there were 2,795 manufacturing establishments with the Ministry of Finance and Industry, compared to 2,509 in 2002, according to a report by Emirates Industrial Bank. Source: Emirates Bulletin No. 162, August 29

ATCC IPO MAY BREAK AMLAK RECORD
"The over subscription in the Dh220 ($59.92) million initial public offering (IPO) of Arab Technical Construction Company (ATCC) is set to cross the 33-fold record established by Amlak Finance early this year.. ..A top banker said the reason for this huge over subscription is not only because the stock market sentiments are good, but also that a few banks have come forward to offer high leveraging facilities to subscribers. Though the average leverage offered by the banks is said to be four times, at least one bank is said to have offered nine times leveraging to qualified subscribers in this IPO.." Complete report..

US MAY END TEXTILE QUOTAS SELECTIVELY
"The US is expected to drop import quota restrictions on only certain categories of garments ahead of the key date of January 1, 2005, according to industry sources. Even that would represent a good enough deal for the UAE's garment manufacturers. The country has been one of the biggest exporters of garments to the US over the last decade, but quota restrictions have made it difficult to get a bigger share of that multi-billion dollar market.." Complete report.. 
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DUBAI TO HOST TEXTILE EXPO - GWD Jul 26, 2004

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS' INVESTMENT TOUCHES DH102B
"The demand for new residential property projects in Dubai has moved ahead with investment from prominent developers touching Dh102 ($27.8) billion. There is an unusual surge in properties mushrooming all over Dubai."  Source: Emirates Bulletin No. 162, August 29

FREEHOLD PROPERTY USHERS IN A REAL ESTATE BOOM IN UAE
"Dubai's awakening into the freehold property market has changed the scenario of the real estate market in the country. Freehold ownership, which is a widely accepted concept in US and UK, is a good and safe investment. The real estate market in Dubai has experienced considerable growth in the last two years, with an overwhelming response from UAE national and expatriate investors to such projects.."  Complete report..

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