FEBRUARY 2007

The last dance

Even big powers want friends
US seeking allies in Middle East and beyond

Government vague on Paris III
Little clarity on what is required of Lebanon

Abizaid: the Mad Arab who disagreed with the President
Bush fires military figure over Iraq stance

Ras Al Khaimah set to grow
One of smaller emirates to expand influence

Sri lankans still opt for Lebanon
Despite abuses, southern Asians still seeking employment

Saddam Hussein: 1937-2006
Iraq's despot met his end the way he ruled: brutally

A chip off the old block
Norbert Schiller recalls Uday Hussein

Paris III comes and goes with massive aid pledged
But Lebanon needs to put its political house in order to maximize benefits

Stormy weather ahead for BMed as potential investors circle
Leader in Beirut-London flights faces tough decisions over future

Shifting trade winds Blowing Lebanon’s way
Market realities push Washington and Beirut closer, but FTA still a dream

Ad agencies enter fray in Beirut Campaigns spark debate
Contrasting campaigns highlight agencies

Turks’ energy
Energy pipelines can bypass Russia

Jordan’s tourism industry takes hit But Amman optimistic
Visitors’ tastes shifting toward higher-end trips, packages and purchases

UAE, Oman link exchanges
Agreement mirrors those between Abu Dhabi, Pakistan, Jordan, Qatar

UAE’s ‘du’ service Tackles foes
Second mobile operator set to compete amid new regulatory issues

GCC sees insurance industry booming With Dubai leading the way
But region’s risk industry still lags behind the rest of the world

Dubai aims to buy Liverpool giants
$880 million deal in the works

Two private air licenses
A new era in Saudi aviation

Economic projects
Four ‘smart cities’ to be built

Regional stock storms
Bourse sees 12% growth in 2006, while others dropped more than 40%

Oman working to broaden economy with push in tourism sector
2007 budget to boost industry with big-ticket investments

Sector set for expansion
Third operator due to be approved

KSA leads in cutting CO2
Global warming taken seriously

Finally finished
Agreement to open up markets

Primed to expand
But challenges lay ahead with shortage of engineers at competitive prices

Look to government for reform
New regime looks to cut costs, improve services to public, private employees

Foreign firms ready to Bank on Egypt
Outsiders heat up Cairo’s banking sector

Beirut prepares for more Islamic banking
Sharia-compliant banks look to expand in Lebanon

European - Lebanese partnership on tap
Byblos Ventures hopes to boost private equity projects

Strong regulations benefit Turkey’s bank industry
But some hope for even more reforms as sector looks primed to expand

Money Matters by BLOMINVEST Bank

Carthage
Investment in Tunisia looks set to pay off

Healthcare checkup for region looks good
Outside accreditation improving standards of care

For region’s firms
Good CG desperately needed in nepotistic companies

Region moves slowly on change
Most companies still in the dark about transparency

Of royals and rotors: Choppers taking off
Regional market for helicopters set to grow

Driving fast for sales: Nissan stays ahead of the chasing pack
Nissan CEO talks shop on buying, leasing and brand power

Company bulletin

Regional equity markets
A look at Arab-world indices in January

Global economic data
Population, fish and Internet

A step back for freedom? US must choose
Despotism is as much a threat as Islamism