FEBRUARY 2008

The new gatekeepers

Trousers down, arms up!
Who’s interested in increased security?

The strength of diversification
Arab stock markets have some way to go

It takes more than two to tango
It takes more than two to tango

Overruling Ahmadinejad
Overruling Ahmadinejad

Fairouz in Damascus
Fairouz in Damascus

Remembering Benazir Bhutto
Letter from the Gulf

Authoritarian CEOs are out, inclusive CEOs are in
The nature of how CEOs operate is changing in today's corporate world

Global footprints of sovereign wealth
Global footprints of sovereign wealth funds show Mideast and Asian players making waves in the global market

Cheer up – the Arabian real economy steams ahead
Reasons to be optimistic during a global recession

The Subprime Crisis and the Middle East
Executive examines regional fallout and opportunities

GCC banks sitting safe
Executive interviews analyst with Standard and Poor’s on subprime crisis

Looks good on paper
The GCM has not yet translated into changes on the ground

Probate headaches
New rules for foreign ownership inheritance in the UAE

The French Connection
Nicolas Sarkozy inaugurates France’s new interest in the Gulf

A hub for fake car parts
Regional counterfeit trade amounts to $3.3 billion in 2007

Gold standard
Changes in world markets sends precious metal prices soaring

Going up
Developers talk to Exeuctive about the current market

Mum’s the word
Public information on traffic projects is lacking

Lebanon – Saade wineries
Brothers venture into wine industry targeting international markets

Taking stock
Al-Quds Index sees 11% gains in early 2008

Developing the past
New hotels, tourist areas spring up in the Old City of Damascus

Stepping up liberalization
Erdogan commits to series of privatizations and reducing public debt

Doubling efforts
Minister announces plan to boost phosphate production

Farming faces the future
Government calls for ‘sustained effort’ to increase output and competition

Pushing ahead
Continuing the reform agenda

The other oil
Export revenues set to increase

The waiting game
Locals remain outside the private sector

Room for growth
Sudan’s low penetration levels point to yet untapped possibilities

Hedge funds – Riding the bull.
Despite shallow markets managers expect returns

IPO Watch – Enthusiasm remains
Regional markets still strong despite global slowdown

Money Matters by BLOMINVEST Bank

Company bulletin

Regional equity markets
A look at Arab World indices for January

Global economic data
Percent of part-time workers; consumer price increases

The American Empire – Contemplating isolation.
Presidential candidate’s advocacy for retreat