MARCH 2007

Keeping the baby and the Baath water

Paris III provides some relief but debt situation still perilous
Lebanon’s economy still in trouble

Middle East coming out as top spot for emerging markets
Good time to invest in the region

The battle for the South
Hezbollah winning hearts and minds over the government

US presidential race heats up
Unclear who will lead both parties into the 2008 poll

Dollar not what it used to be
American currency beginning to decline

The so-called Iranian threat
West exaggerating Islamic Republic’s power

Yes, Iraq was all about the oil
West invaded to get access to the black stuff

Saudis moving to block Iranians
Saudis move to block Iranians

Foreigners in their own country
Half-Lebanese given few rights

Creativity on tap in Lebanon
Creative arts in Lebanon and the Middle East growing

From death trap to gridlock
Road linking Sharjah to Dubai is dangerous

Syria’s investment environment experiences Damascene conversion
Massive foreign investment and economic liberalization, as a regime under pressure opens up for business

American-Lebanese Partnership – Launches new portal
Initiative hopes to use private industry pairings to rebuild Lebanon

Bias in the air - Lebanon's political media
All of Lebanon's media are biased, observers say, but that's not always bad

One step closer
Lebanon moves to join WTO, slowly

Syria looks to increase Indian trade: Delhi the No. 3 foreign investor
Subcontinent mostly invests in Syrian energy, but other sectors set to expand

Turkish export growth set to boom: Raft of FTAs to fuel growth
Foreign trade ministry targets $100 billion in exports for 2007

2006 a good year for Jordan’s ad sector: One-third rise in spending
Telecom and banking big spenders while newspapers benefit from cash

Jordan’s agri-sector needs to re-farm if kingdom is to bear fruit
Agriculture a pillar of Jordanian economy, but only 5% of land viable

Dubai’s leader has master plan on tap
Program to boost GDP has good chance of success, analysts say

Dubai’s Studio City has lights, cameras and is ready for action
Massive investment and huge soundstages to make emirate a new Hollywood

UAE developing gas network
Abu Dhabi leads the way in getting natural gas to homes, businesses

Abu Dhabi goes on sporting offensive Looks to host many events
Formula One Grand Prix latest prize for emirate’s new sporting push

Saudi housing crisis grows
Population boom, lack of financing options at heart of the problem

Firms must be 5% Saudi
But contractors say too few locals willing to do work of immigrants

Bahrain real estate taking off
But Gulf country still a bargain

Culture, family and history big draws in Sharjah
Emirate boosts plan to draw tourists’ dollars from bigger rivals in Gulf

Privatization in Kuwait slows
Restrictions on sales of state industries major drag on plan

Qatar to double the size of its fleet for liquified gas products
Expansion to be completed by 2010 as Doha bids for natural gas dominance

New wind blowing in Egypt, Sinai
Wind power set to expand

Cairo hopes for new golden age
Foreign investment key to revamp of gold mines, but potential huge

Morocco-Senegal ties expand
Rabat tightens embrace of W. Africa

Algeria-Russia ties increase
Energy market the glue holding these two countries together

Tunisia gearing For transport
Airports, roads, trains and harbors all part of new improvements

Lebanon’s politics
Beirut’s banks on track for profits, but hard year looms

Banking sector in UAE expanded in 2006
Islamic banking, new profits the hallmark of the year

UAE banking executives On forecast for 2007
An exclusive Q&A with two men in the know

Solidere’s new strategy Extends to Ajman
Company makes first international deal in UAE

Earning extra credit A surge in plastic
The Middle East is one of the fastest growing regions for credit card use, with Visa subscribers up 23%

Banking on shariah finance: Islamic banks on rise
Ethically-based financial dealings closer to wide acceptance

Money Matters by BLOMINVEST Bank

Creativity above budget: Cristal rewards ideas
MENA ad award show soldiers on in Lebanon

Rewarding creativity Regional ad awards handed out in Lebanon - Q&A
Executive caught up with Christian Cappe, CEO of the MENA Cristal Awards

Off-roading with Porsche New SUV a dream
Executive's Yasser Akkaoui takes new Cayenne for a spin

Ikea franchise unlikely in Lebanon
Too few people, too many costs biggest barriers

Company bulletin

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

Global economic data
Prison population and the language of the internet

The intifada will be televised
But private ownership of Lebanese stations appealing to worst instincts of a divided population and leaders