Middle East

SAUDI ARABIA REOPENS IPO MARKET WITH TELECOM ISSUE   By Gordon Platt   The first initial public offering of the year in Saudi Arabia, home of the Arab world’s largest stock market, attracted more than 638,000 subscribers, more than 92% ...

Middle East Change Creates New Opportunities   Banks in the Middle East are pulling in their horns in light of the widespread political upheaval in the region. Markets have been unsettled by the political developments, but the economic fundamentals remain ...

Dubai’s Strategic Location Helps It Pull Out Of Slump   By Gordon Platt   Dubai’s position as a strategic trading hub has towed it out of its economic slump.   New heights: Dubai economy looks up Dubai’s position as a ...

Global Finance Announces Best Banks by Region 2011 NEW YORK, April 8, 2011 – Global Finance magazine has announced its annual awards for the World’s Best Banks in Developed and Emerging Markets. For the first time, the selections will be ...

THE MIDDLE EAST 2011: OUTLOOK   By Justin Keay   The rising tide of activism surging through the Middle East and North Africa is accelerating a transformation already well under way.   When asked what was most likely to blow ...

THE MIDDLE EAST 2011: QATAR   By Justin Keay   Careful economic management and a strong strategic vision have helped propel Qatar to the front ranks of the world’s fastest-growing economies.   Ten years ago, Qatar could have safely laid ...

THE MIDDLE EAST 2011: THE BANKS   By Justin Keay   The current market conditions may have prompted slowing in their expansion plans, but the Middle East’s banks are still building for the future.   Until late 2010, the sentiment ...

WINDS OF CHANGE   These are times of unprecedented change in the Middle East and North Africa. Years of pent-up frustration among the region’s youth—around 60% of the population in some countries—has already swept away two governments. More may follow, ...

THE MIDDLE EAST 2011: DUBAI'S RESURGENCE   By Justin Keay   After a tough two years, Dubai has consolidated its position as a regional financial and transport hub and is set for a sharp upturn.   Anyone arriving on a ...

BUSINESS AS USUAL DESPITE UNREST   By Anita Hawser   The turmoil sweeping the Arab world threatens to cause a contagion that will spread far beyond the Middle East, says Barings Asset Management.   Kuwait and other GCC countries in ...

Global Finance names the 2011 World's Best Emerging Market Banks in the Middle East NEW YORK, March 24, 2011 — Global Finance magazine has named the “Best Emerging Market Banks in the Middle East” in an exclusive survey to be ...

ROUNDUP: MIDDLE EAST   By Anita Hawser   In the wake of the political and social unrest that has been sweeping across the Middle East following the downfall of the Tunisian and Egyptian leaders, ratings agencies are preparing to issue ...

INDUSTRIAS BACHOCO: POULTRY PRODUCER OFFERS PROTECTION IN TROUBLED MARKET   By Anita Hawser   In times of uncertainty investors often turn to so-called defensive stocks, and Mexico poultry producer Industrias Bachoco is certainly that.   Despite other problems that may ...

NEWSMAKERS: ISRAEL   By Dan Keeler   Steinitz: One-year budgets are a “terrible mistake” Just two years after being mired in the depths of the global financial crisis, Israel is experiencing a sharp and sustained recovery that is the envy ...

COVER STORY: MIDDLE EAST   By Laurence Neville   Nervous investors are looking for signs of stability in the Middle East and North Africa. The region’s burgeoning investment banking industry may provide the reassurance they’re looking for.   The political ...

ROUNDUP: MIDDLE EAST   By Gordon Platt   Saudi Arabia announced a record budget for 2011, which includes $155 billion in spending, an increase of 7.4% from a year earlier.   Sunny outlook: Qatar's soccer stadiums will use solar power ...

ROUNDUP: MIDDLE EAST   By Gordon Platt   Abu Dhabi tries to outdo Dubai with new port facilities Abu Dhabi is pulling out all the stops to create a major port and industrial zone that will rival Dubai as a ...

NEWSMAKERS: QATAR   By Anita Hawser   Hussain: Islamic banks must resolve key issues As Qatar kicks off its campaign to ensure it has the infrastructure to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the region's banks are hoping the massive ...

COVER STORY: INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT SUSTAINS GROWTH   By Gordon Platt   High oil prices are keeping government spending flowing strongly into major projects, while debt-laden Dubai has taken a turn for the better.   Dubai’s world-class infrastructure gave the emirate’s ...

WINNERS: MIDDLE EAST   Best Derivatives Provider HSBC HSBC  has become the preferred derivatives dealer in the Middle East, which  endured an even more pronounced credit crunch than other regions. The  bank took clients away from Standard Chartered, the only ...