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Saudi says must invest $88bn in power over 10 years
15 May 11, Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia needs to invest SR330bn ($88bn) over the next 10 years as demand for electricity continues to grow 7-8 percent annually, the kingdom's water and electricity minister said.
HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi inaugurates the Fujairah 2 Independent Power and Water Plant
10 May 11, AME Info
International Power - GDF SUEZ Middle East, Turkey & Africa is pleased to announce that the Fujairah F2 Independent Power and Water Plant that it developed together with project partners Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA), Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) and Marubeni Corporation of Japan, was inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah and H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, United Arab Emirates
UAE non-oil trade hits Dh702b in January 2011
09 May 11, Gulf News
The UAE non-oil foreign trade recorded a 22 per cent increase in January 2011, according to the UAE Federal Customs Authority
Oman: Demand for new power and water capacity under study
07 May 11, Oman Daily Observer
The state-owned power and desalinated water offtaker, Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP), envisions the potential for new capacity to meet burgeoning domestic demand for power and desalination water beyond the 2016 timeframe.
UAE economy to grow by 4-5% in 2011 - cenbank head says
04 May 11, Arabian Business
The UAE's economy is expected to grow by up to 5 percent this year and the oil producer saw no significant change in capital flows due to regional unrest, its central bank governor said on Wednesday.
China becomes second largest trading partner of the UAE, reveals Dubai Chamber study
04 May 11, AME Info
A recent Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry study reveals that the economic ties between the UAE and China have expanded substantially since last decade, and China has become the second largest trading partner of the UAE.
New FDI law to boost investment climate
26 Apr 11, Khaleej Times
The federal government is working on a foreign direct investment law, which is expected to be promulgated within this year, will help boost investments into the country by creating an enabling environment, Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said.
Kuwait's the highest water consumption per capita rate in the world - KISR
25 Apr 11, KUNA
Kuwait recorded the highest consumption on a global scale with around 500 liters per capita, said an official at Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) on Sunday.
Oman to build four dams to boost water resources
24 Apr 11, AME Info
Oman's ministry of regional Municipalities and water resources has announced plans to build four dams across the country
UAE a gateway for Australia to ME - Mansouri
24 Apr 11, Khaleej Times
The UAE Minister of Economy Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri has emphasised the attractive investment environment of the UAE and invited Australian companies to visit the country to explore several investment opportunities in various economic sectors.
The water cycle
23 Apr 11, Arabian Business
There’s no escaping it – fresh water is a scarce commodity in this part of the world. The Middle East and North Africa region is home to 6.3 per cent of the world’s population, but just 1.4 per cent of the world’s renewable fresh water. Faced with an ever-steepening struggle to meet burgeoning demand in rapidly expanding region, water-stressed states are turning to innovative methods to quench their thirst.
Qatar projects worth $250bn says research group
22 Apr 11, Arabian Business
Qatar’s ongoing projects are valued at more than $250bn, with infrastructure attracting 34 percent of total investments, business intelligence platform Zawya has said. Infrastructure investments are valued at $80bn, followed by oil and gas ($75bn), real estate ($55bn), and petrochemicals and power and water investments valued at $11bn, its research showed. explained.
New independent body to oversee Dubai utilities
18 Apr 11, Gulf News
The Dubai Government is creating a regulatory body for the utilities sector to allow private sector participation, Najeeb Zaafrani, secretary general and chief executive of the Dubai Supreme Council of Energy
Saudi pumps over 17% of global desalinated water
17 Apr 11, Emirates Business
Saudi Arabia is pumping more than 17 per cent of the world's total desalinated water production and is in the process of expanding its output, a newspaper in the Gulf Kingdom reported on Saturday.
Dubai's non-oil global trade nears $15bn in Jan
17 Apr 11, Arabian Business
Dubai's non-oil trade with the world reached record levels in January, hitting AED55bn ($14.9bn), a senior official announced on Sunday.
Oman: 30 dams coming up at a cost of RO49m
17 Apr 11, Muscat Daily
Thirty dams are under various stages of construction and development across the sultanate at a total cost of more than RO49mn. According to the Dams Directorate, Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, the new dams are being built for underground feeding, surface feeding and protection.
Dubai plans reservoir of treated water
17 Apr 11, Khaleej Times
Safely treated waste water could be the answer to Dubai’s need for having an underground water reservoir for meeting any fresh water crisis. Diminishing natural groundwater is a serious threat to fresh water security in the arid region where desalination plants are the major source of water supply.
50% of Disi project completed
17 Apr 11, Jordan Times
Fifty per cent of the Disi Water Conveyance Project is completed and the water mega-venture is now ahead of schedule, according to a source involved in the implementation of the project.
Dubai sees 30% jump in foreign investment
12 Apr 11, Khaleej Times
Dubai expects a significant jump in foreign direct investment (FDI) this year on increasing interest of companies from new markets, said Fahd Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai FDI.
Jordan: New project to limit freshwater use for agricultural purposes
11 Apr 11, Jordan Times
A total of 15 million cubic metres (mcm) of treated wastewater will be pumped into the King Abdullah Dam annually as of 2014, under the first phase of a multimillion-dinar project.
KISR to build water research centre
11 Apr 11, AME Info
Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) is planning to build a centre specialised in water research at a cost of KD5.7m
Over 330 kilometres of pipes already in Jordan
04 Apr 11, Jordan Times
More than 330 kilometres of pipes for the construction of the Disi Water Conveyance Project have so far arrived from Turkey, according to a source from GAMA, the Turkish company implementing the project.
UAE's non-oil trade up 14.3%
02 Apr 11, Gulf News
The UAE's non-oil foreign trade grew 14 per cent to Dh754.4 billion in 2010, up Dh94 billion from Dh660.4 billion in 2009, according to the latest data released by the Federal Customs Authority (FCA).
Dubai economy may grow 6% in 2012 - Citibank
30 Mar 11, Arabian Business
Dubai’s economy may grow 3.5 percent to 4 percent this year and 6 percent in 2012, spurred by infrastructure spending and foreign investment
Region to spend $252b on energy
29 Mar 11, Gulf News
Gulf states are going to spend $252 billion (Dh925.6 billion) in energy and power projects in the next few years with Qatar leading the pack with $125 billion while Saudi Arabia plans to pump in $100 billion.
Kuwait plans to spend $27bn for water, power by 2014
28 Mar 11, Arabian Business
Kuwait plans to spend KD7.5bn dinars ($27bn) through 2014 to develop its water and power infrastructure, a government utility official said on Monday.
Kuwait eyes 75% increase in water
23 Mar 11, Construction Week
Kuwait, named as one of the countries with the least secure water supplies in the world, plans to raise its desalinated water capacity by 75% in the next five years, a minister said on Tuesday.
Water is life
22 Mar 11, Jordan Times
Water is life. Yet Jordanians have one of the lowest amounts of water per person in the world. To make matters worse, annual rainfall in Jordan is declining while demand continues to rise.
Kuwait eyes increase in water, electricity capacity
22 Mar 11, Arabian Business
Kuwait, named as one of the countries with the least secure water supplies in the world, plans to raise its desalinated water capacity by 75 percent in the next five years, a minister said on Tuesday. Electricity and Water Minister Badr al-Shuraian said the Gulfstate is seeking to increase water production capacity to 700 million gallons per day in five years from a current 400 million gallons, the state news agency KUNA said.
UAE expects large increase in foreign investment in 2011
22 Mar 11, Arabian Business
The UAE's Minister of Economy has said that he expects "a large increase" in foreign direct investments into the country this year. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri said the greater inflows in foreign investment would come following legislative reforms in the UAE.
UAE, Kuwait among nations at extreme risk of water shortages
21 Mar 11, Arabian Business
Gulf states the UAE, Oman and Kuwait have been named among the 10 nations with the “most extreme risk” of interruptions to water supply, risk-assessment consultants Maplecroft said.
Think project supports project management of Cadagua desalination plant in Ajman
15 Mar 11, AME Info
Spanish company Cadagua, subsidiary of Ferrovial Agroman and recognised specialist for the provision of engineering and construction services in desalination plants, has chosen online project collaboration platform, Think project!, for a plant construction project in Ajman.Awarded a contract estimated at $55m to construct a seawater desalination plant in Ajman by the Federal Electricty and Water Authority (FEWA) of the United Arab Emirates, Cadagua - in a consortium with Ajman-based Essa Engineering & Marine Works LLC (Essa) - will be responsible for the design, manufacture, supply, construction, installation, testing and commissioning of the reverse osmosis plant.
UAE economy outpacing expectations, Mansouri says
14 Mar 11, Arabian Business
The UAE’s economy is growing faster than expected, the country’s Minister of Economy said in Dubai Monday. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri said economic diversification was key to growth in the world’s third largest oil exporter.
Iran Plans Wastewater Treatment Plant in Shahriar
14 Mar 11, OOSKANEWS
Iranian authorities plan to build a wastewater treatment plant in Shahriar, southwest of Tehran. The plant will be built with financial assistance from a regional multilateral development bank
Iran, China to ink world largest Dam finance deal today
14 Mar 11, Tehran Times
The Iranian ministry of Energy announced that it will sign today a contract with the Chinese side to finance the construction of Bakhtiari Dam. Bakhtiari Dam in Iran will be the tallest concrete dam in the world, the managing director of Iran Water and Power Resources Development Company stated on March 1
Lebanon To Launch Tenders For Dam Projects
13 Mar 11, Dow Jones
Lebanon's ministry of energy and water said it will soon launch tenders for projects to construct dams in the country, Beirut-based An Nahar daily reports Saturday.
Saudi Arabia signs off water projects worth $130m
12 Mar 11, Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia on Saturday announced contracts had been signed for water and sanitation projects worth SR487m ($130m).
Iraq: Sewage water plant opened in Muthanna
10 Mar 11, Aswat al-Iraq
Minister of Municipalities & Public Works Adil Mihawder on Thursday inaugurated a sewage water treatment plant in the province of al-Muthanna, adding the plant and another water desalination project cost 160 billion Iraqi dinars.
Dewa signs deals for Dh1b of new capacity
10 Mar 11, Gulf News
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has signed five contracts totalling just under Dh1 billion to carry out infrastructure and engineering work on its new power and water projects.
Saudi Arabia: Huge desal plant in Yanbu to supply 15m gallons daily
10 Mar 11, Arab News
The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) and a South Korean company is jointly building the world's largest desalination plant in Yanbu, about 350 km northwest of Jeddah, with a capacity of 15 million gallons potable water per day.
SWCC plans to build plants locally
10 Mar 11, Saudi Gazette
The Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC) has signed an accord with Korean Doosan company to build MED-based desalination units with a daily production capacity of 68,190 cubic meters.
Syria: President al-Assad Lays Foundation Stone for Tigris River Water-Drawing Project
07 Mar 11, SANA
President Bashar al-Assad on Monday laid the foundation stone for Tigris (Dijleh) water-drawing project at Ein Diwar village in Malkiya area, Hasaka governorate (about 600 kilometers northeast of Damascus).
Egypt Announces 16 Water, Drainage Tenders
07 Mar 11, OOSKANEWS
Egyptian public and private companies last week announced 16 tenders in the water and drainage sectors.
Dubai's non-oil trade in 2010 surges 18% to $157bn
07 Mar 11, Arabian Business
Dubai's non-oil direct trading exchanges in the world markets increased by 18 percent in the last year, recording AED576bn ($157bn), it was announced on Monday.
Airbursting technique to revive water wells
05 Mar 11, Khaleej Times
The Western Region Municipality has begun applying air bursting technique to revive ground water wells in the region, said Mahmoud Humaid Al Mansoury, general manager of the municipality. The technique is being used as the wells are drying out.
Region only a decade away from severe water crisis
04 Mar 11, Gulf News
Without effective policies, change in water usage behaviour and international cooperation, a catastrophic water scarcity will hit the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region within the next ten years, a senior regional diplomat said in the capital yesterday.
Turkey, UAE investments hit $10b in 2010
04 Mar 11, Gulf News
Investments between Turkey and the UAE reached $10 billion (Dh36.78 billion) in 2010, driven by tourism, energy and construction, according to the Turkish Ambassador to the UAE.
Qatar Builds $2.75B Strategic Water Storage Project To Avert Crisis
03 Mar 11, Dow Jones
Qatar has embarked on plans to build a 10 billion Qatari riyal ($2.75 billion) mega-reservoir capable of holding seven days worth of fresh water to avert a potential crisis should its giant desalination plants that supply 99% of the desert state's water fail.
Jordan: Potential master developers submit qualification documents
03 Mar 11, Jordan Times
The Ministry of Water and Irrigation is currently evaluating qualification documents submitted by international consortia interested in serving as the master developer of the Jordan Red Sea Project (JRSP), a government official said on Wednesday.
Dh300m pipeline to provide UAQ with safe supply of drinking water
03 Mar 11, The National
A Dh300 million, 60km water pipeline ordered yesterday by Sheikh Khalifa, the President of the UAE, should put an end to the emirate's perennial water shortages and provide homes with a safe supply of drinking water.
Dh5.7b to boost water, electricity supply in northern emirates
02 Mar 11, Gulf News
The water and electricity supply sector in the northern emirates will be expanded with an investment of Dh5.7 billion (around $1.55 billion). President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered the investment.
Water desalination supply in Saudi Arabia to reach 1294bm3 by 2014
02 Mar 11, Saudi Gazette
By 2014, water desalination supply in the Kingdom is forecast to reach 1.294 billion m3, compared with a previous forecast of 1.366 billion m3, Research and Markets said in its latest "Saudi Arabia Water Report Q1 2011", noting that the Kingdom is the third largest consumer of water per capita in the world.
NWC, Aqualia in SR140m Riyadh deal
02 Mar 11, Arab News
The National Water Company (NWC) has signed a management contact with Aqualia, a Spanish firm, for the detection and repair of water systems in Riyadh city.
DEWA to invite IWPP bids in March
01 Mar 11, AME Info
Saeed al-Tayer, chief executive of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has announced plans to float the tender for its planned large-scale Hassyan power and seawater desalination complex, which will be developed by the private sector in March
China to Cooperate In Dam Construction
01 Mar 11, Iran Daily
Iran and China are to ink cooperation deal for construction of Bakhtiari Dam by the yearend (March 20), said managing director of the Iran Water and Power Resources Development Company (IWPCO).
Kuwait signs $1.5b in power and water contracts
28 Feb 11, Construction Week
Kuwait’s Minister of Electricity and Water has signed five contracts totalling $1.5 billion for projects that will increase the country’s power and water reserves.
Haya Water opens main part of the Water Reuse Project in Bausher
28 Feb 11, AME Info
Under the patronage and presence of HE Ahmad Abdul Nabi Macki, Minister of National Economy, Deputy Chairman of the Financial & Energy Resources Council, Haya Water officially opened the main part of the Bausher Water Reuse Project.
Dubai Electricity Water has no plans for IPO now, CEO says
27 Feb 11, Arabian Business
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, the state-owned utility, doesn’t have plans to sell shares in an initial public offering now, said chief executive officer Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer. Dubai’s government will soon issue two decrees that will end the utility’s monopoly and allow private companies into the industry
Dewa To Invite Bids For First IWPP In March - CEO
27 Feb 11, Dow Jones
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, or Dewa, plans to float in March the tender for its planned largescale Hassyan power and seawater desalination complex, which will be developed by the private sector, the state utility's top executive said Sunday.
Qatar: Kahramaa to spend QR52bn on network expansion
25 Feb 11, The Peninsula
The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) has unveiled projects worth QR52bn to further develop and expand the water and electricity networks across the country ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Oman: 50% Duqm water network completed
25 Feb 11, Oman Daily Observer
Water network in Al Duqm in Al Wusta region has been completed by 50 per cent since the start of the project in 2010. This was assured by Mohammed al Mahrooqi, the Head of the General Authority for Water and Electricity, who said, "This project comes within the plan of the government aiming to develop the wilayat through the implementation of multiple projects in different sectors.
Short supply
24 Feb 11, Arabian Business
According to international research, access to clean, non-polluted water has become more and more difficult. Uncontrolled use of pesticides, a disregard for protecting water sources, draining underground aquifers without thought as to how long it takes to replenish them, and an expanding world population that is overwhelming traditional water sources combine to imperil people the world over. Insufficient clean water is recognised as the primary factor that leads to disease and death. Without access to more water, mankind faces a grim future.
Jordan: Recent rainfall welcome addition but not enough
23 Feb 11, Jordan Times
Although the recent rainfall boosted dam storage levels, the Kingdom has yet to achieve its annual water needs, a water official warned on Tuesday. Rainfall on Saturday and Sunday channelled 6.2 million cubic metres (mcm) of water into the country’s major dams, raising storage levels to 106.2mcm, 45 per cent of their total capacity of 215mcm, according to Ministry of Water and Irrigation Assistant Secretary General and Spokesperson Adnan Zu’bi.
Oman: New wastewater treatment plant initiated in Darsait
22 Feb 11, Oman Daily Observer
The new Darsait Waste Water Treatment Plant will replace the old one constructed in the late 1970s, owing to the poor facilities and limited capacity.
Bahrain To Qualify Companies For Tubli Wastewater Treatment Proj - Report
22 Feb 11, Dow Jones
Bahrain will call companies within the coming months to qualify for a wastewater treatment project in the Tubli region in the eastern part of the country
Iraq: Drinking water project for Amedi inked in at $90million
22 Feb 11, AK News
Kurdistan Ministry of Municipality and Tourism sealed Monday a contract for construction of drinking water project for Amedi area within Dohuk province.
Saudi Arabia Signs $896Million USD in Contracts
21 Feb 11, OOSKANEWS
The Saudi Ministry of Water and Electricity has signed $896 million USD in contracts for water supply, sanitation and maintenance projects
Jordan: Red Dead Studies Complete
21 Feb 11, OOSKANEWS
The economic feasibility study and the environmental and social impact assessment for the Red Sea-Dead Sea water conveyance project have been completed, according to Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) Secretary General Saad Abu Hammour.
Eleven Water, Drainage Tenders Announced in Egypt
21 Feb 11, OOSKANEWS
Egyptian public and private companies last week announced 11 tenders in the water and drainage sectors. The first and second tenders were announced by the General Department for West Kafr El-Sheikh Irrigation. They involve civil, mechanical and electrical works for two standby irrigation pumping stations on Shalma Canal and Moftah Canal.
Reputation management
21 Feb 11, Arabian Business
Desalting seawater to use as potable water is crucial for the Gulf region, where freshwater supplies are insufficient to meet steadily rising demand. Continuing population growth makes it unlikely that this trend will abate
Increase in Dam Construction
20 Feb 11, Iran Daily
Iran ranks first in the world in terms of design and safety measures in dam construction, managing director of Iran Water Resources Management Company said, adding the construction projects for about 125 dam reservoirs with a capacity of 19 billion cubic meters are underway.
Galfar completes 50% of Seeb wastewater project
20 Feb 11, Oman Daily Observer
Philip Wayne, Project Director of Seeb Wastewater Project, under construction by Galfar Engineering and Contracting SAOG, says that the company has so far completed 50 per cent of the project, which is located 30 kilometres east of Muscat International Airport to Al Manoma area and Al Mabila from the west. The project serves 7,700 houses in the Wilayat of Seeb, he said adding that work was progressing as planned.
Dubai economy grew 2.5% in first nine months of 2010
20 Feb 11, Arabian Business
Dubai's economy grew 2.5 percent in the first nine months of 2010, compared with the same period of 2009, the head of the Gulf emirate's statistics office was quoted as saying on Sunday.
Haya Water to open main part of Water Reuse Project in Bausher
19 Feb 11, AME Info
Haya Water plans to officially open the main part of the Bausher Water Reuse Project in Bausher next week.
Dubai sees 30% jump in FDI on China, South America deals
16 Feb 11, Arabian Business
Dubai expects foreign direct investment to jump 30 percent this year, helped by rising confidence as its debt problems ease and an influx of South American and Chinese companies, a senior official said.
SR3b water, sanitation projects signed
14 Feb 11, Saudi Gazette
The Ministry of Water and Electricity has announced that it has signed projects worth SR3.36 billion in the first quarter of this year. This includes water and sanitation projects in addition to support services and maintenance in various parts of the Kingdom.
Qatar sets aside QR69bn for power, water expansion
14 Feb 11, AME Info
Around QR69bn have been allocated by the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corp (Kahramaa) for power and water generation, electricity and water networks expansion in the coming 10 years
UAE economic growth to top 3% in 2011 says cenbank official
07 Feb 11, Arabian Business
Economic growth is set to hit 3% on rising tourism and other sectors, a UAE central bank official said The UAE economy should grow by more than three percent this year and its banking sector is able to weather difficulties in the foreseeable future, a central bank official said on Monday.
SR6 billion worth of drainage projects come under microscope
30 Jan 11, The Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH: Specialist teams are reviewing the execution of sanitary and storm-water drainage projects in Jeddah and the SR6 billion contracts for the work, a source told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. Teams from the General Auditing Bureau and the Control and Investigation Board are making this urgent move in the aftermath of the disaster caused by Wednesday's rain, the source said.
Water and sanitation projects signed
30 Jan 11, The Saudi Gazette
Water and sanitation contracts worth SR757 million were signed by Abdullah Bin Abdulrahman Al-Hossein, Minister of Water and Electricity recently.
Saudi Arabia: Jazan water and power project completed ahead of schedule
16 Jan 11, Arab News
Shuqaiq Water and Electricity Plant in Jazan has been completed 70 days ahead of its schedule, the company told Arab News on Saturday.
Dubai budgets for more growth
13 Jan 11, Gulf News
The Dubai Government expects to generate Dh29.9 billion in revenue against expenditure of Dh33.6 billion this year, leaving it with a Dh3.77 billion deficit, said the Department of Finance (DoF).
New initiative to boost Tafileh Governorate water supply
13 Jan 11, Jordan Times
AMMAN - Water supply in the southern Tafileh Governorate, where water loss amounts to 56 per cent, will be improved under an $18 million project that entails construction of reservoirs and rehabilitation of deteriorated networks, according to officials.
Saudi Arabia: Minister of Water and Electricity Signs Contracts Worth SR123Million for Water and Sanitation Projects
11 Jan 11, Saudi Press Agency
The Minister of Water and Electricity Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al-Hossein has recently signed contracts worth more than SR 123 million for water and sanitation projects in the Eastern Province
Iran's largest rockfield arch dam to be watered
3 Jan 11, Teran Times
The reservoir of Agh Chay Dam in West Azarbaijan Province, Iran's largest rockfield arch dam, will be filled with water today.