Source: Emirates 24/7 (Read  full story)

Gulf hydrocarbon producers emerged as the 13th most powerful economy in the world in 2011 while strong oil prices allowed them to become the fifth largest exporter with the highest trade surplus, according to a Bahraini minister. Hassan Fakhru, minister of trade and industry, estimated the combined GDP of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at around $1.4 trillion in 2011, the 13th largest in the world. He put the global GDP at around $70 trillion in 2011.

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MP draws flak over segregation proposal – ‘Kuwait needs new rules to safeguard tradition’

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

Recently, MP Saad Al-Bous suggested adding a new paragraph to the Criminal Law No 16/0960 that will ban men and women from wearing indecent outfits on the beaches, on the islands and at public places. The proposed paragraph also mandates segregating men and women at sports halls, playing grounds, swimming pools at hotels, public and private sports clubs and health clubs. The MP proposed punishing the violators of this law with up to six months’ imprisonment or fines of up to KD500, or both.

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Qatar’s GDP to grow by 5-6pc: Barclays

Source: The Peninsula (Read full story)

Taking stock of the latest data released about Qatar’s sovereign and banking sector outlook, the Qatari economy is likely to perform “better than expected”. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow by 5-6 percent in the next few years, according to the latest Emerging Markets Research by Barclays.

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Dubai workers hold rare strike for more wages

Source: Al Jazeera (Read full story)

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Thousands of workers employed by Dubai’s largest construction company have gone on strike for a second day to back wage demands in a rare labour protest in the Gulf emirate, where trade unions are banned. Blue-collared labourers employed by Arabtec, the company behind projects including the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa, did not show up for work on Sunday, said a spokesman for the company, UAE’s labour ministry and workers. Employees said the strike began on Saturday and that the workers were determined not to end it without a pay rise.

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Racing against time: Expatriates flock to consulates to rectify status

Source: Saudi Gazette (Read full story)

Most foreign consulates in Jeddah are swamped with applications of their nationals who want to correct their status before the grace period ends. Most workers have been racing against time to get their status rectified and benefit from the decisions issued by the Ministry of Labor last week. A number of applicants have actually fainted while waiting at the Indonesian and Ethiopian consulates and the ambulance had to be called to administer first aid.

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New plan to cut unemployment

Source: Gulf Daily News (Read full story)

Women account for the vast majority of unemployed Bahrainis because conservative families are preventing them accepting work in certain fields, according to a government minister. Labour Minister Jameel Humaidan said that of the 7,718 people registered as jobless in the first quarter, 6,080 (79 per cent) were women, compared to 1,638 men. However, a report he submitted to the Cabinet yesterday details new plans to tackle unemployment, particularly among women.

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Source: Arab News (Read full story)

With the support of Sheikh Nahyan Mabarak Al Nahyan, the UAE’s minister for culture, youth and community development, Forbes Middle East hosted a prestigious event at Ritz Carlton, Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, in recognition of The Top 500 Companies in the Arab World and The Top 100 Making an Impact.
The event, which included an exclusive award ceremony and gala dinner, was attended by senior government officials, top executives from various business sectors, and an array of other high profile guests. The event was also graced by the presence of Nasser bin Aqeel Al-Tayyar, president of Arab Publisher House, who welcomed Sheikh Nahayan along with other dignitaries.

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Bahrain government dispels opposition rumours on campaigner

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

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The Interior Ministry in a statement on Wednesday dismissed the rumours circulating on the social media regarding Rajab. It stressed that all operations in Jaw Prison were normal and that all prisoners were being treated equally without malice or favour. Rajab was not in solitary confinement and was being housed with other inmates. He had not been transferred to another location, the ministry clarified. The ministry also referred to the high-quality care of inmates in the prison which, it said, had been verified by the visiting human rights representatives in the last two years.

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Oman wins UN Public Service Awards 2013

Source: Times of Oman (Read full story)

The Sultanate of Oman’s State Financial and Administrative Audit Institute (SFAAI) and the Ministry of Regional Municipality and Water Resources (MRMWR) have bagged first place in this year’s United Nations Public Service Awards 2013 (UNPSA 2013).  The winners will be honoured at a ceremony to be held in Bahrain in June this year.  The awards have been given in recognition of the achievements and contributions made to public services. The UNPS awards are the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public services. The awards recognise the creative achievements and contributions of public service institutions towards more effective and responsive public service administration in countries.

Gulf exports over 80% of petrochemical production

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

 EQUATE Petrochemical Company said that Gulf countries export over 80% of their petrochemical production. On the sideline of the Fifth Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA) Supply Chain Conference, EQUATE President & CEO Mohammad Husain said, “These exports have included over 30 million metric tons (MT) of petrochemicals during 2012, while they were only 10 million MT in 1999 which is an increase of over 250% in just 13 years with an average annual growth of exports by 5%.” Husain noted a number of challenges facing Gulf exports, such as port congestions, inadequate infrastructure and instability of market conditions, explaining that despite all these challenges, the Gulf’s international exports continue to increase.

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GCC concerned over rise in use of Twitter

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Increasing use of Twitter and other social media forums by their citizens has authorities in some GCC countries worried, prompting them to mull ways to impose restrictions, media reports suggest. The countries getting nervous and thinking of tightening screws on social media users include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, according to several regional news websites and newspapers. Bahrain, which is facing an uprising, the UAE and Kuwait have even arrested and jailed several tweeters — some for as long as 10 years. Kuwait-based newspaper Al Rai (which means opinion in Arabic) reported that the government recently decided to award a $250m contract to a foreign firm to closely monitor tweeters in the country.

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Student delegates display their award certificates at the National University Model Arab League in Washington, DC.

Students and schools wishing to participate in the Model Arab League program in coming school years should contact the National Council’s Director of Student Programs Megan Geissler or Deputy Director of Student Programs Josh Hilbrand to learn how to get involved.

• Model Arab League: Bullis students recognized for outstanding delegation – Bullis School News, April 25, 2013
• UHCL students recognized at national competition – The Pasadena Citizen, April 24, 2013
• Adrian College Model Arab League Program Recognized at National Conference – Adrian College News, April 22, 2013
• MSU debate team wins awards at national competition – Montana State University News, April 22, 2013
• Madeira students attended the Model Arab League conference – The Madeira School News, April 21, 2013
• Victorious Season for Model UN / Arab League Teams – Georgia State University News, April 17, 2013
• Hamilton students do well at Model Arab League Conference – Ravalli Republic, April 17, 2013
• Model Arab League brings home awards – The Citadel Newsroom, April 10, 2013
• MSSU Model Arab League National Leadership Conference – KODE/KSN, April 9, 2013

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

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The new developments came amid reports that the Assembly might be dissolved just a month before a June 16 crucial ruling by the constitutional court on the controversial amendment of the electoral law. But a number of MPs ruled out the possibility, saying they expected the Amir to issue a decree to suspend the Assembly for one month, based on a clause in the constitution. The measure will give just enough time for the ruling to be issued while the Assembly is not in session. Among many possibilities, the court could declare the electoral law amendment as unconstitutional, which will mean forcing the Assembly’s dissolution and calling for fresh elections.

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Fresh calls for tighter UAE banking regulations in wake of $45m cyber heist

Source: The National (Read full story)

The US$45 million cyber heist which hit RAKBank and Bank Muscat has renewed calls for tighter consumer banking regulations and augmented fraud prevention measures. The payments network Visa has said that the UAE’s card fraud prevention mechanisms required greater urgency and authorities should “fast-track” the implementation of the chip and pin system, which banks postponed at the end of last year. The Central Bank is expected to discuss the security breach, one of the biggest to hit the Middle East’s financial system, at its monthly meeting with the banking sector.

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Oman, Qatar to upgrade parliamentary cooperation

Source: Oman Daily Observer (Read full story)

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The session also reviewed several relevant areas of co-operation and co-ordination between the two councils at the Arab, regional and international levels and taking unified stands towards them.
The talks session was attended from the Omani side by Salim bin Ali al Kaabi and Abdullah bin Khalifa al Megalli, Deputies of the Majlis Ash’shura’s Chairman, Shaikh Ali bin Nasser al Mahrouqi, the Majlis Ash’shura’s Secretary-General, and members of the Office of Majlis Ash’shura, and also attended by members of the official delegation accompanying the Chairman of the Qatari Ash’Shura Council.

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Kingdom keen on fully utilizing WTO deals

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al-Rabiah yesterday stressed the Kingdom’s keenness to take full advantage of regional and international agreements under the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
” Such agreements within the WTO framework contribute to the expansion of foreign markets for local products besides increasing trade with partners of the Kingdom,” Al-Rabiah said while opening a two-day seminar organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the World Trade Organization in Riyadh.

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 Yemen and Saudi Arabia Land Dispute: Sovereignty, Resources and Politics

Source: Yemen Post (Read full story)

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According to recent studies Yemen’s oil reserves would account for 30% of the world’s reserves, outbidding Saudi Arabia itself.  So far Yemen has not been able to exploit its oil and gas resources, whether due to a lack of security or foreign investments; but given half a chance Yemen could rise a giant in the region, a thought which is not pleasing Saudi royals. A land dispute would completely throw of the fragile balance which Saudi Arabia so carefully build over the years. Moreover, Yemen’s claims over its long lost lands could potentially lead to another military stand-off at a time where regional stability is at an all time low and could prompt other regional powers to utilize such an opportunity to serve their own hegemonic agenda, namely Iran, Saudi Arabia religious nemesis.

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Qatar to sink $30 billion in infrastructure – official

Source: Al Bawaba (Read full story)

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Speaking at a meeting hosted by Qatari French Business Club (QFBC) in Doha, the Manager of Drainage Projects and Assistant Manager of Highways projects of Ashghal Nasser Ghaith al Kuwari said that the projects include major road and drainage projects “The major projects to be accomplished during the next few years include among others the crossway, which links Hamad International Airport to West Bay. It is an iconic and prestigious project of Qatar. Ashghal is in the final stage of contract negotiation with the designer. The project is expected to complete by 2020”, al Kuwari said.

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Source: The National (Read full story)

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The Iranian leadership has a successful track record of emerging as the winner whenever a sovereign state in the Middle East experiences instability, civil war or foreign intervention. For instance, the protracted civil war in Lebanon created a ripe environment for Iranian leaders to give birth to one of the strongest non-state actors in the region, Hizbollah. Also, after the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, Iranian leaders were immediately able to help create a powerful Shiite proxy in Iraq – the Mahdi Army – as well as coordinate with Shiite leaders to infiltrate Iraqi governmental affairs. The Iranian leadership and Revolutionary Guard’s strategies are characterised not by public or foreign interventions, but by clandestine investments in local, community-based, organised groups that empower a proxy capable of fighting not only regional governments but world powers.

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$ 600 bn Saudi projects to be awarded in 2013

 The GCC projects industry is expected to have another stellar year in 2013 as the value of contracts to be awarded is expected to reach $1.35 trillion by year-end, significantly higher than the $ 730 billion total last year. “The huge projects being delivered across the GCC today are the foundation for the region’s long-term success,” said an industry expert. “Through the MEED Quality Awards for Projects, in association with Ernst & Young, we seek to support this vital activity by recognizing and celebrating the best achievements in the GCC projects industry,” added Edmund O’Sullivan, chairman, MEED Events, organizer of the event.

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Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

Bahrain has warned against calls to subvert the coming legislative elections, scheduled to be held in 2014. “Incitement to violence and chaos, reminiscent of the February 2011 unrest, to derail the forthcoming fourth legislative term polls would be deterred with the force of the law,” Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa said on Saturday. He was responding to a call by Al Wefaq Society secretary-general Shaikh Ali Salman, who while addressing an event held at a worshipping venue in Samaheej, asked for escalation of protests in the run-up to the legislative elections.

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Doha Forum on region’s new democracies

Source: The Peninsula Qatar (Read full story)

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Discussions at the two-day forum will also evaluate the impact of the digital era on foreign affairs, looking at both the challenges for national security and opportunities for digital diplomacy, he added.“We will also be welcoming Dr John Ashe, President-elect of the UN General Assembly as well as several former leaders, including former Prime Minister of the UK, Gordon Brown and Former Prime Minister of France, Francois Fillon, – both of whom stewarded their countries through the onset of the global economic crisis,” Jabr Al Thani said.

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Unemployment and gender in Saudi Arabia

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

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This low rate of employment for Saudi women is quite low by international standards, where the rate of employment for women reaches an average of (57) percent in industrialized countries. Saudi Arabia has made great advances in educating women, but that has not enabled them to find gainful employment outside the house. In one generation, Saudi women went from having one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, to having one of the highest rates of university education. There are in fact more women university students than men in Saudi Arabia. However these significant achievements in educating women have not translated into significant employment opportunities. According to CDSI figures, nearly (80) of unemployed Saudi women hold university degrees.

 USA, Saudi Arabia talks to hasten setting up fund to support Yemen

Source: Yemen News Agency (Read full story)

 The US ambassador to Yemen on Monday revealed talks between the USA and Saudi Arabia to accelerate measures to establish a fund to support Yemen during the next stage. Gerald Feierstein said that Washington will continue to provide all aspects of support to the Yemeni government to succeed the transitional stage. The U.S. ambassador’s statement made during a meeting held in Sana’a gathered Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Mohammed al-Sa’adi and Finance Minister Sakhr al-Wajih with US treasury deputy assistant secretary for Africa and the Middle East Andrew Baukol.

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Source: Arab News (Read full story)

The Saudi Air Force recently launched its F15-SA jet plane at an inauguration ceremony held at a Boeing site based in St. Louis, Missouri. Boeing today rolled out the Boeing F-15SA, ushering in a new era in fighter aircraft capability and affordability for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The launch comes amid plans for the air force to modernize its fleet of fighters. The recent addition means that the Kingdom has entered a new age in its fighter planes, allowing it to be at the forefront of air forces worldwide.

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Fear grips Kuwait Expats as crackdown intensifies – Businesses feel the pinch – Illegal residents go into hiding

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

A growing number of expatriates in Kuwait appear jittery today after the government intensified its crackdown on foreign workers even as many in the marginal labor sector have reportedly gone into ‘hiding’ to avoid being caught or deported. Interestingly, motorists in Kuwait began to breathe a sigh of relief as the traffic on Kuwait roads, especially in peak hours, has become more regulated as a result of the campaign by the traffic department.

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UAE bank is among
 global heist victims

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

Rakbank was defrauded Dh17.4 million as part of an orchestrated complex global bank heist, involving several rings of criminals, worth more than Dh165 million. The theft emerged as a group of seven American men were charged by the US Attorney’s office in New York for withdrawing cash from cash machines and transporting money. It is understood authorities in the UAE are involved in the investigation, though police were not available for comment on Friday.

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BD63 million public projects on the way

Source: Gulf Daily News (Read full story)

Public projects worth BD63 million will be carried out across the kingdom between now and the end of next year, Municipalities and Urban Planning Affairs Minister Dr Juma Al Ka’abi revealed yesterday. He unveiled developments ranging from new central and traditional markets, walkways, parks and gardens, shopping complexes and centers  as well as beautification initiatives and public support schemes. They were all drawn up in co-ordination with Bahrain’s five municipal councils and are now in the execution phase, said the minister.

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Qatar pledges $18m to Somali government

Source: The Peninsula (Read full story)

Qatar offered $18m in contribution to the Somali government to help carry out four pillars dealing with consolidating the infrastructre projects, the development projects, updating the management institutions and supporting the health care and education. Minister of State For Foreign Affairs H E Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah said in his address before the London Conference on Somalia that this comes in continuation to Qatar’s support with the brethren in Somalia and out of its due keenness to maintain security, stability and growth of that country.

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Western hostages freed in Yemen after Oman pays ransom

Source: The Guardian (Read full story)

Yemeni kidnappers have released a Finnish couple and an Austrian man missing since being taken hostage in the capital Sana’a in December 2012, a senior Yemeni security source has said. The source told Reuters the trio were freed on Wednesday night after an intervention by authorities in neighboring Oman. “The Omani authorities led mediation efforts and paid a ransom to free the Austrian and Finnish hostages,” the source said. “They were handed over to the Omani authorities.” He declined to specify the ransom amount. Kidnappings of westerners occur sporadically in Yemen, mostly carried out by al-Qaida militants and tribesmen.

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Bahrain.

DATE & TIME:

Tuesday, May 21, 2013
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. – Light Refreshments / Networking
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Specialist Remarks / Q&A

LOCATION:

Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-308
45 Independence Ave SW
Washington, DC 20515

REGISTRATION:

The event is free but R.S.V.P. (acceptances only) via email to rsvp@ncusar.org is required.

Please note: seating capacity is limited. Include the following information when you R.S.V.P.:
Name:
Company:
Title:
Phone:
Email:

If you have any questions you can call the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations at (202) 293-6466.

Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann

Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann is the President of the American Academy of Diplomacy, an independent, non-profit association of former ambassadors and senior level government officials whose mission is to strengthen American diplomacy. Formerly a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, he served three times as Ambassador: to Algeria, Bahrain, and finally to Afghanistan from 2005 to 2007. Ambassador Neumann was the Chief of Mission in Manama, Bahrain, from 2001 to 2004.

Professor David Des Roches

Professor David Des Roches is a Senior Military Fellow at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, U.S. Department of Defense/National Defense University. He was formerly the Director of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, International Security Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, responsible for defense policy concerning Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Ms. Sarah Leah Whitson

Ms. Sarah Leah Whitson is the Director of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa division. She has led investigations of human rights conditions in Libya and Saudi Arabia as well as numerous advocacy missions in the region, and overseen over 20 research missions and edited the resulting reports. She has published articles on the Middle East in international and regional publications. Prior to her work at Human Rights Watch, she conducted several human rights missions in the Middle East.

Professor Paul Sullivan

Dr. Paul Sullivan is Professor of Economics at the National Defense University and an Adjunct Professor of Security Studies at Georgetown University. He is a columnist for Turkiye Gazetesi of Istanbul, Turkey and for the UB Post of Ulan Baator, Mongolia. Dr. Sullivan is a Global Expert at the UN Alliance of Civilizations and an Adjunct Senior Fellow, Future Global Resource Threats, at the Federation of American Scientists. He is a regular contributor to the National Journal Expert Blogs on “Energy and Environment” and “National Security.”

Dr. John Duke Anthony

Dr. John Duke Anthony is the Founding President & CEO of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations, and currently serves on the State Department Advisory Committee on International Economic Policy and its subcommittee on Sanctions. During the fall 2012 semester he served as Dean’s Chair in International Studies and Political Science at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, where he taught a course on “Politics of the Arabian Peninsula.” Dr. Anthony is the only American to have been invited to each of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Ministerial and Heads of State Summits since the GCC’s inception in 1981.

Source: Energy Tribune (Read full story)

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Saudi Aramco has announced the opening of three research centers in the United States with Houston named one of the cities to house a new facility focused on upstream research. Houston joins two other U.S.- based centers in Cambridge, Mass. and Detroit designed to extend the energy giant’s global research and development (R&D) network. The Houston Research Center, expected to be operational later this year, will consist of teams spanning upstream subsurface domains. Saudi Aramco is currently hiring experts from around the world to work in this center that has state-of-the-art laboratory to develop technology to advance the discovery and recovery of oil and gas.

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Iran willing to talk to UAE on islands row

Source: The Peninsula (Read full story)

Mellowing down its tough stand on the three islands with which it has a serious dispute with the UAE, Iran said yesterday it is willing to talk to the Emirates on the issue. Tehran has also made a startling claim that Bahrain has urged it to help end its stand-off with the opposition and bring the two sides (the government and the opposition) to the negotiating table. But, according to the Iranian foreign minister, Bahrain wants his country to help it resolve issues with the opposition secretly—a proposal not acceptable to Tehran.

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Call to ration use of power

Source: Times of Oman (Read full story)

There is an urgent need to ration the use of electricity, especially during summers, according to experts. Zahran Zahir Al Ruqeishi, corporate communication specialist at MEDC (Muscat Electricity Distribution Company SAOC) said, “The need is not just from the ‘saving money’ point of view, but also due to environmental factors.” Al Ruqeishi explained that the public does not realize that careless use of electricity translates into higher bills.

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Emirates to recruit nationals

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

 Emirates, Dubai’s flagship airline, will be adding 5,000-6,000 new employees to its global workforce annually over the next five years to meet its fast-track expansion plan, according to Gary Chapman, president of Group Services and dnata. The carrier, one of the fastest-growing legacy airlines in the world, currently employs over 60,000 staff globally, including 40,000 within the UAE. Chapman said employment of the Emirati workforce remained a priority in Emirates’ recruitment policy. At present, the carrier has 2,500 Emiratis in its workforce following the addition of 850 in 2012.

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Convictions of spy ring upheld, oppn slams Iran

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

The court of cassation yesterday upheld life terms on two Iranians, a Kuwaiti and a stateless man for being members of a spying ring that passed information about the Kuwaiti and US militaries to Iran. The court also upheld the acquittal of two Iranians, including the only woman in the ring, and a Syrian national. The two Iranians and the Kuwaiti who received life terms were active soldiers in the Kuwaiti army when they were arrested in May 2010, while the fourth man is an ex-soldier in the Kuwaiti army. The two Iranians and the stateless are brothers while the Kuwaiti is the husband of the woman defendant who is also the daughter of one of the Iranians sentenced to life in prison.

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U.S. requests talks with Bahrain over 2011 labor crackdown

Source: Reuters (Read full story)

The United States on Tuesday accused Bahrain of failing to protect workers’ rights in its response to a March 2011 general strike at the time of the Arab Spring and asked for formal consultations under a free trade pact. “Ensuring that workers in Bahrain – and in other countries – can exercise their fundamental labor rights is a top priority for the Obama Administration,” acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis said in a statement.

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His Excellency Dr. Elkalani A. Alsalim, Minister of Finance for Libya, speaking on “Opportunities for Investment in Libyan Energy, Finance, and Infrastructure” in April 2013.

A link to a podcast of the program is available below. The podcast, along with recordings of other National Council programs, is also available through Tunes: http://bit.ly/itunes-ncusar.

“Opportunities for Investment in Libyan Energy, Finance, and Infrastructure” podcast (.mp3)

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

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Meanwhile, the Federal National Council has expressed condemnation and denunciation of the visit made recently by a delegation from Iran’s Shura Council to the three occupied UAE Islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa. In a statement issued today, the FNC said the policy of ‘Fait accompli’ practiced by Iran to perpetuate its occupation of UAE’s islands would not change historical and legal facts that confirm UAE sovereignty over the islands, and their territorial waters, airspace, continental shelf and exclusive economic zone, as being an integral part of the UAE. Condemning the Iranian Shura Council’s, the FNC denounced the Iranian provocative acts which constitutes a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the United Arab Emirates over its territory and undermines all efforts for a peaceful settlement to end the Iranian occupation of the islands.

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US-led naval exercises in Gulf begin amid Iranian maritime buildup

Source: Washington Post (Read full story)

The US Navy says envoys from 41 nations have gathered in Bahrain to begin anti-mine drills in the Persian Gulf amid efforts by Iran to expand its naval presence there. The US-led exercises, which run through May 30, mark the second major show of maritime cooperation in the Gulf in less than a year. Although the Navy says the drills are not specifically tailored to counter Iranian threats, Iran has previously warned it could block critical Gulf oil routes in retaliation for Western sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iran also has sought to expand its naval capabilities, including plans to launch new submarines. A Navy statement Monday says the drills will begin with onshore training and then move to the Gulf for maneuvers including mine-sweeping and search-and-seizure operations.

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Etihad Airways named Middle East’s Leading Airline for seventh year Source: The National (Read full story)

Etihad Airways has scooped three major awards at The World Travel Awards, Middle East in Dubai – including the title of Middle East’s Leading Airline for a seventh consecutive year.The airline also won the Middle East’s Leading Airline First Class and Middle East’s Leading Cabin Crew. “On behalf of the whole Etihad Airways’ team, I am delighted to accept the title of Middle East’s Leading Airline, said James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ president and chief executive officer. “Everything we do is focused on giving our guests the best possible travel experience. ”The hallmark of Etihad Airways is the warm and generous hospitality that is drawn from the traditional Arabian culture in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and, of which, we are extremely proud.”

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Opposition plans protests until verdict

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

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The opposition has claimed that the amendment allowed the government to elect a rubberstamp Assembly. Separately, the National Assembly’s financial and economic affairs committee yesterday approved a proposal to allow female Kuwaiti government employees to go on retirement only after 15 years of service without any age restrictions. At present, Kuwaiti women can seek retirement with full benefits after they complete at least 15 years in service provided they reach 40 years of age. The government had in the past rejected similar proposals because of the financial cost as the measure overburdens the country’s pension system which is facing a huge deficit. The proposal is expected to be rejected again by the government when it goes to the floor for discussion.

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Yemen separatist justifies withdrawal from National Dialogue with “plot” allegation
Source: Middle East Online (Read full story)

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Most southern factions finally agreed to take join the national dialogue after months of negotiations and under UN pressure. But Southern Movement hardliners led by the former South Yemen’s ex-president Ali Salem al-Baid have dug in their heels, insisting instead on negotiations between two independent states in the north and south. Supporters of southern independence often stage demonstrations against the national dialogue, especially in Aden.
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Govt to fund on-the-job training in private sector
Source: Oman Daily Observer (Read full story)

The Ministry of Manpower is all set to launch a scheme in which the private sector companies would be asked to select Omani workers for a one year on-the-job training to be absorbed subsequently. The government will bear all expenses.

This was stated by Dr Muna bint Salim al Jardaniah, Under-Secretary, Ministry of Manpower for Technological Education and Vocational training, here yesterday at Oman Forum 2013 on the theme of “Job Creation — The National Agenda”.
She said on-the-job-training is critical to employment and retention of local manpower and this scheme will ensure that Omanisation is linked to productivity and quality.
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Source: Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs (Read full story)

Prince Turki Al Faisal of Saudi Arabia, chairman of the King Faisal Center for Research & Islamic Studies, delivered an address at the Harvard Kennedy School titled Saudi Arabia’s New Foreign Policy Doctrine in the aftermath of the Arab Awakening. The talk on April 25, 2013 was the culmination of a daylong workshop on Saudi Arabia hosted by the school’s Middle East Initiative in the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

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Arab world education starts at the very roots

Source: The National (Read full story)

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More than a third of the Arab population is now below the age of 15. With youth unemployment at 25 per cent, the risk is that a lack of opportunity will fuel instability and alienation instead. Finding productive and creative outlets for the aspirations of young Arabs is one of the most crucial long-term security challenges we face today. Major efforts have been made to improve educational outcomes with considerable success. Literacy rates, especially among the young, have increased substantially and often stand in comparison with some of the best-performing countries in the world.

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Boeing rolls out Saudi’s new F-15 variant

Source: Arabian Aerospace Online News Service (Read full story)

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Boeing established many of the offset companies in Saudi Arabia, including Alsalam Aircraft Company, in which Boeing currently holds the largest stake. Boeing also co-founded Alfaisal University, the first private university in Saudi Arabia, as well as the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Industrial Collaboration Program. Boeing is also developing educational and training projects with the King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology and the Technical & Vocational Training Corporation.

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UAE and Japan sign civil nuclear agreement

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

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The Japanese premier, who first visited six years ago, arrived in the capital on Wednesday evening from Riyadh. He called on General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to review the political and economic cooperation between Japan and Abu Dhabi. The Japanese leader suggested
UAE leadership make the bilateral relationship more comprehensive to reflect the strong economic cooperation that exists between the two nations.

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Focus on ‘Asianisation’ in GCC at QU seminar

Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)

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What else does that labour and expertise source flow entail for the GCC?
Labour has brought with it socio-cultural habits: the celebration of the Chinese new year in the Gulf, marking of Diwali across the GCC countries, a growing interest in traditional Asian customs and the popular Hindu celebration of Holi. According to Ehteshami, with domestic maids from the Philippines and India being found in the majority of GCC Arab homes, a loss of native culture has been observed among the new generation. By the time a child is 7-8 years old, s/he will know English as well as common terms and slang in Hindi and Filipino, besides identifying with cultures, religions and traditions that are not their own.

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Unemployment a time-bomb

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

The officials said that out of the 19,500 Kuwaitis listed as unemployed, there are 5,100 females aged 40 and above and 8,751 holding intermediate degrees and lower. MPs however expressed reservations at the government measures regarding unemployment. MP Nasser Al-Marri said Kuwait government needs around 9,000 jobs annually and the number of jobs available in the private sector every year is 109,000 but the private sector has fired 1,750 Kuwaitis. MP Ahmad Lari said the government has not answered several questions about unemployment especially why Kuwaitis seek jobs in the public sector and shun private jobs.

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Download NCUSAR’s 2012 Annual Review
(.pdf – 4.9 MB)

To this end, one will find in the 2012 Annual Review that follows detailed reporting and illustrative material pertaining to the Council’s:

1. Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference, regarding which the most recent one that was held October 25-26, 2012 drew 1,250 participants and in addition to the proceedings featured receptions hosted by the Embassies of Bahrain and Jordan as well as a luncheon by the U.S.-UAE Business Council, coverage by six dozen broadcast and print media and the live filming and simultaneous broadcasting by C-SPAN, allowing the Conference’s sessions to be viewed by millions worldwide;
2. 15 Model Arab League Programs throughout the United States and three in other countries in which over 2,200 American and other countries’ university and secondary school youth participated in an Arab-U.S. relations leadership development exercise the likes of which one will not find elsewhere;
3. 16th Annual Oman Cultural Immersion Program for armed forces officers selected by the Commander of the U.S. Central Command;
4. Annual Year-Round University Student Internship Program in addition to, for the fourth year in succession, Summer University Student Internship Program in cooperation with the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University in the heart of the nation’s capital, for which there was the highest number of applications to date, the placement of interns at 18 sister foreign affairs organizations where they obtained fulltime professional work experience, and the administration of a parallel academic seminar on “Arabia and the Gulf” chaired by the Council’s President and CEO;
5. Continued facilitation of applications and the selection process for American and other students enrolled in Arabic language and cross-cultural study programs in Lebanon, Morocco, and Jordan;
6. Founding President and CEO Dr. John Duke Anthony’s service during the Fall Semester as Dean’s Visiting Chair in International Studies and Political Science at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia, where he taught the Institute’s first-ever course on “Politics of the Arabian Peninsula”;
7. Five U.S.-Arab Relations- and U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council-centric public affairs educational events on Capitol Hill and elsewhere in the nation’s capital for Members of Congress, Congressional staff, the international diplomatic corps, the media, and representatives of public policy interest groups;
8. Ongoing annual cooperation with the Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR), inclusive of the Center’s hosting for the third year in succession of Council-organized and escorted delegations comprised of representatives of America’s strategic armed services officers of tomorrow from the United States Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy;
9. Continued annual cooperation with the Jeddah, Saudi Arabia-, Geneva, Switzerland-, and Cambridge University-based Gulf Research Center’s Annual Gulf Research Meeting at Cambridge University;
10. Presentation of Distinguished Public Service Awards to three extraordinary individuals in recognition of their respective exemplary contributions to and unstinting efforts in support of the betterment of Arab-U.S.-Relations: H.E. Dr. Clovis Maksoud, former Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the United Nations and founder of the Center for the Study of the Global South at American University in Washington, D.C.; The Hon. Andrew Killgore, Founding President of the American Educational Trust and former American Ambassador to the State of Qatar; and Mr. Richard Curtiss, Founding Executive Director and Editor of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs;
11. Utilization of information technology for launching a new weblog (“blog”) on Arabia, the Gulf, and the GCC by Dr. Anthony; and
12. Receipt, for the third consecutive year, of coveted awards from international charity evaluators in recognition for overall transparency and professional effectiveness in the course of continued exemplary adherence to the highest possible standards of fiscal accountancy and management.

John Duke Anthony
Founding President and CEO
National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

Download NCUSAR’s 2012 Annual Review
(.pdf – 4.9 MB)

Source: Saudi Gazette (Read full story)

Abdullatif Al-Zayani, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has condemned remarks by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Bahrain and its people during a recent conference in Iran. Al-Zayani dismissed the statements Khamenei made at the “Muslim Scholars and Islamic Awakening” held in Iran recently as “reprehensible fallacies” and a “blatant interference” in the internal affairs of Bahrain. He said the statements were in breach of the principles of the religion of Islam and good neighborliness, as well as the international law.

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Arab League flags shift in peace initiative terms

Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)

Since taking office on February 1, Kerry has plunged into the maelstrom of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the hope of breaking the impasse and seeing a resumption of some form of talks. He has suggested the Arab Peace Initiative could provide a framework for a future deal. For Israel, the principle of swapping land is a way to hold on to densely populated Jewish settlement blocs built on occupied Palestinian land. Although the Palestinians accept the idea of “minor and mutually agreed land swaps” they have rejected outright any idea of letting Israel hold on to large swathes of settlements. Until now, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has categorically rejected outright any return to what he has said would be the “indefensible” lines before June 4, 1967.

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The Enduring Legacy of Oil – Ali I. Al-Naimi

Source: SUSRIS (Read full story)

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ali I. Al-Naimi presented his views on developments in the global energy market at the Center for Strategic and International Studies today. Saudi Arabia has almost one-fifth of the world’s proven oil reserves, and it is the largest producer and exporter of total petroleum liquids in the world, according to the Energy Information Agency. It was the world’s largest producer and exporter of total petroleum liquids in 2012, the world’s largest holder of crude reserves, and the world’s second largest crude oil producer behind Russia.  The EIA provides a useful analysis of Saudi Arabia’s energy profile in their Country Analysis Brief, including: Saudi Arabia’s oil and natural gas operations are dominated by Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company in terms of proven oil reserves and production.

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FNC passes federal audit but questions remain

Source: The National (Read full story)

The Federal National Council has passed the 2011 end-of-year audit report, but members complained that it again breached rules despite new regulations put in place. The report highlighted numerous problems in several federal departments. The majority of these were the same as in the 2010 report. They included emirate-level traffic authorities – except Abu Dhabi – not passing on revenue from fines to the federal government, and Umm Al Quwain’s federal court continuing to send court fees to the local government. Last year, the council refused to pass the accounts in protest over breaches of the rules. It later approved it after the Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Obaid Al Tayer, gave assurances that a new zero-based-budget system would be put in place

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Oman Sovereign Wealth Fund Focuses on Local Deals After Protests

Source: Bloomberg (Read full story)

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Sultan Qaboos Bin Said has been taking measures to increase pay, create jobs and improve political representation after his forces repressed demonstrations that broke out mostly in the northern coastal city of Sohar. Those followed uprisings against poverty and dictatorships that shook Arab countries in 2011 and that led to regime change in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Discontent in Oman was exacerbated by the nation’s proximity to richer oil-producing neighbors like the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. With a population of 2.7 million Omanis and 600,000 expatriates, it produces just about 850,000 barrels of oil a day. The U.A.E., with a population of 5.5 million of which 20 percent are nationals, produces 2.7 million barrels a day.

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Links to a podcast and video recording of the program are available below. The podcast, along with recordings of other National Council programs, is also available through iTunes: http://bit.ly/itunes-ncusar.

“Tunisia: Post-Revolution Political and Constitutional Transitions” podcast (.mp3)

• Recap from The Maghreb Center
• Recap from Community of Democracies

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

The Gulf Monetary Council has signed an agreement declaring Riyadh as its headquarters here yesterday.
The agreement was co-signed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah representing the Kingdom and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the council Fahd Al-Mubarak representing the council.
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait are the four members in the monetary council, the Saudi Press Agency reported yesterday. The council aims to launch a single currency at least by 2015, according to earlier reports.

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UAE disappointed by US report on human rights

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

The United Arab Emirates has been disappointed by the US State Department s 2012 Report on Human Rights Practices in the UAE, published on 19 April 2013. The report provides an unbalanced picture of the human rights situation in the UAE and fails to give adequate recognition to the significant progress that has been made to promote and protect human rights in the country. According to a statement by Abdul Raheem Al Awadhi, Assistant Foreign Minister for Legal Affairs: “The UAE is rated by the UN as having a very high level of human development; it is a tolerant, multicultural society in which people with many different nationalities worship freely in churches, temples and mosques…”
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Forum to discuss gender equality

Source: The Peninsula  (Read full story)

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Qatar has also achieved most of its goals related to the provision of potable water, suitable sanitation and housing except those related to CO2 emissions and the other greenhouse gases due to the fast pace of urbanisation and the construction boom. “The country is exerting considerable efforts to confront these challenges; it has established environment related projects and programmes in the National Development Strategy 2011-2016,” he added. Dr Jamal Abdullah Al Yafi’i, the Family Policies Expert at the Supreme Council of Family Affairs, said: “ Regarding the third MDG related to promotion of gender equality and empowerment, and its third objective related to the removal of differences between males and females at primary education, high school and other educational levels…”

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OPEN DOORS

Source: Gulf Daily News (Read full story)

GOVERNMENT ministers will soon host a weekly open house in a bid to enforce transparency. The first meeting will be held on May 8 at the Cabinet in Gudaibiya, said Minister of State for Information Affairs and the government’s official spokeswoman Sameera Rajab. She said the move will create an open channel between ministers and the media, and promote transparency in government bodies. “Sunday’s Press conferences will be only concerned with what’s being discussed or approved during the Cabinet’s session,” she said during a Press conference following Cabinet’s weekly session.

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GCC financial markets’ chairmen to meet in Manama on Tuesday

Source: Zawya (Read full story)

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The committee considers recommendations submitted from technical working teams, including outcomes of the meeting of the working team on listing, disclosure and governance regarding regular reports pertaining to extent of enforcement of uniform rules for listing in financial markets, proposals necessary to develop them, and recommendations from the working team on initial issuances and subscriptions in GCC stock markets, outcomes of the working team on supervision and control of circulation in the financial markets of GCC-member countries.

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SR 100 m firm to expand Saudi farm investments

Source: Arab News ( Read full story)

Commerce and Industry Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah has approved the establishment of a new East Asia Agricultural Development and Investment Company with a capital of SR 100 million. The new company is based in Riyadh as a closed joint stock entity and 70 percent of its capital has already been paid up by its founding members. Its 10 million equities are each of SR 10. The company will invest in farming and establish agricultural projects for crops such as rice, barley, fruits, olives, vegetables, cattle feed and all other agricultural products.

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Source: Arab News (Read full story)

Pessimism over Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical industry has pushed shares in the sector down sharply, dampening the biggest Arab stock market. But the gloom may be overdone, creating chances to buy into some of the Kingdom’s biggest firms. The sector’s net income slid 18 percent from a year earlier to SR 8.0 billion ($ 2.1 billion) in the first quarter of this year, Riyadh-based NCB Capital calculated this week after the companies announced earnings. Even worse, global oil prices have dropped sharply since the start of this month.

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Qatar budget underpins robust stimulus to growth

Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)

Qatar’s budget for 2013-14 (FY14), the biggest in its history, supports robust stimulus to consumption and investment growth and higher capital spending, which is expected to “meaningfully” pick up in the next two fiscal years, will augur well for the non-hydrocarbon sector, according to Bank of America-Merrill Lynch (BofAML). “The FY14 budget underpins robust stimulus to consumption and investment growth, in our view,” the bank said in its report. Expenditures are budgeted at QR210.6bn (up 18% year-on-year on the initial FY13 budget), while revenues are projected at QR218.1bn (up 5.7%), leaving a surplus of QR7.5bn for FY14 against QR27bn in the previous fiscal (FY13).

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 DP World reports decline 
in Q1 container handling

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

Shareholders of DP World approved a total dividend distribution of $199 million, or 24 cents per share for 2012, on Thursday as the global container port operator reported seven per cent drop in first quarter container handling. The dividend that will be paid on April 30 comprises a 10 per cent increase in the underlying dividend to 21 US cents per share, supplemented by a special dividend of three US cents per share reflecting the profit attributable to owners of the company from separately disclosed items, said chairman of the company Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

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MP Zalzalah urges PM to reshuffle Cabinet

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

Shiite MP Youssef Al-Zalzalah yesterday called on Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah to reshuffle his Cabinet if he wanted to keep the pace of reforms, saying it is time for some ministers to leave without naming anyone. “It’s time for a number of ministers to exit the Cabinet… as they cannot be trusted to carry out reforms” said Zalzalah and added that “it’s time for a Cabinet reshuffle”. The lawmaker gave no details of which ministers should be axed from the Cabinet formed mid- December following parliamentary election that was boycotted by the opposition in protest against amending the electoral law.

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Bahrain ideal for setting up joint projects with UK

Source: Gulf Daily News (Read full story)

Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) chairman Dr Essam Fakhro called on British economic and trade organisations and investors to visit Bahrain in order to be updated on the reality of the situation in the kingdom. He said such visits provide information to them on the positive work and investment environment in the kingdom, reveal the progress of the economic and urban development programmes implemented in Bahrain and prove biased media reports wrong.

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Oman government toughens stance on mining industry

Source: Gulf News (Read full story)

Ongoing efforts by the Omani government to regulate the quarrying industry, long accused of giving short shrift to host communities and the local environment, are a step closer to bearing fruit, according to the head of a high-level panel tasked with tackling the issue. Ahmad Bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said in a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), that the panel has identified suitable sites that can be offered to quarry operators for exploitation.

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Emir praises Qatar-US relations

Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)

 HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani attended a reception hosted by members of the Society of Qatar Friends at the Congress (the American-Qatari Caucus) at the Congress premises. The Emir welcomed the members, referred to the close friendship that binds the State of Qatar and the United States of America and stressed the continued growth and development of relations between the two countries. The Emir also praised the areas of co-operation between Qatar and the United States, especially the fields of education, investment, energy, industry and defence, pointing out to new prospects for expanding the frameworks of this co-operation to include various aspects of economic, trade and investment activities in the near future.

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Links to a podcast and video recording of the program are available below. The podcast, along with recordings of other National Council programs, is also available through iTunes: http://bit.ly/itunes-ncusar.

“The Future of Women’s Rights, Minority Rights, and Freedom of Expression in Tunisia” podcast (.mp3)

• Recap from The Maghreb Center
• Recap from Community of Democracies

Source: SUSRIS (Read full story)

 U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel arrived in Riyadh today for the third stop on his travels across the Middle East to confer on bilateral issues and regional challenges.

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A newly announced multi-nation arms deal organized by the United States will be among the topics of discussion with senior Saudi officials. The $10 billion package includes weapons for Israel, the UAE and Saudi Arabia and is on top of an ongoing arms deal with the Kingdom that includes 84 F-15SA Eagle fighter jets. The Saudi portion of the package is said to include advanced precision air to ground missiles and the Hagel visit will help to conclude negotiations on final details.

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Clean energy vital for UAE economy

Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)

UAE Minister of Energy Suhail bin Mohamed Faraj Fares Al Mazrouei and other senior officials visited Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy company, to identify ways the country can reduce its energy demand, adopt renewables and protect its precious hydrocarbon resources. The minister also underscored the important role Masdar — through its renewable energy and technology investments — is playing to support the UAE’s economic and social prosperity.

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 Bahrain arrests ‘terror cell’ with ties to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon

Source: The National (Read full story)

Bahrain has dismantled a “terrorist cell” linked to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, the interior minister said, slamming what he called “escalation” in the kingdom as the Shiite opposition intensifies its protests. Security services “have, with the help of a brotherly country, arrested the members of a terrorist cell made up of eight Bahraini elements”, the state news agency BNA quoted Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa as saying.

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 H H the Emir of Qatar meets US President Obama

Source: The Peninsula (Read full story)

HH the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani met here this afternoon with US President Barack Obama, at the White House. During the meeting, HH the Emir and the US President discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways of enhancing them in various fields. They also discussed a number of regional and international issues of common concern, the latest developments in the region, particularly the situation in Syria. The meeting was attended by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, and a number of Their Excellencies members of the official delegation accompanying HH the Emir.

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Legal panel vetoes govt plan to increase charges – Lawyers suspend strike after meeting with judiciary

Source: Kuwait times (Read full story)

The National Assembly legal and legislative committee has informed the financial and economic affairs panel that the government-sponsored law to raise charges in public services could be in violation of the constitution. Rapporteur of the legal committee MP Yacoub Al-Sane said a letter was sent to the financial panel, stating that “there is a constitutional suspicion in the government request to raise charges through government decisions rather than through laws passed by the National Assembly”.

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Bahrain blocks visit of UN torture rapporteur

Source: BBC (Read full story)

The Bahraini government has postponed indefinitely a visit by Juan Mendez the UN special rapporteur on torture. According to the country’s official news agency the trip has been called off  ”until further notice”. This comes just days after the release of a US State Department report on human rights in Bahrain which spoke of “significant” violations including torture in detention. The Gulf kingdom has been wracked by civil unrest for two years. The violence has left at least 50 people dead.

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