Major Saudi firms in Forbes Top 500 list

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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