Gulf in the News – July 15, 2013

Kuwait delivers free oil to Egypt – Gulf welcomes fall of Morsi

Source: Kuwait Times (Read full story)

Kuwait has sent two oil tankers carrying crude and diesel worth $200 million to Egypt, a Kuwaiti newspaper said yesterday – part of a $4 billion aid package pledged by the Gulf Arab state last week after the ouster of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi. Kuwait last week joined other oil-producing Gulf states in pledging a massive aid package worth $12 billion to Egypt in a show of support after the army toppled the Muslim Brotherhood government. Most US-allied Gulf monarchies regard the Brotherhood as a threat.

Bahrain warns against seditious calls

Source: Saudi Gazette (Read full story)

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry has warned against the seditious “Rebellion August 14” calls that encourage the overthrow of the government. The ministry said in a statement: “Out of a responsibility to protect the security and stability of the nation and the legal duty to citizens and residents, the Interior Ministry warns people not to respond or react to incitement from political events and social media posts that use the title “Rebellion August 14” and that encourage the overthrow of the government. “Rallies and activities that affect security, general order, civil peace and the interests of the people are against the law. Participants will have legal procedures taken against them.

649 orders for Boeing planes in the Middle East

Source: Gulf News (Read full story)

Boeing has 649 purchase orders in the Middle East region as of June 2013 of various models with a main focus on 787s-Dreamliners and 777s, Jeff Johnson, Boeing Middle East President, told Gulf News on Sunday. “As of June 2013, we have 126 purchase orders for the 787s model, 271 for 777s, 71 for 747s and 181 for the 737s model,” said Johnson. He added that the UAE is the third largest customer for Boeing, after North America and China, with Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways leading the market.

MEDC reports 8% rise in customers, invests OMR36m for expansion

Source: Times of Oman (Read full story)

The annual report of Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC) for 2012 has detailed the growing demand for power, as a result of growing construction, as well as economic and industrial activities in the governorate of Muscat. By the end of 2012, the number of MEDC customers reached 240,000, an increase of 8.3 per cent compared to 2011. “In 2012, the company achieved many accomplishments to keep pace with the increasing demands for energy and the continued growth of its customer base. MEDC has also reviewed its strategy during 2012, which resulted in a new business strategy focused on five main pillars, which are asset management, human resources, customer services, health, safety and environment (HSE), communications and social responsibility,” said Manal Al-Abdwani, Chairperson of the Board of Directors.

Shoura won’t OK labor law biased against citizens

Source: Arab News (Read full story)

The Shoura Council is expected to allay the fears of Saudi employees working in the private sector regarding their employment security following the Ministry of Labor’s recent move to amend some clauses in Article 55 of the Labor Law. As it stands, Article 55 stipulates that a Saudi’s work contract is automatically renewed after three years of his appointment, a local daily reported Sunday. The essence of the ministry’s proposal suggests that if the contract of a Saudi national is not renewed by the end of the year, then the contract would be terminated.

Qatar Shell in seismic data field testing

Source: Gulf Times (Read full story)

Qatar Shell has successfully completed the field testing of a new fibre-optic seismic system in the country as part of a major R&D programme. Making use of cutting-edge fibre-optic and laser technology, the system has been designed to provide a “more cost-effective method” to deliver “more accurate and higher quality” seismic data for exploration and permanent production monitoring.  The objective of the field testing is to demonstrate the ability of the technology to provide enhanced images of the subsurface using this technique, with the potential for large-scale deployment. The field testing and trial phase of the system was completed in March this year.