The 4th Gulf Research Meeting Held in Cambridge
Source: Emirates News Agency (Read full story)
In his keynote address, Dr. Abdulaziz Sager welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of this event which has become an annual gathering to discuss different Gulf-related issues with a variety of strategic political and economic themes. Dr. Sager also pointed out that this edition of the GRM is being held amidst regional and international turmoil stemming from the developments taking place in the Arab Spring countries, especially countries such as Syria, Yemen and Egypt. As a result, the GCC countries face a number of challenges that require in-depth analysis in the search for policy solutions. Issues such as Saudi Arabia and the Arab Spring, Sustainable Development Challenges in the Gulf Region, GCC-Iraq Relations, and Boundaries and Territories in the Gulf were among the pertinent topics covered.
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Oman to repatriate citizens from Egypt
Source: Gulf News (Read full story)
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The Omani government has allocated aircraft to transport citizens residing in and visiting Egypt, as well as students wishing to return home. The foreign ministry advised citizens to stay in touch with the country’s embassy in Cairo in a statement to Oman News Agency on Monday. The mission will provide all necessary facilities for their return to the Sultanate including providing safe accommodation till travel date. The Ministry also pointed out that while some Omanis were transported on Monday, others, especially students, decided willingly to continue their stay in Egypt. In 2011, at least 400 Omani students returned to Muscat from troubled Cairo after protesters took to the streets demanding President Hosni Mubarak’s ouster. Oman Air had then deployed two aircraft to evacuate Omani students and bring them home safely. At that time 2,653 Omanis were pursuing studies there in different disciplines.
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KSA to curb inflation, cut production costs
…Saudi Arabia plans to curb inflation and cut back production costs through adoption of a series of measures including reconsidering prices of imported production requirements, promotion of national exports and diversification of economy base, according to a report from the Council of Saudi Chambers (CSC) said. The Saudi government also plans to improve the national business environment, encourage local and foreign investments and rationalize time, efforts and costs beard by the private sector in clearing imports and exports, the report, quoted by Al-Sharq Al-Awsat daily, said.
It said reduction of costs on outbound national products and imports will have a positive impact on the Saudi economy.…
Qatar Rail project to benefit local private sector: Sheikh Khalifa
Qatar Rail aims at gaining experience and technology and pushes the contribution of private sector in the development process. There are clear and strict instructions from the steering committee, to provide the private sector with all the information needed. Upon completion of Qatar Railway projects, thousands of job opportunities will be available. There will be a lot of opportunities for the local market. “For specialised work, Qatar Rail is conducting many programmes to train employees, while there will be some work that will be moved from abroad so that our local market will gain experience from them,” he said. Qatar Building Company (QBC) managing director Ali Mustafawi said: “The efforts of Qatar Rail to implement such a huge project will have a positive and immediate impact on all business sectors in Qatar.
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Southerners Commemorate ‘ unforgettable black day ‘
Source: Yemen Times (Read full story)
Southern Movement leaders abroad recently issued a statement praising the peaceful struggle of the movement and warning National Dialogue Conference (NDC) participants of underestimating the Southern Issue and the demands of Southerners. The leaders behind the statement included former president of the South, Ali Nasser Mohammed; former prime minister of the South, Haider Abu Bakr Al-Atas; and Al-Atas’ former deputy, Saleh Obaid Ahmed. The Southern Movement has been calling for succession since its establishment in 2007. Approximately 2000 Southerners have been killed in confrontations with security forces. Al-Mukala security manager Salmeen Ahmed told Yemen Times that security forces withdrew from the area in order to avoid clashes during the rally.
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Dubai realty keeps shining
Source: Khaleej Times (Read full story)
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A recent research by Global Investment House shows that property markets of the UAE and Saudi Arabia continued to lead the recovery in GCC’s real estate sector, while Kuwait recorded a gradual upturn in the first quarter. Dubai’s real estate market outperformed that of other markets in the UAE with rental rates in the residential sector recording a 10 per cent rise. According to Asteco, the performance of Dubai rental rates was equally impressive, average apartment and villa rents grew by seven and six per cent compared to first quarter and managed to climb 20 per cent and 17 per cent respectively over the past 12 months. John Stevens, managing director, Asteco Property Management, said the first half had not witnessed any slowdown in transaction volumes, leasing or sales growth, while new project launches have become a weekly occurrence.
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