Gulf in the News – July 8, 2013

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Mariam Klait

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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Gulf in the News – July 3, 2013

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

Foreign stake rise works well for IQ stocks

Source: The Peninsula (Read full story)

Increase in foreign ownership limit (FOL) worked well for the price and trade volumes of Industries Qatar’s (IQ) stocks. After raising its foreign ownership cap to 12.25 percent from 7.5 percent in October 2012, IQ’s stock price fell immediately, but picked up later. The stock price picked up and gathered almost 17 percent before the announcement of the full year 2012 results. Average daily share trade volume of the 90 days before the announcement were 115.175 while for the same number of days after the announcement were 228.125, an increase of almost cent percent.

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Model Arab League Program Website Update Released

Posted on July 2, 2013 by NCUSAR

Model Arab League program homepage.

The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations recently released an update to the Model Arab League (MAL) program website. MAL is the Council’s flagship student leadership development program, and helps prepare students to be knowledgeable, well-trained, and effective citizens as well as civic and public affairs leaders.

In addition to improved aesthetics and accessibility, the update makes available additional research resources for students — including annotated bibliographies for each country in the League of Arab States — as well as more information about how to get involved in the program. Browse the updated site to learn more about Model Arab League.

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 Program Home
MAL Research Resources

Gulf in the News – July 1, 2013

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Maria Pantelis

EU-Gulf free trade deal edges closer

Source: Arabian Business (Read full story)

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In comments that appeared to show the GCC’s reinvigorated desire to seal a FTA between the two major blocs in the free world, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said negotiators should now “strive harder to overcome the remaining obstacles to finalize signing”. However, the GCC’s insistence that it retain the right to impose duties on its exports remains the one major stumbling block. “I can say that almost 99 per cent of the items have being agreed and only one issue related to export duties is currently being reviewed before any decision is reached,” Sheikh Khalid told media following a meeting with EU officials in Manama, according to Gulf Daily News.

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