Infrastructure

Solar Energy in the GCC

According to a Ifri-Markaz report published in 2012 called ‘Powering Kuwait into the 21st Century: Alternatives for Power Generation’, it was pointed out that the GCC region is facing gas shortages and Kuwait ranks independency of supply among its policy priorities, renewable, and in particular solar have their own place in the power mix. The paper also called for further fleshing out the renewable energies target in Kuwait with more specifics. Moreover, the concept was highlighted that the gradual introduction...

Innovation using offsets

Offsets, in defense and civil trade, are essentially compensations that a procuring government or buyer seeks from the seller for the purchase of goods and/or services. A practice that originated in the 1950s, offsets have grown in stature over the years and is now evident in about 120 countries around the world, from a mere 20 from approximately 25 years ago. According to Marmore’s report on GCC Offsets, there are broadly two classes of offset programmes, i.e., Direct Offsets (DOs)...

Foreign Ownership Laws in the GCC

With economic diversification and industrial growth becoming a key part of the reforms agenda in the GCC, there is much attention being focused on the foreign ownership regime across the bloc. This note will delve into the foreign ownership laws in the GCC, starting with Kuwait. Kuwait: In 2013, the Kuwaiti authorities issued the new Foreign Direct Investment Law (“FDI Law”) with respect to the promotion of direct investment in Kuwait. According to the new FDI Law, investments into Kuwait...

Affordable housing in the GCC-Scale of the problem

Amongst a handful of regions with bright economic indicators, the GCC is projected to grow at 3.8% in 2016 according to the IMF.  The region, which is highly reliant on oil and gas, is now hedging its bets by diversifying into non-hydrocarbon sectors. (Read: Marmore’s report on “Affordable Housing”). Despite its richness, the issue of affordable housing is yet to be addressed thoroughly. What is the scale of this crisis? KEY QUESTION 1: Why is there a housing problem? You...

The rise & rise of GCC Airlines

Here are FOUR questions that you would like to ask about the GCC airline industry.  We provide the answers. #1. How well in recent years has the aviation sector in GCC region grown? There is only one word for it, “tremendously.”  The two figures below tell you the story of growth; the first is country specific and the second is aircraft specific.   Figure 1- Passengers carried by registered air carriers in the UAE and Qatar Source – World Bank...

الصين والشرق الأوسط: شراكة وافرة

China and Middle East have had long historical trade linkages that have only grown closer and more prominent with time. At present, the relationship has gone beyond just transfer of goods and services, to transfer of knowledge and expertise. With the Middle East facing the brunt of low oil price and attempting to diversify their revenues, and China undergoing an economic transition, we shine a light at this symbiotic relationship, as the countries attempt to help each other achieve their...

كيف ستحقق دبي المنفعة من إكسبو 2020؟

Connecting Minds, Creating the Future In 2020, the UAE will host the World Expo, which is held once every five years for the duration of 3-6 months. The history of expo dates back to 1851, when ‘The Great Exhibition’ was first held in London. Since then, different regions of the world have hosted it at regular intervals, but this would be the first time the event is being hosted in the MENA region. Themes for the expos are usually broad,...

Smart Cities in the GCC

An Emerging Trend Smart City is a hot and happening concept in the field of urban innovation right now. This concept assumes that a city operates as a system or a group of interlocked parts working together, where technology is used to maximize its efficiency and also unlock its potential, while its chief focus remaining on sustainability. What makes cities smart? There have been different perspectives about how a smart city should be or what it should have; however there...