finance

ALGERIA Privatization Moving Ahead As Algeria Signs Free Trade Agreement With EU Algeria Requires $8-10Bn Per Annum Investment Over 10 Years Says Bouteflika	BAHRAIN International Agencies Reaffirm Investcorp’s Investment Grade Rating Capital Intelligence Downgrades Bahrain International Bank Bahrain Ports To Be Privatized Bahrain Monetary Agency Issues New Islamic Banking Regulations Bearish Global Market Sentiments Hits Bahrain’s Offshore Banks
CAPITAL MARKETS FDI Inflows To ESCWA Region Fall Away From 1998 Peak Report Puts Arab External Investments At $212-318Bn, Evaluates Conditions For Repatriation Gulf Stock Markets Buoyant, Despite Global Slump	CASPIAN Kazakhstan 2003 Budget Based On Oil Price Of $21.20/B, Azerbaijan On $19.50/B
EGYPT Egyptian Government Forecasts Hefty Jump In Deficit For 2002-03 Budget US Gives $202Mn In Aid To Egypt Orange Buys MobiNil Stake For €324Mn Egypt’s Inaction After Donor Conference Disappoints Financial Community Slow Pace Of Egypt Privatization Attracts Continued Criticism	ENERGY Oil Demand To Grow At 0.6% In 2003, Says Salomon Smith Barney $73Bn Needed For Arab Water Desalination Projects Up To 2030 Apicorp Reviews Prospects For Financing Arab Energy Projects
GCC GCC Finally Agrees On Timing Of Tariff Unification And Common Currency GIC Produces Comparative Data On GCC Economies Showing Solid Upturn In 1999 GDP The Middle East And Private Capital Inflows: Muscling In Or Missing Out	GENERAL Economists Challenge Causal Link Between Oil Shocks And Recessions US Trade Policy Hampering ‘War On Terror’, Says Report US’s Role In The Arab-Israeli Conflict Arab States Embrace Free Trade Pacts….
IRAN IMF Mission Commends Iran’s Economic Performance But Warns Of Challenges Ahead Iran Eurobond Oversubscribed As Economic Confidence Outweighs Political Uncertainty Iran Launches Investment Fund For Foreigners As It Prepares For Eurobond Issue Iran Seeks Oil Pre-Financing: Offers Crude Oil Collateral To Secure $1Bn	IRAQ Oil Wealth And Poverty In Iraq – Statistical Adjustment Of Government GDP Estimates (1980-2001) Iraqi External Debt Stands At $104-129Bn, Says Report Regional Economic Outlook Uncertain As Analysts Focus On Outcome Of Iraq Conflict The Cost Of War And Reconstruction, Iraqi Debt – Who Will Foot The Bill? more >>>
JORDAN World Bank Approves $120Mn Loan to Jordan… JPMC To Issue $57Mn In Bonds	KUWAIT KPC Says Profits Climb In 9 Months Ending 31 March, 2001 Major Political Crisis Averted As Minister Survives No-Confidence Vote Kuwait Investment Authority Sells Off Stake In Arab Bank For $96.7Mn
LEBANON Fitch Downgrades Banque Audi And Byblos Bank Lebanese Parliament Reviews Proposed Draft Electricity Law Lebanon Converts More Domestic Debt In New $500Mn Eurobond	OIL PRICES Impact Of High Oil Prices On World Economic Growth: A Mixed Assessment Latest Budget Oil Price Assumptions Reiterate Downward Trend Middle East Economies Remain Vulnerable To Oil Price Fluctuations Says IMF
OMAN Report Reveals Rapid Growth In Syria and Oman GSM Markets Greater Liquidity Fails To Boost Muscat Securities Market	OPEC OPEC Stresses Commitment To Supply, Watches For Developments OPEC’s Export Revenue Falls 21% in 2001, Says EIA OPEC Revenues Could Fall By 19% In 2001 Says EIA Budget Oil Price Assumptions Trend Lower For OPEC And Non-OPEC Producers Oil Producers Adopt Budgeted Oil Price Assumptions For FY2001 Averaging $20.5/B
PALESTINE US Threatens To Cut Palestinian Aid UNSCO Says Israel Military Incursion Stops Almost All West Bank Economic Activity Donors Assess Socio-Economic Damage In Palestine World Bank Says Palestinian Economy In Severe Recession, 50% Of Population In Poverty	SAUDI ARABIA Saudi Share Index Rises 13.7% In First Half 2002 Positive Return Seen For Saudi Riyal Mutual Funds SAMBA’s Chief Economist Looks At Saudi Government Finances Saudi Polyolefins Company Secures $280Mn From Mainly Regional Consortium SABIC’s Jubail United Petrochemical Company Secures $1.154Bn
SYRIA Report Reveals Rapid Growth In Syria and Oman GSM Markets Syria’s New President Faces Uphill Battle On Economy...	UAE DIFC Moves Ahead With Plans To Set Up Legal Framework Dubai Ideas Oasis Seeks To Energize Venture Capital In The Region UAE Central Bank Figures Show Rise In Liquidity And 17% GDP Growth Transparency Through Technology: Nowhere Left To Run

OPEC Stresses Commitment To Supply, Watches For Developments