In Wednesday's Middle East papers

29 April 2009 05:00  [Source: ICIS news]

OMAN TRIBUNE

Front page

Economy on sound footing, says Macki
The Sultanate’s financial position is solid and the government continues to implement major infrastructure and other projects as planned, HE Ahmed Bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, said on Tuesday.

GCC foreign ministers meet
Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries held a coordination meeting here on Tuesday on the eve of the joint GCC-EU ministerial council meeting.

Business

ODB granted loans worth $88.1m in 2008
The Sultanate has focused on overall sustainable development, giving special attention to development of the financial sector, according to HE Sheikh Al Fadhal Bin Mohammed Bin Ahmed Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Development Affairs, Ministry of National Economy and chairman of Oman Development Bank (ODB).

Airlines brace for more turbulence: Iata
International air travel in March slumped by 11.1%, the top airline association Iata said on Tuesday as the industry braced for further turbulence from the swine flu outbreak.

KHALEEJ TIMES

Front page

World flu fears sharpen as more cases detected
Airlines and tour operators suspended flights to Mexico as new cases of a deadly strain of swine flu were confirmed across the globe and officials warned of more fatalities.

Obama seeks $1.5bn for swine flu as cases jump
President Barack Obama asked Congress on Tuesday for an additional $1.5bn to fight swine flu as the number of confirmed cases hit 65 people in six states in what doctors fear may become a full pandemic.

Business

Dubai home prices fall 41%; still rank world’s highest
Home prices in Dubai plunged by 41% in the first quarter of the year compared to the previous three months, as a result of a loss of jobs and a drying up of bank credit during the economic slowdown, a property consultancy said on Tuesday.

Deyaar on track to meet ’09 profit goals
Dubai real estate developer Deyaar Development is on track to meet its profit goals for 2009 despite a 73% drop in its first quarter net profit, its CEO said.

ARAB TIMES

No new updates

ARAB NEWS

Front page

World’s largest desalt plant opened
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday launched massive development projects worth SR54bn in the Eastern Province’s newest industrial zone called Jubail-II.

Thermal cameras at entry points to monitor swine flu
With the swine flu epidemic spreading and new cases being reported in the Middle East, plans are under way to install thermal cameras at all entry points to the Kingdom to monitor passengers who might be carrying the influenza virus, the Health Ministry said yesterday.

Business

Philippines offers farm products to Kingdom
The Philippines has volunteered to become a major source of agricultural products to Saudi Arabia.

Be a business expert with SABB guide
The increasing need for expert trade and cash management solutions by the private sector across the Middle East during the current world economic turmoil is the core theme running through an important new book that has now been launched in Saudi Arabia.

TEHRAN TIMES

Front page

Two shortcomings in 5+1 statement: Ahmadinejad
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad stated on Tuesday that there are two shortcomings in the recent statement of the 5+1 group.

Tehran Book Fair to offer Korean folk tales
The Persian version of a Korean folk tale entitled "Chung, Hyo, Ye" will be available at the 22nd Tehran International Book Fair.

Business

France fears hedge fund ‘Trojan Horse’
France has warned that Europe risks opening the door to a "Trojan Horse" of offshore hedge funds if it adopts plans circulating in Brussels to regulate the industry.

Iran, Russia ‘key economic powers’ in the region: Petrov
Iran and Russia are the two key economic powers of the Caspian Sea, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation said here on Tuesday.

ALJAZEERA

Front page

WHO says ‘prepare for flu pandemic’
The evolution of the swine flu virus into a pandemic is not inevitable but countries should prepare for the worst, the World Health Organisation has said.

Obama’s breakneck 100 days
One hundred days into Barack Obama's presidency, how effective has he been?

Business

Fears over economic fallout mount
Fears are mounting that the global economic downturn will deepen as the swine flu outbreak spreads across the world.

GM to slash 21,000 more jobs
General Motors, the US car giant, is to cut 21,000 factory jobs next year, close plants and drop its Pontiac brand as it struggles to remain afloat.

THE DAILY STAR

Front page

Lebanese leaders vow to maintain calm during polls
Top Lebanese leaders agreed during a national dialogue session on Tuesday to hold the 7 June parliamentary elections in a calm and democratic atmosphere.

Syria will not help Hizbullah or Hamas attack Israel – Assad
Syrian President Bashar Assad pledged on Tuesday that neither Hamas nor Hizbullah would attack Israel with his country’s help, but has said that the return of the Golan Heights is a "non-negotiable" condition to relations between Damascus and Tel Aviv being normalised.

Business

Horeca expo underscores Lebanese expertise in hospitality industry
President of the Lebanese Industrialists Association Fadi Abboud stressed on Monday the importance of the country’s food industry which contributes heavily to the Lebanese economy through food exports.

Flydubai seen as boosting Lebanon’s tourism sector
Lebanon’s tourism sector could get an unexpected boost this summer, not only from the recent political stability, but also from new daily flights between Beirut and Dubai offered by the Emirate’s first low-cost carrier, flydubai.

GULF DAILY NEWS

Front page

Fight the recession!
"Your country needs you" is the message going out to Bahrain’s business leaders as the country fights off the impact of the global recession.

Taliban stronghold attacked
Pakistan troops backed by war planes launched a new operation in Buner town near the Swat valley yesterday, as Islamabad intensified its efforts to flush out Taliban militants there.

Business

Derivatives success
Global trading in derivatives has increased by about 15% over the past year, in spite of the bad image they may have acquired from the financial meltdown.

Business landmark
Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa yesterday opened the new BD10m landmark headquarters of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) in Sanabis.

By: Staff Reporter
+44 20 8652 3214

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