austro-arab trade directory 2011 online
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AUSTRO-ARABTRADE DIRECTORY 2011
A-1010 Vienna,Lobkowitzplatz 1/15Tel.: +43 /513 39 65Fax: +43 /513 85 59
E-Mail: headoffice@aacc.atwww.aacc.at
IMPRINT
Owner & EditorAustro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) Lobkowitzplatz 1/15 A-1010 ViennaT: +43 (0)1 513 39 65 F: +43 (0)1 513 85 59E: headoffice@aacc.at W: www.aacc.at Responsible for the content DI Mouddar KHOUJA, Secretary General AACC
DesignBernsteiner Design Department
Print Bernsteiner Druckservice Ges.m.b.H Copyright of ImagesAACC, IStock, Fotolia, Getty Images
The information in this publication is based on carefully selected and public sources considered as reliable. The AACC does not make any representation as to its accuracy or completeness. The AACC does not assume liability for the use of this publication or its contents.
Acknowledgement
The AACC would like to acknowledge the patronage and support of its Vice-President KommR Nabil Kuzbari, who did not give up on the idea of this Trade Directory and kept motivating the AACC to finalize it.
The AACC would also like to extend its very special appreciation to the Arab German Chamber of Commerce and Industry “GHORFA” and its Secretary General Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Mikhlafi, whose continued support and cooperation are highly valued.
CONTENT
PREAMBLES Foreword 5
MEMBER DIRECTORY Addresses of Members 7
Chemical Products 8 Culture and Art 12 Drinks and Tobacco 13 Engines / Vehicles 14 Fuel and Energy 19 Manufactured Goods 20 Nutrition 24 Other Manufactured Goods 26 Raw Materials 32 Services 33 Members A-Z 52 Members/Countries 56
INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS List of Arab Embassies in Austria 67 List of Austrian Embassies in Arab Countries 69 Austrian Trade Commissions in Arab Countries 70 Addresses of Joint Arab-Foreign Chambers 73 Addresses of Federations & Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in the Arab Countries 77 Index 80
COUNTRY PROFILES Algeria 94 Bahrain 98 Comoros 102 Djibouti 106 Egypt 110 Iraq 114 Jordan 118 Kuwait 122 Lebanon 126 Libya 130 Mauritania 134 Morocco 140 Oman 144 Palestine 148 Qatar 152 Saudi Arabia 156 Somalia 160 Sudan 164 Syria 168 Tunisia 172 United Arab Emirates 176 Yemen 180
S E R V I C E – I N F O R M A T I O N – N E T W O R K I N G
AACC – YOUR STRATEGIC BUSINESS PARTNER FOR AUSTRO-ARAB ECONOMY & TRADE!
SERVICE
INFORMATION
NETWORKING
Arab Joint Chambers, WKO/AWO, OPEC, OFID and many more…
COUNTRIES
Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
CONTACTAustro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) /Österreichisch-Arabische HandelskammerLobkowitzplatz 1/15, Postfach 181, A-1015 ViennaT: +43 (0)1 513 39 65 ; F: +43 (0)1 513 85 59E: headoffice@aacc.at ; W: www.aacc.at
AUSTRO-ARAB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (AACC)ÖSTERREICHISCH-ARABISCHE HANDELSKAMMER
5
FOREWORD
It is with great pleasure that the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce presents its first issue of
the Trade Directory.
As a service provider with special focus on small and medium sized companies and with the
experience of over 20 years in the economies of both, Austria and the Arab World, we have
decided to create one more tool for our members and other interested partners within our net-
work. The conceptual design of the directory is to provide an overview on relevant facts and
information in a literally handy format. In a brief, yet comprehensive form the directory contains
company profiles including contact data of our members, as well as all Arab joint and regional
chambers. Since business can never be isolated from regional conditions, country profiles of all
22 Arab countries are included. Covering basic information as well as more specific aspects of
each respective country they represent a vital part of the directory.
We hope that this directory serves your needs and aspirations in doing business with the Arab
countries and vice versa.
5
Dkfm. Dr. Herbert STEPIC
President
KommR. Nabil Kuzbari Vice President
Dipl.-Ing. Mouddar KhoujaSecretary General
6
7
MEMBER DIRECTORY
MEMBERS OF THE AUSTRO-ARAB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
Abiothrin HandelsgmbH
Activities: Insecticide products & researchRare Earths
Details:Josef-Mayburger Kai 36 / A-5020 Saltburg
Tel.: 0043 (0)662 / 629462
Fax: 0043 (0)662 / 629462 - 50
E-Mail: office@abiothrin.at
Internet: www.abiothrin.at
Contact: Mr. Martin Mörth
AKTIVSAUERSTOFF GMBH
Activities: Chemical productions
Special Products: Persalts, bleach for detergents
a) Sodium Perborates (monohydrate and tetrahydrate)
b) Sodium Percarbonate (crystallized and spray
granulated)
Arabic Countries where active: Lebanon, Syria, Egypt,
Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya
Details:Auer von Welsbachstr. 1 / A-9330 Althofen
Tel.: 0043 (0)4262 / 505 - 585
Fax: 0043 (0)4262 / 505 - 406
E-Mail: asg@treibacher.com
Internet: www.treibacher.com
Contact: Mr. Alois Wachmann (Managing Director)
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ALPHA – Aleppo Pharmaceutical Industries
Activities: Manufacturing and producing human
pharmaceutical specialitities
Arabic Countries where active: Syria
Details:PO Box 517
Baron Str. 6 / Aleppo, Syria
Tel.: 00963 / 21 / 212 2525
Fax: 00963 / 21 / 212 2626
E-Mail: alphasyr@yahoo.com – achihabi@scs-net.org
Internet: www.alpha-syria.com
Contact: Mr. Ahmad Al-Chihabi
Al Matin Group for trade and industry
Activities: Manufacturing polypropylene and
polyethy-lene packaging and building products
Special Products: P.P woven sacks, P.P jumbo bags,
P.E sheets, striping tapes, P.E films, Pipes, GRP, P.E
pipes, aluminium composite panels
Arabic Countries where active: Syria
Details:PO Box 1191 / Homs, Syria
Tel.: 00963 / 31 / 21 33 092 / 3 / 4 / 5
Fax: 00963 / 31 / 21 33 091
E-Mail: almatin@scs-net.org
Internet: www.almatin.com
Contact: Ms. Nahla Hazim
Borealis AG
Activities: Provides plastic materials for the infrastruc-
ture, automotive and advanced packaging industries,
markets
Special Products: Borstar technology
Details:Wagramer Str. 17-19 / A-1220 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 22 400 300
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 22 400 333
E-Mail: henry.sperle@borealisgroup.com
Internet: www.borealisgroup.com
Contact: Mr. Henry Sperle
Chemson Polymere-Additive AG
Activities: Manufacture and distribution of additives for
various industries
Special Products: PVC and glass additives, PVC tube
systems, boards, cables, lubricants, metal carboxylate
and lead oxid
Details:Industriestr. 19 / A-9601 Arnoldstein
Tel.: 0043 / 4255 / 2226
Fax: 0043 / 4255 / 42040
E-Mail: office@chemson.com
Internet: www.chemson.com
Contact: Mr. Alexander Peyker
CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
Members of AACC
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG
Activities: Production of medical & pharmaceutical
products
Special Products: Oncology (cancer treatment),
immunology. Alexan, calciumfolinat, epirubicin
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Yemen, Jor-
dan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Su-
dan, Syria, UAE, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Iraq
Details:Mondseestr. 11 / A-4866 Unterach am Attersee
Tel.: 0043 (0)7665 / 8123 101
Fax: 0043 (0)7665 / 8132
E-Mail: office@ebewe.com
Internet: www.ebewe.at
Contact: Mr. Salim Sabbagh
EVER Neuro Pharma GmbH
Activities: Development, production, marketing & sales
of innovative, safe and effective drug products for the
treatment of neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular
diseases
Arabic Countries where active: Yemen, Jordan, Egypt,
Lebanon, and Syria
Details:Oberburgau 3 / A-4866 Unterach
Tel.: 0043 (0)7665 / 20 555-0
Fax: 0043 (0)7665 / 20 555-910
E-Mail: office@everpharma.com
Internet: www.everneuropharma.com
Contact: Mr. Michael Marijadi
GABRIEL CHEMIE GmbH
Activities: Colouring and refining of plastics
Special Products: Colouring food packaging, cosmetics
packaging, agriculture & construction, lifestyle
Arabic Countries where active: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria,
Tunisia, and UAE
Details:Industriestr. 1 / A-2352 Gumpoldskirchen
Tel.: 0043 (0)2252 / 636-30
Fax: 0043 (0)2252 / 636-60
E-Mail: info@gabriel-chemie.com
Internet: www.gabriel-chemie.com
Contact: Mr. Haygaser Apkan
G.L. Pharma
Activities: Production of medical & pharmaceutical
products
Special Products: Tablets, capsules, syrups, creams,
suppositories, X-ray, MRI
Details:Arnethstr. 3 / A-1160 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 485 35 05 191
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 485 77 73
E-Mail: export@gerot.co.at
Internet: www.gerot.co.at
Contact: Mr. Andreas Vogelsinger
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CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH
Activities: Producer of medical commodities
Special Products: Vacuette® evacuated blood collection
tubes, Vacuette® blood collection accessories, Vacuette®
blood collection safety products, as well pipette tips, petri
dishes, test tubes …
Arabic Countries where active: All
Details: Bad Haller Strawe 32 / A-4550 Kremsmünster
Tel.: 0043 (0)7583 / 67 91 139
Fax: 0043 (0)7583 / 63 18
E-Mail: thomas.gotthartsleitner@gbo.com
Internet: www.gbo.com
Contact: Mr. Thomas Gotthartsleitner
Activities: Production and sale of pharmaceutical,
dietetic and dental products
Special Products: Planta lax tea; fittydent (adhesive
cream)
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Oman, Qatar,
and UAE
Details:Moosham 40 / A-4943 Geinberg
Tel.: 0043 (0)7723 / 423 05
Fax: 0043 (0)7723 / 423 05 -15
E-Mail: office@mag-hoeveler.at
Internet: www.mag-hoeveler.at
Contact: Mr. Robert von Nagy
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Mag. Hoeveler & Co GmbH
IASON GmbH
Activities: Production of radioactive pharmaceuticals,
delivers products to the nuclear and labour medicine
markets
Special Products: IASON Gladiator, EIASON Tg Ca
Details:Feldkirchnerstr. 4 / A-8054 Graz-Seiersberg
Tel.: 0043 (0)316 / 284 300
Fax: 0043 (0)316 / 284 300 - 14
E-Mail: office@iason.eu
Internet: www.iason.eu
Contact: Mr. Christoph Artner
Katharina Hallal GmbH
Activities: Plastics production
Special Products: PVC compounds, PVC fittings,
EPS expandable
Arabic Countries where active: Egypt
Details:Ungargasse 71/2/2 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)718 / 4182
Fax: 0043 (0)718 / 4182-18
E-Mail: info@hallal.net
Internet: www.hallal.net
Contact: Ms. Katharina Hallal
CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
Members of AACC
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Activities: Manufacturer of Pharmaceutical products
Special Products: Monoclonal Antibody Erbitux®, Rebif,
Seven Seas, JointCare, Kytta, RonaCare® Ectoin
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Yemen,
Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia,
Syria, UAE, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia
Details: Hösslgasse 20 / A-9800 Spittal/Drau
Tel.: 0043 (0)4762 / 5151 146
Fax: 0043 (0)4762 / 5151 22
E-Mail: sonja_holzer@merck.at
Internet: www.merck.at
Contact: Ms. Sonja Holzer
Activities: Production of fertilizers
Special Products: Herbagreen, Herbaland,
Animamineral, Phosgrow, Phosphocal
Details:Bahnhofstr. 53 / A-7471 Rechnitz
Tel.: 0043 (0)3363 / 79 238 21
Fax: 0043 (0)3363 / 79 238 22
E-Mail: info@mikro-mineral.com
Internet: http://www.mikro-mineral.com
Contact: Dr. Peter Ost
Ativities: Biotechnology and mobile diagnostic systems
Special Products: Noninvasive diagnostics and gadgets
for research and development
Details:Vestenötting 1 / A-3830 Waidhofen/Thaya
Tel.: 0043 (0)676 / 836 25 300
Fax: 0043 (0)2842 / 533 19
E-Mail: office@onkotec.eu
Internet: www.onkotec.eu
Contact: Mr. Alex Chiari (CEO)
Activities: Manufacturer of pharmaceutical and
biotechnological substances
Special Products: Noninvasive diagnostics and gadgets
for research and development
Details:Biochemiestr. 10 / A-6250 Kundl
Tel.: 0043 (0)5338 / 200 642
Fax: 0043 (0)5338 / 200 450
E-Mail: kundl.austria@sandoz.com
Internet: www.sandoz.at
Contact: Mr. Harald Pöll
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal
Mikro-Mineral GMBH
Onkotec GmbH
Sandoz GmbH
CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
Activities: Manufacturer of medical and pharmaceutical
products
Special Products: Eucarbon, Biocarbon, Migradon,
Eucarvet
Arabic Countries where active: Qatar, Kuwait, Libya,
Syria, Lebanon, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Yemen, Jordan,
Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq,
Mauritania
Details:Goldegggasse 5 / A-1040 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 505 0341 (0)11
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 505 03 41 31
E-Mail: office@eucarbon.at
Internet: www.eucarbon.at
Contact: Ms. Ursula Duschanek
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH
Activities: Manufacturer of medical and pharmaceutical
products
Special Products: Fel-O-Vax FIV (Immunodeficiency
Virus), Robitussin Flu Alert, Advil
Arabic Countries where active: Egypt, Oman, Palestine,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait,
Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen
Details:Storchengasse 1 / A-1150 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 89 114 -0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 89 114 -600
E-Mail: hartmap@wyeth.com
Internet: www.wyeth.com
Contact: Mr. Luciano De Portu
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CHEMICAL PRODUCTS
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH
Traude Fritz
Activities: Music, Singing
Special Products: Religious and baroque music, aria,
antique, Mozart, Schubert, chants
Details:Wiedner Hauptstr. 61/6 / A-1040 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 767 31 70
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 767 31 70
E-Mail: fritz@traudl.com
Internet: www.traudl.com
Contact: Ms. Traudl Fritz
Atelier Mag. Art. Herger Helga
Activities: Painting
Special Products: Oil portraits (plants, eyes)
Details:PO Box 24, Lindauergasse 36 / A-1238 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 888 20 23
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 888 20 23
Internet: www.helga-herger.com
Contact: Ms. Helga Herger
Ing. Pablo Spitzer
Activities: Painting
Special Products: Airbrush paintings
Details:Gudrunstr. 9/1-6 / A-1100 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 602 5292
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 602 5292
E-Mail: atelier@paplo-spitzer.com
Internet: www.pablo-spitzer.com
Contact: Mr. Pablo Spitzer
CULTURE AND ART
13
Activities: Producer of energy drinks
Special Products: Power Horse Bottle Energy Drink,
Power Horse Sugarfree, Power Horse Energy Drink
Arabic Countries where active: Algeria, Bahrain,
Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya,
Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan,
Syria, UAE, Yemen
Details:Fiedlerstr. 10 / A-4041 Linz
Tel.: 0043 (0)732 / 7097 - 180
Fax: 0043 (0)732 / 738 107
E-Mail: office@power-horse.com
Internet: www.power-horse.com
Contact: Mr. Thomas Königsbauer
Activities: Drinks producer
Special Products: Juices (grape, passionfruit, mango,
pear, apple, orange, rhubarb, 100% lemon), ice teas,
iIsotonic sports drinks, apple vinegar, RTD iced coffees
(Cafemio Cappuccino, Cafemio Macchiato)
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
Syria, UAE, Yemen
Details:Langgasse 1 / A-6830 Rankweil
Tel.: 0043 (0)5522 / 401 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)5522 / 401 - 3
E-Mail: office.at@rauch.cc
Internet: www.rauch.cc
Contact: Mr. Harald Tschemernjak
Red Bull GmbH
Activities: Drinks producer
Special Products: Energy Drink
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan,
Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and UAE
Details:Am Brunnen 1 / A-5330 Fuschl am See
Tel.: 0043 (0)662 / 6582 7595
Fax: 0043 (0)662 / 6580 7040
E-Mail: rejane.hervy@at.redbull.com
Internet: www.redbull.com
Contact: Mr. Rejane Hervy
Ybbstaler Fruit Austria GmbH
Activities: Drinks producer
Special Products: Fruit juice concentrate, beverage
compounds
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,
Saudi Arabia, and UAE
Details:Kroellendorf 45 / A-3365 Allhartsberg
Tel.: 0043 (0)7448 / 2304 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)7448 / 2304 - 900
E-Mail: info@ybbstaler.at
Internet: www.ybbstaler.at
Contact: Mr. Franz Kapshammer
DRINKS AND TOBACCO
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH
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Members of AACC
DCC – Doppelmayr Cable Car GmbH & Co KG
Activities: Supplies cable propelled transit (CPT) systems
Special Products: 5 possible train set system configura-
tions: Single Shuttle, Double Shuttle, Bypass, Pinched
Loop, Circular Loop
Arabic Countries where active: Qatar
Details:P.O.Box 6
Holzriedstr. 29 / A-6961 Wolfurt
Tel.: 0043 (0)5574 / 604 -1245
Fax: 0043 (0)5574 / 604 -1231
E-Mail: dcc@doppelmayr.com
Internet: www.dcc.at
Contact: Mr. Stephan Wabnegger
Activities: Water pumps, meters, tools and other water
related machines – Producer & Trader
Special Products: Watermeters for flats, houses and big
water meters, heat detecting meter, magnetic inductive
meter, ultrasound meter
Details:Hainburgerstr. 33 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 716 70 - 28
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 716 70 - 99
E-Mail: michael.schwarzmann@ewt.at
Internet: www.ewt.at
Contact: Mr. Michael Schwarzmann
Fritz Baumaschinen GmbH & Co KG
Activities: Machinery – producer & trader
Special Products: Motors, hydraulic machines, axes,
spare parts, gearboxes, compressor, construction
vehicles and machinery
Arabic Countries where active: Syria
Details:Bahnhofstr. 29a/25 / A-4481 Asten
Tel.: 0043 (0)7224 / 672 82
Fax: 0043 (0)7224 / 672 86
E-Mail: info@fritz-baumaschinen.at
Internet: www.fritz-baumaschinen.at
Contact: Mr. Gerhard Fritz
GE. Energy Jenbacher GmbH & Co OHG
Activities: Leading edge energy systems, consulting,
maintenance and upgrade services
Special Products: Gas engine based generator sets
and CHP plants, driven by natural gas or bio and special
gases
Details:Achenseestr. 1-3 / A-6200 Jenbach
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 5244 600 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 5244 600 - 527
E-Mail: jenbacher.info@ge.com
Internet: www.ge.com/at
Contact: Mr. Wolfgang Berger
ENGINES, VEHICLES
Elin Wasserwerkstechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H.
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ENGINES, VEHICLES
Hörbiger Kompressortechnik GmbH
Activities: Compressor and pump solutions, engine
solutions, integrated service solutions, drive technology
Details: Donau City Str. 1 / A-1220 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 22440-370
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 2240991
E-Mail: info-hktes@hoerbiger.com
Internet: www.hoerbiger.com
Contact: Mr. Gerhard Hemetsberger
Activities: Planning, construction and operation of landfill
sites and waste recycling facilities, Creation of waste
management concepts, management of waste recycling
facilities
Special Products: Remediation of existing landfill sites,
landfill sites with/without gas extraction, refuse derived
fuel production (RDF), biological treatment of organic
waste, production of alternative, renewable energy
Arabic Countries where active: UAE
Details: Werksstr. 21 / A-2824 Seebenstein
Tel.: 0043 (0)2627 / 83 111
Fax: 0043 (0)2627 / 83 111 - 4
E-Mail: iut@theiutgroup.com
Internet: www.theiutgroup.com
Contact: Mr. Reinhard Göschl
ISAB Industrieanlagenbau Ges.m.b.H.
Activities: Supply as well as import/export of various
types of industrial equipment
Special Products: Casting plants, electric motors, gen-
erators and converters, power generators for tractors,
railway track machinery, equipment and tools, equipment
for scrap industry, scrap shear, scrap press
Arabic Countries where active: Egypt, Syria, Yemen
Details: Karl Borromäusplatz 1/3-4 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 713 39 39 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 713 39 39 - 31
E-Mail: isab-vienna@chello.at
Internet: N/A
Contact: Mr. Ivan Sandurkov
Khwanda Group
Activities: Distributor of cars and spare parts and main-
tenance, car rental, distributor of agricultural products,
storage of fruit crops, olive derivatives producer, restau-
rants, money transfers
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan,
Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Details:PO Box 4844 / Damascus, Syria
Tel.: 00963 / 11 / 33 11 902
Fax: 00963 / 11 / 33 11 903
E-Mail: khwanda@yahoo.com
Internet: www.khwandagroup.com
Contact: Mr. Karim Khwanda
Members of AACC
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Innovation und Technik GmbH
Leitz GesmbH & Co KG
Activities: Tools used in wood and plastics processing,
consulting, engineering, wood building, furniture produc-
tion, board processing, machine manufacturers, window
& door products, interior engineering
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan,
Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Details:Leitzstr. 80 / A-4752 Riedau
Tel.: 0043 (0)7764 / 8200 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)7764 / 8200 - 111
E-Mail: thoechtel@rie.leitz.org
Internet: www.leitz.org
Contact: Mr. Thomas Höchtel
LIEBHERR-Werk Nenzing GmbH
Activities: Manufacturer of lifting cranes and cargo han-
dling equipment for the maritime industry, the extracting
and transhipment industry, in the fields of demolition and
recycling as well as for foundation and special deep foun-
dation works
Special Products: Ship cranes, offshore cranes, mobile
harbour cranes and reachstackers, universal duty cycle
crawler cranes, lift cranes, foundation equipment
Arabic Countries where active: Algeria, Egypt, Saudi
Arabia, UAE
Details:Dr. Hans Liebherr Str. 1 / A-6710 Nenzing
Tel.: 0043 (0)50809 / 41-0
Fax: 0043 (0)50809 / 41-500
E-Mail: info.lwn@liebherr.com
Internet: www.liebherr.com
Contact: Mr. Kurt Rudigier
Omicron Electronics GmbH
Activities: Electronics, measuring, testing and inspection
equipment – Producer & Traders
Special Products: Power system testing, creative soft-
ware solutions for automated testing and documentation
capabilities, protection relays, energy meters,
transducers, PQ analyzers
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq,
Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pales-
tine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, UAE, Yemen
Details:Oberes Ried 1 / A-6833 Klaus
Tel.: 0043 (0)5523 / 507 - 141
Fax: 0043 (0)5523 / 507 - 9999
E-Mail: info@omicron.at
Internet: www.omicron.at
Contact: Mr. Peter Hosp
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH
Activities: Manufacturer
Special Products: Permanent way machinery
Arabic Countries where active: All
Details:Johannesgasse 3 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 515720
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 5131801
E-Mail: export@plassertheurer.com
Internet: www.plassertheurer.com
Contact: Mr. Gerhard Moor
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ENGINES, VEHICLES
Spitzwieser Sport & Sondermotoren e.U.
Activities: High performance sports cars and compo-
nents, high performance internal combustion engine
components, significant contemporary technologies –
producer & trader
Special Products: Development, manufacture, distribu-
tion and service of high performance sports cars, SSS
sports cars from the bare chassis, refinement and perfor-
mance upgrades, preparation for racing purposes, devel-
opment, manufacture, distribution and service of high
performance internal combustion engines, engine perfor-
mance upgrades for road cars, prototype engines, prepa-
ration of racing engines, recreation of rare engine compo-
nents, surface treatments and coatings
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE
Details:Industriezeile 54 / A-5280 Braunau am Inn
Tel.: 0043 (0)7722 / 64 368
Fax: 0043 (0)7722 / 64 368
E-Mail: office@spitzwieser.com
Internet: www.spitzwieser.com
Contact: Mr. Wolfgang Spitzwieser
Tiger 1 Co.
Activities: Consultancy services and supplying heavy
machinery such as cranes
Arabic Countries where active: Syria
Details:Akram Str. 21 / Mazah, Damascus
Tel.: 00963 / 11 / 6110488
Fax: 00963 / 11 / 6130414
E-Mail: z.tayara@tiger1me.com
Internet: www.tiger1me.com
Contact: Mr. Ziad Tayara
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Members of AACC
Activities: Production and installation of vacuum units
and systems
Special Products: Industrial vacuum cleaners, central
vacuum installation, mobile suction devices, dust collec-
tors, oil mist separators, crushing units, splinter
management
Arabic Countries where active: Syria
Details:Linzer Str. 1 / A-3003 Gablitz
Tel.: 0043 (0)2231 / 6644 – 6
Fax: 0043 (0)2231 / 6644 – 750
E-Mail: info@ti-tella.at
Internet: www.ti-tella.at
Contact: Mr. Johannes Mayrl
Ti-Tella Handelsgesellschaft mbH
Trade Line Machinery
Activities: Machinery trader, surplus & second hand
equipment for pulp & paper industry
Special Products: Pulper and slushing machine cleaner,
refiner and deflaker screen and coarse screen, thickener
and washer pumps and vacuum pumps, paper machines,
board machines, parts of paper and board machines,
various converting machines, laboratory equipment de-
watering machines, boiler and turbines valves, slitter
rewinder sheet cutter; Hermas International
Trading(Jordan), Oubary (Lebanon)
Details:Bahnhofstr. 29a/25 / A-4810 Gmunden
Tel.: 0043 (0)7612 / 715 08
Fax: 0043 (0)7612 / 711 36
E-Mail: trade.line@uta1002.at
Internet: www.tradelinemachinery.com
Contact: Mr. Christian Gruber
ENGINES, VEHICLES
TUMA PUMPENSYSTEME GMBH
Activities: Water pumps and related engineering;
producer & trader
Special Products: Lobe pump unit, custom made units,
vacuum drying unit, vacuum degassing unit, oil drying
unit, vacuum fish unloading unit, boiler feed unit, vacuum
unit with frequency controller, central vacuum SPECK,
septic tank suction, vacuum sewage collection container
Details:Eitnergasse 12 / A-1230 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 914 9340
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 914 1446
E-Mail: contact@tumapumpen.at
Internet: www.tumapumpen.at
Contact: Ms. Caroline Tuma
UNTHA shredding technology
Activities: Shredding technology – producer & trader
Special Products: Four-shaft shredders, two-shaft
shredders, single-shaft shredders
Arabic Countries where active: Lebanon, Syria
Details:Moldanstr. 141 / A-5431 Kuchl/Saltburg
Tel.: 0043 (0)6244 / 7016 - 537
Fax: 0043 (0)6244 / 7016 - 1
E-Mail: daniel.wresnik@untha.com
Internet: www.untha.com
Contact: Mr. Daniel Wresnik
18
ENGINES, VEHICLES
FUEL AND ENERGY
AGT Management & Engineering AG
Activities: Converting waste materials into electricity or
synthetic gas, fuels and constructing the conversion
plants
Special Products: Electricity produced from used tyres,
industrial waste, sewage sludge, solid waste, biomass
Arabic Countries where active: Saudi Arabia
Details:Lederergasse 3 / A-4861 Schöfling
Tel.: 0043 (0)7662 / 48 48 - 16
Fax: 0043 (0)7662 / 48 48 - 12
E-Mail: info@agt-world.com
Internet: www.agt-world.com
Contact: Mr. Manfred Lenzi
Geosat Technology Limited
Activities: Oil and natural gas exploration
Details:Leobersdorferstr. 42 / A-2560 Berndorf
Tel.: 0043 (0)2672 / 819 759 - 60
Fax: 0043 (0)40 440 / 6 21 664
E-Mail: office@geosat.info
Internet: www.geosat.info
Contact: Mr. Michael Mumelter
OMV Aktiengesellschaft
Activities: Crude oil and products; producer & trader
Special Products: Exploration & production, gas & pow-
er, refining & marketing, petroleum, hydrogen, sulphur
Arabic Countries where active: Egypt, Iraq, Libya,
Tunisia, UAE, Yemen
Details:Trabrennstr. 6-8 / A-1020 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)40 440 / 21 664
Fax: 0043 (0)40 440 / 6 21 664
E-Mail: daniela.auer@omv.com
Internet: www.omv.com
Contact: Ms. Daniela Auer
19
Me
mb
ers
Members of AACC
Böhler International GmbH
Activities: Export sales of high grade special steel prod-
ucts from Bohler Edelstahl GmbH
Special Products: Tool steels, high speed steel, powder
material etc.
Arabic Countries where active: Businesses in Bahrain,
Libya, Oman, Qatar, Sudan, Yemen; also active in: Alge-
ria, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi
Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE
Details:Norwestbahnstr. 12-14 / A-1201 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 33 143
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 37 419 00 110
E-Mail: kilian.wagner@bohler-international.com
Internet: www.bohler-international.com
Contact: Mr. Kilian Wagner
EOOS GmbH
Activities: Insulation company with an entire range of
services in the fields of heat, cold, noise and fire
protection
Arabic Countries where active: UAE
Details:Flossland 38 / A-8720 Knittelfeld
Tel.: 0043 (0)3512 / 49 475
Fax: 0043 (0)3512 / 49 642
E-Mail: office@eoosgmbh.com
Internet: www.eoosgmbh.com
Contact: Mrs. Martina Hartensteiner
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co
Activities: Trading of steel and all kinds of steel-prod-
ucts, chemicals, paper & agro-commodities
Special Products: Plastics and industrial chemicals,
newsprint paper, grains
Arabic Countries where active: All
Details:Am Heumarkt 11 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 797 36 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 797 36 230
E-Mail: siegfried.purrer@elsner.at
Internet: www.elsner.at Contact: Dr. Siegfried Purrer
IMET Handelsgesellschaft
Activities: Wholesale of raw materials, fertilizers and
agricultural products, sea and river transport services
Special Products: Phosphate rock, TSP, SSP, wheat,
yellow corn
Details:Börsegasse 11/166 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 513 78 67
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 513 78 67 -92
E-Mail: imet@imet.co.at
Internet: N/A
Contact: Mr. Wolfgang Haderer
MANUFACTURED GOODS
20
MANUFACTURED GOODS
Khalil Sara Establishment
Activities: Textiles (wool and carpets), wine, spirits, and
food products (cheese); producer & trader
Arabic Countries where active: Syria
Details:PO Box 10242 / Damascus, Syria
Tel.: 00963 / 11 / 331 2159
Fax: 00963 / 11 / 331 2158
E-Mail: k-sara@scs-net.org
Internet: N/A
Contact: Mr. Khalil Sara
Activities: Paper products; producer & trader
Special Products: Recycled containerboard, industrial
bags, uncoated fine paper
Arabic Countries where active: Jordan, Lebanon,
Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen
Details:Kelsenstr. 7 / A-1032 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 795 06 5728
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 790 13 74 5728
E-Mail: martin.scheibmeir@mondibp.com
Internet: www.mondigroup.com
Contact: Mr. Martin Scheibmeir
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH
Activities: Egg packaging products and egg marketing
services
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Egypt, Yemen,
Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Saudi
Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE
Details:Ricoweg 28 / A-2351 Wr. Neudorf
Tel.: 0043 (0)2236 / 61 928 - 19
Fax: 0043 (0)2236 / 62 741
E-Mail: gertraud.vimetal@ovotherm.com
Internet: www.ovotherm.com
Contact: Ms. Gertraud Vimetal
Mondi Business Paper Sales GmbH
21
Me
mb
ers
Members of AACC
Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co KG
Activities: Special paper products
Special Products: Cigarette and plug wrap paper
Arabic Countries where active: Jordan, Syria,
Tunisia, UAE, Yemen
Details:Ludwig-Lassl-Str. 15 / A-6112 Wattens
Tel.: 0043 (0)5224 / 595 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)5224 / 595 - 250
E-Mail: thomas.janisch@delfortgroup.com
Internet: www.delfortgroup.com
Contact: Mr. Thomas Janisch
Activities: Real Estate, agriculture and wood products
(mainly from Romania); producer & trader
Details:Universitätsstr. 4 TOP 7 / A-1090 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)664 / 5478320
E-Mail: ramses-zwei.bernhardknorr@chello.at
Internet: N/A
Contact: Mr. Bernhard Knorr
RHI AG
Activities: Refractories from various materials – producer
& trader
Special Products: Steel, cement, lime, non-ferrous,
glass, enviro-energy chemistry, ceramics, raw materials
Arabic Countries where active: Jordan, Libya, Oman,
Syria, UAE, Yemen
Details:Wienerbergstr. 11 / A-1100 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 50 213 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 50 213 - 6213
E-Mail: rhi@rhi-ag.com
Internet: www.rhi-ag.com
Contact: Dr. Dieter Siegel
Activities: Paper and packaging products
Special Products: Cigarette paper, grease and water-
proof paper, carbonless paper, coated and uncoated
wood free paper, aluminium laminated paper, toilet tissue
paper white & coloured, MG bleached sulphite/sulphate
Arabic Countries where active: Algeria, Jordan, Sudan,
Syria, Yemen
Details:Thurngasse 10 / A-1090 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 401 56 (0)162
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 401 56 / 7100
E-Mail: elfriede.muehlhauser@roxcel.com
Internet: www.roxcel.com
Contact: Ms. Elfriede Mühlhauser
Activities: Wood and paper products
Special Products: Variety of paper (includes office pa-
pers and publication papers), packaging, graphic prod-
ucts, market pulp, and wood products
Details:Brand 44 / A-3531
Tel.: 0043 (0)2826 / 7001 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)2826 / 7001 - 2390
E-Mail: silvio.butalja@storaenso.com
Internet: www.storaenso.com
Contact: Dr. Silvio Butalja
Ramses Zwei GmbH
ROXCEL HandelsgesmbH
22
Stora Enso Timber AG
MANUFACTURED GOODS
VA Intertrading AG
Activities: Trading in steel products, food products,
pharmaceutical products, chemical products, specialized
countertrade; transportation & logistics services
Details:Strasserau 6 / A-4020 Linz
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 732 7804 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 732 7804 - 355
E-Mail: vait@vait.com
Internet: www.vait.com
Contact: Mr. Peter Weigl
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH.
Activities: Trade & export – paper & board products
Special Products: Road marking material, traffic
system solutions, traffic lights, highway and tunnel
guidance systems, parking guidance, state-of-the-art
traffic telematic software and communication solutions
Arabic Countries where active: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt,
Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE
Details:Kärntner Ring 4 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1/ 501 51 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1/ 501 51 - 1
E-Mail: vimpex@vimpex.at
Internet: www.vimpex.at
Contact: Mr. Louai Kuzbari
23
Me
mb
ers
Members of AACC
MANUFACTURED GOODS
NUTRITION
ALVETRA u. WERFFT AG
Activities: Animal health care; producer & trader
Special Products: Carofertin (improves fertility in
livestock)
Arabic Countries where active: Saudi Arabia, UAE
Details:Boltzmanngasse 11 / A-1090 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 319 14 56 - 320
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 319 14 56 - 344
E-Mail: m.schmidt@sanochemia.at
Internet: www.alvetrawerfft.com
Contact: Dr. Werner Frantsits (CEO), Dr. Margit Schmidt
(Veterinary Dept.)
Activities: Exotic drinks producer, energy drinks
Special Products: Tantra Exotic Drink, K.O. Hi Level
Arabic Countries where active: Lebanon, Libya, UAE
Details:Siemenstr. 15/2. Stock / A-6063 Neu-Rum
Tel.: 0043 (0)512 / 890 119 – 30
Fax: 0043 (0)512 / 890 119 – 22
E-Mail: international@bev-group.at
Internet: www.bev-group.com
Contact: Mr. Tariq El-Hamami
Biolachs
Activities: Trader of Salmon products
Special Products: Salmon products and other organic
products
Details:Obervellach 33 / A-9620 Hermagoras
Tel.: 043 (0)4282 / 2069
Fax: 0043 (0)4282 / 2069 / 20
E-Mail: info@biolachs.at
Internet: www.biolachs.at
Contact: Mr. Peter Bachmann
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH.
Activities: Dairy products, cheese
Special Products: Hard cheese, semi-hard cheese, pro-
cessed cheese, cream cheese
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq,
Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen
Details:Enzing 26 / A-5302 Henndorf/Wallersee
Tel.: 0043 (0)6214 / 6631 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)6214 / 6631 - 33
E-Mail: woerle@woerle.at
Internet: www.woerle.at
Contact: Mr. Gerhard Woerle
BEV-Group
24
NUTRITION
Ghraoui Group
Activities: Producer of luxurious chocolate products,
crystallized fruits and confectionary
Arabic Countries where active: Syria
Details:PO Box 5256
19th floor, Damascus Tower, Damascus, Syria
Tel.: 00963 / 11 / 231 7000
Fax: 00963 / 11 / 231 7666
E-Mail: ghraoui@gmail.com
Internet: N/A
Contact: Mr. Bassam Ghraoui
Activities: Import and wholesale of food stuff
Arabic Countries where active: Lebanon, Syria,
Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia
Details:Gänsbachergasse 2, Megapark / A-1110 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 796 86 88
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 796 86 88 - 20
E-Mail: gresam.vienna@aon.at
Internet: www.gresam.com
Contact: Mr. Samuel Nahabedian
Activities: Jam and honey products; producer & trader
Special Products: Apricot, plum, and raspberry jam,
floral and dandelion honey
Details:Weißenbach 162 / A-5350 Strobl am Wolfgangsee
Tel.: 0043 (0)6137 / 5431
Fax: 0043 (0)6137 / 5431 - 5
E-Mail: marmelade@bergrose.at
Internet: www.bergrose.at
Contact: Ms. Franziska Zopf
Activities: Producer, cheese products
Special Products: Processed cheese singles/triangles/
cups
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq,
Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen
Details:Kugelbeerweg 3 / A-6912 Hörbranz
Tel.: 0043 (0)5573 / 8085 0
Fax: 0043 (0)5573 / 8085 152
E-Mail: cheese@rupp.at
Internet: www.SchreiberRupp.at
Contact: Mr. Bernd Hofer
Die Marmeladen-Manufaktur
25
Me
mb
ers
Members of AACC
Gresam HandelsgesmbH
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH
Activities: Offering telemetry solutions in water manage-
ment, irrigation management, agricultural management
and environmental monitoring
Special Products: Wireless sensor networks, software,
Adcon RTU’s, sensors and accessories
Arabic Countries where active: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan,
Morocco, Saudi Arabia
Details:Inkustr. 24 / A-3400 Klosterneuburg
Tel.: 0043 (0)2243 / 38 28 00
Fax: 0043 (0)2243 / 38 28 06
E-Mail: info@adcon.at
Internet: www.adcon.at
Contact: Dr. Bernhard Pacher
Activities: Construction industry, plant and mechanical
engineering with systems in aluminium, steel and PVC-U
Special Products: Fold-slide units aluminium, sliding
doors PVC-U, systems for facades and skylights, door
systems stainless steel, solar shading (Louvre Blades),
balcony glazing, hallow steel, shaped and oval tubes
Details:Goldschlagstr. 87-89 / A-1150 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 98 130 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 98 130 - 64
E-Mail: office@alukoenigstahl.com
Internet: www.alukoenigstahl.com
Contact: Mr. Peter König
OEG
Activities: Building plants
Special Products: Waste water treatment, sea water
desalination
Arabic Countries where active: UAE
Details:Vogelsangstr. 3 / A-5301 Mondsee
Tel.: 0043 (0)6232 / 7722 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)6232 / 7722 -1710
E-Mail: hannes.laimer@aqua.co.at
Internet: www.aqua-engineering.at
Contact: Dr. Hannes Laimer
Activities: Contract and residential business
Special Products: Environment-friendly products and
100% recyclable upholstery and curtain fabrics; custom
made products on request
Arabic Countries where active: Saudi Arabia, UAE,
Jordan, Kuwait
Details:Hoheneich 136 / A-3945
Tel.: 0043 (0) 2852 502-0
Fax: 0043 (0) 2850 502-252
E-Mail: hoheneich@backhausen.com
Internet: www.backhausen.com
Contact: Mr. Thomas Wagner (export manager)
OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS
ADCON Telemetry GmbH
Alu König Stahl
Aqua Engineering GesmbH
Backhausen interior design GmbH
26
OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS
Beta Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H.
Activities: Outdoor wellness
Special Products: Whirlpools
Arabic Countries where active: Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
UAE
Details:Weblinger Guertel 20 / A-8054 Graz
Tel.: 0043 (0)316 / 816 153
Fax: 0043 (0)316 / 816 153 22
E-Mail: abud@beta-wellness.com
Internet: www.beta-wellness.com
Contact: Mr. Thair Abud
Christian Maschek Schmuck
Activities: Goldsmith
Special Products: Unique specimen
Details:Lobkowitzplatz 1 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 512 02 94
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 512 02 94-4
E-Mail: christian.maschek@aon.at
Internet: N/A
Contact: Mr. Christian Maschek
Dotzauer Kristallleuchten ProduktionsGmbH
Activities: Crystal chandeliers & decorative lightings &
producer & trader
Special Products: Hanging chandeliers, ceiling lights,
wall lights, table lamps, floor lamps, custom made light-
ings, jewellery
Arabic Countries where active: Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait,
Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Details:Franz Schubert Str. 15 / A-2345 Brunn/Gebirge
Tel.: 0043 (0)2236 / 33 193 10
Fax: 0043 (0)2236 / 32 920
E-Mail: jochen@dotzauer.com
Internet: www.dotzauer.com
Contact: Mr. Jochen Gold
D. Swarovski & Co.
Activities: Accessories, crystal products; producer &
trader
Special Products: Jewellery, watches, dress, bags
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE
Details:Swarovskigasse 36 / A-6112 Wattens
Tel.: 0043 (0)5224 / 500 2307
Fax: 0043 (0)5224 / 500 630
E-Mail: paul.swarovski@swarovski.com
Internet: www.swarovski.com
Contact: Mr. Paul Gerin-Swarovski
27
Me
mb
ers
Members of AACC
Frey Wille GmbH & Co KG
Activities: Clothing and accessories, modern jewellery
producer & trader
Special Products: Diva bangles, silk scarves, handbags,
barrel & quadra watches, bracelets, pendants, rings,
earrings
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Kuwait, Leba-
non, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE
Details:Gumpendorferstr. 81 / A-1060 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 599 25 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 599 25 - 43
E-Mail: office@frey-wille.com
Internet: en.frey-wille.com
Contact: Ms. Eva Brummeir
GLS Tanks GmbH
Activities: : Glass lined steel-tanks, silos and related
accessories
Special Products: Roofs, roof hatches, flanches, balus-
trades, insulations, ladders, platforms, side glasses, etc.
Details:Industriestr. 6 / A-3850 Heidenreichstein
Tel.: 0043 (0)2862 / 531 87 -832
Fax: 0043 (0)2862 / 531 87 -5832
E-Mail: abud@glstanks.com
Internet: www.glstanks.com
Contact: Mr. Thair Abud
Hasenkopf
Activities: Natural stone solutions for interior and exterior
constructions
Special Products: : Custom tailored design, consultancy
service, shower floor, footsplash, creative bathroom,
creative showroom, residential tower, outdoor entrance,
entrance, gold on stone
Arabic Countries where active: UAE, Qatar, Sudan
Details:Znaimerstr. 68 / A-2020 Hollabrunn
Tel.: 0043 (0)2952 / 2776
Fax: 0043 (0)2952 / 4955
E-Mail: office@hasenkopf.at Internet: www.hasenkopf.at
Contact: Ms. Christina Hasenkopf
Herz Austria GmbH
Activities: Specialization in the field of plastic
conditioning and processing
Details:Johann Galler Str. 20 / 2120-Wolkersdorf
Tel.: 0043 (0)2245 / 82494-0
Fax: 0043 (0)2245 / 82494-9
E-Mail: herz.wolkersdorf@herz-gmbh.com
Internet: www.herz-gmbh.com
Contact: Marion Herz-Degenkolb
28
OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS
J.T. Kalmar GmbH
Activities: Custom lighting and Services: Design, Produc-
tion, delivery and installation of major lighting installations
for Hotels, Palaces, Public buildings, and Ships
Special Products: Custom designed light fittings and
chandeliers
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq,
Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE
Details:Bennogasse 8 / A-1080 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 40 90 880 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 40 90 880 - 80
E-Mail: office@kalmarlighting.com
Internet: www.kalmarlighting.com
Contact: Mr. Thomas Calice
MOBIL BAUSTOFFE GmbH
Activities: Concrete and construction material supply
Special Products: Tailor-made batching plants and
facilities
Arabic Countries where active: Qatar
Details:Erlenweg 1 / A-9463 Reichenfels
Tel.: 0043 (0)4359 / 2120
Fax: 0043 (0)4359 / 2120 -15
E-Mail: office@mobil-baustoffe.com
Internet: www.mobil-baustoffe.com
Contact: Dr. Fridolin Hornung
Modern Life Handels GmbH
Activities: Indoor wellness
Special Products: Bathroom products
Arabic Countries where active: Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
UAE
Details:Alpine Str. 54 / A-8650 Kindberg
Tel.: 0043 (0)316 / 816 153
Fax: 0043 (0)316 / 816 153 26
E-Mail: abud@beta-wellness.com
Internet: www.beta-wellness.com
Contact: Mr. Thair Abud
Activities: Manufacture and sale of handmade porce
Special Products: Custom made porcelain (bespoke),
wedding lists, worldwide service (packaging & delivery)
Arabic Countries where active: Oman
Details:Schloss Augarten, Obere Augartenstr. 1 /
A-1020 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 211 24 121
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 211 24 199
E-Mail: claudia.uth@augarten.at
Internet: www.augarten.at
Contact: Ms. Claudia Uth
Neue Wiener Porzellanmanufaktur AUGARTEN GmbH
29
Me
mb
ers
Members of AACC
OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS
Österr. Doka Schalungs- Gerüstbautechnik GmbH.
Activities: System components for production facilities
Special Products: Load-bearing towers, working and
protection platforms
Arabic Countries where active: Algeria, Bahrain,
Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia, Tunisia, UAE
Details:Reichsstr. 23 / A-3300 Amstetten
Tel.: 0043 (0)7472 / 605 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)7472 / 605 - 3981
E-Mail: oest.Doka@doka.com
Internet: www.doka.com
Contact: Mr. Leopold Hochpöchler
Activities: Full service provider of national and interna-
tional markets in the fields of construction, i.e. building
construction, civil engineering, project development, road
construction, tunnel construction
Details:Absberggasse 47 / A-1100 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 50626 - 2371
Fax: 0043 (0) 50626 -1186
E-Mail: pch@porr.at
Internet: www.porr.at
Contact: Mr. Wolfgang Hirzi
Activities: Provides construction equipment, scaffolding
and formwork, Consultation, lease terms and other
services
Special Products: Formwork systems in steel and alu-
minium and all accessories, slab formwork, tables and
column formwork, scaffolding systems for every purpose
Arabic Countries where active: Saudi Arabia
Details: Römerweg 9 / A-4844 Regau
Tel.: 0043 (0)7672 / 72 711
Fax: 0043 (0)7672 / 78 805
E-Mail: office@ringer.at
Internet: www.ringer.at
Contact: Mr. Thomas Ringer
Activities: Manufacturer of Crystal
Special Products: Crystal components for decorative
lighting
Details:Gablonzer Str. 54-61 / A-4550 Kremsmünster
Tel.: 0043 (0)7583 / 7723
Fax: 0043 (0)7583 / 7812
E-Mail: office@scholer-crystal.at
Internet: www.scholer-crystal.at
Contact: Mr. Christian Pamminger
PORR – ALLGEMEINE BAUGESELLSCHAFT – A. PORR AG
RINGER KG
Schöler & Co GmbH
30
OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS
Science & Research Marketing GmbH
Activities: Vibration stimulator shoe products, environ-
mental sensors, building & planning hotels and sports
centers
Special Products: PSR-Shoes (www.psr-schuh.at)
Details:Schubertweg 12 / A-3830 Waidhofen/Thaya
Tel.: 0043 (0)676 / 694 39 71
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 310 01 72
E-Mail: chiari.srmarketing@aon.at
Internet: www.scienceundresearch.at
Contact: Mr. Alex Chiari (CEO)
Sitte Vienna
Activities: Retailer of exclusive high-quality knitwear
Special Products: Knitted dresses, shirts, trousers, jack-
ets, coats; all made in Austria
Details:Akazienweg 13 / A-2122 Riedenthal
Tel.: 0043 (0) 2245-20032
Fax: 0043 (0) 2245-824949
E-Mail: mhd@mhd.co.at
Internet: www.sittevienna.com
Contact: Ms. Marion Herz-Degenkolb
Activities: Building construction & civil engineering (incl.
bridge work, building industrial, residential and commer-
cial buildings), transportation infrastructure (incl. road and
railway construction)
Special Products: Special divisions & concessions (tun-
nelling works, ground engineering, project development
and PPP projects)
Details:Donau-City-Str 9 / A-1220 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 22 422 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 22 422 - 2226
E-Mail: nematollah.farrokhnia@strabag.com
Internet: www.strabag.com
Contact: Mr. Nematolla Farrokhnia
M. Swarovski GmbH
Activities: Production of reflective glass beads for road
marking systems and surface treatment applications
Special Products: Low and high index retroreflective
glass beads for high performance road and airport mark-
ing systems; industrial grade glass beads for blasting and
surface treatment
Arabic Countries where active: Whole Middle East
(through sister companies and local partners)
Details:Industriestr. 10 / A-3300 Amstetten
Tel.: 0043 (0)7472 / 202 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)7472 / 202 - 249
E-Mail: office.msa@swarco.com
Internet: www.swarco.com
Contact: Mr. Hans Jesacher
31
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Members of AACC
STRABAG SE
OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS
DCM DECOmetal GmbH
Activities: Markets raw materials in steel and mineral
sands industries
Special Products: Metal, ores, alloys, cored wires
Arabic Countries where active: Oman, UAE
Details: Elisabethstr. 10/5 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 585 5363 - 740
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 585 5363 - 760
E-Mail: inge.ganahl@dcm-vienna.com
Internet: www.dcm-vienna.com
Contact: Ms. Inge Ganahl
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH
Activities: Wood processing and products
Special Products: Sawn timber, laminated beams
Arabic Countries where active: Algeria, Bahrain, Libya,
Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE,
Yemen
Details:Turmgasse 67 / A-8700 Leoben
Tel.: 0043 (0)3842 / 300 35 - 22
Fax: 0043 (0)3842 / 300 35 - 00
E-Mail: trading@mm-holz.com
Internet: www.mm-holz.com
Contact: Mr. Josef Steiner
SAG Aluminium Lend GmbH&Co.KG
Activities: Aluminium solutions for various industries
Special Products: Special welding constructions, pres-
surised and utility water tanks for concrete mixing
structures
Arabic Countries where active: Oman
Details:Bundesstr. 25 / A-5651 Lend
Tel.: 0043 (0)6416 / 6500 - 230
Fax: 0043 (0)6416 / 6500 - 369
E-Mail: andreas.kraly@sag.at
Internet: www.sag.at
Contact: Mr. Andreas Kraly
Tyche Rohstoffhandel & Beteiligung GmbH
Activities: Trader of construction material and agricultural
products
Special Products: Foliar fertilizer, steel fibres for
industrial floors
Details:Russbergstr. 87 / A-1210 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 290 00 62
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 290 08 05
E-Mail: office@tyche.co.at
Internet: www.tyche.co.at
Contact: Mr. Anton Scharmitzer, Mr. Stefan Augustyn
RAW MATERIALS
32
a-consult GMBH
Activities: Consulting, business development, project
development
Special Products: Information- and communication-
technology, eGovernment, eHealth
Arabic Countries where active: Currently focused on
Egypt, Morocco, Syria; target countries are all Arabic
countries
Details:Hetzgasse 20 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 890 3800 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 890 3800 900
E-Mail: austria@a-consult.at
Internet: www.a-consult.at
Contact: Mr. Albert Kronberger
Accès Alpintechnik Salzburg
Activities: Supplier of special technical solutions for
working at heights, fall protection
Special Products: Consulting and performing of special
solutions from planning to implementation, seminars and
training-on-the-job, multimedia building examination
system, SYAM (Mobile Anchor System)
Details:Halleiner Landes Str. 56/5 / A-5411 Oberalm
Tel.: 0043(0)664 / 27 50 990
Fax: 0043 (0)6245 / 205 20
E-Mail: office@riggingservice.com
Internet: www.riggingservice.com
Contact: Mr. Robert Klein
Architekt Achtsnit & Achtsnit
Activities: Civil engineering, building construction &
development
Details:Jaquingasse 51/3 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 713 00 00
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 713 66 67
E-Mail: achtsnit@achtsnit.at
Internet: www.achtsnit.at
Contact: Mr. Wolfgang Achtsnit
Al Mashreq Investment Fund
Activities: Investment services
Special Products: Investment in the oil sector
Arabic Countries where active: Syria
Details:PO Box 108
Bezem Ave, Malki, Damascus, Syria
Tel.: 00963 / 11 / 2110053
Fax: 00963 / 11 / 2113312
E-Mail: hussein.jairoudi@syriatel.com.sy
Contact: Mr. Hussein Jairoudi
SERVICES
33
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Members of AACC
34
Alshaya Retail GmbH
Activities: Trader in a wide variety of sectors, including
the latest and best recognized names in fashion, foot-
wear, kid’s clothing, health and beauty, home-style, res-
taurants, prescription eyewear, pharmaceuticals, sports
fashion and office supplies
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Details:Kantgasse 3 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 5230787
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 5266510
E-Mail: pg@gourmetconsult.eu
Internet: www.alshaya.com
Contact: Mr. Peter Gallhofer
Activities: Transportation and logistics, air sea freight
services
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq,
Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia,
Sudan, Syria, UAE
Details:PO BOX 14627
Ras Abu Abboud, Abdullah bin Thani Bldg No. 5 / Room
No. 2 / Near V.I.P. Roundabout, Doha, Qatar
Tel.: 00974 / 4462 17 01
Fax: 00974 / 4462 17 25
E-Mail: sonjagm@arabital.com
Internet: www.arabital.com
Contact: Ms. Sonja Freigassner
ARACON Consulting GmbH
Activities: Consulting for sales, business networking,
export and other forms of market entry
Special Products: Across industries
Arabic Countries where active: Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi
Arabia
Details:Mitterndorf 5/10 / A-4801 Traunkirchen
Tel.: 0043 (0)660 / 733 50 45
Fax: 0043 (0)660 / 33 733 50 45
E-Mail: info@aracon.at
Internet: www.aracon.at
Contact: Mr. Wolfgang Maurer
Activities: Organizing trade fairs & exhibitions
Special Products: International market included
Arabic Countries where active: Egypt
Details:PO Box 108
Hassan Hashem Street 2 / Fleming, Alexandria, Egypt
Tel.: 00203 / 583 24 77
Fax: 00203 / 585 88 99
E-Mail: m.hussein@asiahgroup.com
Internet: www.asiahgroup.com
Contact: Mr. Fouad Hussein Ali
Asiah Group LtdArabital Shipping
SERVICES
asp.consulting GmbH
Activities: international consulting and investment com-
pany whose core competencies are the sustainable,
successful, and efficient implementation of complex
projects. The regional headquarters in Vienna and Boston
(USA) assist firms worldwide in the successful implemen-
tation of M&A transactions, reorganizations, financial
restructuring, post-merger integrations, and focused
performance improvement initiatives. In selected cases
asp. group also acts as investor pursuing an active share-
holder approach
Arabic Countries where active: Saudi Arabia
Details:Graben 10 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 512 5000 61
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 512 5000 50
E-Mail: alexander.behensky@asp-consulting.com
Internet: www.asp-consulting.com
Contact: Mr. Alexander Behensky
Austroplan Austrian Engineering GmbH
Activities: Consulting, engineering and project manage-
ment for the cement, steel and mining industry. Engineer-
ing and supply of plants for LPG cylinders, medical dis-
posables and pharmaceutical products
Special Products: Cement consulting and upgrading of
cement plants, construction management and site super-
vision, consulting services for bio fuels and basaltic fibre
Arabic Countries where active: Saudi Arabia
Details:Storchengasse 1 / A-1150 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 89 189 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 89 189 - 299
E-Mail: vienna@austroplan.at
Internet: www.austroplan.at
Contact: Dr. Anton Eichinger (Managing Director)
Activities: Local traffic planning & planning for railway
infrastructure
Details:Feldgasse 17 / A-2733 Grünbach
Tel.: 0043 (0)2637 / 3391
Fax: 0043 (01) 257 343923
E-Mail: avt@business.web.at
Contact: Dr. Heinz Petzmann
Bags Holding GesmbH
Activities: Whole sale and trading
Special Products: Building materials, agricultural
products, fertilizers
Arabic Countries where active: Libya, Egypt, Sudan,
Syria, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait
Details:Schottenring 16/164 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 516 388 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 516 388 - 99
E-Mail: office@bags-group.com
Internet: www.bags-group.com
Contact: Mr. Amer Auf
AVT-ARGE Regionale Verkehrs- planung und Transportwirtschaft, Technisches Büro für Raumplanung
35
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Members of AACC
SERVICES
Bureau Veritas Austria GmbH
Activities: Inspections for industry and marine, general
services and international trade, verifications of conform-
ity, inspections for government contracts
Arabic Countries where active: Algeria, Libya, Lebanon,
Kuwait, UAE, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan
Details:Apostelgasse 25-27 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 713 1568-0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 713 1568-30
E-Mail: office@at.bureauveritas.com
Internet: www.bureauveritas.com
Contact: Mr. Rudolf Pichler
Activities: Finance, law enforcement, intelligence
community, legal services, foreign affairs, journalism,
academia
Details:Beatrixgasse 32 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 71605-900
E-Mail: office@cin-consult.com
Internet: www.cin-consult.com
Contact: Mr. Thomas Havranek
C & I Leasing GmbH
Activities: Financing of real estate, furniture and motor
vehicles
Details:Maderstr. 1 / A-1040 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 505 87 87-0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 505 91 91
E-Mail: office@c-i.at
Internet: www.c-i.at
Contact: Mr. R. Hummelbrunner
Activities: Consulting, training and breeding of sports
horses
Details:Immendorf Nr. 4 / A-2022
Tel.: 0043 (0)2951 / 8209
Fax: 0043 (0)2951 / 8209 - 4
E-Mail: freudenthal@immendorf.at
Internet: www.immendorf.at
Contact: Ms. Anna Malenka Freudenthal
C&T Sportpferde Freudenthal
CIN Consult Unternehmensberatung GmbH
36
SERVICES
Club of Trade Delegates (Club der Handelsräte)
Activities: Contact platform between accredited trade
and economic delegates and the Austrian business and
political community
Arabic Countries where active: Available to accredited
trade and economic delegates of all countries to seek
mutual contact and contact with trade and commercial
organisations at diplomatic level
Details:Opernring 3 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 588 58 56
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 586 86 59
E-Mail: trade.del@chello.at
Internet: www.handelsraete.at
Contact: Mr. Ron Willis, C.Eng.(mech.)
Das House – Immobilienentwicklungs und -verwertungs GmbH
Activities: Real estate developers
Details:Dr. Karl Lueger Platz 5, 5. Stock, A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 512 85 67
Fax: 0043 (0)2262 / 624 82
E-Mail: office@dashouse.at
Internet: www.dashouse.at
Contact: Mr. Karl-Heinz Wingelmaier
Activities: Rental of apartments and flats
Details:Wilhelminenstr. 181 / A-1160 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)664 / 2553897
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 486 3174
E-Mail: N/A
Internet: N/A
Contact: Dr. André D’Aron
DIET – Développement Industriel Enfidha Tunisie: ENFIDHA INDUSTRIAL PARK
Activities: Provision of land, infrastructure, industrial
environment
Special Products: Mechanical offices for support, gas,
electricity, internet available, hotels, apartments, restau-
rants, hospitals in the vicinity
Arabic Countries where active: Tunisia
Details:Immeuble Maghrebia, Tour B, Boulevard 7 Novembre
1987 / 2035 Tunis-Carthage, TUNISIA
Tel.: 00216 / 71 / 940960 or -885
Fax: 00216 / 71 / 942707
E-Mail: info@enfidha.net
Internet: www.enfidha.net
Contact: Mr. Isnardo Carta
Dr. D’Aron
37
Members of AACC
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SERVICES
Activities: Airline
Arabic Countries where active: Egypt (headquarters in
Cairo), Algeria, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya,
Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria,
Tunisia, UAE, Yemen
Details:Opernring 1 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 587 45 32
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 587 45 32 - 20
E-Mail: vienna_sec@egyptair.com
Internet: http://www.egyptair.com/
Contact: Ms. Eva Kadi
Ehrlich: Mag. Daniela Ehrlich, Rechtsanwältin
Activities: Legal services
Special Products: Focus on Corporate & Commercial
Law, Banking & Capital Markets Law, European Commu-
nity Law, Telecom & IT & E-commerce law, Real Estate,
Litigation & Arbitration, Austrian Civil Law and Unfair
Competition Law
Details:Helferstorferstr. 5/8 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 535 40 55
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 535 40 55 - 11
E-Mail: office@beplaw.com
Internet: www.beplaw.com
Contact: Ms. Daniela Ehrlich
Activities: Transport, airline company
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq,
Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen
Details:Mahlerstr. 12 / Stg. 6 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 532 60 28
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 533 68 87
E-Mail: vienna.sales@emirates.com
Internet: www.emirates.com
Contact: Mr. Anton Bily (Sales Manager Austria)
Mr. Robert Posch (Sales Executive)
Activities: Banking Services
Special Products: Trade Finance, Corporate Banking,
Treasury Services
Arabic Countries where active: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt,
Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar,
Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE
Details:Mahlerstr. 7 / Top 15/16 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 513 42 40
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 513 42 40 - 9
E-Mail: nadim.khalili@eabplc.com
Internet: www.eabplc.com
Contact: Mr. Nadim Khalili
Europe Arab Bank plc
Egypt Air
38
Emirates Airlines
SERVICES
Activities: Real Estate & Relocation Agency specializing
in the sale and rental of high quality properties in both the
Austrian and international market
Special Products: Relocation services to people moving
to Vienna and personnel who are working for the UN,
International Organisations, Embassies and International
Companies
Details:Graben 7/8 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 328 88 18
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 328 88 18 – 60
E-Mail: office@expat-consulting.com
Internet: www.expat-consulting.com
Contact: Mr. Aslan Kurtaran
Activities: Legal advice
Special Products: Focusing on European Union Law,
Competition Law, Antitrust & Regulatory Law, Franchise &
Distribution Law, Intellectual Property, Corporate Law,
Real Estate & Building Law, Civil & Contract Law
Details:Annagasse 6 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 512 33 93
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 512 33 93 -50
E-Mail: office@freygner.com
Internet: www.freygner.com
Contact: Dr. Sylvia Freygner
Gentics Software GmbH
Activities: Software development
Special Products: Standard software solutions for
Enterprise Web Content Management and Enterprise
portal solutions
Details:Gonzagagasse 11/25 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 71 09 904 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 71 09 904 - 4
E-Mail: office@gentics.com
Internet: www.gentics.com
Contact: Mr. Alexander Szlezak
Activities: Earth observation satellite data distributor,
digital image processing, geographic information sys-
tems, consulting, Applied research & development, photo
library, production of images, satellite image maps, satel-
lite image books, digital satellite image atlases on CD-
Rom, education material
Special Products: Satellite Image Atlas of the Republic of
Yemen (1st edition 2010)
Arabic Countries where active: Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and
Saudi Arabia
Details:Schönbrunnerstr. 13 / A-1050 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 662 458115
Fax: 0043 (0) 662 458115-124
E-Mail: office@geospace.at
Internet: www.geospace.at
Contact: Mr. Johann Stegbuchner CEO
Expat Consulting
39
Members of AACC
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ers
FREYGNER Rechtsanwalt GmbH
Geospace GmbH
SERVICES
Gesellschaft Österreichisch- Arabische Ärzte und Apotheker
Activities: Non-profit organization, aims to deepen cul-
tural relations and facilitate information exchange be-
tween Austria and Arab countries in the fields of medicine
and pharmacology - Services
Details:Hohe Warte 33 / A-1190 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 3188655
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 3188655
E-Mail: muna.yazigi@pva.sozvers.at
Internet: www.austro-arabdoc.org/
Contact: Dr. Fouad Harik
Activities: Privat Clinic
Special Products: Gynaecology and obstetrics, surgery,
internal medicine, infertility treatment centre, prenatal
diagnostics, X-ray and diagnostic imaging department,
medical laboratory, institute for physical medicine, burn-
out care centre, rooms equipped with wireless broadband
Internet
Details:Lazarettgasse 16-18 / A-1091 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 40 111 - 510
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 40 111 - 505
E-Mail: verwaltung@goldenes-kreuz.at
Internet: www.goldenes-kreuz.at
Contact: Ms. Cornelia Böhm (CEO)
Activities: Gourmet consulting & trade
Details:Kantgasse 3/2 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 523 07 87
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 526 65 10
E-Mail: pg@gourmetconsult.eu
Internet: www.aoc-genuss.at
Contact: Mr. Peter Gallhofer
Grand Hotel Vienna
Activities: Offers rooms for accommodation,
conferences, dining
Special Products: Luxuriously decorated rooms and
suites, “Grand Café”, Japanese speciality restaurant, rose
garden, ballroom etc.
Details:Kärntner Ring 9 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 515 - 800
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 515 - 1313
E-Mail: kjalloul@jjwhotels.com
Internet: www.grandhotelVienna.com
Contact: Mr. Karim Jalloul
Goldenes Kreuz Privatklinik BetriebsGesmbH
40
GourmetConsult
SERVICES
Activities: Consulting services
Special Products: Tax Counselling, Business Consulting,
Promotion, Expansion Consulting, Medical Jobs
Arabic Countries where active: UAE
Details:Pestalozzigasse 3 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 310 6010
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 310 6010 - 6
E-Mail: e.heller@hellerconsult.com
Internet: www.hellerconsult.com
Contact: Ms. Elisabeth Heller
Huber: Dr. Max Huber GmbH
Activities: Real estate, financial services, property
management, market research, property sale and rent
Details:Opernring 9 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 40 24 74 70
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 40 69 589
E-Mail: Vienna@dmh.co.at
Internet: www.dmh.co.at
Contact: Dr. Max Huber
Hulla & Co. Human Dynamics KG
Activities: Consultancy services for economic, good
governance, institutional development and sectoral policy
issues
Details:Lothringerstr. 16 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 402 50 20
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 402 50 20 - 20
E-Mail: eric.heldring@humandynamics.org
Internet: www.humandynamics.org
Contact: Mr. Eric Heldring
Activities: Consultation on:
trade finance, letters of credit, bank guarantees
helps with anti-corruption and counterfeiting
tactics
-
tracts: Incoterms, rules for letters of credit and bank
guarantees etc.
Arabic Countries where active: All
Details:Wiedner Hauptstr. 73 / A-1040 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 50 105 37 - 16
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 50 105 37 - 03
E-Mail: icc@icc-austria.org
Internet: www.icc-austria.org
Contact: Dr. Max Burger-Scheidlin
Heller Consult Tax & Business Solutions GmbH
41
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ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce
SERVICES
IIFC Industrial & Investment Financing Consulting GmbH
Activities: Specializes in the industrial & food field,
offering financing & consulting services
Details:Weimarer Str. 93/5 / A-1190 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 368 42 42
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 368 42 42 42
E-Mail: office@ifconsulting.at
Contact: Dr. Farrokh Sharif
ILF – Beratende Ingenieure ZT Ges.m.b.H
Activities: Oil & gas, water & environment, civil
engineering & infrastructure, energy
Special Products: Consultancy, design and planning,
procurement, construction supervision, project manage-
ment, start-up
Arabic Countries where active: Kuwait, Libya, Saudi
Arabia, UAE
Details:Hainburgerstr. 31/2 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)713 / 92 32 - 361
Fax: 0043 (0)713 / 92 32 - 444
E-Mail: info@ibk.ilf.com
Internet: www.ilf.com
Contact: Ms. Jutta Strolz
Activities: Hotel business
Special Products: Hotel Imperial (built as a private palace
and has been hosting heads of state, kings and queens,
stars and artists since 1873), Hotel Bristol (next to the
Vienna State Opera; stands for authentic Viennese hospi-
tality and personal service)
Details:Kärntner Ring 16 / A-1015 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 50 110 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 50 110 - 410
E-Mail: hotel.imperial@luxurycollection.com
Internet: www.hotelimperialvienna.com/
Contact: Mr. Oscar DelCampo
Activities: Close and executive protection, security
management, risk & threat analysis, crisis negotiations,
investigations and individual security training
Special Products: Special security solutions for clients in
political, diplomatic and economic spheres worldwidet
Arabic Countries where active: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt,
Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, UAE
(other Arabic countries upon request)
Details:Josef Hesoun Str. 9/3/M20 / A-2345 Brunn am Gebirge
Tel.: 0043 (0)676 / 595 87 61
Fax: 0043 (0)2236 / 864 225
E-Mail: office@ipsagency.org
Internet: www.ipsagency.org
Contact: Mr. Sascha Steurer (CEO)
IPSA – International Protect & Security Agency e.U.
Imperial Hotels Austria AG
42
SERVICES
Islamisches Informations- und Dokumentationszentrum Österreich (IIDZ – Austria)
Activities: Islamic Information and Documentation Center
in Austria
Special Products: Issuance of Halal certification
Arabic Countries where active: UAE
Details:Theodor-Körner-Str. 10a, A-4050 Traun
Sterngasse 3 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)699 / 884 658 04
Fax: 0043 (0)7229 / 72 364
E-Mail: kontakt@iidz.at
Internet: www.halal-iidz.eu
Contact: Mr. Günther Ahmed Rusznak
Lambert Eversheds/ Lambert Rechtsanwälte OG
Activities: Legal Services, covering a wide range of fields
(includes Banking and Insurance, Competition and Pat-
ents, taxes, product regulations, technology, real estate,
construction and general trade and business)
Special Products: International Practice Groups (Inter-
national Services)
Details:Kärntner Ring 12 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 516 20 - 120
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 516 20 - 20
E-Mail: office@lamberteversheds.com
Internet: www.lamberteversheds.com
Contact: Mr. Peter Lambert
Limousinenservice Schafek GmbH
Activities: VIP Limousine service, omnibus services
Special Products: Multi-lingual (including Arabic) speak-
ing chauffeurs and specialized in all forms of transport
services, for business and private clients
Details:Lechnerstr. 2-4/6/72 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)699 / 19 67 69 67
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 9676967
E-Mail: shahin.schafek@chello.at
Internet: www.vienna-limousinenservice.com
Contact: Mr. Shahin Schafek
Activities: Trade & Services, Travel & Tourism, Hotel &
Resorts, Industry
Arabic Countries where active: Kuwait, Libya, Saudi
Arabia, UAE
Details:Baramkeh- Amin Rihani Str., Transtour Bldg. 4th /
P.O.Box 3050, Damascus
Tel.: 00963 11 223 4000
Fax: 00963 11 223 5004
E-Mail: info@nahas.sy
Internet: www.nahas-group.sy
Contact: Mr. Shukri Shaikh Ali
43
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Nahas Enterprises Group
SERVICES
OBERBANK-AG
Activities: Financial services, Central European regional
bank with more than 130 branches covering Austria’s
most industrialized regions, Bavaria (South Germany),
Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Correspondent
network comprises more than 2,500 partners
Special Products: Following a universal banking philoso-
phy Oberbank’s activities include among others: interna-
tional business, loans, deposits, securities, leasing and
derivatives
Arabic Countries where active: Cross-border activities
for corporates and individuals with almost all Arabic
regions, coverage throughout Oberbank’s correspondent
banking network
Details:Untere Donaulände 28 / A-4020 Linz
Tel.: 0043 (0)732 / 78 02 2500
Fax: 0043 (0)732 / 77 39 80
E-Mail: manfred.weissmann@oberbank.at
Internet: www.oberbank.at
Contact: Dr. Manfred Weissmann
Activities: Known in English as the Austrian Trade Asso-
ciation, it connects its members to important representa-
tives of media, economy, science, and politics.
It can connect its members to each other and solve im-
portant problems that members have, among other
services
Special Products: The economic journal “Österreichs
Wirtschaft”
Details:Eschenbachgasse 11 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 587 36 33
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 587 01 92
E-Mail: s.blahut@gewerbeverein.at
Internet: www.gewerbeverein.at
Contact: Mr. Stefan Blahut
Activities: Printing and making high security documents
(passports, identity cards, drivers license, visa & resi-
dence permits), systems integration and installing person-
alisation centres
Special Products: e-government® in Austria, providing
services for the Austrian government (personalizing high
security documents)
Details:Tenschertstr. 7 / A-1239 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 206 66 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 206 66 - 100
E-Mail: office@staatsdruckerei.at
Internet: www.staatsdruckerei.at
Contact: Prof. Reinhart Gausterer
Activities: Contributes to the electro technical field regu-
lations, deals with problems and issues of application of
electrical energy
Details:Eschenbachgasse 9 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 587 63 73
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 370 58 06 370
E-Mail: ove@ove.at
Internet: www.ove.at
Contact: Mr. Peter Reichel
ÖGV – Österreichischer Gewerbeverein
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Österreichische Staatsdruckerei GmbH
OVE: Austrian Electrotechnical Association
SERVICES
Activities: Offline and digital communication
Special Products: Brand and marketing consultancy,
social media, mobile marketing, online research
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Kuwait,
Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria,
UAE
Details:PO Box 502865
Al Sufouh Complex 806 & 807 / Dubai Media City, Dubai -
United Arab Emirates
Tel.: 00971 (4) 439 34 04 -101
Fax: 00971 (4) 439 34 03
E-Mail: o.zuegel@plan-net.ae
Internet: www.plan-net.ae
Contact: Mr. Oliver Zuegel
Premium Health Solutions GmbH
Activities: Offers medical services, check up and preven-
tive programs, intensive care and recovery programs,
rehabilitation services, access to high quality clinics and
spas
Special Products: Comprehensive check-up programs in
Vienna and Zell/See area
Details:Operngasse 2 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 516 51 73
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 513 44 24
E-Mail: office@phs-austria.com
Internet: www.phs-austria.com
Contact: Ms. Sonata Neumüller
Activities: Trading with importers focused on Arabic
markets
Special Products: Trading, offering and producing of
goods, raw-materials and other trade-business with
European quality and know-how; excellent contact and
negotiation management between European and Arab
producers, merchants and distributors
Details:Darwingasse 9/5 / A-1020 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 890 20 27
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 890 20 27 – 15
E-Mail: office@proficenter-vienna.com
Internet: www.proficenter-vienna.com
Contact: Mr. Nasr Samir
Activities: Financial Services
Special Products: Financing, treasury & markets, consult-
ing & services, foreign trade, capital markets, equity &
bonds financing, electronic banking solutions, cash man-
agement, fund registration Austria, investment banking
Arabic Countries where active: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt,
Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania,
Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria,
Tunisia, UAE, Yemen
Details:Am Stadtpark 9 / A-1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 71707 - 1879
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 71707 - 2388
E-Mail: walter.rothensteiner@rzb.at
Internet: www.rzb.at
Contact: Mr. Walter Rothensteiner
Plan.NET Middle East
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Profi Personalvermittlung GmbH
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG
SERVICES
Activities: Legal Services
Special Products: Deals with Commercial, Civil, Busi-
ness Law, Immigration Law, among others
Details:Goldschmiedgasse 8 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 533 52 56
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 533 01 09
E-Mail: office@rae-marschall-heinz.com
Internet: www.rae-marschall-heinz.com
Contact: Renua Chhadeh
Activities: IT Consulting, software development and
Service
Details:Am Concorde Business Park F / A-2320 Schwechat
Tel.: 0043 (0)664 / 608 444 1036
Fax: 0043 (0)664 / 608 444 1036
E-Mail: sana.elkebir@rise-world.com
Internet: www.rise-world.com
Contact: Ms. Sana El-Kebir
Activities: Hotels (in Vienna and Salzburg), awarded
restaurants, Cafés, luxury products Special Products: Spa, Deluxe and Top Deluxe Rooms &
Suites, Conferences & Banquets, Original Sacher-Torte
Details: Philharmonikerst. 4 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 514 56 - 809
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 514 56 - 810
E-Mail: aglueck@sacher.com
Internet: www.sacher.com
Contact: Mr. Andreas Glück
Activities: Cham Holdings arm for the development of
and investment in energy, utilities, industry and
infrastructure sectors Arabic Countries where active: Syria
Details:PO Box: 9525
Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, Daraa Highway, Shweifat School
Interchange, Mazzeh, Damascus, SYRIA
Tel.: 00963 / 11 / 673 1278
Fax: 00963 / 11 / 673 1279
E-Mail: mahmoud.khoshman@chamholding.sy
Internet: www.chamholding.sy/sana.html
Contact: Mr. Mahmoud A. Al-Khoshman
Rechtsanwälte: Dr. Franz Marschall & Mag. Rene Heinz
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RISE – Research Industrial SystemsEngineering GmbH SANA Investment Co.
Sacher Hotels BetriebsgesmbH.
SERVICES
SBG – AlMarasem – BTC
Activities: Constructions, telecommunications
Arabic Countries where active: Syria
Details:PO Box 36729
Yafoor, Palmville Resort, Villa No 10 / Damascus, SYRIA
Tel.: 00963 / 11 / 391 - 00 01
Fax: 00963 / 11 / 391 - 90 80
E-Mail: omarc@aloola.sy
Internet: N/A
Contact: Mr. Omar Choura
Activities: IT Consulting services
Special Products: IT-related Quality Assurance (Test
Management, Requirement Management)
Arabic Countries where active: All
Details:Wolfsaugasse 9 / A-1200 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 350 68 84
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 332 53 08
E-Mail: wolfgang@drschneider.eu
Internet: www.drschneider.eu
Contact: Dr. Wolfgang Johann Schneider
Activities: Sales, Projects and Consulting Services
Special Products: Marketing and sales for diverse
projects, project development and management, tailored
consulting services
Details:Am Bachlberg 32 / A-4040 Linz
Tel.: 0043 (0)699 / 177 130 91
Fax: 0043 (0)732 / 713 091
E-Mail: Klaus.Prexl@Liwest.at
Internet: www.klaus-prexl-spc.at
Contact: Mr. Klaus Prexl
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Schneider: Dr. Wolfgang J. Schneider GmbH
SQZ Software Engineering & Qualitätsmanagement Zopf
Activities: Consulting and Coaching in Software Engi-
neering, Development Processes, Project Management
and Quality Management
Details:Burgstall 30 / A-3034 Maria Anzbach
Tel.: 0043 (0)676 / 90 600 15
Fax: 0043 (0)676 / 90 600 15
E-Mail: office@sqz.at
Internet: www.sqz.at
Contact: Mr. Siegfried Zopf
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting)
SERVICES
SWZT Chartered Consultants GmbH
Activities: Development of real estate projects
Details:Franz Josefs-Kai 21/14 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 532 2791
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 535 4974
E-Mail: office@swzt.at
Internet: www.swzt.at
Contact: Mr. Moussa Hamzo
Activities: Importing & exporting all kinds of commodities
(sugar, grains, oil, rice), marine services, ship owner,
transportation, real state developments, Middle East
factories for sugar, Middle East factories for oil and feed
meal, Middle East factories for colugos & starch, grand
mills, samba ice cream, Transmall Trade Complex
Arabic Countries where active: Syria
Details:PO Box 195
Hamra Str. 9, Akhras Bldg., Homs, SYRIA
Tel.: 00963 / 31 / 24 75 500
Fax: 00963 / 31 / 24 75 095
E-Mail: t-akhras@scs-net.org
Internet: www.akhrasgroup.com
Contact: Mr. Tarif Akhras
Activities: Technical consulting and sales of industrial
manufacturing plants and energy systems
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Qatar
Details:Simmeringer Hauptstr. 24 / A-1110 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 664 637 2521
E-Mail: office@talpa.at
Internet: www.talpa.at
Contact: Mr. Herbert Suppan
Activities: Mangagement consultancy, process
management, payment processing, digital signatures
Details:Schottenring 16, A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 535 0057-0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 535 0057-13
E-Mail: office@tecs.at
Internet: www.tecs.at
Contact: Mr. Fazlollah Rostamian
TAG – T. Akhras Group
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TECS Telecommunication & E-Commerce Solutions GmbH
Talpa GmbH
SERVICES
TomDive
Vamed Engineering GmbH & Co KG
Activities: Consulting, engineering, contracting and
logistics
Special Products: Research facilities, hospital infrastruc-
ture plants
Arabic Countries where active: Iraq, Jordan, Libya,
Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria
Details:Sterngasse 5 / A-1232 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 60 127 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 60 127 - 292
E-Mail: vesales@vamed.com
Internet: www.vamed.com
Contact: Mr. Hisham Tamaa
Activities: Consulting, financial promotion, marketing
Details:Ebendorferstr. 2 / A-1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 4000 861 - 99
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 4000 861 - 88
E-Mail: bittmann@vba.at
Internet: www.wirtschaftsagentur.at
Contact: Mr. Rupert Bittmann
Activities: Education services
Special Products: Career development center, MBA
programs, on-line programs
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Jordan,
Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, UAE
Details:Berchtoldgasse 1 / A-1220 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)1 / 269 92 93 - 0
Fax: 0043 (0)1 / 269 92 93 - 13
E-Mail: sedlar@webster.ac.at
Internet: www.webster.ac.at
Contact: Ms. Teresa Sedlar
Vienna Business Agency
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Activities: High Performance Diving
Special Products: 1st Class private training; complete
recreational diving program of PADI, the worlds leading
diving association; technical diving program of DSAT, up
to instructor level
Details:Erlachgasse 113 / A-1100 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0)660 / 38 76 731
E-Mail: dive@tomdive.com
Internet: www.tomdive.com
Contact: Mr. Thomas Lederberger
Webster University
SERVICES
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X-Plus-Management GmbH
Activities: International Consulting services for
companies
Special Products: Advising tools: Advice and handling to
managements & corporations in IT, marketing, logistics,
foreign trade, technologies, HRM
Arabic Countries where active: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Details:Registered: A-5204 Strasswalchen (Salzburg)
Corp. Headoffice: Lederergasse 6 / A-5020 Salzburg
Tel.: 0043 / 662-881800
Fax: 0043 / 662-881888
E-Mail: s.ohms@x-plus-management.com
Internet: www.x-plus-management.com
Contact: Mr. Stephan Ohms (Managing Director)
SERVICES
Community of Piringsdorf
MUNICIPALITIES
Piringsdorf is a municipality that is located in the province of Burgenland, in the nation of Austria, in the middle of Europe.
The municipality is famous for its mineral water springs – in 1982 the government of Burgenland licensed the following
therapeutical uses and medical indications for the use the springs: drinking cures and spas. The quality of the water is
excellent and it can be used for drinking, however it is not only limited to such use. Among the many medical indications
the water is qualified to be used for are stomach troubles, therapy after bypass operations, and many other uses. The
community of Piringsdorf, the owner of the springs would like to export its water to the Arab world as drinkable water as
well as for medical use.
Details:Gemeinde Piringsdorf
Bundesstr. 14 / 7371 Piringsdorf
Tel.: 0043 (0)2616 / 87 13
Fax: 0043 (0)2616 / 88 37
E-Mail: post@piringsdorf.bgld.gv.at
Internet: www.piringsdorf.at
Contact: Mr. Stefan Hauser (Mayor)
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COMPANY CLASSIFICATION PAGE
Abiothrin HandelsgmbH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 7
a-consult GmbH SERVICES 33
Accès Alpintechnik Salzburg SERVICES 33
Architekt Achtsnit & Achtsnit SERVICES 33
ADCON Telemetry GmbH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 26
AGT Management & Engineering AG FUEL AND ENERGY 19
AKTIVSAUERSTOFF GmbH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 7
Al Mashreq Investment Fund SERVICES 33
Al Matin Group for trade and industry CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 8
ALPHA – Aleppo Pharmaceutical Industries CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 8
Alshaya Retail GmbH SERVICES 34
Alu König Stahl OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 26
ALVETRA u. WERFFT AG NUTRITION 24
Aqua Engineering GesmbH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 26
Arabital Shipping SERVICES 34
ARACON Consulting GmbH SERVICES 34
Asiah Group Ltd SERVICES 34
asp.consulting GmbH SERVICES 35
Atelier Mag. Art. Herger Helga CULTURE AND ART 12
Austroplan Austrian Engineering GmbH SERVICES 35
AVT SERVICES 35
BACKHAUSEN INTERIOR DESIGN GMBH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 26
BAGS HOLDING GESMBH SERVICES 35
BETA HANDELSGESELLSCHAFT M.B.H. OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 27
BEV-Group NUTRITION 24
Biolachs NUTRITION 24
Böhler International GmbH MANUFACTURED GOODS 20
Borealis AG CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 8
Bureau Veritas Austria GmbH SERVICES 36
Chemson Polymere-Additive AG CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 8
Christian Maschek Schmuck OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 27
CIN Consult Unternehmensberatung GmbH SERVICES 36
C & I Leasing GmbH SERVICES 36
C&T Sportpferde Freudenthal SERVICES 36
Club of Trade Delegates (Club der Handelsräte) SERVICES 37
Das House – Immobilienentwicklungs und -verwertungs GmbH
SERVICES 37
Dr. D’Aron SERVICES 37
DCM DECOmetal GmbH RAW MATERIALS 32
DIET – Développement Industriel Enfidha Tunisie: ENFIDHA INDUSTRIAL PARK
SERVICES 37
DCC – Doppelmayr Cable Car GmbH & Co KG ENGINES, VEHICLES 14
Dotzauer Kristallleuchten ProduktionsGmbH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 27
D. Swarovski & Co. OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 27
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 9
52
COMPANY CLASSIFICATION PAGE
Egypt Air SERVICES 38
Ehrlich: Mag. Daniela Ehrlich, Rechtsanwältin SERVICES 38
Elin Wasserwerkstechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H.
ENGINES, VEHICLES 14
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co MANUFACTURED GOODS 20
Emirates Airlines SERVICES 38
EOOS GmbH MANUFACTURED GOODS 20
Europe Arab Bank plc SERVICES 38
EVER Neuro Pharma GmbH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 9
Expat Consulting SERVICES 39
Fritz Baumaschinen GmbH & Co KG ENGINES, VEHICLES 14
Frey Wille GmbH & Co KG OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 28
Gabriel Chemie GmbH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 9
G.L. Pharma CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 9
GE. Energy Jenbacher GmbH & Co OHG ENGINES, VEHICLES 14
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. NUTRITION 24
Gentics Software GmbH SERVICES 39
Geosat Technology Limited FUEL AND ENERGY 19
Geospace GmbH SERVICES 39
Gesellschaft Österreichisch-Arabische Ärzte und Apotheker
SERVICES 40
Ghraoui Group NUTRITION 25
GLS Tanks GmbH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 28
Goldenes Kreuz Privatklinik BetriebsGesmbH SERVICES 40
GourmetConsult SERVICES 40
Grand Hotel Vienna SERVICES 40
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 10
Gresam HandelsgesmbH NUTRITION 25
Hasenkopf OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 28
Heller Consult Tax & Business Solutions GmbH SERVICES 41
Herz Austria GmbH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 28
Mag. Hoeveler & Co GmbH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 10
Hörbiger Kompressortechnik GmbH ENGINES, VEHICLES 15
HUBER: DR. MAX HUBER GMBH SERVICES 41
HULLA & CO. HUMAN DYNAMICS KG SERVICES 41
IASON GMBH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 10
ICC: AUSTRIA INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
SERVICES 41
IIFC INDUSTRIAL & INVESTMENT FINANCING CONSULTING GMBH
SERVICES 42
ILF – BERATENDE INGENIEURE ZT GES.M.B.H SERVICES 42
IMET HANDELSGESELLSCHAFT MANUFACTURED GOODS 22
Ing. Pablo Spitzer CULTURE AND ART 12
Innovation und Technik GmbH ENGINES, VEHICLES 15
ISAB Industrieanlagenbau Ges.m.b.H. ENGINES, VEHICLES 15
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COMPANY CLASSIFICATION PAGE
Islamisches Informations- und Dokumentations-zentrum Österreich (IIDZ – Austria)
SERVICES 43
IPSA – International Protect & Security Agency e.U. SERVICES 42
J.T. Kalmar GmbH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 29
Katharina Hallal GmbH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 10
Khalil Sara Establishment MANUFACTURED GOODS 21
Khwanda Group ENGINES, VEHICLES 15
Lambert Eversheds/ Lambert Rechtsanwälte OG
SERVICES 43
Leitz GesmbH & Co KG ENGINES, VEHICLES 16
LIEBHERR-Werk Nenzing GmbH ENGINES, VEHICLES 16
Limousinenservice Schafek GmbH SERVICES 43
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH RAW MATERIALS 32
Die Marmeladen-Manufaktur NUTRITION 25
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 11
Mikro-Mineral GMBH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 11
MOBIL BAUSTOFFE GmbH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 29
Modern Life Handels GmbH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 29
Mondi Business Paper Sales GmbH MANUFACTURED GOODS 21
Nahas Enterprises Group SERVICES 43
Neue Wiener Porzellanmanufaktur AUGARTEN GmbH
OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 29
OBERBANK-AG SERVICES 44
ÖGV – Österreichischer Gewerbeverein SERVICES 44
Österr. Doka Schalungs-Gerüstbautechnik GmbH. OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 30
Österreichische Staatsdruckerei GmbH SERVICES 44
Omicron Electronics GmbH ENGINES, VEHICLES 16
OMV Aktiengesellschaft FUEL AND ENERGY 19
Onkotec GmbH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 11
OVE: Austrian Electrotechnical Association SERVICES 44
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH MANUFACTURED GOODS 21
Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co KG MANUFACTURED GOODS 21
Plan.NET Middle East SERVICES 45
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH
ENGINES, VEHICLES 16
PORR – ALLGEMEINE BAUGESELLSCHAFT – A. PORR AG
30
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH DRINKS AND TOBACCO 13
Premium Health Solutions GmbH SERVICES 45
Profi Personalvermittlung GmbH SERVICES 45
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG SERVICES 45
Ramses Zwei GmbH MANUFACTURED GOODS 22
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG DRINKS AND TOBACCO 13
Red Bull GmbH DRINKS AND TOBACCO 13
Rechtsanwälte: Dr. Franz Marschall & Mag. Rene Heinz
SERVICES 46
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COMPANY CLASSIFICATION PAGE
RHI AG MANUFACTURED GOODS 22
RINGER KG OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 30
RISE – Research Industrial SystemsEngineering GmbH
SERVICES 46
ROXCEL HandelsgesmbH MANUFACTURED GOODS 22
Sacher Hotels BetriebsgesmbH. SERVICES 46
SAG Aluminium Lend GmbH&Co.KG RAW MATERIALS 32
SANA Investment Co. SERVICES 46
Sandoz GmbH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 11
SBG – AlMarasem – BTC SERVICES 47
Schneider: Dr. Wolfgang J. Schneider GmbH SERVICES 47
Schöler & Co GmbH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 30
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH NUTRITION 25
Science & Research Marketing GmbH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 31
Sitte Vienna OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 31
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) SERVICES 47
Spitzwieser Sport & Sondermotoren e.U. ENGINES, VEHICLES 17
SQZ Software Engineering & Qualitätsmanagement Zopf
SERVICES 47
Stora Enso Timber AG MANUFACTURED GOODS 22
Strabag SE OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 31
M. Swarovski GmbH OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS 31
TAG – T. Akhras Group SERVICES 48
Talpa GmbH SERVICES 48
TECS Telecommunication & E-Commerce Solutions GmbH
SERVICES 48
Tiger 1 Co. ENGINES, VEHICLES 17
Ti-Tella Handelsgesellschaft mbH ENGINES, VEHICLES 17
TOMDIVE SERVICES 49
Trade Line Machinery ENGINES, VEHICLES 18
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 12
Traude Fritz CULTURE AND ART 12
TUMA PUMPENSYSTEME GMBH ENGINES, VEHICLES 18
Tyche Rohstoffhandel & Beteiligung GmbH RAW MATERIALS 32
UNTHA shredding technology ENGINES, VEHICLES 18
VA Intertrading AG MANUFACTURED GOODS 23
Vamed Engineering GmbH & Co KG SERVICES 49
Vienna Business Agency SERVICES 49
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. MANUFACTURED GOODS 23
Webster University SERVICES 49
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 12
X-Plus-Management GmbH SERVICES 50
Ybbstaler Fruit Austria GmbH DRINKS AND TOBACCO 13
Community of Piringsdorf MUNICIPALITIES 51
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MEMBER DIRECTORY
Algeria
AKTIVSAUERSTOFF GmbH 7
Böhler International GmbH 20
Bureau Veritas Austria GmbH 36
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Gabriel Chemie GmbH 9
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
IPSA – International Protect & Security Agency e.U. 42
LIEBHERR-Werk Nenzing GmbH 16
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH 32
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Österr. Doka Schalungs-Gerüstbautechnik GmbH. 30
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
ROXCEL HandelsgesmbH 22
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
Bahrain
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
Mag. Hoeveler & Co GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
Khwanda Group 15
Leitz GesmbH & Co KG 16
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
Red Bull GmbH 13
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
Ybbstaler Fruit Austria GmbH 13
Comoros
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Djibouti
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Egypt
a-consult GmbH 33
ADCON Telemetry GmbH 26
AKTIVSAUERSTOFF GmbH 7
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Alshaya Retail GmbH 34
Arabital Shipping 34
Asiah Group Ltd 34
Bags Holding GesmbH 35
Böhler International GmbH 20
Dotzauer Kristallleuchten ProduktionsGmbH 27
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
EVER Neuro Pharma GmbH 9
Gabriel Chemie GmbH 9
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
Gresam HandelsgesmbH 25
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
ISAB Industrieanlagenbau Ges.m.b.H. 15
IPSA – International Protect & Security Agency e.U. 42
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
Katharina Hallal GmbH 10
Khwanda Group 15
Leitz GesmbH & Co KG 16
LIEBHERR-Werk Nenzing GmbH 16
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
OMV Aktiengesellschaft 19
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbHH 25
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
Iraq
ADCON Telemetry GmbH 26
Arabital Shipping 34
Bureau Veritas Austria GmbH 36
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
Geospace GmbH 39
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
OMV Aktiengesellschaft 19
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
Red Bull GmbH 13
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbHH 25
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
Vamed Engineering GmbH & Co KG 49
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
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Jordan
ADCON Telemetry GmbH 26
AKTIVSAUERSTOFF GmbH 7
Alshaya Retail GmbH 34
Arabital Shipping 34
Backhausen interior design GmbH 26
Böhler International GmbH 20
Dotzauer Kristallleuchten ProduktionsGmbH 27
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
EVER Neuro Pharma GmbH 9
Gabriel Chemie GmbH 9
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
IPSA – International Protect & Security Agency e.U. 42
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
Khwanda Group 15
Leitz GesmbH & Co KG 16
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Mondi Business Paper Sales GmbH 21
Österr. Doka Schalungs-Gerüstbautechnik GmbH. 30
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co KG 21
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
Red Bull GmbH 13
RHI AG 22
ROXCEL HandelsgesmbH 22
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH 25
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Trade Line Machinery 18
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
Vamed Engineering GmbH & Co KG 49
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
Webster University 49
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
Kuwait
Alshaya Retail GmbH 34
Arabital Shipping 34
ARACON Consulting GmbH 34
Backhausen interior design GmbH 26
Bags Holding GesmbH 35
Böhler International GmbH 20
Bureau Veritas Austria GmbH 36
Dotzauer Kristallleuchten ProduktionsGmbH 27
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
Frey Wille GmbH & Co KG 28
Gabriel Chemie GmbH 9
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
ILF – Beratende Ingenieure ZT Ges.m.b.H 42
IPSA – International Protect & Security Agency e.U. 42
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
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Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Nahas Enterprises Group 43
Österr. Doka Schalungs-Gerüstbautechnik GmbH. 30
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
Plan.NET Middle East 45
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
Red Bull GmbH 13
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH 25
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Spitzwieser Sport & Sondermotoren e.U. 17
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
Webster University 49
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
X-Plus-Management GmbH 50
Ybbstaler Fruit Austria GmbH 13
Lebanon
Alshaya Retail GmbH 34
AKTIVSAUERSTOFF GmbH 7
Böhler International GmbH 20
Bureau Veritas Austria GmbH 36
Dotzauer Kristallleuchten ProduktionsGmbH 27
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
EVER Neuro Pharma GmbH 9
Frey Wille GmbH & Co KG 28
Gabriel Chemie GmbH 9
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
Gresam HandelsgesmbH 25
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
Khwanda Group 15
Leitz GesmbH & Co KG 16
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Mondi Business Paper Sales GmbH 21
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
Plan.NET Middle East 45
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
Red Bull GmbH 13
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH 25
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Trade Line Machinery 18
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
UNTHA shredding technology 18
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
Webster University 49
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
Libya
AKTIVSAUERSTOFF GmbH 7
Arabital Shipping 34
Bags Holding GesmbH 35
BEV-Group 24
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Böhler International GmbH 20
Bureau Veritas Austria GmbH 36
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ILF – Beratende Ingenieure ZT Ges.m.b.H 42
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH 32
Nahas Enterprises Group 43
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
OMV Aktiengesellschaft 19
Österr. Doka Schalungs-Gerüstbautechnik GmbH. 30
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
Red Bull GmbH 13
RHI AG 22
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH 25
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
Vamed Engineering GmbH & Co KG 49
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
Mauritania
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
Morocco
a-consult GmbH 33
ADCON Telemetry GmbH 26
Böhler International GmbH 20
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
Gabriel Chemie GmbH 9
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH 32
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Mondi Business Paper Sales GmbH 21
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Österr. Doka Schalungs-Gerüstbautechnik GmbH. 30
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 30
Red Bull GmbH 13
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
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Oman
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 25
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Palestine
Arabital Shipping 34
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
Plan.NET Middle East 45
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
Qatar
Alshaya Retail GmbH 34
Arabital Shipping 34
ARACON Consulting GmbH 34
Beta Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H. 27
Böhler International GmbH 20
DCC – Doppelmayr Cable Car GmbH & Co KG 14
Dotzauer Kristallleuchten ProduktionsGmbH 27
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
Frey Wille GmbH & Co KG 28
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
Hasenkopf 28
Mag. Hoeveler & Co GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
IPSA – International Protect & Security Agency e.U. 42
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH 32
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
MOBIL BAUSTOFFE GmbH 29
Modern Life Handels GmbH 29
Mondi Business Paper Sales GmbH 21
Österr. Doka Schalungs-Gerüstbautechnik GmbH. 30
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
Plan.NET Middle East 45
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
Red Bull GmbH 13
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH 25
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Talpa GmbH 48
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
Vamed Engineering GmbH & Co KG 49
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
Webster University 49
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
X-Plus-Management GmbH 50
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Saudi Arabia
ADCON Telemetry GmbH 26
AGT Management & Engineering AG 19
AKTIVSAUERSTOFF GmbH 7
Alshaya Retail GmbH 34
ALVETRA u. WERFFT AG 24
Arabital Shipping 34
ARACON Consulting GmbH 34
asp.consulting GmbH 35
Austroplan Austrian Engineering GmbH 35
Backhausen interior design GmbH 26
Bags Holding GesmbH 35
Beta Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H. 27
Böhler International GmbH 20
Bureau Veritas Austria GmbH 36
Dotzauer Kristallleuchten ProduktionsGmbH 27
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
Frey Wille GmbH & Co KG 28
Gabriel Chemie GmbH 9
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
Geospace GmbH 39
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
Gresam HandelsgesmbH 25
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
ILF – Beratende Ingenieure ZT Ges.m.b.H 42
IPSA – International Protect & Security Agency e.U. 42
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
Khwanda Group 15
Leitz GesmbH & Co KG 16
LIEBHERR-Werk Nenzing GmbH 16
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Modern Life Handels GmbH 29
Mondi Business Paper Sales GmbH 21
Nahas Enterprises Group 43
Österr. Doka Schalungs-Gerüstbautechnik GmbH. 30
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
Plan.NET Middle East 45
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
Red Bull GmbH 13
RINGER KG 30
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH 25
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
Vamed Engineering GmbH & Co KG 49
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
X-Plus-Management GmbH 50
Ybbstaler Fruit Austria GmbH 13
Somalia
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
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Sudan
Arabital Shipping 34
Bags Holding GesmbH 35
Böhler International GmbH 20
Bureau Veritas Austria GmbH 36
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
Hasenkopf 28
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH 32
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Red Bull GmbH 13
ROXCEL HandelsgesmbH 22
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH 25
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
Syria
a-consult GmbH 33
AKTIVSAUERSTOFF GmbH 7
Al Mashreq Investment Fund 33
Al Matin Group for trade and industry 8
ALPHA – Aleppo Pharmaceutical Industries 8
Arabital Shipping 34
Bags Holding GesmbH 35
Böhler International GmbH 20
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
EVER Neuro Pharma GmbH 9
Frey Wille GmbH & Co KG 28
Fritz Baumaschinen GmbH & Co KG 14
Gabriel Chemie GmbH 9
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
Geospace GmbH 39
Ghraoui Group 25
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
Gresam HandelsgesmbH 25
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
ISAB Industrieanlagenbau Ges.m.b.H. 15
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
Khalil Sara Establishment 21
Khwanda Group 15
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH 32
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co KG 21
Plan.NET Middle East 45
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
Red Bull GmbH 13
RHI AG 22
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ROXCEL HandelsgesmbH 22
SANA Investment Co. 46
SBG – AlMarasem – BTC 47
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
TAG – T. Akhras Group 48
Tiger 1 Co. 17
Ti-Tella Handelsgesellschaft mbH 17
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
UNTHA shredding technology 18
Vamed Engineering GmbH & Co KG 49
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
Tunisia
AKTIVSAUERSTOFF GmbH 7
Böhler International GmbH 20
DIET – Développement Industriel Enfidha Tunisie:
ENFIDHA INDUSTRIAL PARK 37
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
Gabriel Chemie GmbH 9
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
Gresam HandelsgesmbH 25
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
IPSA – International Protect & Security Agency e.U. 42
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH 32
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Österr. Doka Schalungs-Gerüstbautechnik GmbH. 30
OMV Aktiengesellschaft 19
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co KG 21
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Red Bull GmbH 13
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH 25
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
United Arab Emirates
Alshaya Retail GmbH 34
ALVETRA u. WERFFT AG 24
Aqua Engineering GesmbH 26
Arabital Shipping 34
Backhausen interior design GmbH 26
Bags Holding GesmbH 35
Beta Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H. 27
BEV-Group 24
Böhler International GmbH 20
Bureau Veritas Austria GmbH 36
DCM DECOmetal GmbH 32
Dotzauer Kristallleuchten ProduktionsGmbH 27
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
EOOS GmbH 20
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
Frey Wille GmbH & Co KG 28
Gabriel Chemie GmbH 9
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
Hasenkopf 28
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Heller Consult Tax & Business Solutions GmbH 41
Mag. Hoeveler & Co GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
ILF – Beratende Ingenieure ZT Ges.m.b.H 42
Innovation und Technik GmbH 15
Islamisches Informations- und Dokumentations-zentrum Österreich (IIDZ – Austria) 43
IPSA – International Protect & Security Agency e.U. 42
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
Khwanda Group 15
Leitz GesmbH & Co KG 16
LIEBHERR-Werk Nenzing GmbH 16
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH 32
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Modern Life Handels GmbH 29
Mondi Business Paper Sales GmbH 21
Nahas Enterprises Group 43
Österr. Doka Schalungs-Gerüstbautechnik GmbH. 30
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
OMV Aktiengesellschaft 19
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co KG 21
Plan.NET Middle East 45
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
Red Bull GmbH 13
RHI AG 22
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH 25
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Spitzwieser Sport & Sondermotoren e.U. 17
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
Webster University 49
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
X-Plus-Management GmbH 50
Ybbstaler Fruit Austria GmbH 13
Yemen
Böhler International GmbH 20
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
Egypt Air 38
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
Emirates Airlines 38
EVER Neuro Pharma GmbH 9
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
Geospace GmbH 39
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
ISAB Industrieanlagenbau Ges.m.b.H. 15
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH 32
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Mondi Business Paper Sales GmbH 21
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
OMV Aktiengesellschaft 19
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co KG 21
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
RHI AG 22
ROXCEL HandelsgesmbH 22
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH 25
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
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W
INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS
67
LIST OF ARAB EMBASSIES IN AUSTRIAALGERIAEmbassy of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria Address: Rudolfinergasse 18 / 1190 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 369 88 53
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 369 88 56
E-Mail: office@algerische-botschaft.at
Consulate: consulate@algerische-botschaft.at
Internet: www.algerische-botschaft.at
Ambassador: H.E. Ms. Taous FEROUKHI
EGYPTEmbassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt Address: Hohe Warte 50 – 54 / 1190 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 370 81 04
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 370 81 04 - 27
E-Mail: egyptembassyvienna@egyptembassyvienna.at
Internet: www.egyptembassyvienna.at
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Ehab FAWZY
IRAQEmbassy of the Republic of Iraq Address: PO Box 599, Johannesgasse 26 / 1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 713 81 95
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 713 67 20
E-Mail: office@iraqembassy.at
Chargé d’affaires a.i.: H.E. Mr. Ziad Tariq AL-ADHAMY
JORDANEmbassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Address: Rennweg 17/4 / 1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 405 10 25
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 405 10 31
E-Mail: info@jordanembassy.at
Internet: www.jordanembassy.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Makram QUEISI
KUWAITEmbassy of the State of Kuwait Address: Strassergasse 32 / 1190 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 405 56 46
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 405 56 46 -13
E-Mail: kuwait.embassy.vienna@speed.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Mohammad AL-SALLAL
LEAGUE OF ARAB STATESMission of the League of Arab States in ViennaAddress: Schwarzenbergplatz 6/Zaunergasse 1-3 /
1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 513 07 66
Fax : 0043 (0) 1 513 07 67
E-Mail: arab.league.vienna@aon.at
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Mikhail WEHBE
LEBANONEmbassy of the Lebanese Republic Address: Oppolzergasse 6/3 / 1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 533 88 21
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 533 49 84
E-Mail: embassy.lebanon@inode.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Ishaya EL-KHOURY
LIBYAPeople’s Bureau of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Address: Blaasstr. 33 / 1190 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 367 76 39
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 367 76 01
E-Mail: office@libyanembassyvienna.at
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Ahmed MENESI
MOROCCOEmbassy of the Kingdom of Morocco Address: Opernring 3-5 / 1010 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 586 66 51
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 586 76 67
E-Mail: emb-pmissionvienna@morocco.at
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Omar ZNIBER
OMANEmbassy of the Sultanate of Oman Address: Währingerstr. 2-4 / 1090 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 310 86 43
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 310 72 68
E-Mail: embassy.oman@chello.at
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Badr bin AL-HINAI
PALESTINEMission of Palestine Address: Josefsgasse 5 / 1080 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 408 82 02
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 408 81 19
E-Mail: palestine.mission@chello.at
Internet: www.palestinemission.at
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Zuheir ELWAZER
QATARRepresentation of the State of Qatar Address: Währingerstr. 2-4 / 1090 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 310 49 50
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 319 08 97
E-Mail: vertreter.qatar.vienna@chello.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Ali Khalfan AL-MANSOURI
SAUDI ARABIAEmbassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Address: Formanekgasse 38 / 1190 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 367 25 31
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 367 25 40
E-Mail: emb.saudiarabia.vienna@aon.at
Ambassador: H.H. Prince Mansour bin Khalid AL SAUD
SUDANEmbassy of the Republic of Sudan Address: Reisnerstr. 29/5 / 1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 710 23 43
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 710 23 46
E-Mail: sudanivienna@prioritytelecom.biz
Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Mahmud ELAMIN
SYRIAEmbassy of the Syrian Republic Address: Daffingerstr. 4 / 1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 533 46 33
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 533 46 32
E-Mail: vienna_embassy@syrianembassy.jet2web.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Bassam SABBAGH
TUNISIAEmbassy of the Republic of Tunisia Address: Sieveringerstr. 187 / Vienna 1190
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 581 52 81
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 581 55 92
E-Mail: at.vienne@aon.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Ali CHAOUCH
UNITED ARAB EMIRATESEmbassy of the United Arab Emirates Address: Peter-Jordan-Str. 66 / 1190 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 368 14 55
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 368 44 85
E-Mail: emirates@aon.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Mohamad Omran ALSHAMSI
YEMEN Embassy of the Republic of Yemen Address: Reisnerstr. 18-20 / 1. Stock, Top 3-4 /
1030 Vienna
Tel.: 0043 (0) 1 503 29 30
Fax: 0043 (0) 1 505 31 59
E-Mail: yemenembassy.vienna@aon.at
Consulate: konsular@yemenembassy.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mr. Abdel Hahim AL-ERYANI
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LIST OF AUSTRIAN EMBASSIES IN ARAB COUNTRIES
ALGERIAAustrian Embassy in Algier Address: 17, Chemin Abdel kader Gadouche,
16035 Hydra
Tel.: 00213 / 21 69 10 86
Fax: 00213 / 21 69 12 32
E-Mail: algier-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mag. Aloisia WÖRGETTER
EGYPTAustrian Embassy in CairoAddress: El Nile Street/Corner 5, Wissa
Wassef Street, 5th Floor, Riyadth-Tower,
Giza, 11111 Kairo
Tel.: 0020 / 2 3570 29 75
Fax: 0020 / 2 3570 29 79
E-Mail: kairo-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Internet: www.austriaegypt.org
Ambassador: H.E. Mag. Dr.Thomas NADER
Office area: Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea
JORDANAustrian Embassy in AmmanAddress: Mithqal Al-Fayez Street 36, Jabal Amman
P.O.B. 830795, Amman 11183
Tel.: 00962 / 6 460 11 01
Fax: 00962 / 6 461 27 25
E-Mail: amman-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mag. Franz HÖRLBERGER
KUWAITAustrian Embassy in Kuwait CityAddress: Daiyah, Area Nr. 3, Shawki Street,
house Nr. 10, Kuwait
P.O.B. 15013 Daiyah, 35451 Kuwait
Tel.: 00965 / 225 52 532
Fax: 00965 / 225 63 052
E-Mail: kuwait-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mag. Marian WRBA
Office area: Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait
LEBANON Austrian Embassy in BeirutAddress: Avenue Charles Malek, Tabaris – Achrafieh
Tabaris 812 Bldg., 8th floor,
Beirut 2071-1606
P. O. Box 11-3924
Tel.: 00961 / 1 21 73 60
Fax: 00961 / 1 21 77 72
E-Mail: beirut-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Internet: www.aussenministerium.at/beirut
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Eva Maria ZIEGLER
LIBYAAustrian Embassy in TripolisAddress: Shara Khalid Ben Walid/Shara Arismondi,
Dahra Area, Garden City, Tripolis
P.O.B. 3207, Tripolis
Tel.: 00218 / 21 44 43 379
Fax: 00218 / 21 44 40 838
E-Mail: tripolis-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Ambassador: H.E. Mag. Dorothea AUER
MOROCCOAustrian Embassy in RabatAddress: 2 Zankat Tiddas, Rabat
BP 135, Rabat
Tel.: 00212 / 537 76 40 03
Fax: 00212 / 537 76 54 25
E-Mail: rabat-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Internet: www.aussenministerium.at/rabat
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Georg MAUTNER-MARKHOF
Office area: Morocco, Mauritania
OMANAustrian Embassy in Muscat Address: Shatti al Qurum, Al-Kharijia Street,
Way no. 3013,
Villa no. 898, Maskat
P.O.Box 2070, Postal Code 112
RUWI, Muscat
Tel.: 00968 / 2469 4127
Fax: 00968 / 2469 9265
E-Mail: muskat-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Andreas KARABACZEK
Office area: Yemen, Oman
SAUDI ARABIAAustrian Embassy in RiyadhAddress: Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh
P.O.Box 94373, Riyadh 11693
Tel.: 00966 / 1 480 12 17
Fax: 00966 / 1 480 15 26
E-Mail: riyadh-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Internet: www.aussenministerium.at/riyadh
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Johannes WIMMER
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SYRIAAustrian Embassy in DamascusAddress: Farabi Street 1, Bld. Mohamed
Naim Al-Deker,
Mezzeh, East Villas, Damascus
P.O.Box 5634, Damascus
Tel.: 00963 / 11 613 80 1-00
00963 / 11 613 98 300 (Visa Department)
Fax: 00963 / 11 611 67 34
E-Mail: damaskus-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Internet: www.aussenministerium.at/damaskus
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Maria KUNZ
TUNISIAAustrian Embassy in TunisAddress: 16, Rue Ibn Hamdiss El Menzah I,
1004 Tunis
Tel.: 00216 / 71 23 90 38
Fax: 00216 / 71 75 54 27
E-Mail: tunis-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Internet: www.aussenministerium.at/tunis
Ambassador: H.E. Mag. Dr. Johann FRÖHLICH
UNITED ARAB EMIRATESAustrian Embassy in Abu DhabiAddress: Al Khazna Tower, Abu Dhabi
P.O.B. 35539, Abu Dhabi
Tel.: 00971 / 2 67 66 611
Fax: 00971 / 2 67 15 551
E-Mail: abu-dhabi-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Internet: www.aussenministerium.at/abudhabi
www.austrianembassy.ae
Ambassador: H.E. Dr. Julius LAURITSCH
AUSTRIAN TRADE COMMISSIONS IN ARAB COUNTRIES
ALGERIAAustrian Trade Commission in Algiers Address: Ambassade d’Autriche -
Section Commerciale
17, Chemin Abdelkader Gaddouche
16035 Hydra-Alger ALGÉRIE
ALGERIEN
Tel.: 00213 21 / 69 12 29 or 69 27 54
Fax: 00213 21 / 69 15 90
E-Mail: algier@wko.at
Internet: wko.at/awo/dz Office Area: Algeria, Tunisia
Commercial Counsellor: Mag. Ulrike STRAKA
COMOROSAustrian Trade Commission Johannesburg Address: 1, Cradock Avenue
(Corner Tyrwhitt Avenue)
Rosebank (Johannesburg)
Tel.: 0027 11 / 442 71 00
Fax: 0027 11 / 442 83 04
E-Mail: johannesburg@wko.at
Internet: wko.at/awo/zaOffice Area: Comoros (et. al.) Commercial Counsellor: Dr. Stefan PISTAUER
EGYPTAustrian Trade Commission Cairo Address: Austrian Embassy - Commercial Office
8, Ismail Mohamed Street - Zamalek
Cairo
ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT
Tel.: 00202 / 273 576 07 or 273 611 50 or
273 655 63
Fax: 00202 / 273 628 92
E-Mail: kairo@wko.at
Internet: wko.at/awo/eg Office Area: Sudan, Djibouti (et. al.)
Commercial Counsellor: Dr. Kurt ALTMANN
IRAQAustrian Trade Commission Erbil Address: Gulan Street at Naz City, Block E,
Groundfloor door 3
Erbil
Tel.: 00964 / 750 449 50 38 or
0043 (0) 676 936 92 86
E-Mail: bagdad@wko.at
Internet: wko.at/awo/iq Commercial Counsellor: Mr. Oskar SMRZKA
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LIBYAAustrian Trade Commission Tripoli Address: Abdulkader el Jazairi
Tripoli
Tel.: 00218 21 / 333 51 76 or 333 51 77 or
333 04 16
Fax: 00218 21 / 333 73 22
E-Mail: tripolis@wko.at
Internet: wko.at/awo/ly Commercial Counsellor: Mr. David BACHMANN
MOROCCOAustrian Trade Commission Casablanca Address: Ambassade d’Autriche –
Section Commerciale
45, Avenue Hassan II
20000 Casablanca
MAROC
Tel.: 00212 522 / 223 282 or 224 770 or
266 904
Fax: 00212 522 / 221 083
E-Mail: casablanca@wko.at
Internet: wko.at/awo/maOffice Area: Morocco, Mauritania (et. al.) Commercial Counsellor: Mr. Manfred SCHMID
PALESTINEAustrian Trade Commission Tel Aviv Address: Trade Tower, 9th Floor
25, Hamered Street
61500 Tel Aviv
ISRAEL
Tel.: 00972 / 3 516 86 85
Fax: 00972 / 3 516 85 80
E-Mail: telaviv@wko.at Internet: wko.at/awo/il Commercial Counsellor: Mr. Christian LASSNIG
SAUDI ARABIAAustrian Trade Commission Riyadh Address: Kingdom Tower 23rd Floor
Olaya District, Arouba Road
Riyadh 11693
SAUDI-ARABIA
Tel.: 00966 1 / 211 01 11 or 211 01 71 or
211 01 77
Fax: 00966 1 / 211 02 22
E-Mail: riyadh@wko.at
Internet: wko.at/awo/sa Office Area: Saudi Arabia, Yemen
Commercial Counsellor: Mag. Pierre PRUNIS
SYRIAAustrian Trade Commission Damascus Address: Mezzeh, Eastern Villas
Farabi Street 116a
Damascus
SYRIA
Tel.: 00963 11 / 611 77 71 or 611 46 16
Fax: 00963 11 / 613 20 78
E-Mail: damaskus@wko.at
Internet: wko.at/awo/sy Office Area: Jordan, Lebanon
Commercial Counsellor: Dr. Kurt MÜLLAUER
UNITED ARAB EMIRATESAustrian Trade Commission Abu Dhabi Address: Al Khazna Tower, 7th Floor
Al Najda Street
Abu Dhabi
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Tel.: 00971 2 / 676 66 33
Fax: 00971 2 / 676 00 02
E-Mail: abudhabi@wko.at
Internet: wko.at/awo/ae Office Area: Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan
Commercial Counsellor: Dr. Wolfgang PENZIAS
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AUSTRIAN TRADE COMMISSIONS
MARKETING OFFICES
CASABLANCA TRIPOLI
ALGIERS TUNIS
CAIRO
DAMASCUS
RIYADHJEDDAH
ERBIL
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WORLDWIDE AT YOUR SERVICE.
With a network of more than 100 offices in 70 countries
is uniquely positioned to consult
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support you in Arab Countries.
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ADDRESSES OF JOINT ARAB-FOREIGN CHAMBERS
Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC)Österreichisch-Arabische Handelskammer
Postfach 181, A – Lobkowitzplatz 1,
1015 Vienna - Austria
Tel.: 00431 / 513 39 65-0
Fax: 00431 / 513 85 59
E-Mail: headoffice@aacc.at
http://www.aacc.at
EXECUTIVE BOARD:Dkfm. Dr. Herbert STEPIC ............................................................ President
KommR. Nabil R. KUZBARI ......................................................... Vice President
Dr. Gerhard ROISS ............................................................................. Vice President
Mr. Henry HAFEZ ................................................................................. Vice President
Dipl.-Ing. Mouddar KHOUJA ...................................................... Secretary General
Dr. Alfred STROMMER ................................................................... Treasurer
H.E. Dr. Badr M. AL-HINAI ............................................................. President of the Arab Ambassador Council in Austria
(in quarterly rotation)
H.H. Prince Mansour Bin Khalid AL SAUD ........................ Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
STAFF:Mag. Leila KAPLAN .......................................................................... Assistant to the Secretary General
Nahla OSSEIRAN ................................................................................ Client Service Officer, Data Base
Wahid Zaffrul SHAN ......................................................................... Legalization Officer
CONSULTANTS:Dr. Horst MACHU ............................................................................... Chief Consultant, former Commercial Counsellor in
Arab countries
Min.-Couns. Soliman ELGOHARY ........................................... Consultant
AUSTRIA
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ARGENTINIA
Argentine-Arab Chamber of Commerce (CCAA)Cámara de Comercio Argentino Arabe
Montevideo 513 / Piso 6
C1019ABK Buenos Aires – Republica Argentina
Tel.: 005411/ 437 28 167
Fax: 005411/ 437 12 561
E-Mail: camarabe@ccaa.com.ar
http://www.camarabe.com
Mr. Jamal M. AWADAH .............................. President
Mr. Sattamm AL-KADDOUR ................... Secretary General
AUSTRALIA
Australia-Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. (AACCI) AACCI National Office
24 Brisbane Avenue Barton ACT 2600 - Australia
P.O. Box 6005 / Kingston ACT 2604 - Australia
Tel.: 00612/ 627 08 037
Fax: 00612/ 627 33 196
E-Mail: ceo@austarab.com.au
http://www.austarab.com.au
Mr. Ray NAJAR ................................................ National Chairman
Mr. Robert NEWTON ................................................ Executive Director
(CEO)
BELGIUM
Chambre de Commerce Belgique-Luxembourg-Pays Arabes (CCBLA)Arab-Belgium-Luxemburg Chamber of Commerce
Rue Mignot-Delstanche Straat 60 /
Brussel 1050 Bruxelles - Belgium
Tel.: 0032 / 2 344 82 04
Fax: 0032 / 2 347 57 64
E-Mail: info@ccbla.org
http://www.ccbla.org
Mr. Johan BEERLANDT ............................. President
Mr. Qaisar HIJAZIN ....................................... Secretary General
BRAZIL
Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB)Câmara de Comércio Árabe-Brasileira
Av. Paulista, 326 17th/18th Floor
01310 – 902 Sao Paulo - SP - Brazil
Tel.: 005511 / 3283 40 66
Fax: 005511 / 3288 81 10
E-Mail: ccab@ccab.org.br
http://www.ccab.org.br
Mr. Salim Tawfic CHAHIEN ..................... President
Mr. Michel ALABI ............................................. Secretary General
CHINA
China-Arab Joint Chamber of Commerce (CAJCC)China Council for the Promotion
of International Trade (CCPIT)
1 Fu Xing Men Wai Street,
Beijing 100860 - P.R.China
Tel.: 0086 / 10 8807 ext. 5663 / 5393
Fax: 0086 / 10 8807 5408
E-Mail: zhangzhan@ccpit.org
http://www.ccpit.org
Mr. Wan JIFEI ....... Chairman of Chinese Board of CAJCC
Mr. Adnan KASSAR .. Chairman of Arab Board of CAJCC
CZECH REPUBLIC
Czech-Arab Chamber of Commerce Cesko - Arabská Obchodní Komora
Freyova 27/82 /
190 00 Praha 9 – Czech Republic
Tel.: 00420 / 773 131 858
E-Mail: caok@czaok.cz
http://www.czaok.cz
Ing. George KARRÁA ................................. President
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FRANCE
Chambre de Commerce Franco-Arabe (CCFA)
250 bis, Boulevard Saint Germain,
75007 Paris - France
Tel.: 00331 / 45 53 20 12
Fax: 00331 / 47 55 09 59
E-Mail: info@ccfranco-arabe.org
http://www.ccfranco-arabe.org
Mr. Herve DE CHARETTE ......................... President
Dr. Saleh Bakr AL-TAYAR .......................... Secretary General
GERMANY
Ghorfa Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry e. V. (Ghorfa)Arabisch-Deutsche Vereinigung
Für Handel und Industrie e.V.
1 Garnisonskirchplatz,
10178 Berlin - Federal Republic of Germany
Tel.: 0049 30 / 2789 07-0
Fax: 0049 30 / 2789 07-49
E-Mail: info@ghorfa.de
http://www.ghorfa.de
Dr. Thomas BACH .............................. President
Mr. Abdulaziz AL-MIKHLAFI ..................... Secretary General
Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development
180-182 Kifissias Ave,
154 51 N. Psychico, Athens - Greece
Tel.: 0030 210/ 671 12 10 101; 6726882
Fax: 0030 210/ 674 65 77; 6746 578
E-Mail: chamber@arabgreekchamber.gr
http://www.arabgreekchamber.gr/
Eng. Anttar BANDALSI ............................... President
Mr. Mohamed E. EL-KHAZMI ................. Secretary General
IRELAND
The Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce
63 Lower Mount Street,
Dublin 2 - Ireland
Tel.: 00353 / 1 / 662 44 51 – 662 15 77
Fax: 00353 / 1 / 662 47 29
E-Mail: info@jaicc.ie, jaicc@indigo.ie
http://www.jaicc.ie/
Mr. Louis J. MAGUIRE ................................ President
Mr. Ahmad R. YOUNIS .......................Secretary General
ITALY
Arab-Italian Chamber of CommerceCamera di Commercio Italo-Araba
Chambre de Commerce Italo-Arabe
Via Monti Parioli 48 /
00197 Roma - Italy
Tel.: 003906/ 322 67 51
Fax: 003906/ 322 69 01
E-Mail: itaraba@tin.it
http://www.cameraitaloaraba.org
Mr. Sergio MARINI ......................................... President
Mr. Fouad ABDULHADI ............................... Secretary General
Joint Kenya-Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry
10th Floor, KCS House, MAMA Ngina Street,
P.O. Box 50182 - 00200 Nairobi - KENYA
Tel.: 00254 / 20 / 343 551
Fax: 00254 / 20 / 310 643
E-Mail: fakih@kenyaarabchamber.com
fakih_ghorfakenya@yahoo.com
Mr. Omar FAKIH .......................... Deputy Secretary - General
GREECE KENYA
MALTA
Maltese-Arab Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
Auberge A, San Anton, De Paule Avenue,
Balzan BZN 02 - Malta
Tel.: 00356 21/ 48 27 50 – 48 27 07
Fax: 00356 21/ 48 27 14
E-Mail: maccia@waldonet.net.mt
Mr. Anthony GUILLAUMIER .................... President
Mr. Mohamed Ezzeddine
BEK DERNA ........................................................ Secretary General
PORTUGALArab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and IndustryCamara De Comercio E Industria Arabe-Portuguesa
AVENIDA FONTES PEREIRA DE MELO 19-8,
1050-116 LISBOA - PORTUGAL
Tel.: 00351 21/ 313 81 00
Fax: 00351 21/ 313 81 09
E-Mail: cciap@cciap.pt
http://www.cciap.pt
Mr. Angelo CORREIA ................................... President
Mr. Allaoua Karim BOUABDELLAH .... Secretary General
RUSSIA
Russian-Arab Business Council
Office 143 / 17/8/9 bldg1,
Prechistenka St., Moscow, 119034 / Russia
Tel.: 007495/ 730-4123
Fax: 007495/ 730-4123
E-Mail: rads@russarabbc.ru
http://www.rusarabbc.ru
Mr. Vladimir P. YEVTUSHENKOV ........ Chairman
Mrs. Tatiana GVILAVA ................................. Director
SWITZERLAND
Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and IndustryChambre Arabo-Suisse du commerce et de l’industrie
Arabische-Schweizerische Handels und Industriekammer
70 / Route de Florissant,
CH-1211 Geneve 12 - Switzerland
Tel.: 004122/ 34 73 202
Fax: 004122/ 34 73 870
E-Mail: arabswisscham@casci.ch
http://www.casci.ch
Mr. Werner OBERLI ........................................ President
Mr. Bahaa EL-ATTAR .................................... Secretary General
UNITED KINGDOMArab-British Chamber of Commerce
43 Upper Grosvenor Street,
London, W1K 2NJ - UK
Tel.: 0044 / 20 / 7235 4363
Fax: 0044 / 20 / 7245 66 88
E-Mail: info@abcc.org.uk
http://www.abcc.org.uk
Sir Roger TOMKYS ....................................... President
Dr. Afnan Al-SHUAIBY ................................ Secretary General
National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce
1023 15th Street, N.W.
Suite 400, Washington D.C. 20005 - U.S.A
Tel.: 001 202 / 289 59 20
Fax: 001 202 / 289 59 38
E-Mail: info@nusacc.org
http://www.nusacc.org
Mr. David HAMOD ....................................... President & CEO
Mr. Donald DE MARINO ..................... Chairman
UNITED STATES
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ALGERIA
Chambre Algérienne de Commerce et d‘Industrie (CACI)
Palais Consulaire 6 / Bd. Amilcar Cabral - 16003 Alger
BP 100 Alger 1er Novembre, Place des Martyrs - Algérie
Tel.: 00213 21/ 96 77 77 or 96 66 66
Fax: 00213 21/ 96 70 70
E-Mail: infos@caci.dz
http://www.caci.dz
BAHRAIN
Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry
P.O.Box 248 Manama – Kingdom of Bahrain
Tel.: 00973 17/ 380 000
Fax: 00973 17/ 380 123
E-Mail: bcci@bcci.bh
http://www.bahrainchamber.org.bh
COMOROS
Union des Chambres de Commerce d’Industrie et d’Agriculture des Comoros P.O.Box 763 Moroni – Comoros
Tel.: 00269 / 730 958
Fax: 00269 / 731 983
http://www.uccia-comoros.com/
DJIBOUTI
Chambre Internationale de Commerce et d’Industrie (Djibouti)
B.P. 84 Djibouti – République de Djibouti
Tel.: 00253/ 351 070
Fax: 00253/ 350 096
E-Mail: ccd@intnet.dj
EGYPT
Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce
4 / Falaki Square, 25 Cairo – Egypt
Tel.: 0020 22/ 795 60 66 - 795 11 36 - 795 36 77
Fax: 0020 22/ 794 38 01 - 795 11 64
E-Mail: fedcoc@menanet.net, info@fedcoc.org.eg
http://www.fedcoc.org.eg
IRAQ
Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce
Saadoun St., Baghdad - Iraq
Tel.: 00964 / 790 362 1817
Fax: N/A
E-Mail: ficcbaghdad@yahoo.com
http://www.ifi-iraq.org/
JORDAN
Jordan Chamber of Commerce
P.O.Box 7029 Amman 11118 – Jordan
Tel.: 00962 6/ 566 54 92
Fax: 00962 6/ 568 59 97
E-Mail: info@jocc.org.jo
http://www.jocc.org.jo
Jordan Chamber of Industry
P.O.Box 1800 Amman 11118 – Jordan
Tel.: 00962 6/ 464 30 01
Fax: 00962 6/ 464 78 52
E-Mail: aci@aci.org.jo
http://www.aci.org.jo
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ADDRESSES OF FEDERATIONS & CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE IN THE ARAB COUNTRIES
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KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Council of Saudi Chambers
P.O.Box 16683 Riyadh 11474 - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel.: 00966 1/ 21 82 222
Fax: 00966 1/ 21 82 111
E-Mail: council@csc.org.sa, info@csc.org.sa
http://www.csc.org.sa/
Federation of GCC Chambers
P.O.Box 2198 / 31451 Damam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel.: 00966 3 83 55 006
Fax: 00966 3 83 55 007
E-Mail: fgccc@fgccc.org
http://www.fgccc.org
KUWAIT
Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Commercial Area # 9 / Al-Shuhadaa St., Kuwait City
P.O.Box 775 / Safat 13008 – Kuwait
Tel.: 00965/ 224 23 555 or 224 23 666
Fax: 00965/ 224 04 110
E-Mail: kcci@kcci.org.kw
http://www.kcci.org.kw
LEBANON
Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture in Lebanon
P.O.Box 11-1801 / Beirut - Lebanon
Tel.: 00961 1/ 744 702 or 353 190
Fax: 00961 1/ 349 614
E-Mail : fccial@cci-fed.org.lb
http://www.cci-fed.org.lb
General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Arab Countries
P.O.Box: 11-2837 / Beirut - Lebanon
Tel.: 00961 1/ 826 021/ 22/ 24
Fax: 00961 1/ 826 020
E-Mail : admin@uac.org.lb, uac@uac.org.lb
http://www.gucciaac.org.lb
LIBYA
Federation of Jamahiriya Chambers of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture
P.O.Box 12556 / Maidan Al-Jazayer, Tripoli – Libya
Tel.: 00218 21/ 33 65 -130 or -133
Fax: 00218 21/ 33 65 -126 or -127
E-Mail: contact.inf@guocci.com
http://www.guocci.com
MAURITANIA
Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Agriculture de Mauritanie
Av. de l’indépendance, BP 215 / Nouakchott – Mauritanie
Tel.: 00222/ 525 22 14
Fax: 00222/ 525 38 95
E-Mail: info@chambredecommerce.mr
http://www.chambredecommerce.mr/
MOROCCO
Fédération des Chambres Marocaines de Commerce, d`Industrie et de Services
6 Rue Erfoud, P.O.Box 218 Rabat cp10001 - Maroc
Tel.: 00212 37/ 76 70 51
Fax: 00212 37/ 76 70 96
E-Mail: fcmcis@menara.ma
http://www.fcmcis.ma/
OMAN
Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry
P.O.Box 1400 , Postal Code 112 / Ruwi Muscat – Sultan-
ate Of Oman
Tel.: 00968 24/ 70 76 74
Fax: 00968 24/ 70 84 97
E-Mail: occi@chamberoman.com
http://www.chamberoman.com
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PALESTINE
Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture
Jerusalem, Al-Rashid St., P.O.Box: 54107
Tel.: 00970 2/ 23 44 923
Fax: 00970 2/ 23 44 924
E-Mail: fpccia@palnet.com
http://www.pal-chambers.org
QATAR
Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry
P.O.Box 402 / Doha – Qatar
Tel.: 00974/ 44 55 91 11
Fax: 00974/ 44 66 16 93 / 44 66 16 97
E-Mail: info@qcci.org, qcci@qatar.net.qa
http://www.qcci.org
SOMALIA
Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Somali Chamber Building, near Banadir Hotel, Shibis
District, Mogadishu - Somalia
Tel.: 00252 1/ 64 30 81 or 00252 5 / 942 333
Fax.: 00252 1/ 22 15 60
E-Mail: info@somalicci.com
http://somalicci.com/
SUDAN
Sudanese Businessmen and Employers Federation P.O.Box 1758 Khartoum – Sudan
Tel.: 00249 1/ 83 431 -276 or -277 or -278
Fax: 00249 1/ 83 431 -281 or -283
E-Mail: info@sudabiz.org
http://www.sudabiz.org
SYRIA
Federation of the Syrian Chambers of Commerce Moussa Bin Nussair St.
P.O.Box 5909 Damascus – Syria
Tel.: 00963 11/ 333 73 44 or 33 11 504
Fax: 00963 11/ 333 11 27
E-Mail: syr-trade@mail.sy
http://www.fedcommsyr.org
TUNISIA
Union Tunisienne de l’Industrie, du Commerce et de l’Artisanat
Cité administrative, lot N°7 / Cité El-Khadhra,
1003 Tunis - TUNISIE
Tel.: 00216 71/ 142 300
Fax: 00216 71/ 142 100
E-Mail: contact@utica.org.tn
http://www.utica.org.tn
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)
Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry
ABU-DHABI Office: P.O.Box 3014 Abu-Dhabi – U.A.E.
Tel.: 00971 2/ 621 41 44
Fax: 00971 2/ 633 92 10
E-Mail: fcciauh@emirates.net.ae
http://www.fcci.gov.ae
DUBAI Office: PO Box 8886 Dubai - UAE
Tel.: 00971 4/ 22 12 977
Fax: 00971 4/ 22 35 498
E-Mail: fccidxb@emirates.net.ae
YEMEN
Federation of Yemeni Chambers of Commerce and Industry
P.O.Box: 16992 / Sana’a - Republic of Yemen
Tel.: 00967 1/ 261 295 - 265 038
Fax: 00967 1/ 261 269
E-Mail: info@fycci-ye.com
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MEMBER DIRECTORY
Chemical Products 7
Abiothrin Handelsg. mbH 7
AKTIVSAUERSTOFF GmbH 7
ALPHA – Aleppo Pharmaceutical Industries 8
Al Matin Group for trade and industry 8
Borealis AG 8
Chemson Polymere-Additive AG 8
EBEWE Pharma Ges.m.b.H. Nfg.KG 9
EVER Neuro Pharma GmbH 9
Gabriel Chemie GmbH 9
G.L. Pharma 9
GREINER BIO-ONE GmbH 10
Mag. Hoeveler & Co GmbH 10
IASON GmbH 10
Katharina Hallal GmbH 10
Merck KGaA & Co. Werk Spittal 11
Mikro-Mineral GmbH 11
Onkotec GmbH 11
Sandoz GmbH 11
Trenka Chemisch-Pharmazeutische Fabrik GmbH 12
Wyeth Whitehall Export GmbH 12
Culture and Art 12
Fritz: Traude Fritz 12
Herger: Atelier Mag. Art. Herger Helga 12
Spitzer: Ing. Pablo Spitzer 12
Drinks and Tobacco 13
POWER HORSE Energy Drinks GmbH 13
Rauch Fruchtsäfte GmbH & Co OG 13
Red Bull GmbH 13
Ybbstaler Fruit Austria GmbH 13
Engines, Vehicles 14
Elin Wasserwerkstechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H. 14
DCC – Doppelmayr Cable Car GmbH & Co KG 14
Fritz Baumaschinen GmbH & Co KG 14
GE. Energy Jenbacher GmbH & Co OHG 14
Hörbiger Kompressortechnik GmbH 15
Innovation und Technik GmbH 15
ISAB Industrieanlagenbau GmbH 15
Khwanda Group 15
Leitz GesmbH & Co KG 16
LIEBHERR-Werk Nenzing GmbH 16
Omicron Electronics GmbH 16
Plasser & Theurer Export von Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH 16
Spitzwieser Sport & Sondermotoren e.U. 17
Trade Line Machinery 17
Tiger1 Co. 17
Ti-Tella Handelsgesellschaft mbH 17
TUMA PUMPENSYSTEME GMBH 18
UNTHA shredding technology 18
Fuel and Energy 19
AGT Management & Engineering AG 19
Geosat Technology Limited 19
OMV Aktiengesellschaft 19
Ind
ex
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Manufactured Goods 20
Böhler International GmbH 20
EOOS GmbH 20
F. J. Elsner Trading & Co 20
IMET Handelsgesellschaft 20
Khalil Sara Establishment 21
Mondi Business Paper Sales GmbH 21
OVOTHERM International HandelsGmbH 21
Papierfabrik Wattens GmbH & Co KG 21
Ramses Zwei GmbH 22
RHI AG 22
ROXCEL HandelsgesmbH 22
Stora Enso Timber AG 22
VIMPEX HandelsgesmbH. 23
VA Intertrading AG 23
Nutrition 24
ALVETRA u. WERFFT AG 24
BEV-Group 24
Biolachs 24
Gebrüder Woerle GesmbH. 24
Ghraoui Group 25
Gresam HandelsgesmbH 25
Die Marmeladen-Manufaktur 25
Schreiber & Rupp GesmbH 25
Other Manufactured Goods 26
ADCON Telemetry GmbH 26
Alu König Stahl 26
Aqua Engineering GesmbH 26
Backhausen interior design GmbH 26
Beta Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H. 27
Christian Maschek Schmuck 27
Dotzauer Kristallleuchten ProduktionsGmbH 27
D. Swarovski & Co. 27
Frey Wille GmbH & Co KG 28
GLS Tanks GmbH 28
Hasenkopf 28
Herz Austria GmbH 28
J.T. Kalmar GmbH 29
MOBIL BAUSTOFFE GmbH 29
Modern Life Handels GmbH 29
Neue Wiener Porzellanmanufaktur AUGARTEN GmbH 29
Österr. Doka Schalungs- Gerüstbautechnik GmbH. 30
PORR – ALLGEMEINE BAUGESELLSCHAFT – A. PORR AG 30
RINGER KG 30
Schöler & Co GmbH 30
Science & Research Marketing GmbH 31
Sitte Vienna 31
Strabag SE 31
M. Swarovski GmbH 31
Raw Materials 32
DCM DECOmetal GmbH 32
Mayr-Melnhof Timber Trading GmbH 32
SAG Aluminium Lend GmbH&Co.KG 32
Tyche Rohstoffhandel & Beteiligung GmbH 32
82
Services 33
Accès Alpintechnik Salzburg 33
Architekt Achtsnit & Achtsnit 33
a-consult GmbH 33
Al Mashreq Investment Fund 33
Alshaya Retail GmbH 34
Arabital Shipping 34
ARACON Consulting GmbH 34
Asiah Group Ltd 34
asp.consulting GmbH 35
Austroplan Austrian Engineering GmbH 35
AVT-ARGE Regionale Verkehrsplanung und Transportwirtschaft,
Technisches Büro für Raumplanung 35
Bags Holding GesmbH 35
Bureau Veritas Austria GmbH 36
CIN Consult Unternehmensberatung GmbH 36
C & I Leasing GmbH 36
C&T Sportpferde Freudenthal 36
Club of Trade Delegates (Club der Handelsräte) 37
Das House – Immobilienentwicklungs und -verwertungs GmbH 37
Dr. D’Aron 37
DIET – Développement Industriel Enfidha Tunisie: ENFIDHA INDUSTRIAL PARK 37
Egypt Air 38
Ehrlich: Mag. Daniela Ehrlich, Rechtsanwältin 38
Europe Arab Bank plc 38
Emirates Airlines 38
Expat Consulting 39
FREYGNER Rechtsanwalt GmbH 39
Gentics Software GmbH 39
Geospace GmbH 39
Gesellschaft Österreichisch-Arabische Ärzte und Apotheker 40
Goldenes Kreuz Privatklinik BetriebsGesmbH 40
GourmetConsult 40
Grand Hotel Wien 40
Heller Consult Tax & Business Solutions GmbH 41
Huber: Dr. Max Huber GmbH 41
Hulla & Co. Human Dynamics KG 41
ICC: Austria International Chamber of Commerce 41
IIFC Industrial & Investment Financing Consulting GmbH 42
IPSA – International Protect & Security Agency e.U. 42
Islamisches Informations – und Dokumentationszentrum Österreich (IIDZ – Austria) 42
ILF – Beratende Ingenieure ZT Ges.m.b.H 42
Imperial Hotels Austria AG 43
Lambert Eversheds/Lambert Rechtsanwälte OG 43
Limousinenservice Schafek GmbH 43
Nahas Enterprises Group 43
OBERBANK-AG 44
ÖGV – Österreichischer Gewerbeverein 44
Österreichische Staatsdruckerei GmbH 44
OVE: Austrian Electrotechnical Association 44
Plan.NET Middle East 45
Premium Health Solutions GmbH 45
Profi Personalvermittlung GmbH, activities??? 45
Raiffeisen Zentralbank Austria AG 45
Rechtsanwälte: Dr. Franz Marschall & Mag. Rene Heinz 46
RISE – Research Industrial Systems Engineering GmbH 46
Sacher Hotels BetriebsgesmbH. 46
SANA Investment Co. 46
Ind
ex
83
SBG – AlMarasem – BTC 47
Schneider: Dr. Wolfgang J. Schneider GmbH 47
SPC (K.Prexl Sales-Projects-Consulting) 47
SQZ Software Engineering & Qualitätsmanagement Zopf 47
SWZT Chartered Consultants GmbH 48
TAG – T. Akhras Group 48
Talpa GmbH 48
TECS Telecommunication & E-Commerce Solutions GmbH 48
TomDive 49
Vamed Engineering GmbH & Co KG 49
Webster University 49
Vienna Business Agency 49
X-Plus-Management GmbH 50
Municipalities 51Community of Piringsdorf 51
INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS
List of Arab Embassies in Austria 67
Algeria 67
Egypt 67
Iraq 67
Jordan 67
Kuwait 67
League of Arab States 67
Lebanon 67
Libya 67
Morocco 68
Oman 68
Palestine 68
Qatar 68
Saudi Arabia 68
Sudan 68
Syria 68
Tunisia 68
United Arab Emirates 68
Yemen 68
List of Austrian Embassies in Arab Countries 69
Algeria 69
Egypt 69
Jordan 69
Kuwait 69
Lebanon 69
Libya 69
Morocco 69
Oman 69
Saudi Arabia 69
Syria 70
Tunisia 70
United Arab Emirates 70
84
Austrian Trade Commissions in Arab Countries 70Algeria 70
Comoros 70
Egypt 70
Iraq 70
Libya 71
Morocco 71
Palestine 71
Saudi Arabia 71
Syria 71
United Arab Emirates (UAE) 71
Addresses of Joint Arab-Foreign Chambers 73Austria
Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC) 73
Argentina
Argentine-Arab Chamber of Commerce (CCAA) 74
Australia
Australia-Arab Chamber of Commerce & Industry Inc. (AACCI) 74
Belgium
Chambre de Commerce Belgique-Luxembourg-Pays Arabes (CCBLA) 74
Brazil
Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (CCAB) 74
China
China-Arab Joint Chamber of Commerce (CAJCC) 74
Czech Republic
Czech-Arab Chamber of Commerce (CZAOK) 74
France
Chambre de Commerce Franco-Arabe (CCFA) 75
Germany
Ghorfa Arab-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry e. V. (Ghorfa) 75
Greece
Arab-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Development 75
Ireland
The Joint Arab-Irish Chamber of Commerce 75
Italy
Arab-Italian Chamber of Commerce 75
Kenya
Joint Kenya-Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry 75
Malta
Maltese-Arab Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture 76
Portugal
Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry 76
Russia
Russian-Arab Business Council 76
Switzerland
Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry 76
United Kingdom
Arab-British Chamber of Commerce 76
United States
National U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce 76
Ind
ex
85
Addresses of Federations & Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in the Arab Countries 77
Algeria
Chambre Algérienne de Commerce et d’Industrie (CACI) 77
Bahrain
Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry 77
Comoros
Union des Chambres de Commerce d’Industrie et d’Agriculture des Comoros 77
Djibouti
Chambre Internationale de Commerce et d’Industrie (Djibouti) 77
Egypt
Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce 77
Iraq
Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce 77
Jordan
Jordan Chamber of Commerce
Jordan Chamber of Industry 77
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Council of Saudi Chambers
Federation of GCC Chambers 77
Kuwait
Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry 78
Lebanon
Federation of Chambers of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture in Lebanon
General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
for Arab Countries 78
Libya
Federation of Jamahiriya Chambers of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture 78
Mauritania
Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Agriculture de Mauritanie 78
Morocco
Fédération des Chambres Marocaines de Commerce, d`Industrie et de Services 78
Oman
Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry 78
Palestine
Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture 78
Qatar
Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry 79
Somalia
Somali Chamber of Commerce and Industry 79
Sudan
Sudanese Businessmen and Employers Federation 79
Syria
Federation of the Syrian Chambers of Commerce 79
Tunisia
Union Tunisienne de l’Industrie, du Commerce et de l’Artisanat 79
United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.)
Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry 79
Yemen
Federation of Yemeni Chambers of Commerce and Industry 79
86
COUNTRY PROFILES
Algeria 94Fact File 94
Hydrocarbons Sector 94
Population & Labour Market 94
Economic Reforms & Liberalisation 95
Foreign Trade 95
Investment 96
Long-term Growth Forecast 97
Telecoms 97
Tourism 97
Agriculture 97
Bahrain 98Fact File 98
Reforms 98
Industries 98
Imports 99
Exports 99
Banking 99
ICT 100
Tourism 100
Construction 100
Outlook 100
Comoros 102Fact File 102
Geography 102
Demography 103
Economic Outlook 103
Trade 103
Reforms 104
Tourism 104
Media 104
Banks 105
Djibouti 106Fact File 106
Economy 106
Investment 107
Agriculture & Fishing 107
Reforms 107
Energy & Water Sector 108
Banking & Finance 109
Egypt 110Fact File 110
Population 110
Economy 110
Reforms 111
Oil & Gas 111
Banking Sector 112
Insurance Sector 112
Tourism 112
Construction & Real Estate 113
Investment 113
IT & Telecoms
Ind
ex
87
Iraq 114Fact File 114
Economy 114
Reforms 115
Construction & Infrastructure 115
Energy 116
Industry 116
Banking Sector 116
Insurance Sector 117
Agriculture, Food & Fisheries 117
Outlook 117
Jordan 118Fact File 118
Reforms 118
Investment 118
ICT & Health Sector 120
Transport 120
Trade Relations 121
Kuwait 122Fact File 122
Economy 122
Oil & Petroleum 122
Banking Sector 122
Insurance Sector 123
Health Sector 124
Power & Water 124
Agricultural Sector 124
Trade 124
Foreign Direct Investment 125
Lebanon 126Fact File 126
Financial Sector 126
Insurance Sector 126
Tourism 128
Energy Sector 128
Communications & IT 128
Investment 129
Libya 130Fact File 130
Economy 130
Investment 130
Imports 131
Exports 132
Energy Sector 132
Telecommunications 133
Tourism 133
Retail Sector 133
Privatisation 133
88
Mauritania 134Fact File 134
Fishing 134
Agriculture 134
Telecommunications & New Technologies 135
Mining 135
Manufacturing 136
Tourism 136
Banking & Finance 137
Exports 138
Other Sector 138
Morocco 140Fact File 140
Highlights 140
Banking 140
Tourism 141
Infrastructure 142
Agriculture 143
Energy Sector 143
Oman 144Fact File 144
Economic Outlook 145
Power & Water 145
Oil & Gas 145
Transport & Communications 145
Tourism & Real Estate 146
Industrial Sector 146
Palestine 148Fact File 148
Economy 148
Agriculture 149
Construction 150
Telecoms 150
Outlook 151
Qatar 152Fact File 152
Real Estate & Construction 152
Transport 153
Tourism 153
Attracting Talent 153
Research & Development 154
Telecoms 154
Free Zones 155
Environment 155
Saudi Arabia 156Fact File 156
Oil & Gas 156
Banking Sector 157
Trade 157
Non-Oil Spending 157
Construction & Real Estate 158
Petrochemicals 158
Power & Water 158
Telecoms 159
Transport 159
Tourism 159
Ind
ex
89
Somalia 160Fact File 160
Economy 160
Agriculture 161
Telecoms 162
Mineral Resources 162
Reconstruction 163
Sudan 164Fact File 164
Economy 164
Oil & Gas Sector 164
Agriculture 165
Boosting Exports 166
Financial Sector 166
Telecoms 166
Syria 168Fact File 168
Overview 168
Oil & Gas 168
Agriculture 168
Pharmaceuticals 169
Tourism 169
Telecoms 169
Banking & Financial Sector 171
Tunisia 172Fact File 172
Trade with Europe 172
Human Resources 173
Tourism 173
Construction & Real Estate 174
Financial Sector 174
Fisheries 175
United Arab Emirates 176Fact File 176
Oil & Gas 176
Construction 176
ICT 177
Free Zones 178
Tourism 178
Agriculture 179
Yemen 180Fact File 180
Oil & Gas 181
Electrical Power 181
Tourism 181
Infrastructure 182
Fisheries 182
Agriculture 182
Education 183
COUNTRY PROFILESBASIC SELECTED INFORMATION ON ARAB COUNTRIES
ALGERIA BAHRAIN COMOROS DJIBOUTI EGYPT IRAQ JORDAN KUWAIT LEBANON LIBYA MAURITANIA MOROCCO OMAN PALESTINE QATAR SAUDI ARABIA SOMALIA SUDAN SYRIA TUNISIA UAE YEMEN
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CONTENTS
Algeria (DZ) 94
Bahrain (BH) 98
Comoros (KM) 102
Djibouti (DJ) 106
Egypt (EG) 110
Iraq (IQ) 114
Jordan (JO) 118
Kuwait (KW) 122
Lebanon (LB) 126
Libya (LY) 130
Mauritania (MR) 134
Morocco (MA) 140
Oman (OM) 144
Palestine (PS) 148
Qatar (QA) 152
Saudi Arabia (SA) 156
Somalia (SO) 160
Sudan (SU) 164
Syria (SY) 168
Tunisia (TN) 172
UAE (AE) 176
Yemen (YE) 180
94
COUNTRY NAME: People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria
LAND AREA: 2,4 million km2
POPULATION: 35 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), French (commercial)
CURRENCY: 1 Algerian Dinar (DZD) = 100 Santeem 1 EUR = 100 DZD (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Algiers (Capital), Oran, Constantine, Annaba, Setif
NATIONAL DAY: 1 November – Revolution Day
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 1
ALGERIA
DZ
Algeria is a gateway between Africa and Europe; the Sahara desert which covers more than four-fifths of its land. Algeria is a large country with substantial mineral resources, but limited fertile land. Its population is around 34 million, making it the second-most populous country in North Africa after Egypt. It is classified as a lower-middle-income country, with a GDP per head of just over $8,000 (measured using purchasing power par-ity—PPP—exchange rates) in 2008, slightly above the average for North Africa.
Algeria has emerged from a decade of debilitating civil
war in the early 2000s. During the confl ict, when the
country was mostly isolated from the rest of the world,
the economy was supported by the hydrocarbons sector,
which, insulated from the violence, managed to attract
considerable foreign investment.
The high oil prices in recent years have helped improve
Algeria’s fi nancial and macroeconomic indicators. Algeria
has decreased its external debt to less than 5% of GDP
after repaying its Paris Club and London Club debt in
2006. Algeria’s real GDP also has risen due to higher oil
output and increased government spending.
Foreign trade and most non-energy prices have been
liberalized and private sector activity has been on an
upward trend. However, exports have barely diversifi ed
away from the volatile hydrocarbon sector. The govern-
ment will continue to rely primarily on public invest-
ment to achieve its aims of creating jobs, improving the
provision of housing and utilities and developing non-
hydrocarbons industry and the service sector. Actual
capital spending has increased signifi cantly over the past
few years, and the government plans to maintain this
momentum though implementing a US$150bn develop-
ment programme for 2009-13. Vested interests continue
to obstruct economic diversifi cation in many areas of
the economy, such as import concessions, public-
sector fi rms and the state-owned oil and gas company
“Sonatrach”.
Hydrocarbons Sector
The hydrocarbons sector is the backbone of the
economy, accounting for roughly 60% of budget reve-
nues, 30% of GDP, and over 95% of export earnings.
Algeria also has the eighth-largest reserves of natural
gas in the world and is the fourth-largest gas exporter;
it ranks 15th in oil reserves. Algeria’s deposits of gold,
uranium, zinc, iron and other minerals are also substan-
tial. However, the dominant position of the hydrocarbons
sector makes the Algerian economy highly sensitive to
fl uctuations in international oil prices and in output.
Population & Labour Market
Over the past two decades, Algeria, like most of the coun-
tries in the Middle East and North Africa, has experienced
a rapid increase in population that has left the country with
a very young demographic profi le. This means that for the
next 15 years or so, the working-age population will grow at
a higher rate than the overall population.
The EIU forecasts that average working-age population
growth rate will be 2.2% in 2009-13. However, the propor-
tion of Algerians in the 0-14 age bracket is starting to fall,
ALGIERSALGIERS
95
which will result in a slowdown in the rate of growth of the
working age population compared with the previous five
years.
With regards to unemployment, official figures indicate that
unemployment has fallen significantly since the start of the
current decade, suggesting that the surge in government
investment, which was initiated in 2002 and which is set to
accelerate over the forecast period, may have had a posi-
tive impact. The unemployment rate at end-December 2008
was officially estimated at 11.3%, compared with 11.8% 12
months earlier and almost 30% at the start of the decade.
Economic Reforms & Liberalisation
During the last three decades, Algeria began with a
strategic plan to diversify its economy and sources of
income. However, for most of the 1990s the country
suffered from severe political and economic difficulties,
and the liberalization process and economic reforms was
resumed after President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s re-election
for a third term in April 2009. Algeria is now is undertaken
various reforms to shift the economy from a planned to a
market economy.
Algeria has courageously over the past decade attempted
to modernize its financial system despite challenges
posed by the large hydrocarbon sector. Privatization of
state-owned industries provides significant transaction
and advisory opportunities for investment banks and
professional service firms. Algeria’s more stable macro-
economic framework and financial balances have helped
to implement the reforms. The government is moving
steadily to open up the financial sector to foreign inves-
tors. The banking sector is set to be reformed gradually,
but the process is likely to be haphazard.
With regards to tax, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
is offering helpful advice on economic policy and recent
progress made towards strengthening tax administration
and simplifying the tax system has been welcomed by the
Fund. Over the last decade, Algeria has initiated impor-
tant reforms towards reducing exemptions, improving
VAT design, and eliminating the turnover tax.
The IMF has stressed the need for sustained further
implementation of financial sector reforms to improving
the business climate and enhancing private-sector led
growth. The IMF recommended the strengthening the
role of private banks, and improvements of the country
bank governance and risk management. Algeria banking
system is now progressively transitioning to get to par
with that of the rest of the world although commer-
cial banking and insurance sectors in Algeria remain
underdeveloped.
Foreign Trade
Algeria is running substantial trade surpluses and building
up record foreign exchange reserves. Sharp rises in crude
Algeria
oil prices few years ago have pushed up total export
earnings dramatically in recent years. In 2008 export
revenue rose by one-third year on year to $78.2bn.
However, the trade surplus increased by only 14% to
$39.1bn, as buoyant domestic demand boosted imports.
The bulk of Algeria’s foreign trade is oil exports to the
US and gas exports to the European Union, while most
imports originate in the EU, a pattern that will be remain
during the following years. Algeria has a free trade agree-
ment with the EU and is seeking to expand its trading
relations with the UK and other EU member states
beyond its traditional trading partner, France.
Investment
Investment prospects shows that the largest share
of opportunities will continue to be concentrated in
the hydrocarbons sector—both upstream and down-
stream—which is better managed than other areas of the
economy and more receptive to foreign involvement. The
final amendments to the hydrocarbons law have recently
been passed, which at least broadly clarifies the terms
that foreign investment in this sector will face over the
following few years. Other openings for investors in utili-
ties, including power and water management, housing,
construction and telecommunications is also expected
to continue to expand, leading to more broad-based
growth opportunities in the few years to come, despite
the government’s recent changes in policy that limit the
share that foreign investors can hold in joint ventures.
Greenfield investments, which can be wholly owned, will
remain an attractive opportunity. Moreover, provided
investors are prepared to be patient, they will often be
able to negotiate with the government on a case-by-
case basis and possibly obtain more than 50% in joint
ventures, especially outside the oil and gas sector.
Structural reform within the economy, such as devel-
opment of the banking sector and the construction of
infrastructure, moves gradually ahead, attracting foreign
and domestic investment outside the energy sector.
Moreover, the tax regime is gradually being reformed in a
bid to increase flexibility and transparency and to simplify
the system. Foreign investors benefit from tax incentives,
including five-year tax relief for companies investing in
new projects, but since the beginning of 2009 will have to
reinvest these benefits and pay a 15% tax on repatriated
profits. Algeria’s score in the EIU’s business environment
rankings improves in the forecast period (2009-13), taking
its global ranking to 70th position from 76th.
EU direct investors into the manufacturing industries
enjoy the benefits of a large pool of cheap labour, as
well as preferential access to the EU investors in compli-
ance with Algeria’s Association Agreement with the
EU. A range of tax breaks are also on offer. Algeria also
expected the broader market access will increase further
if the country joins the World Trade Organisation.
DZ
96
97
Algeria
Alg
eria
Long-term Growth Forecast
The government considers that it has sufficient funds
saved from its large budget surpluses over the past five
years to render this expansionary medium-term fiscal
policy sustainable, provided that oil and gas prices do
not weaken significantly from 2009 levels. The Economic
Intelligence Unit (EIU) predicts that Algeria’s current
account will remain in surplus throughout the forecast
period, (2009-2013) owing to healthy hydrocarbons
receipts. The surplus will narrow, though, from a peak
of 22% of GDP in 2008 to around 7.5% of GDP in 2009-
13. EIU forecasts that expansion in the hydrocarbons
sector and in government spending will push up real
GDP growth to around 6.3% in 2013, following sluggish
growth in 2008-10.
Algeria’s real GDP growth is forecast to accelerate from
a moderate annual rate of 3.3% in 2009-10 to an average
of 5.7% in 2011-20, before picking up slightly to 6.1%
in 2021-30. This will help push GDP per head towards
$35,670 (measured using PPP rates) by 2030. Crucially,
this forecast assumes that Algeria will largely escape the
worst aspects of the “natural resource curse” that tends
to affect primary commodity exporters.
Telecoms
Privatisation of Algeria’s telecommunications sector
began in 2000 since which three mobile cellular licenses
were issued and, in 2005, a consortium led by Egypt’s
Orascom Telecom won a 15-year license to build and
operate a fixed-line network; the license allows Orascom
to develop high-speed data and other specialized
services and contribute to meeting the large unfulfilled
demand for basic residential telephony. Meanwhile,
internet broadband services began in 2003 with approxi-
mately 200,000 subscribers by 2006.
Tourism
Algeria’s tourism industry has great potential and has set
itself the aim of boosting tourists to 2.5mn a year. The
country possesses remarkable world class archaeological
sites from the Roman and Phoenician eras (including
seven UNESCO World Heritage sites) and a long stretch
of Mediterranean coastline. However, facilities for tourists
are limited. For example, there are few international stan-
dard hotels. Algeria is now keen to upgrade its tourism
product in order to take a greater share of the global
tourism market. Algeria aims to see an increase in hotel
capacity and welcomes ideas to boost visitor numbers. A
tourism development master plan for the year 2025 has
been drawn up which identified areas where there are
weaknesses in the sector such as quality of service, poor
infrastructure and administrative obstacles. As part of the
plan, personnel in the hotel trade and tourism sector will
receive better training through public-private partnership
to upgrade their skills to meet international standards.
Agriculture
Large stretches of Algeria are richly fertile making for
a thriving agricultural sector employing some 9.4% of
the working population. Main crops include olives and
tobacco. More than 30,000 km² of land is devoted to the
cultivation of cereal grains. The Tell is the main grain-
growing land where the principal cereal crops raised are
wheat, barley and oats. Many varieties of vegetables and
fruits are grown for export. Algerian figs, dates, olives
and olive oil, esparto grass and cork are also exported.
The deglet nour variety of dates is a major export product
for Algeria largely destined for the European market
where it is popular among consumers. The country is
the world’s second largest producer of these dates after
Tunisia. The date has been described by the agriculture
ministry as a “flagship product for Algerian agricultural
exports”.
98
COUNTRY NAME: The Kingdom of Bahrain
LAND AREA: 660 km2
POPULATION: 738,000 (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), English (commercial)
CURRENCY: 1 Bahraini Dinar (BHD) = 1000 Fils 1 EUR = 0.51 BHD (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Manama (capital), Muharraq, Isa Town, Ar-Rifa
NATIONAL DAY: 16 December
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 3
BAHRAIN
BH
Bahrain’s strategic geographical position has made it a natural trading hub throughout its long history. Historically, Bahrain had long played a key role in the Gulf and now is becoming one of the region’s most dynamic and accessible econo-mies. For much of the 18th and early 19th century the country was also important as a pearl-fishing centre.
The discovery of oil in Bahrain in the 1930s has
enabled the creation of an attractive and modern infra-
structure, an elegant skyline, luxury hotels, a bustling
international airport, excellent roads and telecommu-
nications and a thriving port. But the island’s reserves
of oil proved to be small by comparison with its Gulf
neighbours, although it remains the main motor of
growth. This has forced Bahrain down the path of
economic diversifi cation. With its highly developed
communication, fi nancial services and transport facili-
ties, Bahrain is home to numerous multinationals with
business in the Gulf.
The relatively liberal social climate has stimulated
tourism, attracting, particularly, residents from nearby
Saudi Arabia. These activities have been comple-
mented by the development of a signifi cant industrial
base, for which Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is a corner-
stone. Bahrain is highly dependent on regional demand
for its services and goods exports.
Bahrain has an extremely low-tax environment. There
is no corporation tax, and there has traditionally been
no income tax, although from June 2007 employees
pay 1% of their salaries into a national unemployment
insurance scheme, a fi gure that employers match.
There is also a 10% municipal tax on rents and a 3%
levy on all hotel bills.
Reforms
Efforts towards economic reform are driven by the need
to diversify the economy away from oil (as output is
declining), stimulate private-sector growth and foreign
investment, and address high unemployment among
nationals. The state’s ability to upgrade its infrastructure
and invest in education will be constrained by the depen-
dence of the public fi nances on oil revenue.
With the private sector continuing to depend on expa-
triate labour, unemployment among Bahraini nationals will
remain a key social and political concern for the authori-
ties. The public sector is relatively small for a GCC state,
accounting for only one in 11 jobs, and so can absorb
only a limited number of entrants to the labour market. In
an effort to boost employment in the private sector, the
government will continue to implement “Bahrainisation”
policies, setting quotas on the number of expatriates who
can work in any given sector.
Industries
Because of the small scale of its hydrocarbons reserves,
Bahrain was ahead of its GCC counterparts in seeking
to diversify the local economic base away from energy
dependence. Factors such as labour costs, energy costs,
taxes and transport infrastructure, played signifi cant roles
in making Bahrain increasingly attractive to manufacturing
businesses. In the 1970s and early 1980s it invested
MANAMA
heavily in industrial infrastructure. Bahrain is home to Alba,
one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters, producing
the highest grade material. This creates significant oppor-
tunities in downstream aluminium manufacturing, such as
in the automotive, aviation and other precision engineering
sectors.
Bahrain has also developed production of petrochemicals
and iron and steel, as well as aluminium-based industries
and ship repair at the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard
(ASRY).
A study from Porsche Consulting identified clear cost and
operating advantages in Bahrain for a number of segments
in the automotive sector, including high-performance car
assembly and precision-engineered automotive compo-
nents. The presence in Bahrain of the international Formula
1 circuit has also led to the creation of world-leading
centre for engineering and design excellence.
Imports
Bahrain remains the most import-dependent of all the Gulf
Co-operation Council (GCC) states, although this is in
part because it imports substantial quantities of crude oil,
which it refines and exports at a profit. However, Bahrain is
actively pursuing the diversification and privatization of its
economy to reduce the country’s dependence on oil.
Exports
Petroleum production and refining account for over 60%
of Bahrain’s export receipts, over 70% of government
revenues, and 11% of GDP (exclusive of allied indus-
tries), underpinning Bahrain’s strong economic growth in
recent years. Aluminium is the second major export after
oil. Other major segments are the financial and construc-
tion sectors. Bahrain is focused on Islamic banking and
is competing on an international scale with Malaysia as a
worldwide banking centre.
Banking
The island has emerged as the region’s principal offshore
banking hub and also as an important centre for insur-
ance and Islamic banking. Services constitute the bulk of
GDP, reflecting Bahrain’s success in exploiting its loca-
tion to become an important services and distribution
centre for the Gulf.
Bahrain’s financial sector is the largest single contributor
to GDP, accounting for 27.5% of total Bahrain GDP. In
fact, finance is now the most important sector of the
economy. Financial services are regulated by the Central
Bank (formerly the Bahrain Monetary Agency), which has
built a good reputation as an effective banking regulator
– a key national asset in the current international climate.
The Central Bank of Bahrain is considered to be one of
the region’s most progressive regulators, and has helped
develop the country’s reputation as an international
finance centre. The CBB capitalized on its position as one
of the first Gulf States to begin diversifying away from oil
and into financial services.
Bahrain’s regulatory environment, low start-up costs
and lack of any limitations on foreign ownership have
made it a destination for banks looking to establish
themselves in the region. Bahrain is now a leading inter-
national finance centres, home to more than 400 licensed
financial services institutions, representing a rich mix of
recognisable international, regional and local names. In
addition to traditional banking, Bahrain also became the
leading centre for Islamic finance. The first Islamic bank
in Bahrain was established in 1979, when Bahrain Islamic
Bank was licensed.
Bahrain
99
100
ICT
Bahrain is an obvious choice for ICT businesses wishing
to locate in the Gulf because of low office lease rates,
excellent broadband and telecoms connections and
lower labour costs than our neighbours. Significant
investment has been undertaken to provide a highly-
developed technology infrastructure. A growing demand
for ICT products and services is a natural consequence
of Bahrain’s strong growth in other sectors. Firms
already present in Bahrain include ICT software compa-
nies such as Software AG of Germany and three of
India’s largest IT companies, Satyam, TCS and WIPRO.
Tourism
Bahrain’s heritage as a cultural and trading centre dates
back more than four millennia making it an attractive
place to visit. Tourism is increasingly becoming the
focus of investment in the kingdom’s drive to diversify
its economy. Bahrain offers great potential as both a
regional and a world tourist destination, blessed with 33
islands, a cosmopolitan capital city; an attractive, liberal
lifestyle; and a rich history and culture. There were
over six million visitors to Bahrain in 2008. The Island
was known as Dilmun, and home to an ancient trading
civilisation. Dilmun’s capital was a major port whose
remains are still visible at the UNESCO World Heritage
Site of Bahrain Fort (Qal’at al Bahrain). The Kingdom is
mentioned in one of the world’s oldest works of litera-
ture – the Epic of Gilgamesh, where the island was
home to the source of eternal youth.
Construction
Many new development projects are opening in Bahrain
to provide residential, business and recreational facili-
ties. These include Bahrain Bay, City Centre Mall, Al
Areen, Amwaj Islands and Durrat Al Bahrain which
are now opening up Bahrain to a wider market and
attracting more visitors. The billion-dollar Al Areen
development furthers Bahrain’s reputation as a friendly
destination for family and health-oriented tourists.
Phase one includes the Banyan Tree Desert Spa and
Resort, the largest spa in the Middle East, and the state-
of-the-art ‘Lost Paradise of Dilmun’ Water Park. The
development will comprise five-star hotels, residential
villages, entertainment and recreational facilities, shop-
ping centres and the Al Areen Wildlife Park.
Durrat Al Bahrain is the Kingdom’s largest luxury resi-
dential, commercial and tourist resort development.
Costing $6bn, it consists of The Islands, six ‘Atolls’ and
five ‘Petals’, with 1,800 luxury residential villas; and The
Crescent dining, shopping and entertainment resort.
There will also be an 18-hole golf course designed by
Ernie Els, and one of the region’s largest marinas, with
400 berths across three islands. Attracted by these
prestige projects more major hotel groups are setting
up such as Four Seasons, Kempinski and Renaissance,
joining those already established like Ritz-Carlton, Sher-
aton, Radisson, Novotel, Marriott and Banyan Tree.
Outlook
The EIU forecasts that Bahrain’s real GDP growth is
projected to slow to an annual average of 3.3% in 2009-
13, from the very high estimated annual average of 7%
in 2004-08. This is mainly because of a more subdued
outlook for global and regional growth, and for the
global financial sector, particularly in the early part of
the forecast period, following recent financial turmoil.
This will constrain the growth of Bahrain’s exports of
goods and services, a vital source of overall economic
growth given the small size of the domestic market,
with Bahrain having just over 1m residents. In general,
the private sector will benefit from a rapid expansion in
construction over the forecast period, notably in road-
building, power and water projects, tourism and retail
infrastructure, and housing. Private firms will also gain
an increasing role in areas formerly managed by the
state.
BH
101
Bahrain
Bah
rain
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102
COUNTRY NAME: Union of the Comoros
LAND AREA: 2,240 km2
POPULATION: 773,407 (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Comorian, Arabic, French
CURRENCY: 1 Comoros Franc (KMF) = 100 Centimes (not issued) 1 EUR = 491 KMF (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Moroni (capital), Fomboni, Tsimbeo, Domoni
NATIONAL DAY: 6 July
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 3
COMOROS
KM
MORONI
The Comoros, officially known as the Unionof the Comoros, comprises a group of islandsin the Indian Ocean, off the eastern coast ofAfrica on the northern end of the MozambiqueChannel between northern Madagascar andnorth-eastern Mozambique. The Comoros has a diverse culture and history, as a nation formed at the crossroads of many civilizations.
Much of the land area is mountainous and made up of
lava-encrusted soil that is unsuited to agriculture. Never-
theless, subsistence agriculture and fi shing involves
more than 80% of the population and represents 40%
of the country’s gross domestic product, providing virtu-
ally all foreign exchange earnings. Plantations engage
a large proportion of the population in producing the
islands’ major cash crops for export: vanilla, cloves,
perfume essences, and copra. Comoros is the world’s
leading producer of essence of ylang-ylang, used in the
manufacturing of perfume. It also is the world’s second-
largest producer of vanilla. Principal food crops are
coconuts, bananas, and cassava. It is not self-suffi cient
in food and foodstuffs constitute 32% of total imports.
Service sectors that are important include tourism,
construction and commercial activities. Money sent
home by Comorans working abroad provides a vital
source of revenue.
The government is endeavouring to upgrade educa-
tion and technical training, to privatise commercial and
industrial enterprises, to improve health services, to
diversify exports, to promote tourism, and to reduce the
high population growth rate.
Some villages are not linked to the main road system
or are at best only connected by tracks usable only by
four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Ports are rudimentary, although a deepwater facility
functions in Anjouan. Only small vessels can approach
the existing quays in Moroni on Grande Comore, despite
improvements. Long-distance, ocean-going ships must
lie offshore and be unloaded by smaller boats; during
the cyclone season, this procedure is dangerous, and
ships are reluctant to call at the island. Most freight is
sent fi rst to Mombasa or the island of Reunion from
where they are transshipped.
France, Comoros’ major trading partner, fi nances small
development projects. Comoros has an international
airport at Hahaya on Grande Comore.
Geography
Comoros is endowed with numerous picture postcard
beaches that make its potential for tourism consider-
able, but development has been impeded by recent
political instability and numerous coups. Three main
islands in the volcanic Comoros archipelago: Grande
Comore, Moheli and Anjouan. The Comoros also claims
the French controlled island of Mayotte (aka. Mahoré).
The Comoros has a diverse culture and history and
three offi cial languages—Comoran (Shikomor), Arabic,
and French. It is the only state to be a member of the
African Union, the Francophonie, the Organization of
the Islamic Conference, the League of Arab States and
the Indian Ocean Commission. In 2007, the Comoros
joined the Community of Sahel-Saharan States
(CEN-SAD).
103
Comoros
At 2,235 km², the Comoros is the third smallest African
nation by area, and one of the smallest in the world,
and with a population estimated at 798,000 it is also the
sixth smallest African nation by population. Its name
derives from the Arabic word qamar (“moon”), which
explains to symbol depicted on its flag.
Demography
Population figures for the islands vary considerably.
According to UN figures, Comoros has a population of
around 800,000, with an average projected increase of
2.5 percent between 2004 and 2015. Comoros is more
densely inhabited than many other sub-Saharan coun-
tries, putting severe strain on its limited farmland, water
and firewood; 34 percent of the population dwelling in
urban areas. There is an average of 275 people per km².
Economic Outlook
An International Monetary Fund mission team visited
the capital Moroni in June 2009 to assess the coun-
try’s performance under the Emergency Post-Conflict
Assistance (EPCA) programme and to discuss a new
programme that could be supported by the IMF under the
Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF).
The IMF met with the President of the Union, the Gover-
nors of the three island entities, the Minister of Finance
of the Union and the Governor of the Central Bank
of Comoros. Key objectives are to re-establish fiscal
stability by containing the domestic primary budget
deficit below 1 percent of GDP per year, and raising
total revenue to 14.3 percent of GDP by 2012. Structural
reforms, including reforms of public utilities, would aim to
raise economic growth to around 2 ½ percent per annum
during the period 2010-12. The IMF welcomed recent
progress in preparing reform strategies for the Comoros
Hydrocarbons Company (SCH) and Comores Telecom;
and in initiating preparations for a reform strategy for
the electricity parastatal. Looking ahead, the IMF said
decisive implementation of the reforms will be important
to foster sustained strong growth and achieving faster
poverty alleviation.
Trade
Major imports include basic foodstuffs, mainly rice, some
consumer goods, as well as petroleum products, cement
and transport equipment. The main export partners are
the US, France, Singapore and Turkey. Imports partners
104
KM
are France, South Africa, the UAE, Kenya, Italy, Mauritius
and Singapore. Traditionally, France has been the main
trading partner for Comoros and remains so today with
France providing almost half of the imports and taking
two-thirds of exports. Britain’s trade links with Comoros
are minimal.
Reforms
After nearly a decade of political turmoil, significant
progress has been achieved with national reconcili-
ation and inter-island cooperation over recent years.
Political tensions have obstructed the implementa-
tion of coherent policy reforms and severely impeded
economic progress, particularly effecting investment,
tourism and growth of the private sector. Comoros
continues to follow IMF recommendations on imple-
menting policies conducive to the restoration of confi-
dence, including revenue-sharing, joint administration
of the customs office, and the transfer of spending
competencies to the island governments. However,
much needs to be done to reform the civil service and
the budget process.
Tourism
Comoros considers the tourism sector to be a potentially
important source of higher economic growth. Tourism in
the region has generally increased in recent years, but
Comoros has been the exception because of its political
instability. Reestablishing air links, simplifying visa proce-
dures, and promoting the Comoros as a destination for
specialized tourism could herald a recovery in tourist
arrivals and revive hotel infrastructure.
Media
There is no national newspaper in Comoros; the leading
regional paper is Al-Watwan published on Grande
Comore; Kwezi is also published on Mayotte. There
is a Radio Comoros and a Comoros National TV both
providing nationwide services.
105
Comoros
Co
mo
ros
Banks
The country’s banking system consists of the Central
Bank of Comoros (Banque Centrale des Comores) estab-
lished in 1981; the Bank for Industry and Commerce
(Banque pour l’Industrie et le Commerce-BIC), a
commercial bank established in 1990 that had six
branches in 1993 and was a subsidiary of the National
Bank of Paris- International (Banque Nationale de
Paris-Internationale); BIC Afribank, a BIC subsidiary;
and the Development Bank of Comoros (Banque de
Développement des Comores), established in 1982,
which provided support for small and medium-sized
development projects. Most of the shares in the Devel-
opment Bank of Comoros were held by the Comoran
government and the central bank; the rest were held by
the European Investment Bank and the Central Bank for
Economic Cooperation (Caisse Centrale de Coopéra-
tion Économique-CCCE), a development agency of the
French government. All of these banks had headquarters
in Moroni.
106
COUNTRY NAME: Republic of Djibouti
LAND AREA: 23,200km2
POPULATION: 740,528 (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic, French
CURRENCY: 1 Djibouti Franc (DJF) = 100 Centimes 1 EUR = 240 DJF (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Djibouti (capital), Dikhil, Tadjoura, Obock, Khor Angar
NATIONAL DAY: 27 June
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 3
DJIBOUTI
The Republic of Djibouti is located strategically at the foot of the Red Sea. Its capital is Djibouti-Ville or Djibouti city. Djibouti is one of the region’s poorest countries, not only lacks resources, but faces a severe climate that is a serious obstacle to development. Djibouti’s location is its main economic asset given its mostly barren land-scape. The capital’s port handles all the major imports and exports into landlocked Ethiopia and Djibouti is an expanding shipping hub on one of the busiest maritime trade routes in the world. It is a major dropping point for World Food Pro-gramme and USAID supplies, which are trans-ported by road or rail to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s cash crop, coffee, is exported in bulk from Djibouti.
Economy
Apart from substantial salt deposits, there are few other
natural resources of signifi cance in the country. Djibou-
ti’s economy depends largely on its proximity to the large
Ethiopian market and a large foreign expatriate commu-
nity. Its main economic activities are the Port of Djibouti,
the banking sector, the airport, and the operation of the
Addis Ababa- Djibouti railroad. Djibouti’s main industry
is mineral water bottling plant, leather tanning, construc-
tion, pharmaceuticals factory, abattoirs, salt mining,
and one petroleum refi nery. Djibouti’s most important
economic asset is its strategic location on the busy
shipping route between the Mediterranean Sea and the
Indian Ocean. The trans-shipment trade through the port
is the mainstay of the economy and creates at least 70%
of GDP. The capital has the only paved airport in the
republic. In addition, Djibouti has one of the most liberal
economic regimes in Africa, with almost unrestricted
banking and commerce sectors. Djibouti is a free-trade
zone. Port activity and related services constitutes the
main commercial activities, in addition to a small tourist
industry.
Agriculture remains poorly developed, due to harsh
climate, high production costs, unskilled labour, and
limited natural resources. Agriculture is extremely
small and generates 3.2% of GDP. Local farmers are
only able to produce around 3% of the country’s food
needs. The great bulk of the requirements therefore
must be imported. In recent years, Djibouti has sought
to increase food production by developing its fi shing
industry, including the construction of a fi sh canning
factory fi nanced by the Islamic Development Bank. It has
also sought to increase the effi ciency of agricultural land
through irrigation projects, but with limited success.
Manufacturing is small and the industry that exists is
small-scale. The mineral deposits that exist are minimal
and the arid soil is unproductive – around 89% is desert,
10% pasture, and 1% forested. However, services and
commerce provide most of Djibouti’s gross domestic
product. The economy is therefore based on service
activities and highly dependent on international aid. The
service sector is connected with the country’s strategic
location and status as a free trade zone in the Horn of
Africa. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port
for the region and an international trans-shipment and
refuelling centre. Imports and exports from Ethiopia
represent 85% of port activity at Djibouti’s container
DJ
DJIBOUTI-VILLE
107
Djibouti
terminal. Principal exports from the region transiting
Djibouti are coffee, salt, hides, dried beans, cereals,
other agricultural products, and wax. Djibouti itself has
few exports, and the majority of its imports come from
France. Most imports are consumed in the country, but
others are re-exported to Ethiopia and north-western
Somalia.
Investment
The UAE is one of the countries carrying out ambitious
investment projects to turn Djibouti into Africa’s biggest
shipping terminal, in a project that aims to extend its
commercial reach throughout East Africa. The inte-
grated business plan aims to transform Djibouti into an
elite tourist destination.
The 1000 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad is the only
line serving central and south-eastern Ethiopia. The
single-track railway occupies a prominent place in
Ethiopia’s internal distribution system for domestic
commodities such as cement, cotton textiles, candles,
small rocks, coconuts, sugar, cereals and charcoal. The
European Union is helping to finance the modernisation
of this important asset.
Agriculture & Fishing
As stated, the country’s agricultural sector is inhibited
by a very inhospitable climate and one of the most
unproductive terrains in Africa. Local farmers are only
able to produce around 3% of the country’s food
needs. The great bulk of the requirements therefore
must of necessity be imported. In recent years, Djibouti
has sought to increase its food production by devel-
oping its fishing industry, including the construction of
a fish canning factory financed by the Islamic Develop-
ment Bank. It has also sought to increase the efficiency
of agricultural land through the development of irriga-
tion projects, but with limited success.
Reforms
Djibouti has also been making recent progress in imple-
menting structural reforms, the IMF points out. The
economy however still very much depends on a large
foreign expatriate community, the maritime and commer-
cial activities of the Port of Djibouti, its airport, and the
operation of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti railroad. Djibouti’s
macroeconomic environment has improved significantly
over the last few years. Annual real GDP growth accel-
erated from an annual average of 3% in 2001-05 to to
6% in 2008 onwards. This growth was mainly driven by
large foreign domestic investments in the port, tourism,
and construction sectors, the IMF reports. Investment as
share of GDP doubled within two years, reached 40% in
2007. After remaining stagnant for several years, credit to
the private sector increased by 23%, owing in part to a
real estate and construction boom.
108
DJ
Energy & Water Sector
The World Bank is preparing a $7 million International
Development Association (IDA) credit to back a $10
million project to reform Djibouti’s power and water
sector. The funding will permit exploration of the poten-
tial for renewable power for the country’s Obock area;
the Djibouti Ville distribution network and what will be
Djibouti’s first wind farm; funds are also earmarked to
cover a 2MW plant serving Ali Sabieh and Dikhil.
Meanwhile, state-owned “Electricité de Djibouti” is
planning a 30MW geothermal BOO plant for Lake Assal
costing an estimated $115 million following the carrying
out of a feasibility study by US firm Geothermal Devel-
opment Associates.
Djibouti receives assistance from the World Bank to
develop its national energy strategy. In this regard, the
Bank drew up an inventory of all sources of energy used
by households, including quantities, costs and demand
for electricity services and amenities. Local people face
high tariffs and low levels of access to electricity. The
connection rate in the country is below 30%. Although
a variety of energy sources could be made available,
kerosene and electricity account for 79% of all energy
consumed in Djibouti at present. Poorer households
spend 13.5% of their total expenditure on energy,
compared to 5.3% for better off citizens in the capital
Djibouti-ville.
Kerosene is the most important source of energy for
cooking and lighting because it is the least expensive
option. However, kerosene costs have been rising at
a rate of 2.3% per year. The poor have responded to
these higher costs by increasing use of wood fuel and
charcoal, though both resources are scarce. Clearly, in
the long term this is not an environmentally sustainable
option. 58% of households have access to electricity,
some resort to illegal connections partly because of high
costs.
The World Bank’s policy recommendations include:
reducing the cost of kerosene by revising surtaxes,
reviewing the price structure of liquefied petroleum
gas, and promoting access to 3 or 6 kilogram bottles
to expand the range of affordable and better energy
services; and promoting energy efficiency.
The energy and water sectors are key bottlenecks to
poverty alleviation in Djibouti due to their very high
cost of production which constitute barriers to access.
The consumer prices for electricity and water services
are the highest in the region, at an average of $0.20/
kWh for electricity and $1.10/m3 for water. The reason
for the high prices is mainly the high cost of electricity
production as a result of the reliance on imported diesel
fuel for power generation, high inefficiencies in the form
of network losses, high administrative overhead costs
and overall lack of managerial capability and incentive.
In addition, in the energy sector, there is a 33% tax on
all petroleum products which is passed through to the
consumers and is estimated to generate revenues to the
government of around $6 million per year.
Djibouti has developed an action plan for both sectors
focused on increasing access and improving competi-
tiveness through a reduction of the high cost of service
and improvement in overall service delivery. The key
objectives in the sectors are to: improve efficiency and
financial performance in the utilities through restruc-
turing and promotion of private sector participation;
address key service delivery constraints through reha-
bilitation of networks and administrative improvements;
and explore new resources for water supply such as
desalination and power generation, such as renewable
energy and interconnection possibilities.
The latter objective is particularly important for the
water sector because the capital city Djibouti-ville relies
entirely on the aquifer for its water supply. Weak control
over water extraction and over water consumption
has led to overexploitation of the aquifer and rapidly
deteriorating water quality. In the power sector, the
financial performance has drastically deteriorated due
to high international oil prices. The electricity tariff is set
to cover cost at a price per barrel level not exceeding
$25 compared to recent prices reaching $32. Djibouti
109
Djibouti
Djib
ou
tiis, however, endowed with good potential to develop
its renewable energy resources, in particular wind and
geothermal.
Djibouti agreed to an IMF Staff Monitoring Program in a
bid to improve the performance of its public utilities,
power and water in particular. Furthermore, the World
Bank is finalizing a Water Sector policy for Djibouti and
identified the sector’s institutional arrangements as the
main reason for inadequate service levels. The largest
donor in the water sector, the European Union,
requested World Bank engagement in order to finalize
its investment program.
Banking & Finance
Djibouti has almost unrestricted banking and commerce
sectors. It has an expanding financial sector that
offers some basis for wealth generation. This has
been growing largely as a result of the stable and
freely convertible currency and absence of exchange
controls. It is economically dependent to an over-
whelming degree on its position as a free trade zone
and key international transit port for the region. Djibouti
has become a significant regional banking hub, with
approximately $600 million in dollar deposits. There
is a growing banking and insurance sector, and the
telecommunications sector is the best in the region. In
February 2001, the World Bank adopted its first Country
Assistance Strategy for Djibouti. This was developed
in close partnership with the authorities and has served
as a roadmap for the Bank’s assistance to the country.
Since 2001 Djibouti has become a magnet for private
sector capital investment, attracting inflows that now
average more than $200 million. In July 2005, the World
Bank had financed 17 operations in the country for a
total original commitment of $155.5 million. A total of
five active investment projects form part of the Bank’s
current portfolio in the country, including support for
health and basic infrastructure.
110
COUNTRY NAME: Arab Republic of Egypt
LAND AREA: 1 million km2
POPULATION: 80,5 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic
CURRENCY: 1 Egyptian Pound (EGP) = 100 Piaster 1 EUR = 7.5 EGP (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Cairo (capital), Chabra, Gizeh, Alexandria
NATIONAL DAY: 23 July – Revolution Day
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 2
EGYPT
EG
Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fer-tile Nile valley, where most economic activity takes place. One of the largest economies in the Arab world, Egypt is rich in resources and boasts thriving tourism and agricultural sectors. Its natural resources include oil, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead and zinc. The country borders the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula.
Population
Egypt has the largest population in the Arab world, but
only the fourth-largest economy after Saudi Arabia,
the UAE and Algeria. Egypt’s GDP per head at market
exchange rates is expected to rise steadily throughout
the forecast period (2009-2013), after falling in the
period 2002-04 in dollar terms as a result of slow
growth and the 45% depreciation of the Egyptian
pound against the US currency between 2000 and
end-2003. Real annual GDP growth is expected to
average around 6%, which will almost double real GDP
per head in dollar terms owing to the pound’s strong
appreciation. Egypt will continue to be a relatively
attractive market. The size of its population—it is the
most populous Arab country—makes it an important
and infl uential market, with huge potential, and one that
will continue to grow fast.
This expanding middle class has substantial dispos-
able income, and is prepared to spend it on consumer
goods. Over the forecast period, there will be increas-
ingly strong demand for items such as cars, mobile
phones, fl at-screen televisions and home computers.
Economy
Egypt’s primary economic strength stems from its
diversity in comparison with the rest of the region. In
2008/2009, hydrocarbons extractions constitute 15%;
manufacturing 16.6%; agriculture nearly 13.7%; whole-
sale and retail trade 11.5%; construction and real estate
7.1%; fi nancial and telecommunications services 6.8%;
and externally oriented sources, such as the Suez
Canal, 2.7% and tourism 3.5%. The Economic Intel-
ligence Unit (EIU) shows that all categories of Egypt’s
business environment rankings are forecast to improve.
The categories that are expected to improve the most
are foreign trade and exchange controls, as imports
tariffs continue to be lowered; fi nancing, as small and
medium-sized fi rms gain greater access to the stock-
market, banking regulation improves and banks step
up their risk-assessment strategies; taxes, because
of ongoing improvements to the tax administration;
the macroeconomic environment, as robust economic
growth is expected to continue; infrastructure, as the
government invests heavily in road, rail and sea facili-
ties; and government policy towards private enter-
prise and competition, as privatisation continues and
competition legislation is improved. Market opportuni-
ties will also improve in the future as a result of greater
economic diversifi cation and better foreign invest-
ment policies. After slowing sharply in 2008/09 and
CAIRO
111
2009/10, economic growth is projected to strengthen
over the remainder of the forecast period, to an average
of 6.7%, slightly below the growth rates recorded
between 2005/06 and 2007/08. The government’s infra-
structure programme and continued economic reform
will increase growth potential in the longer term and
productivity.
Reforms
The Egyptian economy has been gaining thanks to the
wide-ranging reforms that the country began implementing
in 2004 and the subsequent awakening of domestic
demand long depressed due to decades of slow growth.
The reforms now have a measurable impact on the coun-
try’s economic performance and have sustained high
growth for the past 10 years. Changes in economic policy
have been made to minimise the state’s role. The prime
drivers of the economy are foreign direct investment (FDI),
remittances, Suez Canal fees and tourism.
In 2005, Egypt reduced personal and corporate tax rates,
reduced energy subsidies, and privatized several enter-
prises. The stock market boomed, and GDP grew about
7% each year since 2006. Despite these achievements,
the government has failed to raise living standards for
the average Egyptian, and has had to continue providing
subsidies for basic necessities.
The subsidies have contributed to a sizeable budget
deficit – roughly 7% of GDP in 2007-08. FDI has increased
significantly in the past two years, but the government will
need to continue its aggressive pursuit of reforms in order
to sustain the spike in investment and growth and begin to
improve economic conditions for the broader population.
Egypt’s export sectors – particularly natural gas – have
bright prospects.
Oil & Gas
Egypt’s crude oil and condensates reserves are at 4.19
bn barrels in mid-2008 according to government figures,
but rising to 4.4 bn in June 2009 following new discov-
eries. This would last some 15 years at current extrac-
tion rates. The mature fields in the Gulf of Suez produce
about 50% of the country’s oil, but exploration activity
is focused on frontier areas such as the Western Desert
near the Libyan border, the offshore Mediterranean
and Sinai. Exploration is largely undertaken by foreign
companies, especially BP of the UK and Eni of Italy, in
partnership with the state-owned Egyptian General Petro-
leum Corporation (EGPC). Eni, which produces 500,000
barrels of oil equivalent per day in Egypt, of which 1.4bn
cu ft/day is gas, has said that it will invest US$6bn in the
oil sector until 2010, with its partners providing another
US$6bn. Two-thirds of oil output is refined domestically.
Because of depletion in the ageing Gulf of Suez oilfields,
crude oil production has declined significantly since
1996, when it reached a high of 922,000 b/d, to around
667,000 b/d in 2007 (including condensates and natural
gas liquids), according to the EGPC. Crude oil exports
are constrained by lower production and by rising local
demand.
Egypt’s proven reserves of natural gas were 77.2trn cu ft
in mid-2009. The government is encouraging additional
exploration, as a minimum total of 120trn cu ft would be
necessary for the government to realise its ambitious
plans for the sector, which include LNG projects, gas
export pipelines, gas-to-liquids schemes, petrochemicals
expansion and increased domestic consumption. Egypt
has also rapidly expanded its LNG export capability,
becoming the world’s sixth-largest gas producer and the
third-largest in Africa, behind Algeria and Nigeria.
Egypt
EG
Banking Sector
Rationalisation of the tax code has encouraged more
FDI, with 27 tariff categories cut down to six and a reduc-
tion of duties of around 75%. New policies have been
adopted to encourage various business sectors, while
stocks have made impressive advances.
Since 2003 the most significant reform achieved by the
state in terms of the everyday operation of the Egyptian
economy has been the complete overhaul of the banking
system. The dominance of public banks is starting to
subside with four of the country’s major banks being
sold, a move which included the eradication of a large
percentage of non-performing loans that had been
hindering sector growth. The World Bank loan of $500m
was given to allow the recapitalization required in order
for two of the biggest public banks to comply with Basel
II standards. The venture into the private sector is helping
banks recruit higher-quality employees and target parts
of the market traditionally left untouched, such as the
local retail market, ultimately benefiting local consumers.
Along with privatization comes new legislation, so that
the sector will operate to international standards and
setting off a trend of mergers and acquisitions.
Deposits at Egyptian banks are forecasted to grow at
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of about 14%
between 2008-09 and 2010-11, with household sector
accounting for majority of deposits. Meanwhile, Bank
loans to private business sector are forecasted to grow
at a CAGR of about 9.5% during 2008-09 to 2010-11.
Manufacturing sector will remain the major recipient of
bank loans in local as well as foreign currencies during
2007-08 to 2010-11, and Net interest income is projected
to grow at a CAGR of over 12% during 2008-2012.
The banking system comprises 39 total banks in Egypt in
2008/09 with total branches of 3441 banks. Private and
joint venture banks are increasingly growing, but many
remain relatively small with few branch networks.
Insurance Sector
Egypt’s insurance sector can be generally described as
in process of developing with big potential for growth.
The sector has been long hampered by a lack of public
appreciation of the significance of insurance as well as
heavy state dominance. However, the picture is expected
to brighten with the planned privatization and liberaliza-
tion of the sector. Several developments have been
taking place to open up the sector. Ongoing changes
include redefining the supervisory role of the Egyptian
Insurance Supervisory Authority (EISA), encouraging
more private sector participation through new licenses
and acquisitions, as well as enhancing efficiency and
dissemination of information.
The Egyptian insurance sector has traditionally dealt with
a limited range of insurance covers, but with the upsurge
of international competition and the changing needs
of the market itself, the sector is expected to witness
the emergence of various activities, especially in the
untapped areas of life insurance, third-party liability and
health insurance.
Tourism
Tourism is one of Egypt’s key foreign currency earn-
ings, with its fascinating ancient monuments, year-round
sunshine and beautiful beaches which attract visitors
from around the world in ever growing numbers. Arab
tourists rose to 1.8 million in 2007 from 1.1mn in 2002,
with revenues spiking to $2.2bn per year. The UAE
invested $4bn in the country’s tourism sector accounting
for 30% of total Arab investment in the country, a senior
Egyptian official revealed. Speaking at the Arabian Travel
Market in Dubai, in May, Hisham Zazo, the country’s first
assistant tourism minister, said that the sector comprises
11.3% of Egypt’s GDP and 19.3% of the total invest-
ment made in foreign currencies. “Egypt plans to attract
14 million holidaymakers and boost hotel capacity to
240,000 rooms by 2011,” Zazo said. Leisure tourism
is the largest segment, with business and conference
tourism coming in second. Hotel capacity has been
increasing by 5% per year. More development is on the
horizon and the ministry of tourism is working to make
licensing and land purchasing easier, focusing on the
northern coast for both residential and foreign tourists.
112
113
Egypt
Egyp
t
Construction & Real Estate
The last two years have been good ones for the
construction and real estate sector with increased activi-
ties ongoing in the sector. Accounting for some 7.1%
of GDP in 2008/2009, high-profile real estate projects
and improvements in the country’s tourism sector drove
the industry. The need for low-cost housing and infra-
structure development should help to push the industry
onwards. Rapid population growth has created the
need for 22 new cities in 2008/09, all of which will need
a considerable amount of real estate. The introduction
of mortgage facilities will give a boost to the real estate
sector and as businesses and investors start to look
beyond Cairo the real estate boom looks set to spread
outward beyond the capital.
Investment
The prime drivers of the economy are foreign direct
investment (FDI), remittances, Suez Canal fees and
tourism. Changes in economic policy have been made
to minimise the state’s role. FDI inflows reflect extremely
positively on global investment sentiment in Egypt. Data
released by the Central Bank of Egypt reveals that Net
FDI inflows increased from $509.4 million in FY 2000/01,
to reach $11.1 billion in FY 2006/07 and $13.2 billion
in FY 2007/08, approaching $21bn in July 2007 to
June 2009. According to the World Investment Report
published in 2008 by the United Nations Conference on
Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Egypt was ranked
first in North Africa and second in the African continent in
attracting foreign direct investments.
Modernization has brought a great deal of investment,
with the year 2006/07 seeing $7.48bn worth of funds
flowing into the industry sector. Purchases of new cars
are increasing, indicating greater wealth and confidence
among consumers. Following global trends, economic
zones and industrial parks are offering generous advan-
tages to companies, boosting trade and attracting even
more investment. A sudden reduction in import taxes
and a growing middle class has also created a healthy
environment for the retail sector and the Global Retail
Development Index ranked Egypt at 14th place in terms
of potential. Meanwhile, new shopping complexes and
malls are appearing along with the introduction of inter-
national brand names.
IT & Telecoms
Along with other major infrastructural changes, telecom-
munications in Egypt have come a long way in the past
10 years. The private sector is just starting to emerge,
allowing for more competition in terms of both prices
and services. Call charges for mobile phones have
been dropping significantly for the last five years and
the entrance of a third mobile operator, Etisalat Misr,
is increasing competition even more. The issuance of
3G licenses is also causing waves in the industry and
the country is bracing itself for a more open market. IT
is also becoming a more important sector. Outsourced
call centres are becoming major employers and a new
emphasis is being placed on computer literacy both in
schools and workplaces.
114
COUNTRY NAME: Republic of Iraq
LAND AREA: 438,000 km2
POPULATION: 29 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic
CURRENCY: 1 Iraqi Dinar (IQD) = 1000 Fils 1 EUR = 1.586,85 IQD (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Baghdad (capital), Basra, Mosul, Kirkuk, Najaf
NATIONAL DAY: 9 April
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 3
IRAQ
IQ
Straddling the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and stretching from the Gulf to the Anti-Taurus Mountains, modern Iraq occupies roughly what was once ancient Mesopotamia, one of the cradles of human civilisation. In the Middle Ages Iraq was the centre of the Islamic Empire, with Baghdad the cultural and political capital of an area extending from Morocco to the Indian subcontinent.
Iraq is a major oil producing country with offi cial oil
reserves counting as the third in the second in the
world. The country is not only fortunate in its extensive
oil resources, much still to be unexplored, it enjoys
additional resources such as a fertile agricultural sector.
Farming provides rich and diverse range of produce
both for domestic consumption and export. The main
agricultural produce include wheat, barley, rice, vegeta-
bles, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep, poultry. Meanwhile,
its main industries are petroleum, chemicals, textiles,
leather, construction materials, food processing, fertil-
izer, metal fabrication and processing.
Economy
After more than a decade of UN comprehensive sanc-
tions and three major wars, the lifting of sanctions
by the UN Security Council Resolution 1483 in May
2003 was supposedly to allow reconstruction efforts
to begin. However, serious security problems had
hampered the rebuilding effort. The past fi ve years
have been extremely diffi cult for the reconstruction of
the economy, but the recent and continuing progress
provides encouraging signs for investors.
Oil revenue constitutes around 99% of total export
earnings and over 75% of budget revenue. This leaves
Iraq highly vulnerable to the volatile oil market and to
any deterioration in the security situation. The IMF esti-
mates that Iraq will continue to be heavy reliant on oil
for the foreseeable future.
The oil industry, which is the bedrock of the economy,
has begun gradually to recover from the toll of war-
related damage and post-war looting. Attempts to
boost and sustain exports have been held back by
persistent sabotage, targeted mainly at oil export infra-
structure, as well as by a lack of investment in new
production. Nevertheless, having remained at or below
a disappointing 2 m barrels/day (b/d) since 2003, oil
production has increased markedly since the autumn of
2007, as improved security has allowed the reopening
on a sustainable basis of the northern Kirkuk pipeline.
As a result, oil output averaged around 2.4 m b/d over
the fi rst half of 2008.
Development of a manufacturing sector has been
hindered by the extremely poor security climate since
2003, as well as by the country’s infrastructural defi -
ciencies. The government has sought to boost devel-
opment spending signifi cantly, but progress has been
hampered by security problems despite improved
stability since mid-2007, as well as by bureaucratic
shortcomings. Total government revenues have
benefi ted from high oil prices in recent years; however,
revenues have declined signifi cantly since the oil price
dropped in 2008.
BAGHDAD
115
Reforms
During the last few years Iraq has also made signifi-
cant progress in implementing structural reforms and
continues to make progress with reconstruction. During
the past few years, Iraq witnessed some progress in its
reconstruction, increases its oil exports, and improves the
living conditions for its citizens. However, Iraq still has a
long way to go before it is able to realize its full potential
as a major player in the regional and global economy.
Iraq has also made significant progress in adopting new
investment law and implementing some important struc-
tural reforms.
Iraq is making some progress in building the institutions
needed to implement economic policy. In March 2009
Iraq concluded a Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the
IMF that details economic reforms. The SBA allows an
80% reduction of the debt owed to Paris Club creditor
nations. The International Compact with Iraq was estab-
lished in May 2007 to integrate Iraq into the regional and
global economy, and the Iraqi government is seeking
to pass laws to strengthen its economy. This legislation
includes a hydrocarbon law to establish a modern legal
framework to allow Iraq to develop its resources and
a revenue sharing law to equitably divide oil revenues
within the nation, although both are still under conten-
tious political negotiation. Some foreign entities have
expressed interest in reinvigorating Iraq’s industrial
sector. The government of Iraq is pursuing a strategy
to gain foreign participation in joint ventures with State-
owned enterprises. Provincial Councils are also using
local budgets to promote and facilitate investment. The
Central Bank has been successful in controlling inflation
through appreciation of the dinar against the US dollar.
Construction & Infrastructure
Major reconstruction work continues to take place in
the country’s infrastructure and is attracting consider-
able investment. One of the latest was announced in
July 2009, that Iraq is to construct a “Sport City” in the
southern oil hub of Basra to host the Gulf Cup at the end
of 2012, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said:
“The council of ministers, on the recommendation of the
minister for youth and Sports freed up 446 million dollars
to build a 146 hectare modern complex inspired by the
architectural style of Basra”. Youth and sports ministry
spokesman Assifa Moussa said, the complex would
consist of a 65,000 capacity main stadium, a 10,000 seat
arena and four smaller training stadiums, each with 400
seats. A sporting village consisting of eight buildings
each housing 16 apartments will also be built under the
project, led by an Iraqi company working in association
with two US firms, Moussa added.
Iraq
116
IQ
Energy
Just before the start of the war in March 2003, nation-
wide electricity capacity was around 4,500 mw/day,
according to the October 2003 UN/World Bank “Joint
Iraq Needs Assessment”. The post-war power supply
has been affected not only by war-related damage, which
resulted in a shortage of domestic oil supplies, but also
by the subsequent looting of power stations and sabo-
tage of oil pipelines. Interruptions to oil supplies have a
direct impact on the output of power stations that are
entirely oil-fuelled, as is the case in Baghdad. Further-
more, electricity facilities—such as pylons and high
voltage transmission lines—have been targeted by polit-
ical forces opposed to the presence of coalition troops
in the country. Although, this does not represent the
same scale of damage that occurred in the 1991 war, the
combination of looting and sabotage has had a compa-
rable effect on the national grid. As a result, according
to the US State Department, national electricity supply
was only able to meet 51% of demand in late July 2008,
leaving the average Iraqi with less than 10 hours/day of
electricity from the power grid.
Industry
Traditionally, Iraq’s manufacturing activity has been
closely connected to the oil industry. The major industries
in that category have been petroleum refining and the
manufacture of chemicals and fertilizers. Before 2003,
diversification was hindered by limitations on privatization
and the effects of the international sanctions. Since 2003,
Iraq is making extensive efforts to rebuild its industrial
infrastructure.
Apart from hydrocarbons, Iraq’s mining industry has
been confined to extraction of relatively small amounts
of phosphates, salt, and sulfur. Since a relatively produc-
tive period in the 1970s, the mining industry has been
hampered by conflict. Iraq during the 1970s had also
established big state-owned industries mainly specialized
in petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction
materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication
and processing.
Banking Sector
Iraq financial sector currently consists of six state-owned
banks, including Rafidian Bank (founded in 1941) and
Rasheed Bank (founded in 1988), which are considered
the biggest banks (86% of the total assets) in Iraq, in
addition to, the Agricultural Bank, the Industrial Bank,
the Real Estate Bank, and the Socialist Bank. Until 2003,
these banks account for about 93 percent of banking
system assets. There are also 18 private banks with an
increasing capitalization since 2003. The Central Bank of
Iraq has meanwhile been making progress in improving
its accounting and governance structure. Since 2003,
audits of the country’s two largest state banks, Rafidain
and Rasheed, are underway, as a first step to developing
a restructuring programme for the two banks.
The 18 private banks were established during the sanc-
tions era (1990-2003) in an effort to handle local deposi-
tors’ financial needs and reform as well as modernize
the banking sector. However, these banks remained
small and were limited to domestic transactions and
attracted few private depositors. Both private and state
banks in Iraq were badly damaged by the international
embargo. After 2003 and in attempts to further priva-
tize and expand the system, Iraqi government removed
restrictions on international bank transactions and freed
the Central Bank of Iraq from government control. In
2004 three foreign banks received licenses to do busi-
ness in Iraq. Also, Iraq Securities Commission has issued
detailed rules governing trading of non-Iraqis at the Iraq
Stock Exchange (ISX).
Private sector and foreign investors are increasingly
showing interest in Iraq’s financial sector, especially as
Foreign Investment Law allows foreign banks to hold a
50% interest in Iraqi private banks. International banks
will be permitted to enter Iraq as branches, subsidiaries,
representative offices or through joint ventures with local
banks. Standard Chartered, HSBC, and the National
Bank of Kuwait received licenses to conduct banking
transactions in Iraq. In July 2009, Asiacell announced
the signing of an e-banking cooperation agreement with
AMWAL, a consortium of leading private Iraqi banking
institutions. The move will enable Iraqi citizens to settle
their financial transactions using their mobile phones
without having to visit their banks.
117
Insurance Sector
The insurance sector in Iraq has been opened up to
competition. It was in 1997 that a change in the law
permitted the establishment of private Iraqi-owned
companies in the sector. Since 2005 foreign insurance
providers have been allowed to enter the market.
Now foreign investment has started to find its way into
the insurance sector but as yet only to a limited extent.
The Ministry of Finance is responsible for licensing
insurers to write both life and non-life insurance cover.
Estimated annual gross written premium is estimated at
just £3.3mn according to specialist observers. Foreign
investors can now enter the market as long as they
comply with the 2005 insurance law, which stipulates
capital requirements for insurance firms. Foreign inves-
tors are also able to open branches in the country. The
insurance industry is overseen by the Iraqi Insurance
Diwan whose powers are set out under the Insurance
Business Regulations Act of 2005. This is an independent
body that sets the overall policy and procedures for the
regulation of the insurance industry.
Agriculture, Food & Fisheries
Historically, only 50 to 60% of Iraq’s arable land has
been under cultivation. However, Iraq now is facing
unprecedented harsh conditions due to decreasing water
supplies in the two rivers. Iraqi officials say the Ataturk
Dam in Turkey and Syrian water projects on the Tigris
and Euphrates are hindering adequate water supplies.
The officials added that: “Before building these dams in
Turkey or using water in Syria for large areas for irriga-
tion, we were getting... nearly 30 billion cubic metres of
water,” they said. “Now it’s about a third of that amount,
so the flow in both rivers – especially in the Tigris – has
been reduced.” This situation has greatly affected the
agricultural sector in Iraq and the country remains a net
food importer.
Outlook
The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) lowered its fore-
casts for Iraq’s fiscal deficit for the 2009-10, after raising
oil price projections. Nevertheless, the EIU still expect
Iraq’s budget to return an average deficit of $15.6bn in
2009-10. Iraq’s current-account deficit forecast has also
narrowed slightly, owing to the revision of the oil price
projections. It is expected now that the current account
will return a deficit of $6.4bn in 2010.
Real GDP growth is forecast to slow in 2009-10, from an
estimated rate of 7.8% in 2008 to an average of 5.7%,
as a tighter fiscal stance has a knock-on impact across
the economy. Thus, economic growth in 2009-10 was
expected to remain relatively healthy, if geographically
uneven A recovery is expected in some of Iraq’s southern
and western provinces, leading to greater wholesale and
retail trade, as well as increased investment, including
from Iraq’s neighbours.
Iraq
Iraq
118
COUNTRY NAME: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
LAND AREA: 89,000km2
POPULATION: 6,4 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic
CURRENCY: 1 Jordanian Dinar (JOD) = 1.000 Fils 1 EUR = 0.96 JOD (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Amman (capital), Aqaba, Irbid, Zarqa, Karak, Maan
NATIONAL DAY: 25 May – Indepence Day
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 2
JORDAN
JO
In the last decade, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has sustained vast development achievements that brought qualitative stride at all economic, social and political sectors. These results were also made through the relentless efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein who spares no effort in the process of building modern Jordan and in achieving a better future for the Jordanian people.
Jordan has attained many accomplishments in respect
of economic development and growth rates, as well
as the support of the market absorption of labor force.
The current and future economic plans aim at the
redistribution of the development returns to all the
Kingdom’s regions in away that will better serve the
development needs of them. In this respect and under a
Royal guidance, the government established economic
and development areas all around the Kingdom with
the aim of attracting local and foreign investments and
establishing projects that will absorb labor force in these
regions.
Reforms
Jordan realizes the importance of continuing the
thrust of its reform agenda. Transforming Jordan into
a modern knowledge-based economy with increased
productivity and employment continues to be at the core
of Jordan’s long-term development vision as articulated
in the “Kuluna Al Urdun” (We are all Jordan) initiative,
which builds on past achievements and previous reform
initiatives, including “Jordan First” and the “National
Agenda”. “Kuluna Al Urdun”, spearheaded by His
Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein, was developed
through extensive participation from all segments of the
Jordanian society in order to build national consensus
on a comprehensive unifi ed vision and policy actions to
support a bold reform and modernization of Jordan’s
economic, institutional and political infrastructure. It also
envisions additional investments to bring about improved
living conditions, increased job opportunities, and
upgraded social services to all Jordanians.
Young people are one of Jordan’s national priorities,
greatest asset, and hope for the future. Youthful energies
are being directed towards serving the community, and
organized in group frameworks through a number of
initiatives aimed at tapping their intellect, creativity and
aspirations. In order to ensure the active participation of
youth, Jordan has committed itself towards mobilizing all
stakeholders (government agencies, civil society, national
and international institutions, private sector) case in point
is the “National Strategy for Youth”, and “We are All
Jordan” Youth initiatives.
Investment
With access to over one billion consumers at the cross
roads of three continents, Jordan is situated at the heart
of the region that interconnects three continents. Its
location and excellent transportation network make it an
ideal base of operations for companies seeking export
to countries and regions which Jordan has bilateral and
multilateral trade agreements with, thereby expanding
their market to over one billion consumers in Europe,
AMMAN
119
North America and the Middle East. As well, its stable
political and economic environments enhance the
Kingdom’s suitability as a base from which to supply
such large markets. Jordan is home to a competitive
and vibrant economy that has achieved constantly high
growth.
The investment promotion law in Jordan offers a
number of benefits and incentives to investors in the key
sectors of the economy, including industry, agriculture,
hospitals, hotels, leisure and recreational compounds,
Maritime transport, railways, pipeline transportation
and distribution services for water, gas, and petroleum
derivatives as well as their exploitation, conventions
and exhibition centers, call centers. Jordan’s economy
offers special opportunities in fast rising sectors that
include pharmaceuticals, minerals, information and
communication technology ICT, Dead Sea products,
textiles and apparel, tourism, real estate and automotive
industry.
Jordan Investment Board (JIB) is a governmental body
that was established by means of the investment
promotion law of 1995 and the investment law of 2003,
JIB is a world class agency entrusted with promoting
Jordan as a unique destination for foreign direct
investment and sustaining domestic investment to
achieve economic prosperity in the Kingdom. JIB is at
the disposal of all investors seeking assistance in their
business and investment needs.
The Government of Jordan has implemented a bold
economic liberalization initiative through transformation
of Aqaba, the Kingdom’s only port city and a
surrounding area of 375 km2, into the Aqaba Special
Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA). ASEZA is a duty free
zone that is successfully attracting substantial foreign
and domestic private investment. It offers advanced
infrastructure and logistics systems, quality lifestyle, and
a superior business environment.
Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), inaugurated
at the beginning of 2004, is the central development
company for ASEZA. It is a private shareholding
company owned jointly by the government and the
Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) with
the mission to implement the ASEZA Master Plan in
a manner that ensures integrated development by
maximizing public-private partnerships.
The South Industrial Zone (SIZ) is one of the principal
investment opportunities within ASEZA. Comprising
some 12 square kilometers of still vacant readily
developable land, it encompasses and surrounds
the existing heavy industrial district. It is also directly
adjacent to the site where the new Aqaba seaport will
be built over the coming five to seven years. Already
present are the marine terminals for import and export of
dry bulk and liquid bulk commodities. The development
concept for the SIZ is to build an industrial area that
provides for the development of existing industries in an
orderly manner, develops related downstream industries
and provides a highly competitive world-class industrial
Jordan
120
park to enable the development of new industries. The
SIZ concept plans for industrial clusters which meet
the demands of existing and new industries; provides
centralized grouping of services such as cooling water,
pipelines and conveyors where possible; and plans for
inter-modal transport centers to enable rapid transfer
of goods and people. The SIZ dedicates part of the
area to anchor an integrated agro-chemical/fertilizer
cluster, using the competitive advantage of Jordan
and its neighbors in phosphate, potash and natural
gas resources as well as taking advantage of existing
fertilizer industry and deepwater ports both existing
and under-development. The SIZ has also dedicated
remaining areas for heavy chemical industries,
supporting industries and future industrial expansion.
The King Hussein Bin Talal Development Area (KHBTDA)
in Mafraq – situated 60 km northeast of the capital
Amman at the Nexus of a modern highway network
connecting Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia – is
strategically positioned to function as an industrial
center and inland port stretching across 21 square
kilometers with an adjacent functional airport and a
future railway system. Through the unique combination
of its geographic location, public sector commitment,
and a legal and regulatory framework underpinned by
the progressive and robust development areas law, the
KHBTDA is an unparalleled infrastructure, industry and
logistics investment opportunity. With regional markets
exceeding 300 million inhabitants, the potential to
connect overland routes with access to major regional
ports, and the planned conversion of the adjacent
King Hussein Airbase and to a mixed use airport, the
sight has the potential to become not only a leading
location for industrial production, but also a regional
transportation hub for inward movement of goods from
throughout the region, and indeed the world.
Industry
The manufacturing sector comprises a great deal of the
industrial activity that will drive investment demand into
the KHBTDA. The Mafraq Development Corporation
(MDC) vision for the sight is to attract investment from
a variety of light and medium industrial sectors, with
the aim of serving major regional export markets as well
as Jordanian domestic demand. Sectors with potential
to drive development include: food and beverage;
pharmaceutical and medical supplies; light chemicals;
and a wide range of other manufactured products.
Jordan has already established itself as a serious
exporter to regional markets, and its leading producers
are already looking beyond, to the EU and the US,
to export high quality foods, and the Jordan valley is
poised to emerge as a producer of world-class fruits
and vegetables. The Pharmaceutical and Medical
Supply sector together represent one of Jordan’s
premier industries, surpassed only by garment
sector in terms of both total output and exports.
With pharmaceuticals exports exceeding USD 442.4
million in 2007, Jordan is the MENA regions largest
Arab exporter and a growing producer of consumable
medical supplies.
The demand analysis exams trade flows in a wide range
of manufacturing sectors under the broad heading
of other manufactured products, including: furniture
and furniture components; electrical machinery and
electronics; fabricated plastic products; and packaging.
ICT & Health Sector
ICTs growth in Jordan has surpassed the high rates
witnessed in the region, with many firms headquartered
in Jordan and maintaining project offices in regional
markets. Jordan’s prominent reputation in health care,
based on advanced systems and highly regarded
physicians, is attracting 100,000 international patients
annually.
Transport
Jordan and most of its neighbors signed the
International Agreement on Rail Development in the
Arab Mashreq, which defined minimum technical
standards and identified priorities routes for linking the
economies of the region. The network within Jordan
is fully consistent with the standards of and priorities
specified in the agreement, as is the work is underway
in neighboring countries. All of Jordan’s neighbors have
plans for standard gauge rail development to the Jordan
border.
Services account for 73% of Jordanian GDP in 2005.
Jordan commercial services balance with the world
has been positive until 2000. Jordanian leading export
services sectors are travel (55%) and transportation
(22%). Services sectors reforms are well advanced
and generally in line with international best practices
and principles of the Single Market. Jordan has made
substantial commitments under GATS by binding 11
sectors.
The EU’s policy towards the Mediterranean region
as a whole is governed by the Euro-Mediterranean
Partnership, launched at the 1995 Barcelona summit
between the European Union and its 10 Mediterranean
partners. Jordan is an active participant in furthering the
trade objective of this process whose aim is to create
a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area by 2010 via a
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network of bilateral Association Agreements between
the EU and individual Mediterranean partners, together
with free trade agreements between the partners
themselves. The Euro-Mediterranean Association
Agreement with Jordan was signed on 24 November
1997 and entered into force on 1 May 2002 replacing
the co-operation Agreement of 1977.
Industrial products originating in Jordan are imported
into the EU free of customs duties and charges.
Reciprocally, Jordan abolished customs duties and
charges on a large number of products originating in the
Community and is liberalising the remaining products
in several stages, according to their sensitivity for
Jordanian markets.
Trade Relations
On 25 February 2004 Jordan signed a free trade
agreement with Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. The
Agadir Agreement, as it is known, commits the parties
to removing substantially all tariffs on trade between
them, and to intensifying economic cooperation notably
in the field of harmonising their legislation with regard to
standards and customs procedures. A similar agreement
has been signed 2009 with Turkey. Jordan already signed
a bilateral free trade agreement with the US in 2000 and
a free trade agreement with Singapore in 2004. It is to be
noted that Jordan became a member of the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) in April 2000.
Jordan
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COUNTRY NAME: State of Kuwait
LAND AREA: 17,800 km2
POPULATION: 2.8 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), English (commercial)
CURRENCY: 1 Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD) = 1000 Fils 1 EUR = 0.38 KWD (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Kuwait City (capital), Hawalli, Jahrah, Sabahiyah
NATIONAL DAY: 25 February
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 3
KUWAIT
KW
Kuwait is a small, rich, relatively open economy with self-reported crude oil reserves of about 104 billion barrels – 10% of world reserves. Kuwait is the seventh largest oil exporter in the world; sits on a tenth of global crude reserves, and has plans to boost output to 4 million barrel by day by 2020. Kuwait plans also to spend some $55bn on oil projects in the coming five years, which will help Kuwait to increase its oil output by 300,000 bpd starting from mid-2009. The spending includes a multi-billion dollar scheme to produce more oil from some northern oil fields under the delayed ‘Project Kuwait’ which involve foreign firms in production. Kuwait is also rich with gas. Its natural gas reserve is the twentieth in world, with an estimated reserve of 62.8Tcf which contributes to 0.9% of the world’s total reserves.
Economy
Macroeconomic performance has been strong due
to high oil proceeds, and the outlook remains very
favourable. Structural reforms continued, aimed at
promoting a dynamic private sector driven economy and
enhancing incentives for bringing in foreign technical
know-how. Kuwait’s structural reforms aiming to promote
a dynamic open economy driven by the private sector
have been gaining momentum. The National Assembly
in 2007 passed three important economic laws. One
law reduces the profi t tax on foreign investors from
55% to 15% and exempts capital gains from stock
investment from tax. The new legislation removes an
important obstacle for the fl ow of foreign investment
into the country. The sale of state properties law sets
guidelines for the government to provide state land to
local or foreign investors. It also provides a legal basis
for projects involving public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Finally, a bill was passed authorizing the privatization
of Kuwait Airways, which would mark the fi rst major
privatization in the country. Kuwait granted licenses to
three private airlines and four new private universities,
and privatized a number of gas stations.
Oil & Petroleum
Kuwait petroleum accounts for nearly half of GDP, 95%
of export revenues, and 80% of government income.
Oil will account for around half of Kuwait’s nominal GDP
in 2009-10, and will drive the wider economy through
its knock-on impact on government consumption,
and hence private-sector domestic demand. Kuwait
experienced rapid economic growth over the last several
years on the back of high oil prices and in 2008 posted
its tenth consecutive budget surplus. However, oil output
is expected to fall sharply in 2009, following an OPEC
agreement to cut production, before expanding by 9% in
2010. The global fi nancial crisis might have also slowed
the pace of investment and development projects, but
Kuwait has vowed to use its considerable fi nancial
resources to stabilize the economy if necessary.
Banking Sector
Kuwait has one of the most robust banking sectors in
the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, benefi ting
KUWAIT CITY
from the country’s outstanding economic performance
in recent years. Kuwaiti banks are also benefiting from
fairly effective banking supervision by Central Bank which
has been very successful role in restoring confidence in
the system and nurturing its development. The fact that
Kuwait has relatively undiversified economy, with half of
its GDP generated from oil-related activities, the result
of banks having limited non-oil related exposures and
sizeable balance-sheet concentrations, both to the oil
sector and to individual entities.
The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) is monitoring banks
closely, including through regular stress testing. Kuwait
recognizes that the number, size and activities of
investment companies have grown significantly over
the last few years, making that sector systemically
important. The overall current regulatory framework
covers disclosure, credit concentration and provisioning,
anti-money laundering, and consumer/instalment loans
limits. The CBK is carefully watching individual banks’
exposures to investment companies. Kuwait’s domestic
banking system is also relatively saturated, with 16 banks
– including Islamic financial institutions, specialized bank
and foreign banks branches – competing to serve a total
population of 3.4 million (only a third of which comprises
the banks’ traditional retail target market). Conventional
banks have historically dominated the financial system.
To date, Kuwait Finance House has been their primary
Islamic competitor but other Islamic financial service
providers are set to pose increased competitive
pressures.
Insurance Sector
While Kuwait was among the first Gulf States to launch a
domestic insurance industry, with the Kuwait Insurance
Company founded in 1960 and Al Ahleia Insurance
in 1962, the sector still only accounts for around 1%
of Kuwait Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However,
Kuwait’s insurance industry is developing at a steady
pace, with growing popularity among locals being driven
by a wider range of available products, especially from
companies that provide Sharia-compliant services.
The local Kuwaiti market has strong potential for
expansion. According to official figures, the Kuwaiti
population is growing at a rate of 3.6% a year. The
increase is largely being fuelled by a continued influx of
foreigners.
While foreign companies do operate in the Kuwaiti
insurance industry, the 12 local firms dominate the
sector, accounting for more than 85 percent of the
market. Activity is mainly centred on general insurance, or
non-life policies, which include property, marine, general
accident and fire insurance. Life insurance has recently
been gaining in popularity, with such policies accounting
Kuwait
123
KW
for almost 30% of total premiums as of the end of 2006,
according to a report issued by Dubai-based firm CPI
Financial in 2008. This is due in part to new regulations
that require expatriates to have medical insurance.
The change in attitude toward life insurance may
also stem from the rise of companies offering Sharia-
compliant products, first offered in 2000. Takaful
insurance has been strengthening over years in the
Kuwaiti market, as it is the case in other GCC States,
accounting for around 20% of all premiums as of
mid-2007.
Health Sector
Kuwait is looking at introducing greater private sector
participation in the delivery of the country’s healthcare
system. The Ministry of Health in June 2008 stated that
it was looking at the outsourcing of the management
of government clinics and hospitals to private sector
professionals. Kuwait is putting efforts to extend the
private sector participation in the health care system, and
opening the sector to private and foreign investment.
Power & Water
The Kuwait Electricity and Water Ministry’s current five-
year plan concentrates on developing and upgrading
electricity and water services for consumers, including
several major projects to meet increasing consumer
demand. Proposed new projects include building
new power generating stations that will be capable of
generating up to 6,700 megawatts of power equivalent
to 70% of the current production. One such project
involves establishing a power generation plant at the
north Zour station that will operate on gas turbines. The
project will be divided into two stages. The first was
floated through a public tender during 2008. It includes
constructing the first part of the station generating
1,600 megawatts and will be completed in 2010. The
second stage commenced in 2009 to generate 1,600
megawatts too and is slated for completion in 2011.
Kuwait is also to float a tender to construct the Subiya
power station that will generate 2,000 megawatts; work
on which is expected to commence in 2010. There are
plans to undertake a number of projects to increase
water production. Construction of new water desalination
plants will produce 275 million gallons of water per day
and ease continuing water shortages.
Agricultural Sector
In an effort to promote food security, Kuwait is
considering new projects in the agricultural sector,
such as the production of plant and fish farming,
livestock, dairy production, fattening of calves and
cattle-breeding. In general, the non-oil contribution to
GDP continues to expand rapidly and both the fiscal
and external current account remains in large surplus.
Growth in the non-oil economy has been over 9%, and
the large increase in oil revenue generated substantial
fiscal and external current account surpluses, enabling
the country to build up the stock of foreign assets.
Trade
Export volumes in 2009 are similarly expected to decline
as demand weakens in Kuwait’s biggest export markets,
notably in East Asia. Growth in the services sector (led by
financial services, logistics, telecommunications and
retail), which accounts for around 40% of nominal GDP,
will be modest in 2009-10. As a result, the Economic
Intelligence Unit (EIU) forecast that real GDP will contract
by 0.7% in 2009, after expanding by an estimated 8.5%
in 2008, before returning to growth of 4.4% in 2010, as
the external outlook begins to improve. Kuwait’s global
integration is underpinned by active membership in
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125
Kuwait
Kuw
ait
global and regional trade initiatives and an ongoing push
to liberalize domestic regulations. A member of the WTO
since 1995, Kuwait also participates in various
preferential trade arrangements, including the GCC
customs union and the Greater Arab Free Trade Area.
The GCC common market agreement was launched in
January 2008.
In May 2007, Kuwait adopted a fiscal strategy involving
higher capital spending, limiting expanding current
expenditure, and saving part of the oil wealth to reduce
dependency on oil income for funding the budget. In
2007 also, Kuwait abandoned the peg to the US dollar in
favour of a peg to an undisclosed currency basket.
Kuwait is undertaking large-scale investments to expand
oil production and refining capacity.
The IMF in a 2008 report urged Kuwait to support more
private sector-led investment and growth by bringing
capital market, companies, competition, public-private
partnerships and privatization laws in line with best
international practice. Progress in 2007 included
reduction of taxes on foreign investors, priority given to
the new capital market law and other draft laws to
facilitate broadening the role of private sector. There is
potential to enhance the involvement of foreign technical
know-how in the development of the northern oil fields.
The EIU expects that Kuwait will follow an expansionary
fiscal policy, using its oil revenue to raise spending on
infrastructure and redistribute wealth. The fiscal surplus
is forecast to average 8.3% of GDP a year in 2009-13.
The EIU expects also that the oil sector will drive most
economic activity. Real GDP growth is set to decline
from the highs of recent years, as oil output rises only
slowly (following recent OPEC cuts) and efforts to draw
in foreign investment to boost production in the northern
oilfields remain stalled, despite the fact that some new
energy projects will be initiated towards the end of the
forecast period. Following a slight upward revision to
EIU oil price forecast, EIU now expects a budget surplus
of 2.4% of GDP in fiscal year 2009/10.
Foreign Direct Investment
The net flow of foreign direct investment into Kuwait
should rise modestly over the forecast period.
Nevertheless, apart from Equate II (a petrochemicals
venture) and some smaller-scale projects, most
developments will be financed almost exclusively from
domestic sources. The upstream oil and gas sectors
will remain largely closed to foreign investors, limiting
technology transfer.
126
COUNTRY NAME: Lebanese Republic
LAND AREA: 10,200 km2
POPULATION: 4,1 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian
CURRENCY: 1 Lebanese Pound (LBP) = 100 Piaster 1 EUR = 2 LBP (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Beirut (capital), Sidon, Jounié, Tripoli
NATIONAL DAY: 22 November – Independence Day
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 2
LEBANON
LB
Lebanon gained its independence from France in 1943 and developed one of the Middle East’s most advanced economies. It has long been the convergence point of trade routes and the meeting place for a wide variety of peoples, the basis of the rich and diverse national culture that exists in the country today. It is a regional and international hub for trade, finance, services, industry, culture and tourism. At the centre of the Eastern Mediterranean, Lebanon is at the cross-roads of Africa, Asia and Europe. It enjoys a rich variety of climates and ecosystems.
As a trading and international banking centre, it was
long known as “the Switzerland of the Middle East”
until its disastrous 1975–1990 civil war and protracted
confl ict. The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged
Lebanon’s economic infrastructure, cut national output
by half, and all but ended Lebanon’s position as a
Middle Eastern entrepot and banking hub. In the years
since, Lebanon has rebuilt much of its war-torn physical
and fi nancial infrastructure by borrowing heavily –
mostly from domestic banks.
Lebanon’s most important area of economic activity
has historically been services, which in 2008 accounted
for an estimated three-quarters of nominal GDP. The
capital, Beirut, remains a signifi cant regional banking
centre. Although agriculture remains an important
source of employment, most rural holdings are small,
economically ineffi cient and rented by subsistence
farmers – so agriculture accounts for only around 5%
of nominal GDP. The country’s most precious natural
resource – vast forests of cedar – was exhausted
in ancient times, and today, the main focus of the
primary sector is quarrying for the cement industry.
The industrial sector is also small, partly because the
domestic market shows a preference for imported
goods. Among the sector’s most signifi cant exports are
processed food and jewellery – with the latter showing
strong growth in recent years.
Lebanon enjoys a free foreign exchange market,
full currency convertibility, complete repatriation of
capital and a regulated banking secrecy law. These
privileges make Lebanon a prime destination for foreign
investment and tourism. Investors can benefi t from
a sophisticated legal framework, which protects the
rights and assets of both Lebanese and non-Lebanese
investors.
Financial Sector
Lebanon’s fi nancial sector, one of the region’s most
sophisticated, offers a wide range of services. There are
few restrictions on domestic banking and few barriers
to foreign banks. Regulations are fairly transparent,
and credit is allocated on market terms. There are 69
banks registered at the National Bank of Lebanon/
Banque du Liban, with 62 active commercial banks and
12 specialized banks. Banking currently employs more
than 17,660 individuals in 872 branches conveniently
spread throughout the country, and manages the
equivalent of $90 billion in assets nation-wide.
Foreign representation is important either in the form
of a foreign bank maintaining branches in Lebanon
(11 banks) or equity stakes in several local banks.
BEIRUT
127
16 foreign banks have also a representation office in
Lebanon. Foreign representation is significant, whether
through foreign banks maintaining their branches in
Lebanon or equity stakes in several local banks. At the
same time, Lebanese banks have expanded abroad,
particularly in Syria, Jordan and France. Today, there
are eighteen Lebanese banks active in one way or
another in sixteen foreign countries. Foreigners can
open accounts in banks operating in Lebanon and
get credit on market terms. The Banking Control
Commission (BCC) closely monitors bank credits. Bank
financial statements are in compliance with international
accounting standards. Independent auditors audit
annual accounts, and most banks utilize internationally
recognized accounting firms. The recent report by
International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted that the global
financial crisis on Lebanon had had no major impact.
Like other Middle Eastern states, the local bourse
declined, but real estate markets did not crash, and
banks were not failing. Key to Lebanon’s success at
insulating itself from the worst of the global financial
meltdown has been sound fiscal policy from the Central
Bank. Years ago, CBL issued a bank circular prohibiting
Lebanese banks from subscribing to subprime
mortgage products.
Insurance Sector
The Lebanese insurance market has always been open
and liberal, in line with Lebanon’s free market economy.
Private insurers have historically been the only players
in the local market and the state has never national-
ized or expropriated an insurance firm. Additionally,
the Lebanese state never owned insurers and private
companies did not have to compete with state entities
or worry about government monopolies, as is the case
in many other Arab countries.
This characteristic has helped the sector respond to
market forces and avoid the distortions associated with
state-ownership of insurers. Further, the sector has
very low barriers to entry and is one of the most open
insurance sectors in the region. The existing rules and
regulations already allow foreign insurers full ownership
of local operations and for the acquisition of a domestic
insurer. Competition exists from a large number of
domestic firms as well as from Arab and foreign
Lebanon
128
insurers already present in the market. As at 2007,
figures published by Lebanon’s Ministry of Economy
and Trade showed that the total assets of that coun-
try’s insurance sector amounted to $1,555 million, of
which $829 million was held in investments.
The operational efficiency of the Lebanese insurance
sector is positively influenced by the fact that the
industry is totally in the hands of the private sector. On
the other hand, Lebanon does not have the advantages
of the more efficient Arab markets in terms of large
industries related to oil production. Further, Lebanon
has one of the more developed life insurance sectors
relative to other Arab countries, which increases the
comparative efficiency of the Lebanese market.
Tourism
Tourism, the country’s major economic activities and
foreign exchange earners, was hit severely by the coun-
try’s protracted political crises. Adverse political and
security conditions placed it on the list of the “world’s
most dangerous destinations”. However, efforts are
now being made to reposition Lebanon on the inter-
national tourism map. The Ministry of Tourism is
continuing with projects to promote Lebanon providing
electronic services and information, participating in
world exhibitions, and targeting selected new markets.
Energy Sector
Lebanon depends almost entirely on external energy
sources, in particular for oil products. Growing energy
needs may impact increasingly on the high energy
import bill and thus on the country’s economy. It could
develop towards a transit country, including to the
benefit of secure energy supply to the EU. Lebanon
took a major decision to introduce natural gas in the
economy, although it has no known gas reserves of
its own. Gas pipelines are under development and
will bring Egyptian and Syrian gas to the region and
possibly further to the EU. Lebanon participates in the
Euro-Mashreq Gas Market project that aims to reform
and modernise the gas industry in Egypt, Jordan,
Lebanon and Syria, and achieve the progressive inte-
gration of their gas markets with a view to integration
with the EU internal gas market.
Rehabilitation of energy infrastructure requires signifi-
cant investments. Development of the oil sector,
including the viability of the operation of a refinery, is
under study. Lebanon aims to increase the share of
renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar and
wind in the country’s energy balance to as high as 10%
by 2015. The state-owned electricity producer, Elec-
tricité du Liban (EDL), generated 10.54bn kwh in 2007,
overwhelmingly from imported oil. This was a modest
3.2% improvement on the previous year, but still well
below estimates of current demand of some 14.5bn
kwh. As a result, electricity rationing continues in all
areas, especially during the summer months, when
air-conditioning greatly increases demand, leading to
periodic brownouts and – less frequently – outright
blackouts.
Investment
The Investment Development Agency of Lebanon
(IDAL) provides support and assistance for investment
matters.
Worldwide telecom company Ericsson established a
global-services delivery centre in Beirut in August 2007
to provide services to local and regional costumers.
The centre will service 70 countries in the region.
A new Islamic investment bank is to set up headquar-
ters in Beirut. The Jousour Bank, owned by the Kuwait-
based International Investors Group – IIG, will provide
LB
128
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Lebanon
Leb
an
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financial and investment services according to Islamic
principles.
Horizon Management, together with Kuwait-based
United Real Estate Company, is undertaking two new
projects in Beirut. Excavation for a 220-room hotel
at Raouche, Ras Beirut, is currently underway. On
completion, the $45 million project will be under the
management of international hotel-chain Kempinski.
The second project is a five-star hotel and shopping
mall in Verdun. This is estimated to require investment
of $100 million.
Optimum Developments is to launch the Ehden moun-
tain destination project. This will consist of two sepa-
rate components with nature integration as a major
feature.
KROUM is to be a traditional Lebanese commercial,
residential mixed use village, a 120 room 5-star hotel, a
residential spine offering a diversity of apartments and
a medi-spa.
LES PARCS D`EHDEN is an eco village, hill lakeside
cabanas and family dwellings, and a small conven-
tion centre. Both projects will complement the long
awaited Ehden Eco Ski Resort, to be developed on a
40,000,000 m2 car-free domain accessed solely by
a cable car departing from KROUM when it has been
constructed.
Communications & IT
Lebanon was one of the first countries in the region
to have widespread Internet access, given a strong
interest in technology, multilingual skills and a vast
expatriate population seeking to communicate with
relatives at home, but facing high fixed-line interna-
tional call costs. Dial-up Internet became widespread in
the mid-1990s, but fears of losses to the state-owned
telecoms provider from Internet telephony helped delay
the official introduction of broadband until 2007. In the
interim period, as many as 100,000 residents obtained
faster access through unlicensed cable, microwave and
satellite providers. The delay caused penetration rates
to fall behind those of most Gulf Arab states, although
the country remained ahead of other regional neigh-
bours, with a total of 230,000 subscriptions in 2005,
according to the ITU. Since the official introduction
of broadband, penetration has increased, but costs
remain high: for example, a 1Mb broadband connection
typically costs more than $100 a month.
130
COUNTRY NAME: Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
LAND AREA: 1,8 million km2
POPULATION: 6,3 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), Italian, English
CURRENCY: 1 Libyan Dinar (LYD) = 1.000 Dirham 1 EUR = 1.7 LYD (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Tripoli (capital), Benghazi, Al-Djofra, Misurata, Zawia, El Khoms, Ras-Jedir
NATIONAL DAY: 1 September – Revolution Day
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 2
LIBYA
LY
Libya, one of the largest countries of North Africa, represents an exciting emerging market in close proximity to Europe. Today there is much that is positive concerning its economy as Libya makes progress in integrating itself within the global trading system and embarks on a major eco-nomic program of development. Libya’s market is increasingly open to foreign investors and offers tremendous opportunities for new business. Libya is undertaking a LD150 billion ($126.5bn) five-year infrastructure redevelopment plan to modernise water, irrigation and sanitation facilities and build airports, schools and houses. Spending is also high on areas such as railways and telecommunica-tions. It is continuing with its efforts to diversify the economy and encourage more private-sector participation in areas like manufacturing and services. As the country moves forward with its modernisation and integration within the global economy, Libya offers potentially rich trade opportunities in nearly every sector, including oil and gas, agriculture, telecommunications, education, medical equipment and services and tourism.
Libya has been ranked by the World Bank as an “upper-
middle-income developing country”. The economy is
dominated by the oil and gas sector, through which it
has been transformed from a poor, largely agricultural
economy to one of Africa’s wealthiest nations. It has the
highest income per capita of the developing countries in
the Mediterranean region.
Income obtained from oil and gas exports has enabled
Libya to maintain a large public sector with extensive
public investment in services like health and education,
as well as agriculture and the development of non-oil
related industries.
Economy
Public services comprise about 7% of GDP. In 2009 the
oil sector provides about 70% of GDP, up from 50% in
2002 in line with rising oil prices during the period. The
share of other sectors to the economy has fallen corre-
spondingly, except for public services, which absorbed a
signifi cant proportion of the higher revenue.
The public administration employs some 16% of the
workforce; health services employ 12% and education
27%. While the relative dominance of the oil and gas
sector has continued to increase, the extraction industry
employs less than 2% of the labour force. The manufac-
turing industry employs 8%, while agriculture, forestry,
and fi shing employ about 7% (agriculture having declined
from about 70% before the growth of the oil industry).
The country operates a large trade surplus. Some 97%
of exports consist of oil, natural gas and petroleum-
based commodities. The remaining 3% mainly consist
of agricultural and fi sheries products. In 2007, 88% of
exports went to the EU, with Italy as the main destination,
followed by Germany, Spain and France.
Investment
The country’s Promotion of Investment of Foreign Capital
Law No. (7) 2003, which amended the Law No. (5) 1997
TRIPOLI
131
law on foreign investment, is the key investment law.
The 1997 law allowed 100 percent foreign ownership of
companies that receive a licence. Relatively few projects
were licensed, partly because of complex and time-
consuming procedures, and partly because key sectors
such as telecommunications, financial services and distri-
bution were excluded.
Under the 1997 law, the investor is entitled to employ
foreign staff and technical expertise necessary for the
establishment and operation of the project. The process
for obtaining work permits can be cumbersome. Article 8
of the 2003 foreign capital law specifies that investment
shall be allowed in the following fields: industry, health,
tourism, services and agriculture, with other field speci-
fied by a decision of the General People’s Committee
upon submission of the Secretary.
Banking & Finance
The most significant reforms in the service sector over
the past decade have occurred in banking and finance.
The latest Banking Law No.1 of 2005, along with the
Anti-Money Laundering Law No.2 of 2005, are aimed at
creating a new legal framework for the banking system.
The country’s five public banks were recapitalised and
its four private banks licensed. The Bank of Commerce
and Development is the most substantial of the four
private banks operating in Libya, and has led the way in
the modernisation of the banking sector by introducing
modern services such as ATMs and credit cards. Twenty-
one regional banks have been merged, banking super-
vision reinforced, interest rates and foreign exchange
partially liberalised, and the exchange rate unified.
2007 saw the start of a strategy announced by the
Central Bank as early as 2004, to restructure, develop
and modernise the banking system to reach standards of
international institutions.
Minority stakes of two Libyan banks were sold to foreign
investors. The first step was to sell off a minority stake in
Sahara Bank, Libya’s second largest commercial bank
with total assets of around $3.6 billion. BNP Paribas SA
won a bid for the privatisation of Libya’s Sahara Bank
with 19% of the shares, for about €145 million with the
option to raise their participation up to 51% in three to
five years. The Wahda Bank sale was structured in the
same way as the previous deal, with the offer of an initial
19% stake. In 2008, a number of foreign commercial
banks won approval to open their representative offices
in Libya.
The Libyan Stock Exchange, established in March 2007,
was the first exchange of its kind in the country.
Imports
Libya imports a wide range of industrial and agricultural
products; major suppliers for these products are Italy,
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132
LY
Germany, China and Tunisia. China is now Libya’s third
largest supplier and the second largest after the EU as a
whole.
Libya is highly dependent on imports for much of its food
supply, particularly cereals and fats and oils. Approxi-
mately half of Libya’s food needs come from imports.
Major suppliers are Tunisia, the Russian Federation,
Turkey, the Netherlands and Italy.
Exports
Exports of agriculture goods are extremely small,
primarily animal and vegetable oils and fats, potatoes and
some beverages. Local consultations have confirmed a
prolific trade in smuggling subsidised food into neigh-
bouring countries means that much of Libya’s agriculture
exports not being captured by official statistics. Subsi-
dised agricultural products from Libya reach Chad, and
other Maghreb countries through Tunisia and then on to
Algeria.
Libya is a net importer of fish and fish products, a
trend that has increased over recent years as exports
of Atlantic bluefin tuna have declined and imports of
processed pacific tuna have increased substantially.
Fisheries exports are categorised by small volumes of
high value premium bluefin tuna and frozen fish fillets
sold to the Japanese and Korean markets, with higher
volumes of common varieties sold live or chilled to
nearby Tunisia, Malta and Turkey.
Energy Sector
Some 97% of Libya’s exports consist of oil, natural gas,
iron and steel and petroleum-based commodities. The
energy industry is thus the country’s most important
export industry and a key source of income.
Libya’s proven oil reserves of 41 billion barrels are almost
half the total reported oil reserves in Africa and over
3% of the world total. Libya has the largest proven oil
reserves in Africa, at 41.5 billion barrels as of January
2007 which is up from 39.1 billion barrels in 2006,
with new discoveries supporting, and often allowing
increases, in the rate of production.
Libya is currently the second-largest crude oil producer
in Africa, with an estimated 1.7 million barrels per day
in 2006. With current plans to expand production to 3
million barrels a day, Libya’s proven reserves would last
for 38 years. Despite the lifting of sanctions, Libya’s
current oil production is still only half of what it was in the
early 1970s, and is expected to climb back to 3 million
barrels per day by 2015.
It has been estimated that more than $30 billion in foreign
investment will be needed to achieve this increase in
production.
Production costs are relatively low, and Libyan oil is high
in quality. Low transport costs given its close proximity
to Europe give Libya a further advantage. European oil
companies maintained their operations after US compa-
nies left in the 1980s; the American companies signed a
Standstill Agreement with the Libyan National Oil Corpo-
ration (NOC) which allowed them to retain their original oil
rights and obligations. The NOC maintained production
at lower levels, and after the lifting of sanctions the US
companies resumed operations.
Some 5% of Libyan oil exports go to China. Libya has
given limited prospecting concessions to both China and
Taiwan. In 2004, the China National Petroleum Corpora-
tion constructed two oil pipes linking the Wafa oil field
with the port of Mellitah in association with the Italian
Ente Nazionale Idrocarburi and the Libyan National Oil
Corporation. Further pipelines are under consideration to
allow the export of oil from Niger via Libya.
Libya’s gas reserves are estimated at 1,500 billion cu.m.,
or 1% of world reserves. At an anticipated extraction rate
of around 12 billion m3/y the known reserves would last
for 125 years. However, at this extraction rate the income
from gas is considerably less than that from oil.
At an oil price of $50 per barrel, Libya’s oil income would
amount to some $50 billion per year. Its income from
natural gas at $350 per 1000m3 would be about $4
billion per year. If it were possible to increase the rate of
gas extraction to give the same annual income as oil, the
known reserves would last for 10 years. In total, Libya’s
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133
Libya
Lib
ya
proven oil and gas reserves are enough to maintain its
national income for about 50 years.
Libyan natural gas exports have increased since 2005,
particularly to Italy. The NOC has a joint venture with the
Italian company, Agip, in the Western Libya Gas Project.
Most of the gas will be exported to Italy via the Green
Stream pipeline that was inaugurated in 2004, connecting
Libya to Italy via Sicily. This is the biggest foreign invest-
ment in Libya’s energy sector since UN sanctions were
suspended. For export further afield, Libya is expanding
its current LNG plants and building new ones.
Telecommunications
The telecommunications sector has grown dramatically
since 1990. Considerable further expansion is planned,
with a targeted increase in density from 12% to around
37% by 2020, at an estimated cost of $10 billion. Priva-
tisation of the state monopoly is not currently intended,
but foreign investors have played an increasing role.
In 2004, France’s Alcatel and Finland’s Nokia won the
contract to develop and construct the Libyan mobile
network.
In 2008, China’s Zhongxing Telecom Equipment signed
an agreement for the construction of the first network in
Africa under the WiMax regulation.
Tourism
As a preferred sector for foreign investment, the tourism
sector has attracted major investments from companies
in the UK, Italy and other countries. Driven by an ambi-
tious government target to see visitor numbers reach 10
million per year and lift the sector’s percentage of foreign
revenue to ten per cent, the Libyan tourism industry is
growing rapidly with the construction of hotels, resorts
and upgrades in transportation systems, including new
airports under construction in Tripoli and Benghazi.
Retail Sector
The retail sector has stabilised in recent years, following
the abolishment of a ban on private selling and control by
state owned stores. The sector is characterised by more
or less modern shops, mostly small; a traditional souk
selling mainly household goods, clothes and textiles;
and apparently unregulated street markets selling every-
thing. Restrictions on private ownership have been lifted,
attracting some local and foreign investment mostly into
the higher end sector.
Privatisation
The negotiations on the return of the American oil compa-
nies led to the introduction of a privatisation policy. Some
360 production units were scheduled to be transferred
from the public to the private sector between 2003 and
2008. By the end of 2004 only 14 had been successfully
privatised.
By August 2006 the number of privatised enterprises had
reached 67, with a total value of LD 696 million (about
$500 million). These included an aquaculture project, six
chicken factories, and a range of industrial companies.
134
COUNTRY NAME: Islamic Republic of Mauritania
LAND AREA: 1 million km2
POPULATION: 3,2 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), French, others
CURRENCY: 1 Mauritanian Ougiya (MRO) = 5 Khoums 1 EUR = 397,11 MRO (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Nouakchott (capital), Nouadhibou, Kaedi, Zouérat
NATIONAL DAY: 28 November – Independence Day
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 0
MAURITANIA
MR
Mauritania lies mainly in the Sahara Desert belt of West Africa and shares borders with Morocco, Algeria, Mali and Senegal. The capital city and major port is Nouakchott while other major towns are Kaedi and Zouerate and the port of Nouadhibou. The country possesses a 700 km Atlantic coastline and in total is approximately twice the size of France, although over half of the land mass is desert.
Apart from its newly developed oil and gas sectors, Mauri-
tania depends on traditional agriculture, fi shing off its rich
coastal waters and a modern mining industry that devel-
oped in the 1960s following the discovery of high-grade
iron ore. Raising crops and pasturing livestock remain
the main economic activities. Major agricultural products,
produced chiefl y near the Senegal River on irrigated lands
and in scattered oases, are millet, dates, sorghum, and
yams. Livestock such as sheep, goats, cattle, and camels
are raised.
Iron ore sales account for about half of the country’s
export earnings. Gypsum and salt are also mined. Mauri-
tania has large copper ore reserves, but diffi cult mining
conditions and low world commodity prices have resulted
in mine closures. The country’s few manufactured goods
are made up principally of processed food (especially
frozen fi sh) and clothing. Smaller industries include
brewing, dairy processing, oil and sugar refi ning.
Fishing
The important fi shing industry contributes around 10
percent of the country’s GDP and 45 percent of its
export earnings. The main species of fi sh that can be
caught are deep sea and shellfi sh, such as shrimp which
are exported to markets like Japan. Fish stocks off the
coast of Mauritania are reputed to be among the richest
and most diverse in the world. The commercial value of
the fi sh stock is high. It is estimated, for example, that
the country enjoys the largest stocks of octopus and
croakers in the world.
Effective regulations and protective measures such
as patrols off the coastal waters help to prevent
overexploitation of the marine zone. A new fi sheries code
adopted in 2000 emphasised sustainable development
of the commercial fi shing industry, expansion of artisanal
fi sheries, reorganisation and modernisation of the
fl eet and development of processed product exports.
Mauritania has signed bilateral fi shery agreements
with Algeria, Japan, Morocco, Russia, Senegal, Tunisia
and the European Union. The potential for export
development in this sector lies in the expansion of
artisanal and coastal fi sheries.
There is a new zoning system in place to help boost
the level of activity and increase processing of fi sh
products, particularly, pelagic species, which are still
underexploited. Enhanced quality management and
better promotion will help to improve product access and
value on foreign markets.
Agriculture
This sector is the largest employer in the country,
accounting for nearly 50 percent of all jobs. The sector
has been liberalised to allow private operators to operate
where once the state sector was dominant. One of the
ALGIERS
NOUAKCHOTT
135
key measures of reform has been the development of
farm credit, which, initially, was available only for rice
production and is now open to other agricultural sectors.
Telecommunications & New Technologies
Mauritania has offshore oil and gas deposits and a growing
upstream oil industry. Offshore oil extraction began in
February 2006. GDP surged to 11.2% in 2006, which was
one of the highest growth rates in the world. Production is
expected to stabilise at around 30,000 barrels p/d thereby
moderating expectations of GDP growth. Mauritania is
one of the four oil refining countries in West Africa. Its
downstream oil industry is now a significant element in the
country’s economy. Oil derived products supply 95% of
the country’s commercial energy needs.
Mining
Mining of mainly iron ore is a major economic activity
accounting for around 12 percent of the country’s GDP
and is the leading employer after the public service.
Activity in the sector is dominated by the leading mining
company, Societe nationale industrielle et miniere
(SNIM). The country’s other commercially exploitable
mineral deposits consist of copper and cobalt. Gold and
diamond rich sites have also recently been discovered
through prospecting and they may prove economically
viable. De Beers and other leading diamond companies
are currently exploring the country’s potential in this
regard. On the strength of the deposits that have so far
been discovered, the World Bank reported that Mauri-
tania could become a diamond producer in the medium
term.
Mauritania
136
MR
Manufacturing
Manufacturing, handicrafts and fish-processing together
contribute about 7 percent of the country’s GDP. Food
processing is the main manufacturing activity, while non-
food manufacturing activities include chemicals and plas-
tics, building materials, paper and packaging. However,
these are all conducted on a small scale and are not
particularly attractive to foreign investors.
Tourism
Expansion of the tourism sector offers new and prom-
ising potential, if it were to receive a sufficient invest-
ment, particularly to improve facilities and infrastructure.
It is still very underdeveloped with annual revenues esti-
mated at only $20m and visitor numbers are currently
only in the thousands. Most visitors are business trav-
elers to the capital Nouakchott, where there are inter-
national standard hotels. Tourism in Mauritania consists
mainly of desert holidaying, which has seen demand
increase steadily over recent years, but other niche
tourism activities are emerging, such as fishing, hunting
and nature watching.
In addition to an attractive and extensive coastline,
Mauritania boasts a rich and ancient heritage which
includes the old trading and religious centres of
Ouadane, Chinguetti, Tichitt and Oualata. These areas
could attract more visitors if marketed energetically
and if basic infrastructure was improved. These ancient
settlements were founded in the 11th and 12th centuries
to serve the caravans crossing the Sahara and became
focal points of Islamic culture. They have preserved
an urban fabric that evolved between the 12th and
16th centuries. Typically, houses with patios crowd
along narrow streets around a mosque with a square
minaret. The four ancient cities have been designated
UN World Heritage Sites, while the nature reservation
of Banc d’Arguin is also protected. Mauritania is trying
to balance preservation of its natural environment with
development of tourism and increasing the number of
visitors.
137
Ma
urit
an
ia
One factor hampering the growth in tourism is the fact
that international flights into the country are infrequent
and expensive. The part privatised national airline, Air
Mauritanie, flies to Paris and countries in West Africa.
Three international airports at Nouadhibou on the coast,
the main airport serving the capital Nouakchott, also on
the coast, and a third airport at the inland city of Atar,
have connections to 13 national airports and an
additional 20 airstrips.
Banking & Finance
Mauritania’s financial system includes 11 retail and
commercial banks, most of which began as joint ventures
between the state and foreign or domestic investors,
and were progressively privatised. As of December
2006, the 11 banks had aggregate assets of $1.0 billion
and managed approximately 125,000 bank accounts,
making Mauritania’s banking penetration rate a mere 4.2
percent. This is one of the lowest across all of Africa and
particularly in the surrounding Maghreb countries, where
banking rates are around 50 percent. However, bank
deposits have recently registered an annual growth rate
of 11 percent.
The arrival of more new international players reflects
the greater attractiveness of the sector. France’s BNP
Paribas Group was granted authorisation from the
Mauritanian authorities to open a full-service bank in
the country in September 2006. In April 2008, Emerging
Capital Partners (ECP), an international private equity
firm focused on investing across the African continent,
announced it had invested $15.9 million to acquire a
controlling interest in BACIM Bank, the seventh largest
banking group in Mauritania and whose parent organisa-
tion is the Central Bank of Mauritania. ECP’s investment
will enable BACIM to transform into a top-tier banking
Mauritania
138
MR
institution by strengthening management, consolidating
resources, and upgrading technology infrastructure and
improving risk management.
“The Mauritanian banking sector is poised for significant
growth over the next five years due to solid macroeco-
nomic fundamentals, an emerging consumer market, and
a growing corporate sector,” said Vincent Le Guennou,
executive vice president of ECP. “We expect that
the growing Mauritanian economy and the increasing
confidence of the international community will continue
to stimulate foreign direct investment in the country,
resulting in substantial gains for the banking sector”.
Mauritania has adopted ambitious banking sector
reforms, in agreement with the IMF backed Financial
Sector Assessment Programme recommendations. This
is seen as critical to creating the conditions for higher
private sector-led growth. The increased presence of
foreign banks is likely to boost competition, and, along
with improved banking supervision, should strengthen
the financial sector.
The country saw the establishment of its first exclusively
Islamic bank with the launch of Al Wataniya in March
2008, according to North Africa Times. The new bank is
a pioneer in the sector and seeks to attract capital into
the country.
Exports
Mauritania’s major export industries are iron ore, fish
and fish products, while its most important imports are
machinery and equipment, petroleum products, capital
goods, foodstuffs and some consumer goods.
Other Sectors
There are development opportunities in the artisanal
sector, if initiatives are taken to improve artisan produc-
tivity, product quality and markets access. The govern-
ment adopted a plan for the handcraft industry designed
to develop and modernise sector. Financial and insur-
ance services, air transportation, health and education
have all been privatised. All these sectors offer attractive
investment opportunities, particularly for foreign direct
investments.
139
Ma
urit
an
ia
Mauritania
140
COUNTRY NAME: Kingdom of Morocco
LAND AREA: 446,000 km2
POPULATION: 31,6 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), French
CURRENCY: 1 Moroccan Dirham (MAD) = 100 Santimat 1 EUR = 11.15 MAD (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Rabat (Capital), Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Oujda, Agadir, Tangier, Tetouan, Laâyoune
NATIONAL DAY: 30 July
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 0
MOROCCO
MA
Morocco managed to resist the direct effects of the global financial crisis through solid fun-damentals and structural reforms, as well as its sound banking and financial system and efficient exchange rate regime. Nonetheless, given its open economy, Morocco has felt the impact of the economic downturn on those productive sec-tors that are most dependent on foreign markets, particularly Europe, the country’s main trading partner. In response, the country implemented a number of measures under the 2009 Finance Act to bolster domestic demand and investment and to support the sectors worst hit by the global crisis, while establishing mechanisms to monitor the results of the measures taken.
Foreign Direct Investment has increased substantially in
recent years; from an average of only $80 million in the
1980s to $500mn in the 1990s, it reached $3.5bn in 2008.
As a liberal economy, Morocco has long been open
to foreign investors and adopted reforms including
privatisation much earlier than many other countries.
Foreign investors are able to own 100% of their
businesses, land and properties without any need for a
local partner.
The economy has been boosted in recent years by
growing consumer spending and inward investment
which has been underpinned by state-backed
infrastructure projects and tourism. Domestic demand is
seen growing by 5.9%, down from 10%. Growth in 2008
was 5.6%. The HCP saw 2010 growth at 2.4%, although
much depends on volatile farm yields.
Highlights
Seven priority industrial sectors have been targeted by
Morocco for development to boost the country’s exports,
the country’s Ministry Industry, Trade and New Technolo-
gies has announced. The sectors comprise four new and
three traditional ones: automotives, aerospace, electronics
and offshoring were the new sectors offering opportuni-
ties, while agro-foods, seafood and textiles were the
traditional sectors to be upgraded. But all these sectors
equally possess great potential for development with the
help of investors and partners. The kingdom is the world’s
largest exporter of phosphates, a sector being developed
by state company Offi ce Cherifi en des Phosphates (OCP).
A number of international companies have signed partner-
ships with OCP. A new port at Tangier, being developed
by the Tangier-Mediterranean Special Agency, is set to
be one of the largest deep-water ports in the Mediter-
ranean. A second terminal, due to be operational in 2012,
will increase the port’s container capacity from 3.5 million
twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) to 8.5 million TEU. The
scheme is being accompanied by major infrastructure proj-
ects in the area and is designed to promote regional devel-
opment. An integrated transport network, including new
road and rail networks, is set to cost $5-6 billion. Morocco
is also becoming a centre for offshoring, with its existing
fl agship offshoring zone, CasaNearshore, to be followed
by others in Rabat, Fez and Marrakech.
Banking
Morocco’s banking sector, like banking throughout Africa,
has not suffered as much as fi nancial sectors in other
RABAT
141
parts of the world, an international conference in Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania held on 10-11 March 2009 was told. In
Morocco, net profits in the banking sector was expected
to grow at around 15% in 2009, Mohamed Benchaaboun,
CEO of Morocco’s Banque Centrale Populaire, estimated.
But while the financial sector may have escaped the
turmoil, the continent is feeling the impact of the global
recession. In Morocco, Benchaaboun said, the recession
was slowing demand in such vital sectors as tourism and
remittances were also falling.
The strength of the banking and financial sector has been
improved by the success of Morocco’s economic reform
programme since the turn of the century which has
substantially strengthened macroeconomic conditions
and accelerated the pace of non-agricultural growth.
Increases in tourism and remittance receipts, coupled
with higher capital inflows, have sustained current
account surpluses for most of the period, and boosted
domestic liquidity. In contrast with what happened in
other regions of the world, these developments did not
fuel a credit boom, an IMF working paper observed.
During the first half of the current decade, the expansion
of the banking sector’s balance sheet did not translate
into a significant increase in credit to the economy. Its
ratio to GDP remained basically flat between 2000 and
2006; in fact, the share of the banking sector’s total
assets to credit to the private sector fell by 3 points
during this period. The most plausible explanation for
this lies in the structure of the Moroccan credit market,
the IMF said. On the supply side, bank credit is highly
concentrated with limited competition, with the three
largest banks accounting for roughly 60% of outstanding
credit to the private sector in 2007.
Tourism
The tourism ministry forecasted a record number of
foreign tourists in 2009 but expected that they would
spend less than in previous years. Tourism attracts
more investment than any other sector into the country
and contributes around 7% to the GDP annually, so
the government has been taking proactive measures to
ensure that this momentum continues through the global
downturn. With tourist receipts decreasing 3.5%, from
Dh58.67bn (€5.33bn) in 2007 to Dh56.59bn (€5.14bn) in
2008, internet marketing is being used more actively to
expand the arrivals base beyond the traditional European
markets with a focus on attracting tourists from Eastern
Europe, Russia, the Gulf and China.
Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca and Agadir have been
selected as priority regions for the expansion of high-
end cultural and beach tourism. Tourism initiatives also
Morocco
142
MA
include Plan Azur, Plan Biladi and Plan Madain which
are aimed at developing resorts, bolster domestic
tourism and showcase cultural destinations. Plan Azur
is expected to be the linchpin of the three, as Morocco
looks to capture some of the lucrative regional resort
market. As part of the Azur Plan, a 12 billion dirhams
($1.5bn) Mediterranean coastal resort was unveiled in
June. The Saidia Mediterrania resort, inaugurated by King
Mohammed VI, covers 696 hectares and will ultimately
have a capacity of 30,000 beds, and generate 8,000
direct jobs and 40,000 indirect ones by 2013. The resort
includes nine top hotels, 12 holiday villages, eight tourist
complexes, 2,700 apartments, 300 villas, three 18-hole
golf courses, a marina with 1,350 berths for boats, and
a 43,000-sq m “Médina Center” Mall that can host up to
160 shops.
Plan Azur aims to create new tourist destinations on the
Mediterranean and the Atlantic coasts.
Meanwhile, Morocco has been granted a €240m ($310m)
loan from the African Development Bank (ADB) to assist
in the upgrading of facilities at five of its largest interna-
tional airports: Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Agadir
and Fez. In 2007, the five airports handled 91% of the
country’s total annual passenger traffic, comprising about
12 million people. The total cost of the airport redevelop-
ment plans is estimated at €320m.
A new low-cost airline, Air Arabia Maroc, started opera-
tions on 6 May 2009 with an inaugural flight to Stansted
Airport in London. The new Moroccan airline, flying to
selected destinations across Europe and North Africa,
was founded by Air Arabia, one of the first low cost
airlines in the region, in partnership with Regional Air
Lines, a leading private carrier in Morocco and Ithmaar
Bank of Bahrain.
Infrastructure
Morocco is speeding up investment on infrastructure
projects such as roads, highways, new railway lines and
the important Tanger Med Port complex, which will be
the biggest port in Africa. Social housing is another key
ambition with new urban areas planned.
The Union for the Mediterranean launched a new regional
infrastructure development fund, Inframed, at its meeting
in Alexandria, Egypt on 30 April 2009. The initiative
established a regional framework for public-private-
partnerships to aid the development of infrastructure
across the region and will participate in financing energy
143
Mo
roc
co
Morocco
efficiency, transportation, environmental and urban devel-
opment projects.
The union aims to raise more than €1bn ($1.3bn) in equity
capital for the new fund which is led by France’s Caisse
de Depots, Italy’s Cassa depositi e prestiti, Morocco’s
Caisse de Depot et de Gestion, and Cairo-based invest-
ment bank EFG-Hermes. The four institutions jointly
committed €400m to the project.
Morocco has put in place plans to develop the real
estate sector and attract investment into the property
market the plans include the building of up to 200,000
new housing units and the creation of three new cities
on an overall land area of 1,643 ha near the provinces of
Agadir, Settat and Nador.
Agriculture
The performance of the agricultural sector has been
strong of late with good harvest boosted by heavy
rainfall. In January 2009 it was announced that the
Plan Maroc Vert (Green Morocco), a programme to
upgrade the country’s global agricultural competitive-
ness would receive a budget of Dh20bn (€1.8bn) for the
next five years. The plan will renovate the sector through
increasing investment, improving management and
training, and working to provide access to water and
land.
Energy Sector
News of more gas finds in Morocco kindled hopes of a
new source of both energy and income for the country.
In March 2009, Dana Petroleum announced a new
“significant” gas discovery at Anchois, in the Tanger-
Larache licence, with its first well offshore Morocco. The
Anchois-1 discovery well is located about 40 km from the
coast and was drilled to a total depth of 2,435m. Prelimi-
nary estimates of reserves were said to be around 100
billion cubic feet. Earlier, Circle Oil Plc confirmed that it
had found natural gas in the north-east of capital Rabat,
as part of the Ouled N’Zala permit. At the same time,
Tethys Oil started drilling operations at the Tafejjart-1 well
on the Bouanane licence onshore Morocco.
In a move to meet supply challenges, to preserve the
environment, and to support sustainable development,
the country launched last November the Moroccan Solar
Energy Project which will be built on 5 sites. With a total
investment of 9bn $, the project aims at the installation
by 2020 a total capacity of 2.000 MW.
144
MUSCAT
OMAN
OM
The Sultanate of Oman is strategically located at the south-eastern corner of the Arabian Penin-sula, the junction of the world’s two large con-tinents: Asia and Africa and on the trade route between Europe, Asia and the Far East. His Maj-esty Sultan Qaboos bin Said is the Head of State of the country. His accession in July 1970 ushered in the new era and modern age for Oman. The Sultanate enjoys a stable social, political, and economic system with excellent relations with neighbouring countries. All this enabled the coun-try to play an active role in promoting regional political and economic cooperation. In addition to its rich cultural heritage it has a safe environ-ment, friendly people and abundant scenic beauty and variety. Oman offers a lot to attract tourists and business visitors alike.
Market-oriented policies and private sector development
are deeply rooted economic concepts and practices
in Oman. The government has always regarded a
dynamic private sector as the engine of prosperity and
growth. This is clearly refl ected in Oman’s Development
Strategy, which was adopted back in 1974. One of the
salient features of this strategy was to establish a free
competitive market economy with equal opportunities
for all.
Through consecutive Five-Year development plans,
Oman has achieved remarkable progress on both
the economic and social fronts in a relatively short
period of time. Nevertheless, after three decades of
intensive development efforts, Oman still faces a host
of challenges stemming mainly from the fact that the
economy is relying on oil which is a non-renewable
dwindling resource subject to a high degree of price
volatility. Recognizing this challenge, the government has
initiated a structural adjustment process aimed at laying
a solid foundation for a diversifi ed economy led by the
private sector. Entailed amending laws and regulations
such as Foreign Investment Law, labour law, and others
including the Commercial Law, the Agency Law, the
Copyright Law, and the Corporate Income Tax Law,
which are pursuing the provisions of the Basic Law of
the State proclaimed the supremacy of law as the basis
for governance and guaranteed equal opportunities and
freedom for all. These reform measures paved the way
towards improving the economy’s potential and its ability
to break away from its dependency on oil and to diversify
the sources of national income. To this end, a number of
huge projects have been completed or are underway in
the current Seventh Five-Year Development Plan.
These are the positive steps in Oman’s way to realize
its Future Vision, and outline the major policies and
mechanisms through which the country will achieve
sustainable development in a private sector-led and an
export-oriented economy with diversifi ed sources of
national income. With the objective of integrating into
the international economy, Oman joined World Trade
Organization in November 2000 and became a full-
fl edged member. Oman as a founding member of GCC,
is now part of the GCC Common Market and also playing
an active role in the Greater Arab Free Trade Area of the
Arab League.
With the successful completion of the Sixth Five-Year
Development Plan (2001-2005) and the satisfactory
COUNTRY NAME: Sultanate of Oman
LAND AREA: 212,000 km2
POPULATION: 2,9 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), English
CURRENCY: 1 Omani Rial (OMR) = 1.000 Baisa 1 EUR = 0.52 OMR (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Muscat (capital), Suhar, Sur, Salala, Ar-Rustaq
NATIONAL DAY: 18 November – Birthday of Sultan Qaboos
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 4
145
Oman
progress realized in the Seventh Plan (2006-2010). Oman
has confidence and a robust outlook for future.
Economic Outlook
For 2009, Oman has announced a US$16.7 billion
budget. The budget proposes to be flexible as it may
entail adjustments if the average oil price falls below
US$45 per barrel. Revenues are forecast to be US$14.6
billion, based on the assumption of an average oil price of
US$45 per barrel and production of 805,000 barrels per
day. An increase of US$1.6 billion in expenditure repre-
sents an 11 per cent growth from the previous year. The
development budget allocation of US$2.1 billion, showing
an increase of 10 per cent over the previous year, will
cover ongoing as well as new development projects listed
in the Seventh Five Year Plan (2006-2010). Additional
allocations have been made for the road sector, ports
and airports to spur the growth of the economy. Oman’s
tax rate is now the lowest in the region, according to
the Royal Decree No. 28/2009 issued in June 2009. The
new uniform of tax rate removes the disparity in tax rates
between foreign and local companies, and reduce the
tax rate to 12 per cent for all companies with an initial tax
free exemption of RO30,000.
Power & Water
The state-owned Oman Power and Water Procure-
ment Company (OPWP) aims to boost power generation
capacity in the Sultanate by around 3,200 MW through
the development of four new Independent Water and
Power Projects (IWPPs). The privately financed projects
— planned at Barka/Sohar, Duqm, Ghubrah and Salalah-
are targeted to be brought into commercial operation
over the 2010-2015 timeframe. The single largest among
these is an IWPP proposed to be established either in
Barka or Sohar. It will have a generation capacity of 1,300
MW and a water desalination component of 55,000 cubic
metres per day.
Omani government planned to complete the privatisation
of the Main Interconnected Transmission System, which
serves the north of Oman, by the first quarter of 2010.
The authorities are also considering the privatisation of
the three state-owned power distribution and supply
companies in the future.
Oman Wastewater Services Company (OWSC) has
signed two contracts worth over US$375 million, covering
the development of two key components of the Seeb
Wastewater project.
Oil & Gas
Oman has signed a concession agreement with Occi-
dental Oman Gas Company, a subsidiary of energy
major Occidental Petroleum, covering the exploration
and development of potential gas reserves in Block 62
(Habibah) in the Dakhiliya region. Occidental Oman Gas,
along with its partners, are committed to investing around
$500 million in exploration activities targeting Habibah’s
gas potential.
Dolphin Energy has begun the supply of Dolphin Gas
to Oman. Dolphin Energy signed a Gas Sales Agree-
ment with Oman Oil Company agreeing to supply the
Sultanate with up to 200 million standard cubic feet a day
of Dolphin Gas.
Transport & Communications
The Nawras consortium was awarded the second Inte-
grated Fixed Public Telecommunications License by the
Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA). Nawras
is the Qatari telecoms operator Qtel’s 56 per cent-
owned subsidiary in Oman. Also, the TRA has issued
Class II licenses to five companies as resellers of basic
mobile services in the Sultanate. The licenses were
146
OM
granted for a period of five years, but extendable if the
firms concerned comply with their license obligations.
The first phase development of a world-class airport
in Sohar is already in progress. The airport will form a
key component in a broader land, rail and air transport
network that will strengthen the Batinah region’s devel-
opment as a major centre for economic growth.
The first phase development of the airport at Ras al
Hadd is in progress. The airport is expected to be oper-
ational in 2010-11.
In the new industrial city in Oman “Duqm”, The first
phase of the Duqm International Airport project at a cost
of US$70 million will be executed by Desert Line Proj-
ects company, while a consortium of Galfar Engineering
& Contracting and South Korea’s Daewoo Engineering
& Construction have won the contract to build a ship
repair and drydock complex. Also a consortium of
Consolidated Contractors Company, STFA of Turkey,
and the Belgian-based Jan De Nul will undertake the
expansion of the Duqm port complex at an additional
cost of US$870 million. The new investment is in addi-
tion to an existing contract currently being executed
by the consortium. As a result of the upgrade, the total
investment in the Marine Works Infrastructure being
executed has been scaled up to around US$1.3 billion.
Oman plans to issue a major contract involving the
construction of a deepwater bulk jetty at the Port of
Sohar. Total investment is estimated at US$200 million.
German group Sellhorn won a contract to provide
consultancy work for the latest expansion of Salalah’s
southern port. The work involves overseeing the design
and construction of berths seven, eight and nine at the
site.
The state-owned Oman Shipping Company (OSC) is
seeking to raise US$4 billion in new credit facilities to
finance the ongoing expansion of the company’s fleet.
The company aims to buy between 15 and 20 tankers
for refined oil products, to meet rising demand.
The Indian group Consulting Engineering Services
(CES) won a contract to carry out a feasibility study for
Oman’s 260-kilometre long Batinah Railway which will
run along Oman’s northern coast. The company will
plan all elements of the design for the railway, including
passenger and freight services. The line is intended to
provide an alternative to travelling by car on the Batinah
highway.
Tourism & Real Estate
The first homes at “The Wave, Muscat” were completed
and the keys were recently handed over to their
first residents. The Wave is a US$805 million free-
hold Integrated Tourism Complex project and when
complete will cover an area of 2.5 million square metres
combining more than 4,000 residential homes, as well
as retail, leisure and hotel accommodation, a marina
and a golf course. Over 600 homes are currently under
construction.
Oman’s first Integrated Tourism Project, Muscat Hills,
was to be opened the first 9 holes of the 18 hole cham-
pionship green golf course in March 2009. The US$780
million project comprises an 18 hole green golf course,
a gated residential development, a boutique resort
hotel, premium office space, retail outlets and entertain-
ment options.
Al Madina A’Zarqa (Blue City) project is to be built over
a 32 sq. km. water front at Al Sawadi, 45 minutes from
Muscat. The first phase of the US$15 billion project to
build a mega city is currently in progress. New tourism
projects in Oman are expected to provide 10,000 direct
jobs during the next five years.
Industrial Sector
The US$2.4 billion Sohar Aluminium smelter began
operations on June 11, 2008, with capacity produc-
tion approximately 350,000 metric tonnes per year. The
company will export about 140,000 tonnes of its annual
production, while the remaining 210,000 tonnes will be
sold to local companies that have been formed to cre-
ate a new downstream aluminium industry.
Construction work on a major aluminium rolling mill was
147
Oman
Om
an
scheduled to commence at the Sohar Industrial Estate
in the second quarter of 2009. The project promoted
by Takamul Investment Company SAOC in partnership
with Bahrain’s GARMCO, involves a capital investment
of around US$325 million. The project will have a total
capacity of 160,000 tonnes per year of aluminium gen-
eral coil, foil and paint stock products. The rolling mill
project will depend on hot metal as feedstock from the
Sohar Aluminium smelter.
Oman signed two contracts to the accelerated develop-
ment of the iron ore pelletizing plant and distribution
centre, which the Brazil-based conglomerate is devel-
oping at the industrial port with an investment of US$1.4
billion. The venture involves an iron ore pelletizing plant
with a production capacity of nine million tonnes per
year of direct reduction pellets. The first plant is due to
come on stream in December 2010. In this regard also,
Oman and Brazil have signed an agreement for the sup-
ply of gas for 20 years for the iron ore pelletizing plant of
the Brazilian-based Vale company which will be set up
at Sohar Industrial Port.
Takamul Investment Company, a majority Omani gov-
ernment owned investment vehicle, plans to establish
a ‘Minerals City’ in the Sultanate to serve as a hub for
a number of ambitious minerals-based downstream
processing projects. Key among these ventures is a
magnesium-ferrosilicon project. The company is weigh-
ing the feasibility of developing a 30,000-tonnes-per-
year capacity project at an estimated cost of US$250
million. Commissioning is slated for 2011. A salt/soda
ash project is also planned in partnership with Indian
business conglomerate Tata. Feasibility studies now
under way into the US$450 million project, envisage an
output of 100,000 tonnes of salt and 500,000 tonnes
of soda ash. Takamul is also promoting a string of pet-
rochemicals based downstream ventures. The biggest
among these is a US$800 million Purified Terephthalic
Acid (PTA) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) project
in association with an international partner. The venture,
with a proposed capacity of 700,000 tonnes of PTA and
430,000 tonnes of PET, is planned to come on stream in
the second quarter of 2012.
148
PS
JERUSALEM
PALESTINECOUNTRY NAME: Palestine
LAND AREA: 6,220 km2
POPULATION: 4 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic
CURRENCY: 1 Israeli New Shekel (ILS) = 100 Agorot 1 EUR = 4.98 ILS (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Jerusalem (capital), Gaza, Ramallah, Nablus
NATIONAL DAY: 15 November
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 2
The Palestinian economy has been sustained by enormous injections of foreign aid and the recent growth in the West Bank has been a direct result of a large increase in such investment flows combined with increased security. In 2008, budget support alone increased by nearly 80% from the 2007 level and at close to $1.8 billion, was equivalent to about 30% of GDP. The Pales-tinian Authority (PA) has relied on donor funding to pay salaries and clear arrears to public sector employees and the private sector that had accu-mulated during 2006 and 2007. The 2009 budget assumes that donors will maintain the high level of budget support and calls for close to $2.8bn in aid for 2009, taking into account the recovery and reconstruction needs in Gaza.
Economy
The International Monetary Fund has said that the Pales-
tinian economy could post its strongest performance in
years in 2009, but only if border restrictions on Pales-
tinian trade and movement are eased substantially. The
growth, projected to be as high as 7%, could further
stabilise the West Bank, bolster peace efforts and ease
the fi nancial burden on the international community.
Donor countries spent some $1.8 billion in 2008 alone
to cover the Palestinian defi cit, in part to make up for a
stagnant economy.
For solid growth to be sustained beyond 2009, trade
restrictions imposed on the West Bank would also need
to be eliminated, stated the IMF representative in the
Palestinian territories, Oussama Kanaan, on 15 July 2009.
The Palestinian economy grew 2.3% in 2008, despite
a sharp downturn during the fi nal quarter under the
impact of the global downturn. The Palestinian Central
Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) indicated that the gross
domestic product (GDP) of the West Bank and Gaza
rose to $4.64bn in 2008, up from $4.53bn in 2007. The
fi gures would make 2008 the best year for the Palestinian
economy in terms of GDP alone for more than a decade.
The largest contributing sectors to the economy were
mining, manufacturing, electricity and water, retail, and
public administration and defence.
Palestinian authorities are in the process of rebuilding the
economy following the devastating impact of the three-
week onslaught on Gaza at the end of 2008.
According to the World Bank, budget support remains
indispensable to allow the PA to continue to provide
basic services and is appropriate given the good perfor-
mance in public sector management. Improvements in
security in the West Bank have not yet translated into
increases in private sector activities and investment proj-
ects have still to deliver tangible results.
Funds pledged at the “International Conference in
Support of the Palestinian Economy for the Reconstruc-
tion of Gaza”, which was held at Sharm El-Sheikh in
Egypt on 2 March 2009, have not yet translated into
tangible progress towards reconstruction of Gaza due to
the restrictions that that region is under.
According to a World Bank report, “Palestinian Economic
Prospects: Gaza Recovery and West Bank Revival”,
published in June 2009, restrictions imposed on both the
West Bank and Gaza are still “preventing any real upturn
in economic activity”.
149
Palestine
As a result, the West Bank economy in particular is
“dramatically failing to fulfil its potential even in periods of
relative stability in the security situation”.
The report showed that progress in the relaxation of
economic restrictions during 2008 had been marginal
at best. As a result of imposed security measures, the
Palestinian economy “hollowed out”, with the produc-
tive sectors declining and the public sector growing, with
more of the Palestinian population looking to the public
sector for employment and assistance in coping with the
impact of unemployment.
Even before the onset of hostilities in Gaza in late
December 2008, the macroeconomic environment in
the Palestinian territories had been more difficult than
anticipated in the Palestinian Reform and Development
Plan (PRDP) for 2008-10. Restrictions in the West Bank
continued during 2008, while Gaza’s isolation increased.
Moreover, inflation was much higher than anticipated,
which further eroded real wealth and incomes. Never-
theless, in the West Bank the adverse impact of these
factors on private sector confidence and growth was
tempered by the redeployment of security forces in
several cities, as well as prudent expenditure policy that
minimised new arrears accumulation. Overall, real GDP
growth in 2008 in the West Bank & Gaza is estimated at
about 2%, which translates to a decline of almost 1%
in real per capita terms, resulting in a per capita income
of just over $1,000 in 2008. The Gaza economy, already
devastated from years of blockade, was further ravaged
by the recent military operation. Consequently, what little
growth has occurred, has taken place in the West Bank.
On the other hand, the global financial crisis has thus far
not had a significant impact on the Palestinian economy,
according to IMF assessment.
Agriculture
Agricultural output in 2008 was about 55% below its peak
in 1999, according to statistics bureau PCBS. The agri-
culture sector has been severely affected by continued
military operations, with the widespread destruction
of cultivated land, greenhouses, livestock and poultry
farms, water wells, irrigation networks, and other produc-
tive assets. Fragile ground-water resources have been
severely compromised, particularly from the destruc-
tion of the waste-water infrastructure, which released
hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of raw sewage
into the environment.
Palestinians suffer from serious water shortages and
investment in water supply and sanitation infrastructure
has dropped to very low levels. For example, current
investment in the West Bank water sector is one tenth
of planned levels, the World Bank estimates. Few major
investments are going ahead and more is being invested
in small local emergency projects than in large infrastruc-
ture projects. In effect, emergency projects have become
PS
the norm. Waste water treatment investments have been
blocked for a decade, and only one of seven planned
new plants, at al-Bireh, is operational. Meanwhile, Gaza
drew up a well designed master plan for water and sani-
tation, but unfortunately less than 2% of the investment
programme has been implemented. The plan provided
for an integrated production and conveyance system,
and a major expansion of wastewater treatment capacity,
including three new plants.
Construction
The construction sector saw little growth in the last four
years and is only a third of its size in 1999. Recently,
a few large housing construction projects have been
announced in the West Bank, including a new planned
community north of Ramallah, which will require over
$500 million in private investment. If these projects come
to fruition they would give a large boost to the construc-
tion sector.
The development plan envisages a dynamic private
sector as the engine of economic growth. Private sec-
tor growth is necessary to provide jobs for the rapidly
expanding Palestinian population and tax revenues to
support government programmes. The plan affirms the
Palestinian economy’s enormous potential for future
growth and the urgent need for a revival from its current
condition, recognising that political uncertainty, com-
bined with continued expansion of settlements, restric-
tions on movement and trade, and restrictions on access
to resources, have strangled investment and stripped the
economy of the bulk of its productive capacity. None-
theless, strategies are being developed to encourage
productivity and growth in the industrial, agricultural,
housing, and tourism sectors and allow the Palestinian
economy to develop a diversified export portfolio. To this
end, in 2008, the Palestinian Public Private Partnership
was established with representatives from the public
and private sector. This organisation meets regularly to
identify needed policy changes and help guide the PA’s
private sector strategy.
Telecoms
During 2008, on the back of three major Palestinian invest-
ment conferences held in Bethlehem, Nablus, and London,
a number of large initiatives were launched, among others
the introduction of a second mobile telephone provider
(Wataniya Telecommunications Company), the planning
of large new housing projects, and a new housing finance
fund. In addition, older initiatives for the construction of
several industrial estates across the West Bank in Jericho,
150
151
Palestine
Pale
stin
e
Jenin, Tarkumiya and Bethlehem, were revived. However,
in the face of ongoing economic restrictions most of these
projects have not got off the ground to date.
The World Bank report pointed out that although a
frequency agreement was signed between the PA and
Israel to enable the introduction of a second mobile tele-
phone provider in 2009 the frequencies have so far not
been released. This could have serious consequences for
the investment climate, competition in the telecommunica-
tions sector, as well as for the PA’s fiscal position due to
the potential loss of an estimated $354mn in licensing fees.
In the PA’s budget for 2009, the share of development proj-
ects in total spending was targeted to rise from 8 to 13%,
as part of the authority’s strategy of assuming increased
“ownership” of public investments. Expenditure on devel-
opment projects for 2009 was budgeted at $503mn,
consisting of $200mn in large infrastructure projects and
$303mn in community-based projects. This compares with
an estimated total public investment of $250mn in 2008,
about $60mn of which was on community-based projects.
Outlook
Despite the problems, Palestine as a market-based econ-
omy has tremendous investment potential in the future
given the right conditions. Though the Palestinian econ-
omy faces immense challenges, especially since 2000, it
also has many advantages, including a forward-thinking,
entrepreneurial, and talented private sector, and a rapidly
growing and well-educated workforce.
The business sector consists of many small local busi-
nesses that aspire to a high-level of professionalism and
product quality. Large enterprises are internationally con-
nected, with partnerships extending to Europe, the Gulf,
and North America.
Human capital is an invaluable asset for the Palestinian
economy as it seeks to develop and strengthen. With
a very young population, the workforce is expected to
expand significantly over the next several decades. Pal-
estinians entering the labour market are generally highly
educated, multilingual, and well versed in the new tech-
nologies and practices conducive to doing business at a
global level.
Palestine also boasts a multitude of promising economic
sectors offering opportunities for investment. The ser-
vices sector, with the sub-sectors of internal trade, trans-
port, tourism, and information technology, are all ripe for
expansion. The construction, manufacturing and mining,
and chemical industries also promise fruitful investment
opportunities.
152
QA
DOHA
COUNTRY NAME: State of Qatar
LAND AREA: 11,400 km2
POPULATION: 840,926 (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), English (commercial)
CURRENCY: 1 Qatari Riyal (QAR) = 100 Dirham 1 EUR = 4.95 QAR (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Doha (capital), Ras Laffan
NATIONAL DAY: 3 September – Indepence Day
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 3
According to the International Monetary Fund, Qatar’s economy was expected to grow by 29% in 2009, the fastest rate in more than a decade, as its natural gas production almost doubled. The country was also expected to maintain budget and current account surpluses. Qatar is also iden-tified as one of the high growth markets offering most potential for exporters and investors.
In early 2009, the IMF said, “Qatar is the fastest growing
economy in the Gulf region and has so far managed well
the impact of the global fi nancial crisis. Construction,
manufacturing and fi nancial services were all projected
to grow at a strong pace. Qatar’s economy expanded an
estimated 16.4% last year and is expected to perform at
least as strongly in 2009.”
While oil and gas will remain the mainstay of the Qatar
economy into the foreseeable future, signifi cant efforts
and investment are being made into the development and
expansion of several economic sectors in order to diverse
the country’s sources of revenue.
Real estate, petrochemicals, fi nancial services, including
Islamic banking, research and development, IT and
tourism are regarded as particularly potential and offer
notable business and investment opportunities. Services
such as health and education are receiving signifi cant
investment.
The country’s non-energy sector has been expanding
with Qatar seeking to increase its contribution to the
economy to 80% by 2015. The petrochemicals industry
already constitutes an important sector for Qatar which
is now the third largest petrochemicals producer in the
Middle East. The country currently exports 8.5m metric
tonnes per annum and plans to invest in the sector to
boost exports to 28mta by 2012, which if achieved would
make it the world’s largest producer.
Other important non-oil industries receiving an injection
of investment are cement, metals and chemicals.
Over recent years Qatar’s economy has experienced
rapid growth, largely because of an increase in its gas
production. Five more liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) “super-
trains” are expected to come on stream by 2010, driving
remarkable rates of real economic growth, although there
were some technical delays in the fi rst super-train, which
delivered its fi rst shipment in March 2009.
Qatar has been increasing gas exports to boost
economic growth and in 2009, it stepped up the search
for new and short-term customers for its LNG as
demand in some of its main markets, especially Japan
and South Korea, waned owing to the global recession.
With proven reserves of 25trn cu metres and production
capacity expected to reach 77m tonnes by the end of the
decade, Qatar is seeking to become the world’s leading
supplier of LNG. It is becoming increasingly important
as a supplier of gas to Europe and has signed deals with
several countries in the EU.
Real Estate & Construction
The real estate and construction sector has been
booming over recent years and was one of Qatar’s
drivers of growth in 2007 and 2008 with demand strong
in various different niche areas of the market. The sector
provides continuing opportunities for developers and
contractors, as a result of the ongoing government-
QATAR
153
Qatar
backed infrastructure and housing projects. The resi-
dential market has proven especially strong with growth
stimulated by increasingly prosperous Qatari nationals as
well as the influx of expatriates over recent years pushing
up demand. Qatar has unveiled some ambitious mixed
use integrated real estate projects at the luxury end of
the market such as the $2.5 billion Pearl Qatar and the
$5.5bn Lussail waterfront development, the latter set to
provide housing for some 200,000 people. Other proj-
ects have been unveiled to cater for rising demand at the
lower and middle range of the market.
Meanwhile, Qatar’s commercial real estate market has
been expanding with around 800 new towers under way
or planned.
Transport
While Qatar already has an extensive transport network,
this is being rapidly expanded to meet present and future
needs of the economy. Planned spending on major trans-
port infrastructure projects is estimated to be around
$21.6 billion. Among the new developments is a $2.7bn
causeway that will link Qatar and Bahrain, which at more
than 40 km long will be the longest such link in the world;
the New Doha International Airport, whose construction is
expected to be completed in 2015; and an important new
port project at Mesaieed.
Tourism
Qatar hopes to see the expansion of its role as a prime
venue for specialised tourism activities with areas like
business meetings and conferences, sporting events and
cultural tourism seen as offering the most potential. The
country is fortunate in its having many archaeological sites,
island resorts, seaside towns and historical attractions
such as forts and castles which are more than sufficient
to satisfy the curiosity of the tourist. Other tourist attrac-
tions relate to Qatar’s extensive sports and leisure facilities
including golf, horse riding, falconry, boating, swimming
and deep-sea fishing.
Attracting Talent
Despite the global downturn, Qatar has remained a desir-
able location for many and continues to attract talented
professionals who are helping to maintain its growth,
according to the findings of a REED survey released in
July 2009. According to the report, energy, property and
construction, aviation, information technology, financial
154
QA
services, accountancy and banking remain the strongest
sectors for attracting overseas talent.
Nevertheless, Qatar saw its population fall by more
than 40 thousand people in June 2009 from May, after
witnessing growth for the first five months of the year,
official data has shown. As of 30 June 2009, the popu-
lation stood at 1.61 million people, compared with
1.65 million in May, according to data released by the
Qatar Statistics Authority. In the beginning of June, the
authority said Qatar’s population grew 6.5 percent to
1.65 million in the first five months of the year from 1.55
million in December 2008. The majority of the country’s
population is comprised of expatriate workers. It can also
be mentioned here that Qatar has pursued a determined
“Qatarisation” policy under which all joint venture indus-
tries and government departments seek to place Qatari
nationals into managerial and decision making positions.
As a result growing numbers of foreign-educated Qataris
have been returning home to assume key positions
formerly occupied by expatriates.
Research & Development
Qatar aims to establish itself as a centre for research and
development in the Gulf and one of the cornerstones of
the policy in this regard is the Qatar Science and Tech-
nology Park (QSTP), which was officially opened on 16
March. A project of the Qatar Foundation, QSTP is part
of the larger Qatar Education City, which is being devel-
oped as a key component of the country’s programme
to expand its skills resources and build a knowledge-
based economy. Education City is a major educational
and cultural development in Qatar housing some of
the world’s leading academic institutions on a 7-million
square-metre site and is set to position Doha as a key
centre for education and scientific research in the Gulf.
Telecoms
Qatar’s telecommunications sector has undergone major
changes over the past decade at a time when the country
has gone through a period of economic boom. Supplier
and regulator Qatar Public Telecommunications Corpora-
tion − now known as Qatar Telecom QSC (Qtel) − offered
45% of its share capital to the public in 1998. Its reve-
nues increased from $295 million in 1997 to $2.8 billion
by 2007. Qtel has reported a 33.1% increase in its mobile
subscriber numbers for 2008, giving it a customer base
of 1.683 million. There is a strong demand among Qataris
for multiple handset ownership and subscriptions, an
opportunity that new market entrant Vodafone is hoping
to tap into.
In 2006, Qatar established ictQATAR as the new regu-
lator of ICT activities, tasked with protecting consumers
and fostering new and innovative ICT technologies.
ictQATAR has taken initiatives in e-education, e-health,
155
Qatar
Qa
tar
e-business, e-government, cyber security and infra-
structure. ictQATAR has also licensed a consortium
comprising Vodafone Qatar and Qatar Foundation to be
the second GSM carrier in the country.
The new integrated real estate developments now under
construction promise a qualitative jump in available ICT
infrastructure and services, since comprehensive broad-
band services are an integral design feature.
Free Zones
In 2005, Qatar enacted a law for the establishment of Free
Zones aimed at further diversifying the economy. Compa-
nies setting up in the free zones can operate and trade
without a local sponsor or service agent, and enjoy 100%
non-Qatari ownership and many other benefits.
Environment
Protection and management of the environment is one
of the four pillars enshrined in Qatar’s National Vision
2030, the country’s strategy for the next two decades
which was issued in October 2008. Economic diversi-
fication along with population expansion, industrialisa-
tion and a growth in construction projects have all put
tremendous pressures on Qatar’s environment so action
is being taken to address the threats posed to environ-
mental sustainability. Raising awareness among Qataris
of the importance of conservation is a key plank of the
country’s attempts to preserve its fragile ecosystem. The
Ministry of Environment takes overall responsibility for
balancing the often conflicting needs of economic growth
and environmental protection.
156
SA
RIYADH
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s 2009 budget pro-jected a 16% increase in expenditure, reaching a record $126 billion. Several projects, in power generation, desalinisation and transport infra-structure, are seen as strategic, with the Kingdom aiming to further diversify its hydrocarbons-based economy.
Between 2003 and 2007 real GDP growth averaged
around 5% a year, the strongest growth in a decade.
In 2008, real GDP growth is estimated to have reached
4.5%, largely driven by strong private and public
investment expenditure on the back of record oil prices
and abundant liquidity.
Advances have been made in improving the investment
climate in recent years as is indicated by how the country
has risen on the World Bank’s ranking of countries that
facilitate investment, from 67th place 2005 to 16th in
2008. Economic diversifi cation is seen as a special
challenge because of decades-long dependence on oil
revenues as a key source of income.
Oil & Gas
In 2008, the oil sector accounted for about 32% of real
GDP while oil export revenues represented about 90%
of total exports and public revenues. Crude oil is used as
feedstock and fuel, in addition to products, natural gas and
natural gas liquids, for industry and utilities, which benefi t
a wide range of industries such as petrochemicals, mining,
cement, power generation and desalination. Oil also
contributes to the diversifi cation of industries in related
sectors like the petrochemicals. The combined efforts of
the petroleum and industry sectors led to the expansion of
secondary and specialised chemical industries. This has
been followed by the launch of industrial clusters.
The Kingdom is seeking to attract investment in industries
where it enjoys a relative advantage and which are associ-
ated with the oil industry, including metal industries and
auto supplies, such as tyres, in addition to the packaging
and packing industries.
Saudi Arabia’s industrial clusters programme seeks to
attract, facilitate and develop a number of pivotal projects
by 2013. The anticipated total private sector investments in
all the projects of these clusters are estimated at SR40bn.
Growth in demand by industries and utilities for fuel and
feedstock has resulted in the expansion of the Kingdom’s
natural gas industry – in exploration, production and
processing – in tandem with the progressive growth in oil
production and refi ning. Saudi Aramco’s efforts managed
to yield an increase in discovered gas reserves from 184
trillion cubic feet in 1990, almost one-quarter of which was
in the form of non-associated gas, to 267 trillion cubic feet
in 2008, more than half in the form of non-associated gas,
notwithstanding cumulative production of some 97 trillion
cubic feet during the period.
Saudi Aramco’s programmes for reserve development
and gas production continue with, for example, the Karan
offshore gas fi eld expected to boost production capacity
by some 1.8 billion cubic feet per day.
Similarly, refi ning projects, which are associated with
petrochemical complexes, such as the Petro Rabigh and
Ras Tanura projects, and other projects in Jubail, Yanbu
and Jizan, aim to expand refi ning capacity and diversify
the petrochemical products base. Cooperation between
SAUDI ARABIA COUNTRY NAME: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
LAND AREA: 2,15 million km2
POPULATION: 26 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic
CURRENCY: 1 Saudi Rial (SAR) = 100 Halala 1 EUR = 5.04 SAR (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Riyadh (capital), Jiddah, Dammam
NATIONAL DAY: 23 September
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 3
157
Saudi Arabia
the mining and petroleum industries – implementing the
active and planned projects at Ras al-Zawr Port, in prepa-
ration for completion of the railway link project connecting
the Northern Frontier Area via the Central Province to the
Eastern Province – is set to lead to the exploitation and
processing of raw phosphate and bauxite, coupled with
creation of an industrial base that combines the oil sector
with the minerals and petrochemical industries, expanding
from there into more diversified and more specialised
industries.
Banking Sector
Having been left largely unaffected by the international
credit crisis, Saudi banks maintained their stability and
will now profit from the trickle-down effect of the large
government-driven infrastructural development projects.
Saudi banking has remained strong due to its adequate
liquidity base and asset quality, according to Fitch Ratings.
A slowdown in lending in the first quarter of 2009 was
apparent and, according to figures from the Saudi Arabian
Monetary Agency (SAMA), the Kingdom’s commercial
banks reduced lending in the first quarter of 2009 by 3.6%
year-on-year to SR35.5bn ($9.48bn).
Consumer credit is considered an area with large poten-
tial for growth. Demographically driven sectors, such as
housing, are expected to continue growing. Mortgage
schemes have long been heralded as one of the most
promising areas of business for banks in the Kingdom.
Government estimates put the demand for new housing at
130,000 units per year. Final approval for the long-awaited
mortgage law is expected to come by the end of 2009.
Trade
Saudi Arabia lifted customs tariff on 92 new products in
June 2009 in line with World Trade Organisation (WTO)
rules. The move brought the total number of products
that enjoy either tariff exemption or reduction to 851.
The Kingdom joined the WTO in December 2005. As
listed on the custom’s website goods exempted from
tariff include live horses, sheep, goats, turkey, meat of
sheep, various types of fish, vegetables and fruits and
wheat and rice flour. Some major products now enjoying
tariff cuts are bottled water, soap, sanitary pads,
napkins, tissue papers, detergents, gypsum, paints,
plastic pipes, materials required for doors, electric wire,
pre-cast building blocks and fertilizers.
Non-Oil Spending
The non-oil sector has been expanding rapidly over the
past few years and the IMF forecasts an expansion of
over 3% in the sector in 2009, which would be down
on the 5.3% in the previous year, but it remains posi-
tive in the context of the global downturn and the fall in
world oil prices. A surge in public sector spending has
been comfortably financed by assets built up during the
recent oil price boom. This is strengthening the non-oil
sector. Public sector deposits with domestic banks are
worth around SR980bn ($260bn), according to Samba
Financial Group. The value of non-oil contracts awarded
by the public sector exceeded SR225bn ($60bn) —
equivalent to 18% of the forecast for total GDP for 2009.
The increase in investment helped reassure investors
158
SA
that Saudi Arabia remains committed to supporting
non-oil growth and expanding and improving its infra-
structure over the medium term, Riyadh-based Samba
Financial Group said in a report, “Saudi Arabia: 2009
Mid-year Economic Review and Forecast”.
Construction & Real Estate
Major investment in the infrastructure and construction
sector remains dominated by the approximately $120bn
in the Economic Cities developments over the next five
year. Despite the downturn in global markets, develop-
ment and investment in Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector
are expected to remain strong. At least 10 major new
city and real estate projects are currently underway in
the country. These include the King Abdullah Economic
City (valued at $93bn), Prince Abdulaziz bin Mousaed
Economic City ($53bn), Jizan Economic City ($30bn),
Jeddah Project Mile High Tower ($10bn), Shamieh
Project ($9.3bn), Madinah Knowledge Economic City
($7bn), Al-Zahira City ($4bn), Jabal Omar ($3.3bn), Injaz
($3bn) and Riyadh Marriland Leisure Park ($3bn).
Meanwhile, Emaar Properties has been considering bids
from seven architects for the contract to draw up the
concept design for its 1 km tall Kingdom Tower to be
built at Jeddah Kingdom City. Development manager
Emaar is working on behalf of Saudi Arabia’s Kingdom
Holding Company after the two firms signed a manage-
ment agreement in early June 2009, under which Emaar
will oversee construction of the entire 23km2 of Jeddah
Kingdom City. There are sound economic arguments for
the tower with industry insiders predicting that comple-
tion of such a landmark project is set to increase the
cost of properties in the city.
Saudi Arabia remains one of the most active construc-
tion markets in the world as it improves its infrastruc-
ture to meet domestic demand with more than 350 of
the active projects in construction. The civil building
construction industry has not been much affected by
the economic crisis, according to a study by research
house Proleads Global released in August 2009.
“Insights Saudi Arabia: An Investigation into the Current
and Future State of the Civil Building Construction
Industry” examined more than 720 projects with a total
budget of more than $430bn across commercial and
retail: education and healthcare, leisure and entertain-
ment, and residential sectors.
“The market in Saudi Arabia is expected to maintain
current levels throughout 2010, although slight decline
is expected in the education and healthcare sectors
countered with an expected slight growth in commer-
cial and retail,” commented Emil Rademeyer, Director
of Proleads Global. “Our cashflow projections show
the Saudi Arabian industry will continue building from
a position of strength well into 2010, whereas other
Arabian Gulf markets continue to seek stability,” he
added. Less than 80 active projects, with a total value of
around $20bn were placed on hold or cancelled in Saudi
Arabia in marked contrast with the other markets.
Petrochemicals
The important petrochemicals sector is one of the corner-
stones of the country’s economic diversification ambi-
tions with the government seeking to make it a worldwide
sector leader by 2015. According to Bank Audi, it is esti-
mated that more than $70bn could be injected into the
sector by 2011in the form of public-private partnerships
and joint ventures with foreign petrochemicals firms.
The sector profits were impacted by the global situa-
tion in 2008, but by the second quarter of 2009, Saudi
Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) was outperforming
its international rivals, despite a 76% drop in profits
compared with the same period in 2008. The company
reported net profits of SR1.8bn ($480m) for the second
quarter, down from SR7.5bn in the same period of 2008.
Bahrain-based investment bank SICO said that despite
the fall in profits, the company is still performing much
better than other petrochemicals producers worldwide.
Power & Water
Saudi Arabia has one of the largest per capita electricity
consumption rates in the world and its growing popula-
tion means that demand is rising rapidly, with regional
electricity consumption estimated to be growing at 5–6%
a year. According to current industry reports, demand for
power in the Kingdom is projected to double by the 2030
to reach 50 gigawatts. In addition to meeting the needs
of the growing population, Saudi Arabia needs to expand
its power capacity and network to support its ambitious
industrialisation plans.
Saudi Arabia has one of the most sophisticated water
desalination sectors in the world and spending is set
to remain high with an estimated $90bn needing to
be spent over the next 20 years on the expansion and
maintenance of existing water desalination plants and on
the construction of new projects to meet the high water
consumption levels. GE Energy opened a technology
centre in the city of Dammam in the summer of 2009
highlighting its growing commitment to providing new
water solutions at a time when the kingdom is facing
unprecedented demand for reliable sources of water. The
GE Saudi Water & Process Technology Centre, built at a
cost of nearly $10mn, will serve the company’s industrial
customers in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
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Saudi Arabia
Sau
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ia
Telecoms
The telecom sector witnessed a growth rate of 15%
year-on-year in 2008, from 10% in 2007. Factoring in
slower economic growth in 2009, Shuaa Capital said that
it expected “the telecom sector, led by the mobile and
broadband (fixed and wireless) segments, to deliver high
single digit growth with a possibility to surprise us with
a low double digit growth.” The country’s active mobile
penetration reached approximately 125% in 2008, and
was forecasted to grow toward a 145% active mobile
penetration rate by 2010, the report Saudi Vision 2009
added.
Transport
High levels of investments have been set aside to
upgrade of its whole transport infrastructure, with
seaports, airports and road and rail networks across
the Kingdom all being expanded. The 2009 budget
announced total spending of SR475bn ($126.8bn), with
an allocation to the transport sector of SR19.2bn ($5.1bn)
for new and ongoing projects. A “Saudi Arabia Freight
Transport Report” for the first quarter of 2009 from Busi-
ness Monitor International predicted an average growth
in freight transport of 3.7% a year until 2013. Maritime
transport is expected to grow at 5.8% a year while train
and airfreight are predicted to grow at 4.7% and 4.2%.
In response to increasing demand pressures port infra-
structure is set to be significantly upgraded. Competitive-
ness will certainly be boosted by new projects, like the
King Abdullah Economic City Seaport, expected to cost
$5bn and be able to handle about 20m containers a year.
Other port facilities are also being upgraded with the Red
Sea Gateway Terminal expansion at Jeddah Islamic Port
set to increase capacity of the port by around 45%.
In May 2009, it was announced that the UK’s Foster &
Partners had won an SR142 million contract to design
four stations for the new high-speed Haramain Railway
linking the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah with
Jeddah. The rail link, initiated by the Saudi Rail Organisa-
tion, is seen as one of the country’s major infrastructure
projects, intended to bolster social and cultural connec-
tions between western cities, as well as improving trans-
port options for pilgrims making their way to the holy
cities. Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry said that
the four stations would be located in Jeddah, Makkah,
Madinah and King Abdullah Economic City in Rabigh and
added that Foster & Partners had long-standing experi-
ence in the field.
Tourism
In recent years, the Kingdom has sought to capitalise
on its potential as a global tourism destination, focusing
primarily on local tourism and regional visitors, but now
increasingly looking towards creating more specialised
packages for foreign visitors.
The Kingdom enjoys some breathtaking natural land-
scapes and a wealth of marine life which is a big
attraction for scuba diving. In addition, important archae-
ological sites are situated at Madain Al Saleh, Jeddah,
Hofuf, Najran, Taif, Takub, Al Jouf and Hail. The Supreme
Commission for Tourism (SCT) oversees the develop-
ment of the tourism industry and tourism is now being
significantly upgraded with public and private sectors
partnering to deliver a national tourism strategy.
160
SO
MOGADISHU
COUNTRY NAME: Somali Democratic Republic
LAND AREA: 627,337 km2
POPULATION: 9,8 million (2009 est.)
LANGUAGE: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English
CURRENCY: 1 Somliland Shiling (SOS) = 100 Cent 1 EUR = 2.221,76 SOS (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Mogadishu (capital), Hargeysa, Kismaayo
NATIONAL DAY: 26 July – Independence Day
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 3
Covering a land area of 637,657km2, the Repub-lic of Somalia has a long coastline on the Horn of Africa and to the north faces the Arabian Pen-insula, where traditionally it has had important commercial and trading ties. For many years the country has been driven by factional conflicts and the lack of a functioning national administra-tion which have acted as major breaks on inward investment and economic development. As a result few reliable up-to-date statistics are avail-able about the Somali economy.
It can be safely stated that Somalia is one of the poorest
countries in the world. The UNDP’s Human Develop-
ment Index ranked it 161 out of 163 countries back in
2001. Confl ict, war and continuing insecurity have seri-
ously impacted on access to even the basic services
and infrastructure. All this has combined to increase
poverty in the country and made welfare conditions
worse compared to the days before the civil war.
Somalia joined the League of Arab States in 1974. In
1991, the northern region broke away unilaterally to form
the unrecognised Somaliland based around the city of
Hargeisa. A Transitional Federal Government (TFG) was
formed in January 2005 with regional governments in
Somaliland (NW) and Puntland (NE). This transitional
government represents Somalia at the UN, the League
of Arab States and the African Union. A UN brokered
peace agreement was unveiled in Djibouti in the summer
of 2008.
The international community is now taking action to
reverse the stagnation that has been the consequence
of two decades of instability in Somalia. An African
Union Summit urged more support for the Transitional
Federal Government as the legitimate authority in
Somalia. The international community has also been
urged to honour pledges made to support Somalia
during the Brussels Donors’ Conference held in April
2009 where $200 million was pledged for reconstruction
efforts. The UN is calling on the international commu-
nity to invest in building the country’s security institu-
tions and improve the capacity to deliver public services
and employment, which would have a positive impact
on the Somali people. Projects to encourage youth
employment and enhance the livelihoods of ordinary
Somalis should also be a priority.
Economy
Somalia’s economy has been described as stronger
than that of many countries in Africa in terms of gross
domestic product and imports and exports, participants
at a United Nations-backed meeting held in Dubai said.
Despite the crisis that Somalia continues to face, its
government was commended by the UN for having put
in place more transparent and accountable fi nancial
management measures. In a move that should help
generate greater donor confi dence, Somalia contracted
auditing fi rm PricewaterhouseCoopers to assist with
tracking and reporting on the use of public funds and
thus help improve transparency, the UN reported in July
2009.
The UN is initiating a series of projects to help Somalia
move beyond the current emergency and ensure that
its people experience some benefi t from the peace
SOMALIA
161
Somalia
process. Current projects include increasing access
to basic services such as water, health and educa-
tion, improving livelihoods through rapid employment
generation, rehabilitation of key infrastructure and other
rapid-impact recovery programmes.
The economy could be boosted through livestock and
livestock products, agriculture, money transfer, tele-
communications, infrastructure, oil and gas, mining,
transport and even tourism, according to the UN Polit-
ical Office for Somalia (UNPOS).
Sudan recently pledged its support to help rebuild
Somalia’s financial and economic infrastructure as the
country seeks to establish real peace and stability.
Despite the lack of an effective central government,
however, Somalia has maintained a healthy informal
economy, largely based on livestock, money transfer
companies, and a growth in telecommunications. The
extensive Somali community overseas helps sustain an
economy weakened by years of strife and turmoil.
Somalia’s small industrial sector, based on the
processing of agricultural products, has largely been
looted and sold as scrap metal. Somalia’s service
sector also has grown. Telecommunication firms
provide wireless services in most major cities and offer
the lowest international call rates on the continent.
Mogadishu’s main market offers a variety of goods from
food to the newest electronic gadgets. Hotels continue
to operate and are supported with private security.
Somalia’s arrears to the IMF continued to grow. Statis-
tics on Somalia’s GDP, growth, per capita income, and
inflation must be viewed with more than a degree of
scepticism.
The Somali International Financial Centre (SIFC), an
agency created by the transitional government, offers
a tax-free offshore international banking regime. There
are also laws providing for offshore insurance and
e-commerce. The SIFC is committed to strict confiden-
tiality and world class regulatory standards; there is a
modern money-laundering law. The Central Bank of
Somalia was based in Mogadishu.
Remittance services represent a large industry in
Somalia. Somali entrepreneurs overseas who fled
because of the war contribute around $1 billion annu-
ally to the country’s economy. In the absence of a
formal banking sector, money exchange services have
burgeoned, handling between $500 million and $1
billion in remittances annually.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock
normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and some
65% of export earnings. Livestock, hides, fish, char-
coal, and bananas are Somalia’s principal exports,
while sugar, sorghum, corn, qat, and machined goods
are the principal imports.
Livestock has traditionally accounted for about 40% of
GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads and
semi-nomads, who are dependent upon livestock for
their livelihood, make up a large portion of the coun-
try’s population. Sugar, sorghum, maize, and fish are
products for the domestic market. The small industrial
sector, based on the processing of agricultural prod-
ucts, accounts for 10% of the country’s GDP.
Livestock remains the main source of income for the
people of Somalia but exports have periodically been
interrupted by bans imposed by importing countries in
the Gulf region, due to outbreaks of livestock disease.
Camels, sheep and cows destined for Saudi Arabia
and Yemen form the bulk of the country’s agricultural
exports. A partnership between the European Commis-
sion and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization
SO
(FAO) and the World Bank for the provision of support
for Somalia’s agricultural sector led to the preparation
of a longer term livestock strategy as a framework for
further coordinated work in the sector.
After livestock, bananas, grown on plantations along
the Juba and Shebelle rivers, are the main exports.
Over recent years, improved technologies have been
introduced to increase production efficiency. Somalia
began exports of bananas to countries of the European
Union, but the trade has suffered from the protracted
instability.
Other important crops grown in Somalia include sugar
cane, which the country has been seeking to develop
for export. Production of seed cotton is another signifi-
cant crop but the quantity is insufficient for export and
is mostly used in the small domestic textile industry.
Maize and sorghum are produced as subsistence crops
in the southern part of the country. Fishing was mainly
a small-scale subsistence activity until recently, but
nowadays fish products like lobster, shark, tuna and
sardines are caught for export.
Telecoms
Somalia’s public telecommunications system has been
almost completely destroyed or dismantled during the
conflict, but several private sector providers are growing
and Internet services are emerging in greater number.
Telcom, a telecommunications network operator in
Somalia, was the first major privately owned company
providing telecommunications to major cities. The
company is headquartered in Mogadishu, and has repre-
sentative offices in Dubai and the UK. The company
has an estimated 750 employees. Somafone Telecom-
munications Service Company (operating as Somafone)
is Somalia’s leading mobile telephone operator. It was
formed in 2003 as a fully owned subsidiary of Somafone
FZ LLC of Dubai Internet City.
Mineral Resources
Somalia has deposits of gypsum, gold, silver, nickel,
copper, zinc, lead, salt, limestone, uranium and iron
162
163
Somalia
Som
alia
ore. Although most of these resources are small, some
of the world’s largest deposits of gypsum can be found
near Berbera and significant iron ore deposits have been
discovered in the country’s Bur region. The mining sector
is small and contributes less than 0.5% of GDP.
Reconstruction
The rehabilitation of the Somali economy has been
moving ahead intermittently but remains frustrated by
outstanding security issues and establishing a peaceful
environment. Somalia currently lacks functioning finan-
cial institutions which are the foundation of any sound
economy and would normally provide crucial backup for
business initiatives. There are no commercial banks, no
central bank and no credit or savings institutions apart
from remittance companies operating in the country. In
fact, funds in the form of remittances made by Somalis
living abroad constitute the most vitally important means
of financial support for the country. It has been estimated
by UNDP that remittances transferred by Somali compa-
nies abroad amount to between $700mn and $1bn per
annum.
164
SU
KHARTUM
Sudan is the largest and one of the most diverse countries in Africa, a home to deserts, mountain ranges, fertile agricultural lands and rain forests. The country borders the Red Sea and is located between Egypt and Eritrea. Its natural resources are substantial, but its main resources are oil and gas. Other resources include iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver and gold. Sudan has huge oil reserves, including potentially large undiscovered reserves, which makes it attractive to foreign investors. The coun-try has suffered from protracted internal disputes over many years and been subject to sanctions as a result of unresolved political conflicts in regions like Darfur.
Economy
Despite a weak fi nal quarter in 2008, Sudan’s economic
indicators remained fairly strong during the year, while
infl ation trends mirrored developments in world food
prices. Real GDP growth was estimated at about 7%
in 2008, with non-oil growth of 8.5%—compared with
10 and 7.5%, respectively in 2007, according to an IMF
report issued on 21 July 2009. The buoyant non-oil
growth, driven by the services sector, compensated
for lower oil production. Sudan was hit by the global
crisis, mostly through a sharp decline in oil revenues. In
the fourth quarter of 2008, the sharp drop in oil prices
put signifi cant pressure on public fi nances, leading to
some arrears accumulation. The decline in oil revenues,
coupled with continued weakness in non-oil collections
and fi nancing rigidities, implied a sharp reduction in
Sudan’s overall resources. Annual oil revenues for the
period 2009–12 are projected to be 6 percentage points
of GDP lower than in 2005–08.
The news prompted the IMF to warn of the risks that the
country’s major achievements of the past several years,
in terms of maintaining macroeconomic stability and
strong growth, could be jeopardised. Foreign exchange
reserves fell sharply to less than two weeks of imports.
Real GDP growth is expected to nearly halve in 2009,
while infl ation is projected to decline to single digits.
Total oil production is projected to increase somewhat in
2009, but the non-oil sector is likely to slow down signifi -
cantly owing to the global slowdown and the impact of
domestic demand policies aimed at containing import
pressures in the face of declining foreign exchange
reserves. Both the services and agricultural sectors would
be affected by lower infl ows of foreign direct investment.
Overall real GDP growth is projected at about 4% in 2009
and should pick-up slightly to 5% in 2010. Average infl a-
tion is expected to decline to 9%, refl ecting lower world
food prices and tighter fi nancial policies.
Oil & Gas Sector
Sudan is still one of the most unexplored oil territories in
Africa and the Middle East. The country has estimated oil
reserves of about 900 million barrels and estimated gas
reserves of about 100 billion cubic metres. Most current
production comes from the Melut and Muglad basins. In
2005, the country earned $4.8bn in oil export revenues.
There are ambitious plans to develop the oil and gas
resources. The government in Khartoum aims to
COUNTRY NAME: Republic of Sudan
LAND AREA: 2,4 million km2
POPULATION: 44 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic, English
CURRENCY: 1 Sudanese Pound (SDG) = 100 Qirsh 1 EUR = 3.1 SDG (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Khartoum (capital), Omdurman, Atbara, Port-Sudan, El-Obeid, El-Fasher, Juba
NATIONAL DAY: 1 January – Independence Day
TIME ZONE: Standard time is gmt + 2
SUDAN
165
Sudan
increase production to 600,000 b/d by the end of 2007
and to 800,000 b/d in 2008, from about 500,000 b/d in
mid-2007. State oil company Sudan National Petroleum
Corporation (Sudapet) is active in the oil exploration and
production sector, working in partnership with foreign,
largely Asian, companies to raise oil output from an esti-
mated 500,000b/d in 2008 to a forecasted 520,000b/d in
2009.
The acceptance of an international arbitration ruling
issued on 22 July 2009 over the disputed Abyei field was
widely viewed as an encouraging development giving
a boost to peace and reconciliation in the country. The
ruling from the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbi-
tration (PCA) redrew the boundaries of Sudan’s oil-rich
Abyei region and ceded some productive oilfields to
the north side. Both the National Congress Party (NCP)
and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM)
pledged to respect the international arbitration deci-
sion. The boundary dispute over Abyei had been one
of the most sensitive issues in the 2005 Comprehensive
Peace Agreement in Sudan. The decision was welcomed
by countries internationally, including China, which is a
major trade partner for Sudan; China and Sudan estab-
lished diplomatic ties in 1959 and bilateral trade stood at
$8.2 billion in 2008.
Agriculture
After oil and gas Sudan’s primary resources are in the
agricultural sector which has great potential for develop-
ment to increase productivity. It expanded at the average
rate of 8.5% per annum during the last decade. The Gulf
States and countries such as China have demonstrated an
increased interest in investing in the sector. In June 2009,
a conference was held in Khartoum to explore the possi-
bilities of Sino-Sudanese cooperation and partnership in
the area of agriculture with the aim of developing strategic
partnership between the resources of both countries
including land, water, technical know how and financial
resources.
Although the country is trying to diversify its cash crops,
cotton and gum Arabic remain major agricultural exports.
Grain sorghum is the principal food crop, and wheat is
grown for domestic consumption. Sesame seeds and
peanuts are also cultivated for domestic consumption as
well as increasingly for export. Livestock production has
vast potential, and many animals, particularly camels and
sheep, are exported to other Arab countries. However,
Sudan remains a net importer of food because of problems
of irrigation and transportation which act as constraints to
the development of a more dynamic agricultural economy.
SU
Cash crops grown under irrigation include cotton and
cottonseed, which is of primary importance to the
economy, sesame, sugarcane, peanuts, dates, citrus fruits,
yams, tomatoes, mangoes, coffee, and tobacco. The main
subsistence crops produced in Sudan are sorghum, millet,
wheat, cowpeas, beans, pulses, corn, and barley. Cotton
is the principal export crop and an integral part of the
country’s economy and Sudan is the world’s third largest
producer of sesame after India and China.
Boosting Exports
Sudan’s Minister for Industry, Eng. Al Ahmed Osman,
indicated that the country wants to boost its leather
exports in the coming five years so that their revenues
will exceed $150 million instead of $30mn at present.
Speaking at a meeting of the higher committee for devel-
opment of exports and investment in the industrial sector,
the minister also referred to plans to increase the exports
of ethanol fuel, sugar, medicines and ceramics, Suda-
nese news agency SUNA reported on 10 July 2009.
Financial Sector
Sudan is working with the IMF to strengthen the coun-
try’s financial sector by ensuring that banks comply
with regulations. The Central Bank of Sudan will actively
enforce prudential standards and ensure that all banks
comply with existing regulations. A plan is being
prepared to restructure the Omdurman National Bank
(ONB) in line with recommendations of an independent
audit completed in 2008 with the ultimate objective of
privatising the bank.
Telecoms
Sudatel, the state-controlled telecoms operator and
Sudan’s second-largest mobile phone operator, generated
net profits of $164.4m in 2008.
In February 2009, Lebanon’s Fattouch Investment Group
launched the Vivacell mobile network to become the
fourth mobile operator in Sudan. Kuwaiti and South
African mobile phone giants had already found the
166
167
Sudan
Sud
an
Sudan market a difficult one due to the expense and time
involved in building networks capable of reaching the vast
majority of the population. Fattouch won a licence from
the government of South Sudan. Under the 2005 peace
accord, the south had the right to licence two mobile
phone operators. Vivacell is a relaunch of Network of the
World, a Sudanese-owned company that was set up soon
after the peace accord was signed. The south awarded
its other licence to Gemtel, a Ugandan operator. In addi-
tion, Zain, MTN and the state-controlled third nationwide
operator Sudani are all expanding into the southern parts
of the country.
168
SY
DAMASCUS
As part of Syria’s ambitious attempts to develop a dynamic, liberalised modern economy, it con-tinues to adopt important reforms to open up, diversify its income streams, boost the efficiency of production and attract foreign investors. Dur-ing the past few years, the country has seen the introduction of its first private banks and in March 2009 it marked the opening of the Damascus stock exchange. The global economic down-turn has slowed down but not halted the coun-try’s growth with most forecasts now predicting between 2%-4% growth in 2009, which compares with almost 6% in 2008. The IMF has estimated that real GDP growth will be 3%.
Overview
Agriculture remains one of the most important sectors of
the economy and Syria’s main agricultural produce are
wheat, barley, cotton, lentils, chickpeas, olives, sugar
beets; beef, mutton, poultry, eggs and dairy. The coun-
try’s main industrial activities are in petroleum, textiles,
food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock
mining, cement, oil seeds processing and car assembly.
The oil industry is becoming less important as the country
moves further ahead with its drive to diversify and open
up to investors.
Offi cial statistics put the country’s total workforce at
over 5.5 million people. An important characteristic of
Syria is its very young population profi le with well above
60% of the total under the age of 25 and as many are
well educated this is regarded as a signifi cant “human
resource” asset. Some 200,000 graduates have to be
absorbed into the Syrian economy each year; many also
choose to become self-employed while others look for
work abroad mainly in neighbouring Arab countries.
Some 26% of the total workforce is employed in the agri-
cultural sector which remains by far the greatest single
employer followed by the industrial sector at nearly 16%;
however, industry is strengthening and expanding at a
steady rate as a result of ongoing economic reforms.
The remaining 58% of the workforce is employed in the
services sector, where areas like fi nance and tourism
have been offering more employment opportunities.
Oil & Gas
The country’s oil reserves are gradually being depleted
and by January 2009 reached 2.5 billion barrels, which
is the equivalent of half Oman’s reserves and only 3% of
Kuwait’s reserves, according to the Oil & Gas Journal.
Syria is making efforts towards oil effi ciency. However,
natural gas production is seen as offering future oppor-
tunities as it seeks to benefi t from its strategic location to
become a transit hub for Egyptian, Iraqi and Iranian gas.
Syria has also started to partner with international energy
companies with a view to becoming a gas exporter,
although at present all the gas it produces is consumed
by the domestic market.
Agriculture
Agriculture saw some improvements in 2009 after the
severe droughts that the country suffered in 2008. As rain-
fall levels picked up early this year, better crop volumes
COUNTRY NAME: Syrian Arab Republic
LAND AREA: 185,000 km2
POPULATION: 20,2 million (2009 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic, English, French widely spoken
CURRENCY: 1 Syrian Pound (SYP) = 100 Piastre 1 EUR = 62.24 SYP (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Damascus (capital), Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Latakia
NATIONAL DAY: 17 April – Indepence Day
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 2
SYRIA
169
Syria
are expected in the current harvests. Wheat is a stra-
tegic crop whose output last year totalled 2 million tons
but is expected to rise to around 3-4 million tons in the
2009/2010 harvest.
Another strategic crop, cotton, had a slightly better perfor-
mance in 2009. Cotton production is important for the
country’s textile manufacturing sector which is the second
largest export for foreign receipts and accounts for 15% of
total exports.
Pharmaceuticals
The more export-oriented pharmaceuticals sector has
been performing successfully recently with two of the
country’s pharmaceutical companies receiving European
Union certification to enable them to export their prod-
ucts into the EU market, joining four other companies
already supplying these markets.
Meanwhile, in terms of healthcare provision for Syrian
citizens, the private sector is being encouraged to take
a more active role in order to meet rising population
demand and improve standards of care. New investment
legislation is seeking to attract private foreign investors
by enabling private specialist hospital projects.
Tourism
Syria is becoming an increasingly appealing tourist
destination, with European travellers beginning to visit in
higher numbers. The impact of world recession on the
sector’s growth has been negligible with the number of
tourists entering the country in the first half of 2009 up
by 9% on the same period in 2008 to reach 1.98 million,
excluding Syrian expatriates, according to the Ministry
of Tourism. It is thought that middle income Arab tour-
ists, who make up an important portion of the total visitor
numbers to Syria, have been relatively less affected by
the crisis, while western tourists appear to be increas-
ingly interested in visiting the country. The increase in US
and European visitors is also seen as a success for the
energetic advertising campaigns launched by the Tourism
Ministry in recent years.
As the sector continues to expand, one of the biggest
challenges is to train a sufficient number of staff to handle
the influx of visitors. At present, hospitality training in
Syria delivers an estimated 700-800 staff each year, but
an extra 50,000 will be needed if the country is to meet
the forecast expansion of tourism in the next couple of
years.
The country’s hospitality infrastructure is in need of
substantial upgrading and additional hotels and leisure
facilities are required to meet the needs of the influx
of new visitors. Fortunately the sector is continuing to
attract investors and foreign firms, particularly from the
Gulf, are showing increased interest in the investment
opportunities in Syria. For example, the Kuwait invest-
ment company, MAK Group (or Al-Kharafi Group), started
construction work on the $217 million Kiwan tourist
project in downtown Damascus. This complex will include
a five-star hotel with 500 rooms and suites, international
business, entertainment, medical, sporting and shopping
facilities, as well as a conference centre and a park. The
construction work is scheduled to take no more than
three years on a BOT basis.
Furthermore, the Tourism Ministry unveiled 65 new sites
with investment potential for development as tourist
resorts at an estimated total investment valued at $2.9bn.
All the projects are to be offered to investors and devel-
opers on BOT. These projects are expected to attract
more foreign investors.
Telecoms
Another sector offering considerable investment potential
is telecommunications, which is undergoing restructuring.
At the end of 2008, a new law was drafted to establish an
independent regulatory authority for the sector which is
currently dominated by two main firms, Syriatel and MTN.
It will issue licenses, assign spectrum and frequency as it
regulates and opens up the sector to competition.
170
SY
The mobile sector, with a third operator expected to be
launched in the coming months, is seen as most dynamic
with a penetration rate of 36% and an estimated 7.1
million users by the end of 2008. In comparison, fixed
line penetration was about 18% and had 3.8 million
subscribers. Internet use is also expanding at a rapid rate
and recent steps that are likely to enhance its use include
a new law in February 2009 to recognise electronic signa-
tures in business and other electronic dealings.
Outsourcing of ICT services in Syria is seen as a poten-
tially important new sector of the economy. The country
has seen the successes that have been achieved in this
regard in places like India and Egypt. The Gulf States in
particular are viewed as potentially important customers
for outsourcing services such as consultancy, imple-
mentation and customisation and, with new private
sector business encouraged to set up in the context of
market liberalisation, ICT outsourcing is seen as offering
tremendous growth potential for Syria. Some call centre
outsourcing in Syria already takes place, but the size of
this sector remains limited at present.
Banking & Financial Sector
Syria enjoyed continuing expansion of the banking
sector in 2008 and total deposits achieved a growth of
3.6% in the fourth quarter of the year and by 2.5% in
the first quarter of 2009. The country’s banking sector
is well regulated and conservatively managed by the
Central Bank, which has served the sector well in the
face of recent global financial upset. Syrian banks had
little or no investments in toxic assets which inflicted so
much damage elsewhere. The breakdown of deposits
by currency shows that both local currency and foreign
currency grew similarly last year. Foreign currency
deposits continued to account for about 20% of total
deposits and grew by 16.4% in 2008, while local currency
deposits progressed by 15.5% over the same period,
Bank Audi Syria reported in July 2009.
Banks are continuing to enhance their branch networks in
their drive to seize on the lucrative opportunities offered
by Syria’s emerging financial services sector. Total bank
branches rose from 348 at year-end 2007 to 374 at year-
end 2008, according to Central Bank statistics. Private
banks have been responsible for almost all the new
expansion as they sought to offer their clients a broader
range of retails and commercial banking products.
Harsher financial conditions have not prevented new
banking ventures from being concluded. For example,
Fransabank Syria officially launched operations in the
country in spring 2008, becoming the tenth conventional
private bank in the country. In addition, a Syrian-Iranian
commercial bank, Banki, a joint venture between the
Commercial Bank of Syria and Iran’s Bank Saderat
171
Syria
Syria
obtained a preliminary license from the authorities.
Bank of Jordan, Lebanese owned Bank Al Sharq and
the Qatar National Bank (QNB), through an affiliate, all
recently entered the market. QNB-Syria, a private Syrian-
Qatari bank, launched an IPO of 34% of its total equity
with subscription ending on 10 August 10 2009. Other
conventional and Islamic banks from the region are all
preparing to apply for licenses and start operations later
in 2009.
Damascus hosted the 4th conference of Islamic banks
and financial institutions on 1 June under the title “Islamic
Banking, investment opportunities and challenges of
competition” which saw the participation of some 800
central bank governors, directors and chief executives
of Islamic, commercial and investment banks from about
20 Arab and foreign countries. Governor of the Central
Bank of Syria Adib Mayaleh pointed to the importance
of Islamic banking and stressed that “as a supervising
authority, we aim to achieve financial balance and
stability, improving a clean banking sector that works in
accordance with the international standards and prac-
tices,” SANA news reported. He also stated that Islamic
banks had an important role to play to help develop the
banking sector, to assist economic growth and to finance
essential projects in Syria. Foreign banks have recently
been allowed to open a representative office in the
country, a move regarded as another step towards the
further modernisation of the country’s banking sector.
The opening of the Damascus Securities Exchange
(DSE) on 10 March 2009 was a significant step towards
formalising the economy and offers great potential for
growth. The stock exchange is initially to be divided into
two markets, a “regular” market and a “growth” market.
Companies that list will follow transparency rules on
disclosure of information on their performance, which
should encourage banks to increase lending to indi-
viduals and corporations. The DSE is monitored by the
Syrian Commission on Financial Markets and Securities.
172
TN
TUNIS
COUNTRY NAME: Tunisian Republic
LAND AREA: 155,360 km2
POPULATION: 10,5 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic (official), French (commerce)
CURRENCY: 1 Tunisian Dinar (TND) = 100 Milim 1 EUR = 1.92 TND (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Tunis (capital), Nabeul, Sousse, Sfax, Bizerte, Gabes
NATIONAL DAY: 20 March
TIME ZONE: Tunisia Standard Time is GMT + 1
One of Tunisia’s main attractions for investors is its stable market which has offered a degree of security and certainty for business over many years. The country is widely noted for its social sta-bility and consensus politics, characteristics which no doubt led it to be named as Africa’s “most at peace” country in a recent Global Peace Index. Tunisia has also long been able to offer a modern infrastructure along with supportive business legis-lation and a significant degree of transparency in the decision making processes which benefits the ease of doing business.
The economy has demonstrated resilience in the face of
the global downturn and the
Tunisian banking sector continued to operate relatively
undisturbed because of its minimal exposure to foreign
capital.
Tunisia was ranked as the most competitive business
environment in Africa in a report released during the
recent World Economic Forum (WEF) summit in Cape
Town. The 2009 Africa Competitiveness Report,
produced by the WEF in association with the African
Development Bank and the World Bank, gives the
Tunisian economy a score of 4.6 out of a maximum fi ve
for competitiveness, ranking it the 36th most competitive
economy globally, and the fi fth most competitive in the
Arab world.
The report, which is based both on hard data and
responses to the WEF’s Executive Opinion Survey,
singles out Tunisia’s institutional performance in
particular for praise, noting that the country’s institutions
are “one of its most competitive advantages”, resting
on “fairly transparent and trustworthy relations between
government and civil society”. The country was also
ranked highly in terms of the quality of its infrastructure
(34), its health and primary education (27), higher
education and training (27), goods market effi ciency (30)
and innovation (27).
Trade with Europe
Tunisia enjoys close and mutually benefi cial relations with
the countries of the European Union. More than 75% of
the country’s foreign trade occurs within the markets of
the EU. Tunisia has many attractions for investors and
has achieved important successes in establishing itself
as an outsourcing destination for many European compa-
nies. Its close proximity to the European continent gives
it a special advantage and EU member states are major
trade partners for the country. It takes only 20 hours for
goods to be shipped from a Tunisian port to reach the
main ports of the Mediterranean. One key development in
Tunisia’s drive to enhance its export potential to Europe
and further afi eld is the construction of the Enfi dha port
project which will give the country its fi rst deepwater
docking capabilities. With Enfi dha, Tunisia hopes to
repeat the success that Morocco has achieved with the
Tanger-Med port. In its bid to integrate its economy into
the global market, Tunisia became the fi rst Arab country
to complete the process of entering the EU free trade
zone in January 2008. Tunisia has also announced that it
intends to join six other Mediterranean countries in imple-
menting a full “open-sky” agreement by 2010, a move
that will make the country available to low-cost fl ights
TUNISIA
173
Tunisia
and provide a boost for its tourism industry.
Its policy of exchange rate flexibility was seen as a key
factor in helping the economy to reduce tariffs and
barriers to entry, enabling the country’s textile sector in
particular to compete in European markets without the
need for protective measures. Stable fiscal policy has
also contributed towards a low inflationary environment,
another key requirement for maintaining competitiveness,
especially in the manufacturing sector.
Human Resources
The Tunisian workforce is well educated and the popula-
tion is notable for its large middle class. People in this
social category are estimated now to make up some 80%
of the total population. Tunisia is also a country of home-
owners at more than 80%.
An increasing number of students are choosing to study
for technical, scientific and engineering degrees with
computing, telecommunications, multimedia, nanotech-
nology. Genetic engineering is gaining in popularity.
Meanwhile, a feature of the Tunisian labour market is
the high number of women in the workplace. As a result
of the education policies pursued over many years,
99% of Tunisian girls now complete primary education,
while over 58% of university students are women. A
literacy rate of over 90% has also been achieved for girls
and young women. According to the World Economic
Forum’s (WEF) 2009-2010 “Global Competitiveness
Report”, Tunisia ranks second in the Arab world and first
in Africa for the quality of its educational system, while
coming in 17th worldwide.
These are all real achievements that have significantly
improved the life chances of many hundreds of thou-
sands of Tunisians. This record also means that the
country has a pool of well educated, competent and
adaptable people equipped with the skills needed in a
modern economy. A major task of Tunisia in the medium-
term is to create sufficient job opportunities for its people,
particularly for young university graduates, the IMF has
said.
Tourism
Tourism is a mainstay of the national economy; Tunisia’s
tourism product offers superb beaches, good infrastruc-
ture of thermals, spectacular desert scenery and a wealth
of historical sites dating back nearly 3,000 years to when
the ancient city of Carthage dominated the entire western
Mediterranean. The combination of Islamic and Euro-
pean cultures makes Tunisia a very popular North African
holiday destination for a broad range of visitors. While
Europeans continue to hold the largest market share, in
recent years there have been a rising number of arrivals
TN
from countries that have not traditionally been important
markets for Tunisia; these include Eastern Europeans and
people from neighbouring countries such as Libya.
Apart from catering to the needs of a more diverse
range of visitors, Tunisia is also diversifying its tourism
product by developing niche sectors such as sports and
medical tourism where significant growth opportunities
exist. For example, the country is attracting an average
of 60,000 visitors to take part in golfing holidays each
year. A special study was conducted into the potential for
expanding this market area a couple of years ago. There
are at present 10 golf courses in the country, but with a
planned expansion there is potential for another 20 to be
developed. Investment in this area is highly encouraged.
As far a medical tourism is concerned, Tunisia is
expanding rapidly as a top medical tourism destination. It
is now securely placed on the tourism map for this niche
product and it is widely recognised as offering a large
range of services such as heart, dental, eye and aesthetic
surgery at competitive rates. Medical services in Tunisia
are on average some 40-70% cheaper than in many
European countries. There are many opportunities for
innovation and development of this specific niche area of
the tourism sector.
Construction & Real Estate
As part of its economic development strategy, Tunisia
encourages large-scale infrastructure projects and has
been successful in attracting significant investment for
some major high profile projects such as the Tunis Sports
City and the Tunis Financial Harbour. Many of the inves-
tors for these ambitious new developments in the capital
Tunis and around the country have come from the Gulf.
Additional activity in the construction sector is seen with
the financing of some major projects to upgrade the
transport sector with notable activities taking place to
enhance roads and ports.
Tunisia recently inaugurated the international airport
“Enfidha-Zine El Abidine Ben Ali” which is supposed
to become the biggest airport of Tunisia. It will have a
capacity of receiving 5 million passengers and reaching
30 million passengers.
Financial Sector
The Tunisian financial sector has not been directly
affected by the international crisis. The country continues
with its long-term strategy of reinforcing the banking
174
175
Tunisia
Tun
isia
sector, which has led to a decline in the ratio of non-
performing loans to total loans from 17.6% in 2007 to
15.5% in 2008 and an increase in the provisioning ratio
from 53.2% in 2007 to 56.8% in 2008. Tunisia intends
to continue this effort even after reaching the targets of
15% and 70%, respectively. The IMF commented that a
more forward-looking and comprehensive approach to
the prudential indicators could prove beneficial, particu-
larly in the context of the implementation of Basel II.
Fisheries
The fishing industry is among those sectors most likely
to show improved export performance in the interme-
diate to long term, because of growing demand for fish
products and the abundance of exploitable species in
Tunisia’s Mediterranean Sea. Current policies designed
to encourage investment and deregulation of the industry
offer promises for the industry’s expansion, particularly in
value-added products. Tunisia is now a major producer
and exporter of seafood.
Therefore, the fish processing industry has attracted the
attention of foreign investors as well as of local compa-
nies. Given the abundance of fish resources existing in
Tunisia’s waters and the growing world demand for fish
products, there are considerable opportunities both for
new companies to enter this sector and for the expansion
of existing ones, particularly in value-added (processed)
products.
176
AE
ABU DHABI
COUNTRY NAME: United Arab Emirates
LAND AREA: 83,600 km2
POPULATION: 4.9 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic
CURRENCY: 1 UAE Dirham (AED) = 100 Fils 1 EUR = 4.92 AED (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Abu Dhabi (capital), Dubai, Sharjah
NATIONAL DAY: 2 December
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 4
In little more than 30 years the UAE has achieved remarkable progress from a group of small neighbouring communities to a prosperous and modern commercial centre whose continually changing skyline is beginning to rival anything in the Middle East. The UAE has a vibrant free economy, a significant proportion of its revenues arising from exports of oil and gas. Successful efforts have been made to diversify, away from dependence on hydrocarbons and a solid industrial base has been created, together with a very strong services sector. The establishment of free zones has been an important feature of this diversification policy and reform of property laws gave a major boost to real estate and tourism sectors.
Despite the global fi nancial crisis resulting in an
inevitable contraction in 2009, the UAE economy
remains robust, shielded by signifi cant overseas
fi nancial assets acquired during the period of booming
oil revenues. Substantial public expenditure, made
possible by its assets, combined with strong
fundamentals and sound fi scal policies, to minimise the
impact of the crisis and receding petrodollar income on
the UAE’s economy. It has speeded up its recovery in
2010. In particular, the UAE decided to maintain high
investment budgets, especially for core long-term
infrastructure projects, in order to stimulate growth and
steer the economy away from recession. The UAE has
obviously not been totally insulated from the
reverberations of the global recession and in this regard
cargo handler DP World revealed that business at its
ports dropped ten per cent in the fi rst half of 2009 as
the shipping industry struggled through the downturn.
Oil & Gas
The UAE is the world’s third largest exporter of crude oil
and, as of February 2009, oil production was 2.223 million
barrels a day. Oil reserves were 97.8 billion barrels, the
sixth largest reserves in the world. Abu Dhabi holds 92.2
billion barrels or 94% of the UAE total. Meanwhile, natural
gas reserves are 6 trillion cubic metres, which is the fi fth
largest in the world, according to offi cial sources.
The UAE is an increasingly attractive place to do business
and, despite the global downturn of 2009, considerable
opportunities continue to emerge in each of the emir-
ates. Clearly Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the big attractions,
but investors are now increasingly looking further afi eld
towards the emerging markets of the smaller emirates
such as Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. Visitors are drawn
towards the open, low-tax and robust economy, stable
market, the ease of doing business, the essential back up
provided by fi rst rate infrastructure, the transparent regu-
latory system and the legal protection offered in particular
to intellectual property rights.
Construction
Despite the global slowdown, the UAE continued to be
one of the most active construction markets in the world
with more than 750 active projects in construction and
450 recently completed, according to a report by Dubai-
based research house Proleads Global issued in July
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
177
United Arab Emirates
2009. Although more than 400 projects with a total value
in excess of $300 billion had been placed on hold or
withdrawn; the report forecasts stability returning to the
sector in 2009 with some recovery in cash flow in 2010.
Considerable building activities are taking place across
the emirates. Abu Dhabi still has a major shortage of resi-
dential units and work on infrastructure projects such as
new roads, the metro and Khalifa Port, as well as airports
and new industrial areas, has proceeded without delay.
Abu Dhabi was considering allowing 100 per cent foreign
ownership of some projects, the chairman of the Depart-
ment of Economic Development stated. “We feel strongly
inclined to grant 100 per cent ownership to foreigners in
new and old industries as well as other projects,” Nasser
Ahmed Al Kuwaiti told Emirates Business on 24 May
2009.
Meanwhile, the number of contractors and consultants
entering Abu Dhabi increased according to a report
issued by the Directorate of Contractors’ Classifica-
tion and Consultants’ Registration at the Department
of Economic Development (DED), which said that the
construction sector in Abu Dhabi witnessed a major
development during the first half of 2009.
The construction sector in Ras Al Khaimah is to be
better regulated under a new law issued by H H Sheikh
Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy
Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah.. Provisions of law no 1 of 2009
for regulating buildings in RAK will be applicable to all
buildings with the exception of those that come under a
special decree or resolution. The law covers a wide range
of topics dealing with buildings starting from designs,
construction license, architectural standards and speci-
fications, additions, expansions, maintenance and safety
and security systems up to penalties for breaching provi-
sions of the law.
ICT
The UAE compares favourably internationally in terms
of its ICT services recording high rates of usage as the
country’s ICT sector shows continuing rapid growth. The
dynamism in the sector is attributed largely to the intro-
duction of competition, as well as the adoption of interna-
tional best practices and governance.
The UAE ranked first among Arab countries in internet
user rate, international internet bandwidth rates, the
importance of ICT to the government’s vision of the
future, personal computer rates, ICT use and government
efficiency; e-government, government prioritisation of
ICT, laws relating to ICT, and the number of telephone
lines, according to the Global Information Technology
Report 2007 – 2008, released in March 2009 by the World
Economic Forum and based on estimates of the Interna-
tional Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The UAE also ranked second among the Arab countries
in terms of: high-speed monthly broadband subscription,
178
AE
lowest cost of broadband, the availability of government
online services, and secure internet servers. Internation-
ally, the UAE ranked first worldwide on the cost of mobile
telephone call and on residential monthly telephone
subscriptions. In other areas, the UAE ranks worldwide
as follows: fourth on the importance of ICT to govern-
ment vision of the future, sixth on government success
in ICT promotion, seventh on government prioritization
of ICT, ninth on ICT use and government efficiency, 10th
on mobile telephone subscribers rate, 10th on business
telephone connection charge, and 14th on residential
telephone connection charge.
Free Zones
Each of the emirates now has its own free zones,
although the majority are in Dubai. All free zones in
the UAE are governed by the independent Free Zone
Authority (FZA) which is also the agency responsible
for issuing operating licences and assisting companies
with establishing their business. Dubai is the home to a
majority of the free zones, including the famous Jebel
Ali, the Airport Free Zone, Dubai Internet City and Dubai
Healthcare City. More specialist free zones are planned
catering for specific sectors including textile, energy and
design cities.
Setting up business in one of the UAE’s many Free Trade
Zones (FTZs) is widely seen as an attractive option for
foreign investors. The concessions offered to investors
in the free zones have led to their success in attracting
a large number of companies and foreign direct invest-
ment. In turn, this success has had the positive effect of
expanding net non-oil exports.
Tourism
Tourism sector officials in Abu Dhabi reported that the
emirate was becoming an important tourism hub in the
Gulf and Middle East due to its rich tourism varieties
and capability to provide unprecedented entertainment,
culture, artistic, musical, fairs and other competitive
services in the region. In addition, Abu Dhabi said that
it was eyeing a 59% growth in cruise passenger arrivals
in the 2009/2010 season. Forecasts by the Abu Dhabi
Tourism Authority (ADTA) point to some 199,113 arrivals
in the season, which runs from end of November to
beginning of May.
Meanwhile, Sharjah, widely seen as the UAE’s cultural
capital, was holding its position as a leading destination
for cultural, heritage and family tourism worldwide.
179
Un
ited
Ara
b E
mira
tes
United Arab Emirates
Agriculture
The UAE has demonstrated an increased interest in the
development of organic farming in recent years. This is
largely because traditional farming methods are widely
seen as impractical to meet the needs of the growing
population. The first internationally recognised organic
farm in Abu Dhabi was certified to European standards
in 2007 and since then the sector has been growing. The
land under organic cultivation is set to double against the
backdrop of increasing support and encouragement from
UAE public agencies keen to promote the sector. The
total area under organic farming would increase to 3,000
acres as the demand for natural food products is on the
rise, said industry experts. They said the focus on organic
farming had come at a time when the market for organic
and natural food products started picking up in the UAE as
well as in the region. According to global data, the Middle
East is considered to be the fastest growing market for
natural and organic foods. On current estimates, the global
market for these green alternatives to conventional food is
to the tune of $220bn. The main domestically grown crops
in the UAE are dates, tomatoes, melons, cucumbers,
lettuce, camel milk, Akkawi cheese, aubergines and celery.
The UAE imports most of its basic food needs including
sugar, dairy products, meat, rice, tea, coffee, poultry,
wheat flour and fruit.
180
YE
SANAA
COUNTRY NAME: Republic of Yemen
LAND AREA: 527,968 km2
POPULATION: 23,4 million (2010 est.)
LANGUAGE: Arabic, English
CURRENCY: 1 Yemeni Riyal (YER) = 100 Fils 1 EUR = 290.80 YER (Nov. 2010)
MAIN CITIES: Sanaa (capital), Aden, Hodeida
NATIONAL DAY: 22 May – Republic Day
TIME ZONE: Standard Time is GMT + 3
Although by no means one of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East, Yemen offers some important opportunities that should not be over-looked by investors. Its resources are limited and it needs to meet the challenges posed by a rising population. The country also faces depletion of its oil reserves and its groundwater, but it is develop-ing its gas industry and taking steps to improve the efficiency of its agriculture and irrigation. Challenges also include a generally underdevel-oped infrastructure, but the country has been attracting increased funding from international donors. The country’s main industrial activities are crude oil production and petroleum refin-ing; small-scale production of cotton textiles and leather goods; food processing; handicrafts; small aluminium products; cement and commercial ship repair.
Average GDP growth for 2009-2010 was predicted to
reach 5.1% as the country’s fi rst LNG plant comes on
stream, marking an important new development for the
country’s bid to diversify its sources of income.
In 2006 Yemen began a new economic reform
programme designed to bolster the non-oil sector,
boost diversifi cation and attract foreign investment. As a
result, international donors pledged around $5 billion for
development projects in the country. The IMF had said
that economic reforms had slowed after the 1990s and
urgently need to be reinvigorated. Although a number of
reform initiatives emerged in recent years—including civil
service and public fi nancial management, a major adjust-
ment to fuel subsidies in 2005, a new general sales tax,
an anti-corruption drive, and improvements to the social
safety net—most of which have been only partially imple-
mented and there have been signifi cant delays.
With the country’s oil reserves expected to be depleted
in just over a decade, Yemen is preparing to make the
transition to a non-oil economy. A decline in oil output
and volatility in world oil prices have added a sense of
urgency to the economic reform process. Economic
activities in the non-oil sectors have increased at a
“reasonable rate” according to the IMF, but infl ation has
been a key concern.
Infl ation in Yemen has been extremely volatile in the past
year, but it is expected to fall.
However, Yemen has been relatively insulated from the
fi nancial side of the current world economic crisis and its
banks have had relatively low exposure to private foreign
lending. Portfolio investment is quite limited, given the
absence of a domestic stock market or commercial credit
market. Yemen’s main foreign asset—the Central Bank’s
reserves—are highly liquid and kept predominantly in the
form of deposits in international banks.
Yemen is seeking closer ties with the region and the
world economy. Discussions on accession to the WTO
have been taking place since 2004. Bilateral negotia-
tions on goods and services have been concluded with
China and are ongoing with Australia, Canada, the Euro-
pean Union, Japan, Korea, and the US. The country also
continues to pursue membership in the Gulf Cooperation
Council primarily through the Yemeni-Gulf Technical
Committee. In mid-2008, GCC members tasked the
Secretary General to conduct an integrated study on the
prospects for Yemen’s accession into the bloc.
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Yemen is pursuing efforts to further diversify its economy
and promote alternative sources of growth and employ-
ment generation. In addition to the gas sector, there
has been a focus on strategies to promote the develop-
ment of the country’s tourism and maritime activities, to
capitalise on the coastal location and cultural heritage.
Several other areas of the non-oil economy have been
identified as potential sources of growth: agriculture
(particularly honey), fishing, building stones and leather
products.
To encourage investment, Yemen has undertaken a
number of initiatives to strengthen the investment climate
including the establishment of a one-stop shop for inves-
tors, a new procurement law, and an active anti-corrup-
tion authority; as well as a comprehensive review of
company and labour laws. In recognition of such efforts,
Yemen’s ranking on the World Bank’s Doing Business
report jumped from 113 in 2008 to 98 in 2009. Interna-
tional donor support has been instrumental in helping to
sustain reform efforts.
Oil & Gas
Yemen started to export gas through Yemen Liquefied
Natural Gas (YLNG) in 2009. It also aims to develop the
domestic gas market, in particular gas-to-power. Lique-
fied natural gas (LNG) export revenue and domestic gas
sales are expected to partially offset the decline in crude
oil revenue from currently producing fields. This will
require developing the country’s gas pipeline infrastruc-
ture to facilitate access to the power sector and other
customers. There is significant scope for the participation
of private sector investors in the gas infrastructure devel-
opment work that Yemen needs to undertake.
Electrical Power
Yemen is seeking private investors to develop new power
projects. The Public Electricity Corporation is being
assisted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC)
as it moves ahead with the development of independent
power projects (IPPs). The IFC is engaged in carrying
out a feasibility study for a private power project, it was
reported.
Tourism
Opportunities to develop the country’s tourism industry
are considerable. Yemen has some of the most attractive
locations in the world and could significantly boost visitor
numbers given more effective promotion and improve-
ments in the tourism infrastructure. The capital Sana’a
has a unique character whose old city with its distinc-
tive buildings is listed among the world heritage sites of
UNESCO. Ma’rib is another impressive location where
the Great Ma’rib Dam, an example of early Yemenite
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civilization, can be found. Meanwhile, Shibam has been
dubbed the Manhattan of the desert. Situated 250 miles
off the coast of Yemen, the island of Socotra is the
largest member of an archipelago of the same name, a
four-island cluster off the Horn of Africa and Gulf of Aden.
Socotra is noted for its lush vegetation and exotic wildlife.
Yemen’s potential as a tourism destination has suffered
because of negative reporting that has damaged the
country’s image abroad. Recently, Yemen’s tourism
authorities have been seeking to change foreign attitudes
and to this end launched tourism promotional campaigns
in European countries.
Infrastructure
A new port at Hadramout is to be built on a 12 million
square metre site to complement Yemen’s existing port
facilities at Aden, Hudeidah and Mukalla. The proposed
$240 million new port will serve trade routes between
Europe, Africa and Asia, as well as other destinations
around the Indian Ocean. As part of plans to increase the
capacities of ports and to operate them in more efficiently,
Yemen has sought partnership with specialist international
companies to establish the port.
Fisheries
Yemen has held talks with the World Bank and the
European Union on implementing fisheries projects
that donors had agreed to fund in the country’s coastal
provinces. The Minister of Fisheries Wealth Mohammed
Shamlan discussed the projects with a mission from the
organisations in June 2009. He praised the efforts of the
Bank and the EU to develop the fisheries sector in the
country and affirmed that the Ministry was working to
overcome any difficulties that deter the implementation of
such projects.
Agriculture
Yemen is seeking to improve the productivity of its agri-
cultural sector with the aim of improving food security.
It is focusing on attracting investors to strengthen the
infrastructure that supports the sector particularly the
development of marketing and the promotion of agricul-
tural exports. The World Bank and international donors
are supporting numerous projects in the country’s agri-
cultural sector.
The agricultural industry in Yemen suffers from serious
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natural threats relating to climate and regular hazards
such as swarms of locusts. These are a significant threat
to farmers in the valleys and central highlands areas and
can lead to serious food crises. A large proportion of the
population remains entirely dependent on agriculture for
their livelihoods.
Education
The World Bank is funding a Technical Education Devel-
opment Project to the tune of $15mn. The project seeks
to improve the performance of vocational training insti-
tutions in the country through the implementation of
advanced training programmes to meet labour market
demands. The Ministry of Education and the World
Bank met in July 2009 and stressed the importance of
reforming the Vocational Training Fund, developing its
capabilities to improve education quality and to meet
labour market’s needs at the local and regional levels.
The project has three components divided into three
phases. The first phase represents planning, moni-
toring and assessment in the ministry and the project’s
management unit; the second phase relates to designing
and delivering new advanced technical programmes; and
the third phase concerns reforming and developing the
Vocation Training Fund by reorganisation and reviewing
regulations.
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