Saudi Aramco hands out Manifa oil field deals

DS100 Ranking: # 1
Company: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
Country: Saudi Arabia
Industry: Oil & Gas – Integrated

Saudi Aramco has handed over a $500 million contract for pipeline and power cable machinery to Valentine Maritime based out of the United Arab Emirates. This is in junction with various contracts for the development of the Manifa oil field churning out 900,000 barrels a day.

The 3 major engineering, procurement and construction contracts were rolled out to Italy's Snamprogetti, Japan's JGC Corporation and Spain's TR.

External Links:
Steel Guru

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National Iranian Oil Company sets oil production record

DS100 Ranking: # 2
Company: National Iranian Oil Company
Country: Iran
Industry: Oil & Gas - Diversified

The National Iranian Oil Company set a record of producing 4.23 million barrels per day, during its 30 life years. The company has announced its plan of upgrading its production to 4.28 million barrels per day by March 2009.

External Links:
Tehran Times

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Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation announces investment plans to bolster refinery industry

DS100 Ranking: # 3
Company: Kuwait Petroleum Corporation
Country: Kuwait
Industry: Oil & Gas - Diversified

Kuwait National Petroleum Corporation, the extension of Kuwait Petroleum, plans to invest $30 billion to construct a refinery and improve the other two by 2012. $15 billion would be utilized in the construction of the new refinery whereas the other half would be used to upgrade the existing ones. The company plans to hand over 5 contracts to companies to build a 4th refinery.

Currently, 3 refineries operate out of Kuwait at Mina Al Ahmadi, Mina Abdulla and Shuaiba and this will be the 4th.

External Links:
Gulf Times

YTLe becomes latest WiMax license holder

DS100 2007 Ranking: # 96
Company: YTL Corporation Berhad
Country: Malaysia
Industry: Diversified – Electric Utilities, construction, Real Estate & Others.

YTL e-Solutions Bhd, a wing of YTL Corporation has recently joined the league of premier WiMax (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) license holders. This is happening in partnership with XOHM, the US based firm which would provide key expertise and technical assistance in strategy, infrastructure and deployment of the technology. Once the rollout is successful, it would offer the masses cost-effective voice, video and data services.

External Links:
Star Tech Central

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ETA Star's Verde Residences accorded the Best Green Development Award

DS100 Ranking: # 58
Company: ETA Ascon Group
Country: United Arab Emirates
Industry: Diversified – Engineering, Construction, Others

ETA Star's Verde Residential and Office towers were accorded the Best Green Development Award at the Arabian Property Middle East awards. The office towers developed in the form of a trapezoidal having 33 floors whereas the residential towers are built in the form a boat.

In line with the philosophy of a Green Community, Verde Office and Residential Towers have a cooling system of wind turbines, grey water system, energy saving lightning techniques, and other environmental conservative facilities.

External Links:
AME Info

Saudi's SABIC plans to initiate polypropylene plant in Belgium

DS100 Ranking: # 12
Company: Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic)
Country: Saudi Arabia
Industry: Chemical Manufacturing

Saudi Arabia's SABIC recently announced plans of constructing a new polypropylene plant in Belgium which should produce 110,000 tonnes per year initially. According to the SABIC management, this plant would be the largest amongst its peers in Europe with a final capacity of 170,000 tonnes per year. The new plant will also contain three compounding lines specially used for the development of new products.

External Links:
ModPlas.com

DP World and Zim get green signal to buy Tarragona terminal

DS100 Ranking: # 89
Company: DP World
Country: United Arab Emirates
Industry: Marine Cargo Handling

DP World, Dubai's based cargo handling firm and Israel's Zim have won the authority to control Spain based Tarragona terminal. DP World has reportedly bought a 60% share in Contarsa Sociedad de Estiba, which operates the Tarragona terminal whereas Zim has purchased a 40% share.

External Links:
AME Info

Agility Project Logistics handed over Darling Downs Power Station Project

DS100 Ranking: # 62
Company: Agility
Country: Kuwait
Industry: Trucking

CH2m Hill Brisbane has handed over a logistics project to Agility Project Logistics, an extension of Agility, the leading global logistics supplier. This is in junction with the new 630 megawatt Darling Downs Power Station Project, located in Queensland, Australia. This project is expected to be the largest combined cycle power station in Australia, intended to save 2.5 million tonnes of gases annually.

External Links:
Your Renewable News

Emaar Properties accorded International Achievement Award

DS100 Ranking: # 59
Company: Emaar Properties
Country: United Arab Emirates
Industry: Construction Services

Emaar Properties has been honored with the International Achievement Award at the 2008 Arabian Property Middle East awards, honoring the firm in its relentless contribution of expansion to 36 markets. This endorses the firm's future 'Vision 2010' in becoming one of the most diversified real-estate developer globally.

External Links:
Go Wealthy

Turkish Airlines ties up with Japan's ANA for code-sharing

DS100 Ranking: # 51
Company: Turkish Airlines
Country: Turkey
Industry: Airlines

Turkish Airlines and All Nippon Airways of Japan have recently signed an agreement, whereby ANA will use its flight code on 4 weekly flights by Turkish Airlines on the Istanbul-Tokyo route and its bi-weekly flights on Istanbul-Osaka routes.

Both the airlines are members of the Star Alliance club and in recent times, Turkish Airlines also commenced code-sharing with Garuda Indonesia and Air Malta.

External Links:
Aviation Record

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Malaysian Airlines ties up with Tourism Malaysia to boost local travel

DS100 Ranking: # 56
Company: Malaysian Airline Systems Bhd
Country: Malaysia
Industry: Airlines

The tourism authority of Malaysia tied up with Malaysia Airlines to promote Malaysia as a top tourism spot by introducing a 3-day package "Malaysia Stopover Special Promotion' starting from $110 and 3-day tour "Discover Malaysia pass' to Kuala Lumpur, starting from $199. These tours are in line with promoting Malaysia and bringing in tourism revenue.

External Links:
VietnamNet

Etisalat & Sharjah's Al Qasba form strategic alliance

DS100Ranking: # 47
Company: Emirates Telecommunications
Country: United Arab Emirates
Industry: Telecommunications

Etisalat, Dubai-based telecommunications provider and Sharjah's cultural and tourism spot, Al Qasba announced a strategic alliance where Etisalat would be lead marketer & sponsor of all events organized by Al Qasba inclusive of UAE's landmark and pride Eye of the Emirates for the next 3 years. The agreement will also facilitate al Qasba in promoting Eye of the Emirates as a tourism spot in itself and Etisalat would promote it by reaching out to the masses at large by messages titled "Reach entertainment".
External Links:
AME Info

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Zain arranges outdoor concert to applaud Nelson Mandela

DS100 Ranking: # 54
Company: Zain
Country: Kuwait
Industry: Telecommunications

Leading Telecommunications provider Zain received accolades for sponsoring an outdoor concert at Hyde Park in London to applaud the Nobel Prize winner Nelson Mandela for his contributions on his 90th birthday.

Funds from this event were for a charity cause and it showcased the appearance of many public figures. The general public across Africa and Middle East were also given a chance to show their participation by sending text messages, wishing the African leader on his birthday.

External Links:
AME Info

National Commercial Bank & King Saud University sign pact

DS100 Ranking: # 64
Company: National Commercial Bank
Country: Saudi Arabia
Industry: Commercial Banking

National Commercial Bank and King Saud University recently signed a pact for the launch of 'NCB Research Chair' as a part of corporate social responsibility sector of the University. The bank's management attributed its contribution to the university as its promise to promote scientific research in the country to foster its competitive strength versus other nations.

External Links:
MenaFN

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Isbank uses Corebank to restructure retail banking operations

DS100 Ranking: # 29
Company: Isbank
Country: Turkey
Industry: Commercial Banking

Isbank, Turkey's prime commercial bank has decided to revamp its entire retail banking structure by installing Fidelity National Information Services, Corebank. This will facilitate the bank's management to provide better customer service.

This new system will also facilitate the bank's new product launches as Corebank''s component, Product Build, functions to introduce new products and services in an effective manner.

External Links:
Banking Tech

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Fitch gives thumbs-up to Riyad Bank on financial ratings

DS100 Ranking: # 93
Company: Riyad Bank
Country: Saudi Arabia
Industry: Commercial Banking

Fitch announced ratings on Riyad Bank where it gave an 'A' to its long-terms issuer default (IDR), 'F1' to short-term issuer default, 'B' to individual and others. The support rating overall was given an 'A'. This rating is reflective of profitability and growth of Saudi's Riyad Bank which achieved a year-on-year growth in profit.

External Links:
AME Info