Países árabes: economia.

[marcelo l.]

In the presence of General Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Professor Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea, Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinee (CBG) announced on Saturday the signing of an agreement with Mubadala Development Company, or Mubadala of Abu Dhabi, for the long-term supply of bauxite to the UAE.

This agreement secures a strategic resource and a key part of the aluminium value chain for the UAE's aluminium industry, while delivering a significant uplift for the economy of Guinea and enabling the launch of a major investment programme to increase the capacity of CBG. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister was also present at the signing ceremony.

Mohamed Lamine Fofana, Minister of Mines and Geology of the Republic of Guinea and chairman of the Board of CBG declared: "This announcement is the first concrete result of the strategic partnership between Guinea and the UAE. The agreement with Mubadala will make a significant contribution to Guinea's economy by enabling the expansion of CBG to more than 20 million metric tonnes of bauxite per year, creating many new jobs for Guineans both during the construction of the expansion, and during the future expanded operations.”

He added: "This is an important milestone in the history of CBG and a vital component of the company's strategy of becoming the world's leading producer of high-quality bauxite. Furthermore, the new supply agreement will bring close to US$0.5 billion of additional GDP to Guinea, with a significant increase in our fiscal revenues — further enhancing the rapid growth and stability of our economy. We look forward to continued results from this long-term, strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi and the UAE, including further developments in bauxite mining and alumina refining in Guinea and sustainable cooperation in other fields such as agriculture, energy and transportation. We are very encouraged by support for this collaboration and the continued strengthening of the relationship between our two countries”.

Waleed Al Mokarrab Al Muhairi, chief operating officer of Mubadala said: "By securing a long-term, high-quality source of raw materials for the UAE's aluminium industry, this agreement underpins our strategy to develop a global champion in this sector, active in all parts of the value chain. Our partnership with the Government of Guinea can create such positive results for both of our economies and look forward to more to come.”

http://www.uaeinteract.com/docs/UAE,-Gu ... /51815.htm

[marcelo l.]

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency posted alerts that Qatar and the United Arab Emirates wish to purchase new missile defense systems. If approved, the two contracts will be worth nearly $8 billion.

The requests are for Lockheed Martin’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile system.

Qatar’s request, estimated at $6.5 billion, includes “2 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Fire Units, 12 THAAD Launchers, 150 THAAD Interceptors, 2 THAAD Fire Control and Communications, 2 AN/TPY-2 THAAD Radars, and 1 Early Warning Radar (EWR).”

The smaller request from the UAE, estimated at $1.1 billion, is for 48 THAAD missiles and nine launchers, as well as support equipment and training.

THAAD is a ground-based, missile-to-missile defense system. In late October, Lockheed announced a successful test of the system, where two ballistic missile targets and one cruise missile-like target were intercepted and destroyed. In August, Lockheed announced a $150 million agreement with the U.S. Army

http://www.defensenews.com/article/2012 ... CFRONTPAGE

The DSCA aprovou e vai custar 7,6 bi...
http://www.govconwire.com/2012/11/lockh ... d-by-dsca/

[marcelo l.]

The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has emphasised the commitment that exists to maintain the constitution and to preserve rights and freedoms, these being the pillars of political work at all institutions.
“While preserving the constitution, we respect our Islamic belief, UAE traditions and norms,” he said

Inaugurating the second ordinary session of the 15th Legislative Chapter of the Federal National Council, the UAE President said in a speech delivered on his behalf by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that “we are going forward firmly to bring our political experience to its (desired) ends so as to achieve development and expand participation. We are also looking forward to the pivotal role of the FNC, as a supportive and control authority to further strengthen the government with its visions and innovative ideas.”

Shaikh Khalifa noted that the FNC has witnessed a qualitative development with regards to the experiment in expansion of participation that resulted in the holding of the second elections on September 24, 2011. He added that this was one of the phases of the gradualist political empowerment programme launched in 2005 to activate the role of the FNC.

The President underlined that the UAE constitution protects rights and freedoms. “This makes the UAE a paradise for citizens and expatriates. All live in peace in a tolerant community that is free from segregation and injustice.”

Shaikh Khalifa said Emirati women received full support from the leadership, noting that they have exhibited ability and responsibility and have come to occupy top jobs. “I called upon my daughters to sustain the efficiency and dedication they have demonstrated so far.”

“Your membership in this Council is a great trust and responsibility,” he told its members. “Governance here belongs to those who have bestowed their trust on you. So be solicitous to maintain your eligibility to have received this trust and be committed to the interests of the country and the citizens.”

Shaikh Khalifa called on the FNC members to communicate always with fellow citizens and to protect the bond between the various segments of Emirati society “in our quest to entrench the culture of consultation and participation in decision-making, as well as to emphasise the importance of individual opinions in formulating the opinion of the society”.

He greeted Their Highnesses Members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the emirates for their virtuous efforts in strengthening the pillars of the union. “I also greet every citizen, man and woman, who has contributed through his or her work to the building of our beloved nation and our precious union.”

Shaikh Khalifa concluded, “Dear members of the Council, I thank you and your predecessors. You have performed your duty with sincerity and integrity and we expect from you more effort and selfless work.” —
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/insi ... government

[marcelo l.]

Total and OiLibya have opened their new industrial facility in Egypt, in the presence of Momar Nguer, Senior Vice President Africa/Middle East of Total Marketing & Services, and Ibrahim Bugaigis, Chairman & CEO, Libya oil corporate.
The facility at Borg El Arab, near Alexandria, comprises a tank farm and a blending unit that will be operated by Oil Products Storage and Blending Alexandria (OPSBA), an industrial joint venture in which the two companies hold 65% and 35% respectively.
The facility, which spans over 34,000 m2 and took 16 months to build, was completed in October of this year. It meets the most stringent safety and environment standards. It consists of an administration building for the 50 people working on the site, a lubricant blending unit with a production capacity of 40,000 metric tons per year, a depot with 23 tanks that can hold 8,000 m3 of products, and an onsite laboratory to ensure quality control and perform oil analysis.
The blending unit uses state-of-the-art technology to produce a wide range of top-grade lubricants for manufacturing, agricultural and construction machinery as well as for trucks, cars and motorbikes. “This latest investment once again demonstrates our commitment to Egypt and continued expansion here,” said Momar Nguer. “By reliably delivering specified quantities of products of consistent quality, the facility offers a major competitive advantage in the market and will support the growth of our lubricants business line, the most profitable segment in our portfolio,” added Thomas Rebeyrol, Managing Director of Total Egypt.
“Over the past ten years, Oilibya business magnitude has grown rapidly in the Egyptian market. In order to meet this growing demand, the corporate decided to invest in the OPSBA production facility in Borg El Arab – Alexandria” said Ibrahim Bugaigis, Chairman & CEO, Libya oil corporate.

http://www.libya-businessnews.com/2012/ ... ant-plant/

[marcelo l.]

The Shiite minority Sunday emerged the main victors in Kuwait's parliamentary polls boycotted by the opposition which considered the new assembly "illegitimate" amid poor voter turnout.
Shiite candidates bagged 17 of the 50-seat parliament, their biggest tally ever, as they refused to join calls by the Sunni-dominated opposition to boycott the polls in protest against the amendment of electoral law.

Shiites, who form around 30 percent of Kuwait's native population of 1.2 million, had nine seats in the previous parliament elected in 2009 and seven in the assembly elected in February and later scrapped by a court.

Three women were elected to the new parliament compared to four in 2009, according to results released by the National Election Commission.

The new house includes as many as 30 new faces reflecting the total boycott by former MPs who are leading members of the opposition.

Sunni Islamists were reduced to a small minority of four MPs compared with as many as 23 in the house elected in February.

The boycott was called to protest the government's unilateral amendment of the key electoral law ahead of the polls. The opposition says the action enabled the government to manipulate the outcome of polls.

The opposition hailed the boycott as very successful as a majority of voters stayed home, and described the election as "unconstitutional."

"Based on statistics compiled by the opposition, the voter turnout was 26.7 percent," said former MP Khaled al-Sultan at the end of an emergency meeting by the opposition after the ballots closed.

The information ministry website however reported that turnout was 38.8 percent and opposition youth groups reported lower percentages. No official figures have been released by the National ELection Commission.

Veteran opposition leader Ahmad al-Saadoun said the "election is unconstitutional," while several other former MPs called on Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah to repeal the disputed amendment.

The opposition Popular Committee for Boycotting Election said in a statement that the new parliament "does not represent the majority of Kuwaiti people and has lost popular and political legitimacy."

It also said all legislation issued by the house will be considered illegal.

The Islamist, nationalist and liberal opposition had vowed to continue street protests until it forces the demise of the parliament.

Political analyst Mohammad al-Ajmi said the new parliament will be unlikely to survive for a long period as the country appears headed for an escalation of tension.

"I think the election will herald a new phase of political instability following the huge boycott ... because the new parliament does not fairly represent the Kuwaiti society," Ajmi told AFP.

The major Bedouin tribes which boycotted the polls were the main losers, according to Ajmi.

The Awazem, Mutair and Ajmans, the biggest three tribes with a population of over 400,000 people have only one MP in the new parliament against an average of 17 in previous assemblies.

Voting passed off without any incident despite high political tension between the Islamist, nationalist and liberal opposition and the government led by the Al-Sabah ruling family.

The vote, the second in 10 months and the fifth since mid-2006, came nearly two months after the emir dissolved a pro-government parliament following its reinstatement in June by a court ruling.

As per Kuwaiti law, the cabinet must resign and a new government be formed before the new assembly holds its inaugural session within two weeks.

The OPEC member has been rocked by a series of political crises which stalled development despite a huge wealth from oil.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent ... ycott.aspx

[marcelo l.]

The minister responsible for investment has voiced out that the country’s actual economic situation might force the government to ask for a precautionary standby credit line worth $2.5 billion from the International Monetary Fund. He said they not completely ruling out the idea because they need the sum in order to give assurances to their financing need.
Tunisia’s public expenditure for next year is already covered and the credit line will be allocated to the year which follows, 2014. “Next year our public expenditure is essentially covered, thanks also to lines of credit for a total of $1 billion from the World Bank and the African Development Bank,” the minister said, adding Tunisia needs $3 billion for 2013. “So we are not planning to ask for further international support from the IMF,” he added.
The country is still battling to revive its economy and the World Bank approved a $500 million loan this week to help it recover from the effects of the revolution which ousted Ben Ali. Donors have also pledged to give almost $700 million.
The loan, the World Bank’s second since the revolution that veteran ruler Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali fled in January 2011, aims to support Tunisia’s economic recovery by providing funds to improve the business and financial sectors and reform social services.
The task is not being made easy the population starts getting impatient. The salafists on the other side are propagating violence. In a recent development, At least 200 people were injured as Tunisians demanding jobs clashed with police earlier on in the city of Siliana in a region on the edge of the Sahara desert that has long complained of economic deprivation.
Trade has declined too due to the crisis in the euro zone.

http://www.northafricapost.com/1579-tun ... ncing.html

[marcelo l.]

Oriente Médio começa a investir em energia solar
Valor Econômico - 10/12/2012


Com área equivalente a quase 300 campos de futebol, em uma remota região desértica, o projeto solar Shams 1 tem grande significado simbólico para os Emirados Árabes Unidos. Quando for completado no fim do ano, será o primeiro projeto solar de grande escala no país rico em petróleo e o maior do tipo no Oriente Médio. Com capacidade plena, vai gerar 100 megawatts e abastecer 20 mil residências. Para os que estão por trás da ideia, o projeto é o sinal mais concreto até hoje de que a energia solar está chegando à região em grande estilo.

"Não somos como muitos outros países que hoje têm uma necessidade desesperada por fontes de energia complementares", diz Ahmed al-Jaber, delegado especial de energia e mudanças climáticas dos Emirados Árabes Unidos e executivo-chefe da Masdar, que é a investidora majoritária no projeto. "Estamos encarando isso a partir de um ponto de vista estratégico [...] queremos tornar-nos um protagonista tecnológico, em vez de um protagonista em energia." O governo planeja gerar 7% de sua eletricidade a partir de fontes renováveis até 2020.

Muitos países ricos em petróleo e gás vêm reconsiderando as fontes renováveis, em meio à demanda cada vez maior por energia para abastecer seu alto crescimento econômico e populacional. Também há receios, especialmente na Arábia Saudita, de que seus recursos petrolíferos aparentemente ilimitados já tenham chegado a seu auge e de que algum dia o país poderia se tornar importador.

"Estamos no meio de uma reconsideração radical do futuro energético de nossa região", afirma Adnan Z. Amin, diretor-geral da Agência Internacional de Energia Renovável, com sede em Abu Dhabi. Em meio à badalação com a energia solar, alguns países começaram a traçar metas ambiciosas para o uso de fontes alternativas.

Egito e Qatar anunciaram que vão produzir 20% de sua energia com fontes renováveis a partir de 2020 e 2024, respectivamente. A Argélia pretende produzir 22 mil megawatts com fontes renováveis entre agora e 2030. A Arábia Saudita anunciou meta de 10% para 2020 e o Kuwait, de 15%, para 2030.

"Se você falasse de energia renovável há cinco ou seis anos para qualquer um na região, ele diria "não podemos fazer isso, seria como atirar no próprio pé, somos produtores de petróleo". Hoje, ninguém diria isso", diz Tarek El Sayed, da consultoria Bozz & Company.

[marcelo l.]

artigo sobre o orçamento do Reino para 2013...deixei só o fim, a divida vai cair para 7,5 do PIB As reservas passam de 700 bi...

Highlights
Public debt expected to fall 3.6% of GDP to SR98.84b by end of 2012 from SR135.5b in the end of 2011
GDP expected to grow 6.8% with oil sector 5.5% and non-oil sector 7.2%
Private sector’s contributions in GDP would reach 58% of GDP
Cost of living index grew by 2.9% in 2012 from 2011
Volume of exports in 2012 to grow 9% to SR1485 billion over 2011
Non-oil exports to reach SR183 billion in 2012 (4% increase from 2011)
Volume of imports SR480 billion in 2012 (7% increase from 2011)
New projects, programs and additional allocations for current projects worth SR285 billion

http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cf ... 1230147551

[marcelo l.]

Rússia Gazprom Neft enviou italiano empresa de energia ENI notificação da intenção de exercer uma opção para a compra de uma participação no "Elefante" líbio [El Fil, El Sinta] campo petrolífero.
De acordo com o relatório da RIA Novosti, a próxima fase do projeto requer Gazprom para enviar equipamentos para a estatal líbia National Oil Corporation (NOC) .

http://www.libya-businessnews.com/2012/ ... l-project/

[marcelo l.]

UAE’s first ever girls team completes Nasa training

The UAE’s first ever all-female team returned after successfully completing on-site space training at the Space Centre Houston, organised and coordinated by Space Ed-Ventures.
Space Ed-Ventures, a locally based educational platform and the region’s only space exploration programme, organised a once-in-a-lifetime training session for 24 aspiring engineers, researchers and astronauts between the age group of 12 and 18. After a rigorous screening process, the all-girl cohort was selected to train at the Space Centre Houston.

cont...
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/insi ... tionnation

[marcelo l.]

The First Libyan Military Science Technology exhibition will be held at Mitiga Air Base, Tripoli, from 20-23 January.

The exhibition is supported by the Supreme Security Committee (SSC) and the Ministry of Defence.

The organizers say that this will be the most important exhibition in this sector after the appointment of the new Ali Zeidan government. They feel that the exhibition will provide an important opportunity for those in this sector to meet their Libyan counterparts.

The organizers also report that they have bookings to participate in the exhibition from France, Germany, Britain, Belgium, Turkey, Russia, China, United Arab Emirates , United States, Canada Tunisia and Libya.

And these include the fields of helicopters, military clothing and shoes, security equipment, military vehicles, armored vehicles and others.

http://www.libyaherald.com/wp-content/u ... 24x767.jpg

Brasil e super-tucano nada

[marcelo l.]

The five nations of the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) have created a investment bank to finance infrastructure projects in the region, Sid Ahmed Ould Raiss, the governor of the Central Bank of Mauritania, said on Wednesday.
The bank, with capital of $100 million (LD 125 million), will start operations by the end of the first quarter 2013, and will partner with the private sector to finance projects in the member states of Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia.
There will be equal participation from each of the five member states.
Christine Lagarde (pictured), head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who attended the meeting in the Mauritanian capital Noukachott, praised the creation of the bank saying it would foster integration and spur investments in the region.
Originally proposed in 1991, the launch of the bank has been delayed by political tensions within the union and by a long-running dispute between Algeria and Morocco over Western Sahara, reports Al Jazeera.

http://www.libya-businessnews.com/2013/ ... ment-bank/

[marcelo l.]

The government has set the new official salary levels for cabinet members and ministers, reports Libya Herald.
Government Resolution No. 203 (2013) sets the payments as follows:
Deputy Prime Ministers: LD 9,500 ($7,600);
Ministers: LD 9,000 ($7,200);
Cabinet Consultants/Advisors: LD 7,500 ($6,000);
Deputy Ministers: LD 7,000 ($5,600);
Assistant Deputy Ministers: LD 6,000 ($4,800);

http://www.libya-businessnews.com/2013/ ... announced/