http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/countries/bahrainen-usCopyright 2012 Zawya Ltd. All rights reserved.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:39:00 GMT4814476http://www.zawya.com/middle-east/countries/bahrainhttp://www.zawya.com/images/newsletter_zawya_logo.gifhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209103910/Batelco_first_in_Bahrain_to_launch_broadband_for_allBatelco, the Kingdom's leading Broadband services provider has announced the launch of Broadband for All in a fantastic new prepaid inititative, a first for the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:21:34 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120209103910Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209035217/Global_mutual_fund_assets_put_at_259_trillionShashank Srivastava, acting CEO of the Qatar Financial Centre Authority, said, "The QFCA is delighted to be a sponsor once again of this latest GCC Mutual Fund Industry Survey.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:03:08 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120209035217Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120209032743/Quality_top_agenda_for_1tn_GCC_projects_industryWith more than $1 trillion worth of major new projects expected to be completed in the GCC between now and 2020, the largest construction work per capita in the world, industry stakeholders are setting up initiatives to ensure these new projects are completed to the highest standards of quality.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:34:04 GMTOman Daily Observer ZAWYA20120209032743Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_08022012_090233/Bahrain_delays_issue_of_visas_due_to_high_numbersBahrain?s Information Affairs Authority yesterday said the unusually high number of requests from the international media to be in Bahrain at the same time is behind the decision to delay their visits to the kingdom. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:20:12 GMTGulf News GN_08022012_090233Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_08022012_090208/MENA_advertising_to_grow_34_on_social_networks_in_five_years Advertising is expected to grow 34 per cent on social networks in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region in the coming years, experts at the Digital Media Forum have said.Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:14:30 GMTGulf News GN_08022012_090208Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120208T132437ZHOZ99/Gulf_ministers_delay_Syria_meeting_to_SundayGulf foreign ministers have rescheduled their meeting on Syria to Sunday in Cairo, a Gulf Cooperation Council official said on Wednesday.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:43:46 GMTAFP ANA20120208T132437ZHOZ99Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208113225/Batelco_Group_announces_the_sale_of_its_stake_in_STel_IndiaBatelco Group, the Middle Eastern regional telecommunications operator of reference with operations across seven countries, today announced its agreement for the sale of its shareholding in STel Private Limited (STel), a mobile operator in India. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:37:26 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208113225Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208032245/Middle_East_firms_focus_on_market_competitiveness_of_staff_packagesTalent management and organizational effectiveness are high on the agenda this year for Middle Eastern companies, according to Hay Group's Business Outlook study for 2012. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:36:55 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120208032245Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208102000/Bahrain_TRA_orders_VIVA_to_stop_using_unapproved_term_for_special_mobile_numbersThe Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the Kingdom of Bahrain issued on 6 February 2012 an order to VIVA-Bahrain to immediately stop the enforcement of a term requiring consumers to pay BD 1,500 upon the termination of its Mobile Special Number Service.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:03:58 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208102000Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208102606/SAMEL_signs_MoU_with_Bahrain_Logistics_ZoneSAMEL, a joint venture between Schmidt Heilbronn and Agility, a global specialist for bulk business, announced today that the company has selected Bahrain as its base to hub out its logistics operations in the Gulf region.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:02:39 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208102606Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208091614/GCC_Mutual_Fund_industry_survey_2011Shashank Srivastava, Acting CEO of the Qatar Financial Centre Authority, said, "The QFCA is delighted to be a sponsor once again of this latest GCC Mutual Fund Industry Survey.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:48:51 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208091614Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120208095836/Ipsos_release_online_panel_dataTwo years after the launching of the Online Audience Measurement project, Ipsos has released KSA and Egypt panel data. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:23:51 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120208095836Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120208T095600ZHOA78/Bahrain_refuses_AFP_visa_requestBahraini authorities have rejected a visa request by AFP to cover the first anniversary of the pro-democracy Shiite-led protest that was brutally crushed.Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:23:22 GMTAFP ANA20120208T095600ZHOA78Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_080212061346/Banque_Audi_MENA_Weekly_Monitor_03Feb12This is a PDF report. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:13:00 GMTBanque Audi pdf_080212061346Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120207T140844ZHKW58/Gulf_states_to_expel_Syrian_envoys_recall_their_ownThe six Gulf Cooperation Council states have decided to expel Syria's envoys and withdraw their own from Damascus over the "mass slaughter" of civilians in Syria, a joint statement said.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:14:23 GMTAFP ANA20120207T140844ZHKW58Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120207140317/Gulf_Industry_Fair_2012_opens_in_BahrainThe fifth Gulf Industry Fair was officially opened today by His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC). Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:11:40 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120207140317Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_070212143138/BMI_Bahrain_Information_Technology_Report_Jan12The total size of the addressable Bahrain IT market in 2012 is forecast by BMI to be US$373mn, up froman estimated US$345mn in 2011. BMI forecasts a CAGR of 7% for 2012-2016. Bahrain's governmenthas responded to its domestic political turmoil in 2011 through a massive fiscal stimulus package, whichwas projected to boost total IT spending in 2011-2012. Meanwhile, global IT trends such as cloudcomputing, virtualisation and convergence will continue to gain ground in the Bahraini market.There should still be significant opportunities. Bahrain is becoming an important regional financial huband there should be substantial spending in this sector. Economic reform and trade liberalisation will fuelspending by public sector organisations and private enterprises to bring their IT levels up to internationalstandards. The country will benefit from trade liberalisation, strong demand from the financial sector, egovernmentand broadband.Industry DevelopmentsIn 2011, Bahrain's IT strategy supervising body the Central Informatics Organisation (CIO) launched aproject for consolidation and virtualisation of its IT infrastructure. The initiative was seen as the first stepof a pan-governmental move towards cloud computing. The virtualisation project was expected to resultin a number of benefits, including unification of the government's IT infrastructure, scalability for futureapplications and growth, enhanced security and the real ability to offer IT as a service.Meanwhile, the drive to modernise healthcare IT should generate opportunities for IT vendors in 2012.The government has mounted a drive to create unified systems for inpatients, outpatient and emergencyrelatedinformation. In 2011, the King Hamad University Hospital in Bahrain launched a project todevelop the infrastructure for a new National Healthcare System being established.The Bahraini government's 2011-2014 e-government strategy was unveiled for implementation in 2011.Bahrain's eTue, 07 Feb 2012 13:04:00 GMTBusiness Monitor International Limited pdf_070212143138Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120207105507/SICO_funds_continue_to_outperform_the_market_in_2011Securities & Investment Company (SICO) updated today performance results for 2011 for its six regional equity and money market funds. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:39:10 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120207105507Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120207111405/Huge_expansions_of_GCC_airports_attract_international_companiesThe massive airports expansion programmes underway in the UAE and other GCC countries have been attracting international aviation companies to the region as the airport operators look for technology and services to handle future growth volumes.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:38:17 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120207111405Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120207112301/Boosting_competitiveness_and_scale_vital_for_long_term_growth_of_the_Middle_East_insurance_industryConvened under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain, the 8th Annual Middle East Insurance Forum (MEIF 2012) witnessed a high profile opening at the Gulf Convention Centre - Gulf Hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Confirming its position as the most influential annual gathering of regional insurance industry leaders, MEIF 2012 gathered more thanTue, 07 Feb 2012 12:36:54 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120207112301Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120207113549/Bahraini_Saudi_Bank_and_Al_Salam_Bank_launch_TayseerThe Bahraini Saudi Bank and Al Salam Bank-Bahrain have started the New Year with the launch of " Tayseer " promotional media campaign. The new Shari'a-compliant product "Tayseer" is Murabaha-based personal finance that meets liquidity requirements of individuals.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:32:33 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120207113549Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120207100221/Gulf_Airs_technical_capabilities_highlighted_at_international_forumNational carrier Gulf Air's MRO (maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) capabilities were highlighted at the MRO Middle East Conference and Exhibition held last week in Dubai. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:19:18 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120207100221Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_070212120852/BMI_Bahrain_Insurance_Report_Dec11The Arab Spring in early 2011 hit Bahrain far harder than any of the other Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) countries ? and was a disaster for the aspirations of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and otherprotagonists who have done much over many years to develop the country as a financial services centre.Like its counterpart in Singapore, the CBB serves not only as the central bank but also as an extremelywell regarded regulator and promoter of all aspects of financial services.The latest figures published by the CBB confirm the observations made by many of the insurers operatingin Bahrain that conditions had become quite a lot tougher even prior to the end of 2010. There had beenintense price competition in a small and fragmented market that was not growing particularly quickly. Itwas plain that some companies were chasing market share (especially in motor-related and somecorporate lines) regardless of profitability. The downturn in the construction and real estate sectors wasalso unhelpful. The CBB?s final figures for 2010, which were published in October 2011, showed thatmany of the larger and longer established local non-life companies suffered a contraction in premiumsduring the year. It was only thanks to explosive growth in premiums in two smaller firms that the overallnon-life segment actually expanded. Results and official comments through mid- and late-2011 indicatethat almost all the growth in the segment during the year was in general takaful contributions written byBahrain?s takaful operators.If takaful is one part of the market that is still growing, life insurance is another. Media reports and other(admittedly quite scant) data suggest to us that premiums have been rising. However, this growth hasbeen concentrated in particular companies: several of the local life companies have suffered a contractionin their business. The companies that are expanding their life businesses in Bahrain are doing so as aresult of bancassurance deals and product innovation.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:05:00 GMTBusiness Monitor International Limited pdf_070212120852Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120207093620/Venture_Capital_Bank_and_Bank_Alkhair_announce_the_acquisition_of_65_of_GoknurVenture Capital Bank and Bank Alkhair (formerly Unicorn Investment Bank) announced today the acquisition of 65% of Goknur Foods Import Export Trading and Production Co., which is one of the largest producers of fruit juice concentrate and fruit puree in Turkey. This equity stake in Goknur has been placed with investors in the GCC region.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:49:28 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120207093620Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidpdf_070212110343/BMI_Bahrain_Oil_and_Gas_Report_Nov11BMI View: Bahrain has a far smaller oil and gas resource base than its neighbours, but is a leadingregional refined products exporter. Over the coming decade, the country may begin importing LNG, butwill also boost both oil and gas production. Bahrain will continue to generate revenue from the AbuSaafa field, which is shared with Saudi Arabia, but will also continue importing Saudi crude oil to feedthe Sitra refinery, which may be expanded. Despite the political unrest in the first half of 2011, Bahrainhas not fallen in our risk-reward ratings as the country remains open to foreign investment.We highlight the following trends and developments in Bahrain?s oil and gas sector:BMI sees Bahraini oil production rising to as much as 90,000 barrels per day (b/d) by 2021, inline with efforts to boost output at the mature Bahrain field. We expect oil consumption to growto as much as 60,000b/d.We expect both oil and gas reserves to decline in the period 2011-2021, pending newdiscoveries. Oil reserves are expected to fall to 111mn bbl by 2021, with gas reserves falling toaround 80bcm.Gas production and consumption are likely to grow in tandem to just under 20bcm by 2021.Risks to our forecasts hinge on final approval being granted for the expansion of the Sitrarefinery and a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal to feed growing gasdemand.Bahrain?s dependence on oil prices leads to high volatility in the country?s export revenues. Ourassumptions of slower growth in China, a faltering recovery in the US and a worsening eurozone debtcrisis, clearly pose a threat to global oil demand. We assume OPEC basket oil prices will fall fromUS$101.90 per barrel (bbl) in 2011 to US$97.50/bbl in 2012, thus creating downside risk to Bahrain?smacroeconomic outlook.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:59:00 GMTBusiness Monitor International Limited pdf_070212110343Subscriptionhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120207073954/Perkins_streamlines_Gulf_operationPerkins has appointed Power Systems Gulf LLC (PSG) as the regional distributor for the Arabian Gulf with responsibility for Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Yemen.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:50:48 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120207073954Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120207051544/GCC_to_recognize_Free_Syrian_ArmyThe six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will soon recognize the Free Syrian Army as the sole and legitimate representative of the Syrian people, a high-ranking official in Bahrain told the Saudi Gazette.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:25:12 GMTThe Saudi Gazette ZAWYA20120207051544Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120207030914/Arab_oil_wealth_up_29bn_barrels_in_2011A massive revision of Iraq's oil wealth boosted the overall Arab recoverable crude deposits by nearly 29 billion barrels at the start of 2011 but the region's proven gas resources remain almost unchanged.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:18:29 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120207030914Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120207031502/Toward_a_comprehensive_GCCEU_partnershipThe recent visit of GCC Secretary-General Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani to Brussels and to the headquarters of the European Union not only underscored the increased attention that is being paid to the Gulf region by the European Union but also highlighted the recognition that the GCC is gaining as an organization committed and contributing to promoting security and stability both in its immediate neighborhood and the wider Middle East. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:11:39 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120207031502Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120206T114415ZHGK42/GCC_to_meet_on_Syria_Omani_ministerForeign ministers from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will meet in the Saudi capital later this week to discuss developments in Syria, Oman's foreign minister said on Monday.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:46:33 GMTAFP ANA20120206T114415ZHGK42Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_06022012_070244/Gulf_airlines_resume_normal_operations_to_UKAirlines operating between the Gulf and London resumed normal operations yesterday barring minor delays. Most carriers were forced to cancel flights on Sunday due to heavy snowfall and worsening weather in the UK.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:41:21 GMTGulf News GN_06022012_070244Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_06022012_070246/Youth_unemployment_in_Mena_region_disturbingly_high__UNA rapid growth in the world's population, coupled with an international financial crisis, have led to a new problem - the highest number of unemployed youth in history, a UN report has revealed.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:40:14 GMTGulf News GN_06022012_070246Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_06022012_070251/Gulf_debt_sales_post_34_jumpDubai The total amount outstanding of corporate and sovereign bonds issued by GCC entities stood at $181.9 billion (Dh667.93 billion) as of December 31, according to a new report.Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:39:39 GMTGulf News GN_06022012_070251Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_06022012_070233/Open_market_requires_complete_liberalisation_in_the_UAEA new law that reduces red tape for Gulf companies looking to set up shop in the UAE has been welcomed by analysts. But they warn that the region is still far from being a level playing field. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:29:51 GMTGulf News GN_06022012_070233Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120206101207/Batelco_clarification_on_Indian_Supreme_Court_Telecom_Licences_cancellationBatelco in conjunction with STel Management, other STel shareholders and legal advisers are carefully studying the detailed judgement handed down by the Supreme Court of India on Friday 3 February 2012, which cancelled all 122 2G licences issued in 2008 and allocated spectrum granted to 8 operators, including STel.Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:50:39 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120206101207Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_05022012_060216/Falcon_to_expand_privateclient_business_in_GulfFalcon Private Bank, a Swiss private bank owned by Abu Dhabi's Aabar Investments, sees huge potential for expansion in the UAE and throughout the Gulf, Eduardo Leemann, the bank's chief executive, said.Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:40:33 GMTGulf News GN_05022012_060216Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_05022012_060233/Middle_East_mergers_up_4_amid_slower_growthThe total number of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) increased 4 per cent last year from 401 in 2010 to 416 in 2011, according to Ernst & Young's 2011 year-end Mena M&A update.Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:31:48 GMTGulf News GN_05022012_060233Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_05022012_060244/Bad_weather_in_UK_forces_Gulf_carriers_to_cancel_flightsGulf carriers and other airlines operating between the UAE and the UK cancelled or delayed flights to and from Britain yesterday as bitterly cold weather gripped much of Europe.Mon, 06 Feb 2012 06:18:48 GMTGulf News GN_05022012_060244Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidGN_05022012_060260/Red_carpet__for_Gulf_firms_in_UAECompanies owned by GCC nationals other than UAE citizens and located anywhere in the Gulf will be allowed to open UAE branches with minimum paperwork and receive the same privileges granted to national-owned firms, according to a decision taken by the UAE Cabinet.Mon, 06 Feb 2012 04:29:59 GMTGulf News GN_05022012_060260Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120205055643/Mideast_embarks_on_180b_power_water_energy_projectsNew electricity, water, and energy projects valued at $180 billion are underway or in the planning stages in the Middle East, with Oman announcing major projects in the last seven months worth $2.9 billion.Sun, 05 Feb 2012 11:07:08 GMTTimes of Oman ZAWYA20120205055643Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidANA20120205T101251ZHDK38/Bahrain_opposition_launches_weeklong_protestThousands of Bahrainis have begun a week-long rally in a Shiite village, an activist said Sunday, 10 days ahead of the first anniversary of the start of pro-democracy protest which was brutally crushed.Sun, 05 Feb 2012 10:19:23 GMTAFP ANA20120205T101251ZHDK38Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120204151224/Bahrain_MOH_signs_Agreement_with_SAH_GlobalThe Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Bahrain and SAH Global have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to make cutting edge proton therapy cancer treatment available to Bahraini cancer patients. SAH Global is currently in the process of constructing a network of proton therapy centers in the Middle East.Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:47:11 GMTPress Release ZAWYA20120204151224Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120205031058/Roaming_charge_cuts_to_hit_GCC_telecom_incomeA decision by Gulf oil producers to trim mobile phone roaming rates is expected to depress the net profits of their telecommunications companies given the strong competition in the region, Moody's Investment Service has said.Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:37:32 GMTEmirates 24|7 ZAWYA20120205031058Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120205034858/Middle_East_needs_to_create_2_million_new_jobs_in_2012A recent report from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Global Employment Trends 2012, highlighted a number of challenges in the global labor market. The world will need to create 600 million jobs over the next decade to provide 400 million new jobs for the growing global labor force and eradicate worldwide unemployment of 200 million.Sun, 05 Feb 2012 06:08:20 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120205034858Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120204041609/MEA_retailers_outdo_global_counterpartsRetailers in the Middle East and Africa, or MEA, recorded the highest annual growth compared to other top retailers across the world, according to a latest study by Deloitte. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:52:48 GMTKhaleej Times ZAWYA20120204041609Openhttp://www.zawya.com/story.cfm/sidZAWYA20120204035849/Arab_stocks_rally_as_investors_upbeat_over_earningsArab stocks scored gains across-the-board last week as investors appeared upbeat over annual earnings and the improving prospects of a world recovery, financial analysts said Friday.Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:14:19 GMTArab News ZAWYA20120204035849Open