The Middle East

Having commenced 2013 with a number of new and noteworthy industrial projects in both private and public sectors, Bahrain should be able to continue to diversify its portfolio and expand its industrial base.

Officials are looking at a 2014 start date for a major new mining venture, with plans moving forward for the Kingdom to cooperate with Sudan to exploit deposits deep beneath the Red Sea.

The opening of the long awaited, third phase of The Avenues mall in Kuwait has provided the retail sector with a major boost, while reaffirming a growing demand for luxury goods.

Public transport in Oman has been earmarked for a major funding boost under the 2013 budget, and a planned national rail network is set to receive the lion’s share of the spend. Oman’s $15bn rail network system will provide links between domestic production and logistics hubs, while supporting efforts to open up trade links across the region.

The government is working hard to keep telecoms investment from leaving the country and expand the sector’s role in domestic employment, particularly as the short-term economic outlook looks set to remain strained. As a result the Kingdom is considering the possibility of allowing a new provider to enter the mobile telephony segment.

Still high on Bahrain’s agenda is to bridge the shortfall in affordable housing through a mix of increased funding and greater involvement by the private sector. The twin benefits are seen as boosting the construction industry and contributing to social instability.