The Middle East

In a bid to develop a sustainable and diversified economy, non-hydrocarbons industry is becoming increasingly important, and the government of Abu Dhabi has set ambitious growth targets for the sector over the coming two decades. The emirate is developing the infrastructure to achieve these aims, with the objective of creating an attractive environment for industrial investment across a range of...

The UAE overtook Saudi Arabia as the Gulf’s largest construction market in terms of contracts awarded in 2012. In 2013, the UAE construction market continued to post growth, led by Abu Dhabi’s capital investments in infrastructure, housing and health care facilities. The value of the UAE’s construction sector was forecast to grow by 4.5% in 2013, reaching $41bn, and is expected to continue to...

Developing Abu Dhabi’s domestic transport infrastructure and broader transport industry has been one of the government’s priorities over the past decade. At the same time, the rapid expansion of the local aviation and maritime shipping industries has contributed to the emirate’s growing reputation as a transit and logistics hub. Further expansion is under way to meet the need of anticipated...

The government has played a key role in the expansion of the security, aerospace and defence industry over the past decade in an effort to strengthen the UAE’s defence capabilities and as a means of boosting economic diversification. The UAE has traditionally purchased the majority of its military hardware and equipment from the world’s largest suppliers; however, this is changing as more local...

Following partial privatisation at the end of the last century, the provision of utilities in the emirate has improved significantly, while disruptions and inefficiencies in both networks have also been greatly reduced under the new model. With the growth in demand for services increasing and showing no signs of diminishing any time in the near future, ensuring an adequate supply of water and...

As a close-out agreement was signed for long-held concessions in early 2014 and the government is looking for potential new partners for the development of its oil and gas fields, 2014 is expected to see a shake-up of Abu Dhabi’s hydrocarbons industry. The government is keen to boost gas production, requiring investment in the emirate’s challenging sour gas reservoirs. This means opportunities in...