The Middle East

As Dubai’s construction sector moves into recovery mode, many contractors operating in the emirate are keeping an eye on opportunities at home while stepping up efforts to fill gaps in their order books abroad.

The insurance market in Turkey is bracing itself for consolidation following a decade of growth that has brought key international players to the country eager to play a part in the sector’s development. Buoyed by the introduction of the Turkish Insurance Law almost five years ago, the industry has expanded steadily.

Enhancing surface transport connectivity to neighbouring countries, the region and the rest of the world is a central priority for Bahrain. In addition to the development of internal transportation, the government has identified the importance of new road and rail links to Saudi Arabia and Qatar to strengthen the country’s trade position and support its economic diversification.

An ambitious infrastructure investment programme to be spread over the next two years is the latest stage of Kuwait’s long-term development plan.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Oman are gaining increased support from public and private organisations alike, with a number of public officials having expressed enthusiasm for the further development of the sector.

The Kingdom’s stock exchange made a promising start to 2012, raising further the anticipation that international investors might soon have direct entry to this $337bn market.