The Middle East

The year 2009 saw Abu Dhabi avoid the worst of the global financial crisis, lay out long-term economic plans, buttress its credentials as a home for green technologies and make noteworthy inroads into the global tourism market.

As demand continues to rise, Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) is looking to bolster its power infrastructure. With plans for several new power plants under way, the emirate is following a strategy that utilises both traditional and sustainable energy sources, falling in line with global trends to maintain efficiency and respecting environmental concerns.

While many countries in the Gulf region slipped into recession this year, Qatar has not only avoided the financial crisis but moved straight past it at speed, gaining momentum.

The America's Cup drama continues to play out after months of legal wrangling and substantial construction in preparation for the event in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK). The two competitors in one of the sailing world's most prominent regattas – Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing (Oracle) – are awaiting an appeal decision, expected this month, after a federal court in New York ruled in October that RAK was not a suitable venue for the race. With the appeal decision outstanding, there is still a chance – however slim – that the race could ultimately set sail in RAK. Regardless of the outcome, the emirate is still moving confidently towards an expanded tourism sector.

Though some segments of Sharjah's construction industry have been affected by the global economic downturn, others can look forward to an increasingly busy new year as activity and investment is set on an upward trajectory.

Qatar's multibillion-dollar programme of expanding the country's transport infrastructure is gathering pace with a firm opening date set for the Doha's new airport, tenders called for the first stage of a rail link and plans to revamp the public bus service all announced in recent weeks.