INTERNATIONAL.First, the bad news - China's constrained rare earth supplies will be an "irreversible trend" and prices will remain at high levels, according to Zhang Zhong, general manager of Inner Mongolia Baotou Steel Rare-Earth Hi-Tech Co. Zhang should know, as his concern is China's leading rare earths producer - the Baatou mine produces more than 95 percent of China's production, while Chinese mines currently account for 97 percent of global supplies. The increase in global demand for rare earth metals has sent prices soaring in world markets. According to the China Nonferrous M
BAHRAIN. The emphasis of development will likely shift more towards the tradable sector. Sectors of particular promise include knowledge-based services and high value-added manufacturing, according to Dr. Jarmo Kotilaine, Chief Economist at the Bahrain EDB.
UAE. The centre of the global petrochemicals industry is moving from West to East; GCC needs to stay ahead of its competitors by being flexible, sustainable and preparing to enter new markets; Africa is "natural backyard".
INTERNATIONAL. Workers' safety in Bangladesh could be improved if western retailers use NGOs to report on conditions, says Warwick Business School's Professor Michael Mol.
UAE. Saudi Arabia's SABIC clinched the number one spot with net profits of US$6.6 billion and US$90.2 billion in total assets; Qatari companies top the banking, industrials, insurance, transport and retail sectors; The real estate sector is back on track.
UAE. The awards evening was a inspirational gathering, stirring budding entrepreneurs to aspire to brilliance and well-established businesses to expand their horizons, collaborate with the best in the region, and win.
UAE. Manufacturing in 2011 accounted for 16.6% of the total gross output of economic activities, second only to the oil and gas sector which led with 41.7%.
UAE. "Given the energy-intensive nature of Abu Dhabi as well as its competitive business environment, Abu Dhabi-based Senaat is well placed to boost the metals industry worldwide."
UAE. The GCC cable consumption is much larger than North Africa's, and is dominated by power cable and building wire. In 2012, the GCC market reached almost 1.2 million gross cable tonnes, compared with 520,000 tonnes in North Africa.
iNTERNATIONAL. Control over Homs will enable al Assad to rapidly move forces from the north to the south to meet emerging rebel threats. It will also provide a key avenue of retreat to the Alawite coast in the event that he needs to flee Damascus.
INTERNATIONAL. A government that slaughters its people and maims a whole generation is not a government with whom to negotiate. It is nothing short of travesty that the Obama administration is still mired in the illusion that a political solution is possible.
INTERNATIONAL. Professor Jon Rushman has accused the US authorities of being "hysterical' after seizing the bank account of the world's biggest Bitcoin exchange and called for an "intelligent debate" about the future of virtual currency.
EGYPT. The Egyptian government is facing an increasingly difficult set of economic circumstances that could raise inflationary pressures and lead to further social unrest, says a report by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
INTERNATIONAL. Syria said its troops destroyed an Israeli vehicle that crossed into its territory and warned that any attempt to violate its sovereignty would meet "immediate and firm retaliation".
UAE. "We found 41% of participants indicated that CSR is reported directly to the CEO, which demonstrates the importance of CSR as an emerging business issue."
INTERNATIONAL. Nothing new is coming online anytime soon and movement on developing renewable energy resources has been sadly inadequate. The idea that shale reservoirs will lead the US to energy independence will soon enough be recognized as unrealistic hype.
iNTERNATIONAL. Control over Homs will enable al Assad to rapidly move forces from the north to the south to meet emerging rebel threats. It will also provide a key avenue of retreat to the Alawite coast in the event that he needs to flee Damascus.
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