26-29 September: Affordable Housing Development Summit Middle East, Manama
27-28 September: Unconventional Gas, London
3-5 October: Middle East Investments Summit 2010, Dubai
3-6 October: SWPF - Saudi Water & Power Forum 2010 Conference & Exhibition, Saudi Arabia
3-7 October: Funds Forum Middle East, Bahrain
4-6 October: POWER-GEN Middle East 2010, Doha, Qatar
10-12 October: The 3rd annual Saudi Arabia International Oil & Gas Exhibition & Conference, Dammam
11-12 October: Unconventional Oil 2010, London
12-14 October: Offshore Middle East 2010: The 3rd Annual Offshore Middle East Conference & Exhibition, Doha
18-19 October: Maghreb/Middle East Renewable Energy Conference, Marrakech
24-27 October: MENA Mining Congress 2010, Dubai
26-28 October: Iraq Mega Projects 2010 Conference & Exhibition, Istanbul
27-28 October: Gas to Liquids 2010, London
21-23 November: Private Equity World MENA 2010, Dubai
29 November-1 December: Iraq Petroleum 2010 Conference, London
6-8 December: Smart Grids Middle East, Dubai
Briefings & Reports
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Need an expert briefing to support an investment decision?
GSN’s team of experienced analysts are often called on by governments and their agencies, financial institutions, and energy companies to comment on developments in the Gulf region. Our analysts are available for private briefings (either by telephone or in person) and can produce tailored reports and research on a range of topics and issues. For more information contact Mark Ford. Email:mark@cbi-publishing.com
Politics, succession & risk in Saudi Arabia report
Politics, succession and risk in Saudi Arabia is a GSN special report, published in January 2010. The new report analyses Saudi policy on issues including succession, domestic and regional politics, defence, energy and financial trends, and features extensively researched biographical entries on 1,200 Al-Sauds from the ruling family’s main branch, together with profiles of leading cadet branch businessmen, and a range of maps and graphics.
Read more about the report
Islamic Finance Report
Published in June 2009, this GSN report is an essential reference tool for both newcomers, and well-established bankers and practitioners. Read more
Endorsements
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Professor Gerd Nonneman director Institute of Arab & Islamic Studies (IAIS), University of Exeter
"I have been a genuine admirer for many years. I regard GSN as the only one that focuses properly on Arabia and on Saudi Arabia in particular. That alone makes it very special as no country in the region is less understood in the UK than Saudi Arabia."
Stephen Day, consultant and former British ambassador
"GSN is by far the most professional and well-informed report on the region."
Luc Debieuvre, Bank Audi Saradar
"The website is excellent and adds value to an already very valuable publication"
José Silva Pereira general secretary Partex Oil and Gas
"Gulf States Newsletter provides a fund of information and insights for bankers and investors who are serious about doing business in the Gulf."
Francis Beddington, Banker and Economist
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On the page below you will find a selection of articles from the GSN archive. Please note that while some of the content is free to access, all items preceded by a padlock symbol () require a subscription.
Iran is the focus as Iraq builds heavy divisions and lines up procurement deals
Although the aftershocks of Iraq’s post-Saddam brush with state failure continue to be felt across the country, Iraqis are moving on to new concerns – including a growing apprehension about the actions of its powerful neighbours Issue 882, 30 July 2010.more
Government targets oil self-sufficiency
Iran is aiming to become self-sufficient in oil within four years, oil minister Masoud Mir-Kazemi announced during the inaugural ceremony of Morvarid Petrochemical Complex and Pardis Petrochemical Company projects on 28 July. Issue 882, 30 July 2010.more
Sanctions hit airliners, US targets gasoline
Underlining the impact of US-led campaigns on economic life in the Islamic Republic, BP has halted fuel supplies to Iranian airliners landing at any location following fresh US sanctions against the energy sector. Issue 881, 16 July 2010.more
Russian trade continues amid growing tensions
Russian energy minister Sergei Shmatko has ruled out reducing energy trade with Iran despite the sanctions imposed by the United Nations, United States and European Union. Issue 881, 16 July 2010.more
Fresh sanctions squeeze Iranian market, but specialist banks continue to service key customers
UN and US sanctions are targeting the financial sector, but the few bankers still doing business with Iran seem determined to maintain trade finance flows Issue 880, 2 July 2010.more
Bond issue for South Pars gas field
Iran appears to be making progress in funding its offshore South Pars gas field, after several major western players withdrew their expertise and financing from a number of project phases during 2010. Issue 880, 2 July 2010.more
Risk management report
Struggling economy hit by new sanctions, but opposition continues to fade Issue 880, 2 July 2010.more
Fresh sanctions loom, but Iran’s regime remains firmly entrenched
One year on from the mass protests which threatened to overthrow the regime, a new round of UN sanctions will attempt to tighten the screw on Iran’s stuttering economy, but so far President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s government has brutally seen off all challenges Issue 879, 18 June 2010.more
Foreign firms publicly reported to have commercial activity in the oil, gas, or petrochemical sectors
With the United States lining up another round of sanctions in the face of Iran’s refusal to budge over its nuclear programme, a letter and documentation sent by the Government Accountability Office to Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs chairman Joe Lieberman and Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security ranking member Jon Kyl has been doing the rounds. It records, from open source reports, the dealings of a number of global corporations with the Islamic Republic. Issue 877, 21 May 2010.more
Fake surface-to-air missiles at Army Day parade point to growing paranoia in Tehran
Iran appears to be ramping up its campaign to convince western observers of its new level of air defence amid growing fears that a military strike – most likely from Israel – is not far off Issue 876, 7 May 2010.more
Missle tests feature in Hormuz exercise
A three-day military exercise by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp (IRGC) ground, air and naval units, which began on 22 April, was intended to test a range of Iranian-built missiles and other equipment, Issue 875, 23 April 2010.more
Esfahanis’ surprise Korean bid
Entekhab Industrial Group in mid-April was named as the buyer for Daewoo Electronics in a deal thought to be worth some $540m. Entekhab and Swedish firm Electrolux AB on 24 March were named top bidders for Daewoo Electronics, which is being sold by Woori Bank representing the South Korean firm’s creditors. Issue 875, 23 April 2010.more
Popular opposition stifled, but parliament challenges Ahmadinejad’s policies
Risk management report Issue 874, 9 April 2010.more
Iran looks east to outmanoeuvre sanctions
As the United States pushes for further sanctions over Iran’s nuclear programme, China’s emergence as a major player in oil production threatens to undermine efforts to target the Islamic Republic’s besieged energy industry Issue 872, 5 March 2010.more
Iran’s Green revolutionaries just won’t go away
The regime’s hardliners thought its critics were a disparate bunch who would melt away under assault from the Basij militia. The fact that protests continue has surprised President Ahmadinejad’s allies as much as outside observers, forcing the regime and other key players – including the United States – to reassess their options Issue 871, 12 February 2010.more
Iran runs out of allies as nuclear tensions heighten
The shortfalls in Tehran’s proposal of a new deal on uranium enrichment, even while it intensifies its nuclear programme, has forced long-standing allies like Russia, as well as the Obama administration, to consider taking a much harder line against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his friends Issue 871, 12 February 2010.more
Iran’s minorities under extreme pressure
A number of minority and ethnic groups have become more prominent since June’s disputed election – and many of them have been severely repressed in an apparent attempt to intimidate them against joining the Green Movement (GSN 865/3). Issue 871, 12 February 2010.more
US running out of options on Iran
The Obama administration is turning from engagement to containment as Tehran’s domestic crisis frustrates policy Issue 870, 29 January 2010.more
Regime consolidates power despite popular unrest, sanctions damage economy
Risk management report, Issue 869, 15 January 2010.more