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 (
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2010 UAE – Northern Emirates archive
2009 UAE – Northern Emirates archive
2008 UAE – Northern Emirates archive
2007 UAE – Northern Emirates archive
Pre-2003-2006 UAE – Northern Emirates archive
Return to main GSN's World Northern Emirates page
Return to main GSN's World UAE page
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| 2010 Archive – UAE – Northern Emirates |
Dubai’s debts provoke criticism, northern emirates’ outlook mixed
Risk management report. Issue 890, 26 November 2010. more
RAK’s Saud names key aides, sees off rival brother
Having seen off his estranged older half-brother Sheikh Khalid Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi in late October, new RAK ruler Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi has been settling in.
Issue 889, 12 November 2010. more
RAK ruler’s death will test Saud’s leadership
Ras Al-Khaimah ruler Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi died on 27 October after a long illness. Sheikh Saqr, who was in his early 90s, took power in a bloodless coup in January 1948 and was thought to be one of the world’s longest-serving rulers.
Issue 888, 29 October 2010. more
New naval base opened to secure exports
A new naval base in Fujairah was opened on 20 October as the federal government seeks ways to secure its ability to export oil amid growing tensions with Iran and concerns over the accessibility of the Strait of Hormuz.
Issue 888, 29 October 2010. more
Debts weigh down Dubai as rulers talk up recovery and restructuring
Risk management report
Issue 884, 3 September 2010. more
Rosneft to invest $630m in Sharjah
Russia’s Rosneft is set to pump $630m into its joint project with UAE-based Crescent Petroleum.
Issue 883, 27 August 2010. more
US congressman points to RAK as ‘gateway to Iran’
US Democratic congressman Brad Sherman has told the House Committee on Foreign Affairs that the UAE remains a “transhipment and diversion hub” and does “not effectively control exports to Iran and other countries of proliferation”.
Issue 882, 30 July 2010. more
Topaz gets $45m EPC contract from Gulf Petrochem
Dubai-based Topaz Engineering has been awarded a $45m engineering, procurement and construction contract from Sharjah-based Gulf Petrochem. The contract covers the first phase of a petroleum storage terminal near Fujairah port.
Issue 880, 2 July 2010. more
More press chatter about RAK ‘plots’, while Sheikh Saqr remains in hospital
An upsurge in interest in the tiny emirate puts the spotlight once again on the struggle for power between the aged ruler’s feuding sons
Issue 879, 18 June 2010. more
California Strategies alleges hacking
In early June, California Strategies asked US attorney general Eric Holder to investigate what the firm believes is a case of computer hacking. The company believes hackers had accessed sensitive files relating to their client, Sheikh Khalid Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi.
Issue 879, 18 June 2010. more
RAK keen to reduce debt
Ras Al-Khaimah has said it wants to avoid the problems of neighbouring Dubai and reduce its $1.36bn debt after funding its development boom through Islamic bonds.
Issue 879, 18 June 2010. more
Ambitious Crescent ties up with the Russians
Sharjah-based company’s oil and gas exploration deal with Rosneft will focus on the Mena region
Issue 878, 4 June 2010. more
New emirate-focused RMR comes as Dubai reshuffles and restructures
Risk management report
Issue 875, 23 April 2010. more
Gama plans executive facility
British company Gama Aviation has announced plans for a multimillion dollar luxury business travel facility at Sharjah International Airport, in a move which could challenge the dominance of Dubai International Airport.
Issue 874, 9 April 2010. more
RAK Crown Prince's talks
Ras Al-Khaimah Crown Prince Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi has held talks with visiting Zambian President Rupiah Banda.
Issue 873, 19 March 2010. more
RAK Petroleum ups its game with Africa move, DNO stake
RAK Petroleum (RAK-P) has farmed into the Hammamet exploration permit offshore Tunisia. Canada’s Storm Ventures International (SVI) was awarded the block in June 2005. It now holds a 35% operated interest, down from 65%, and has conducted 2D and 3D seismic. Australia’s Cooper Energy holds the remaining 35%.
Issue 872, 5 March 2010. more
| 2009 Archive – UAE – Northern Emirates |
Death of RAK Ruler's son
Sheikh Sultan, the 63-year-old son of Ras Al-Khaimah ruler Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi, died in early December.
Issue 868, 18 December 2009. more
Sheikh Khalid sees US concern over Iran as way back to RAK
There is continued speculation around deposed Ras Al-Khaimah Crown Prince Sheikh Khalid Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, who last year revived his political ambitions with a lobbying campaign in the United States, and who has accused his great rival and half-brother Crown Prince Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi of allowing the emirate to become a haven for terrorists and support base for Iran (GSN 861/1, 842/1).
Issue 865, 20 November 2009. more
Lacroix bid
Ajman businessman Sheikh Hassan Bin Ali Al-Nuaimi is said to be close to buying loss-making French fashion house Christian Lacroix
Issue 862, 9 October 2009. more
UAE arrests suspected RAK terror cell
When a ‘terror plot’ emerges everyone is quick to rush in with their interpretation of the (usually shadowy) events. “An armed cell related to a regional government” was reportedly uncovered over the summer in the northern emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK). Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jarida, which appeared to break the story in July, said the group included eight individuals, two of whom were UAE nationals, and the rest Syrian and Palestinian.
Issue 861, 25 September 2009. more
Northern emirates take power shortage problem to the FNC
Politicians and businessmen in the northern emirates are looking to the Federal National Council to resolve the long-running problem of electricity shortages, which have delayed residential and commercial development projects and added to losses on investments.
Issue 852, 1 May 2009. more
Ras Al-Khaimah – Sheikh Saqr: Allegiance message
Ruler Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi received a message of allegiance signed by 120,000 of his people as part of celebrations surrounding the 60th anniversary of his rule. Sheikh Saqr is one of the world’s longest-serving rulers.
Issue 849, 13 March 2009. more
Sharjah – Sheikha Budoor: Emir names daughter as Shorouq head
Ruler Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi has issued a decree establishing the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shorouq), intended to encourage investment and economic diversity.
Issue 848, 27 February 2009. more
Sharjah – Sheikh Sultan: Article criticises ‘elitism’, censorship
Outspoken younger generation businessman (and blogger) Sheikh Sultan Bin Saud Al-Qasimi has written an article in Abu Dhabi’s The National newspaper, saying there should be no space for elitism in the Gulf. He commented on the recent episode where a senior Saudi prince, Sultan Bin Fahd Bin Abdelaziz, rang a live talk show and harangued journalists for criticising the Saudi football team.
Issue 846, 30 January 2009. more
Umm Al-Quwain’s Sheikh Rashid dies
Umm Al-Quwain Ruler Sheikh Rashid Bin Ahmed Al-Mualla died in London on 2 January. He had been in poor health for some time and has been succeeded by his son Sheikh Saud Bin Rashid Al-Mualla, who had been crown prince since 1982 and becomes the eleventh Al-Mualla ruler of UAQ since the mid-18th century. Other sons of the late Emir include UAQ Deputy Ruler Sheikh Abdullah, UAQ Administrative and Finance Department chairman Sheikh Mohammed and National Bank of Umm Al-Quwain (NBUAQ) head Sheikh Nasser.
Issue 845, 16 January 2009. more
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| 2008 Archive – UAE – Northern Emirates |
The RAK succession path
Like many of the Gulf territories, RAK has not had the easiest of successions. Ruler Sheikh Saqr came to power in 1948, after deposing his uncle and father-in-law Sheikh Sultan (Saqr was married to Sultan’s daughter Sheikha Noura, the late mother of Sheikh Khalid and current Deputy Ruler Sheikh Sultan).
Also see Issue 842, 5 December 2008. more
Five years on, RAK’s Sheikh Khalid is back
What is happening in Ras Al-Khaimah? Five years after he was replaced by his half-brother Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi, former Ras Al-Khaimah crown prince Sheikh Khalid Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi is employing PR companies and YouTube to signal his return to public life, promising a ‘pledge for progress’.
Crown Prince Saud continues with business as usual in the northern emirate – on 2 December visiting Abu Dhabi for UAE National Day celebrations, meeting with President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and other rulers (Khalid was not in the party). But not everything is going to plan: in late November, only four days before celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of Ruler Sheikh Saqr Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi’s rule were due to be held (under the patronage of Sheikh Khalid’s full brother, RAK police chief Sheikh Talib) the RAK authorities decided to postpone the event until next February.
Issue 842, 5 December 2008. more
RAK – Sheikh Saud: Zanzibar meeting
Ras Al Khaimah Crown Prince Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al-Qasimi has held talks with visiting Zanzibar President Amani Abeid Karume.
Issue 839, 24 October 2008. more
Sharjah deal ‘not in Iran’s interest’
A price dispute between Sharjah’s Crescent Petroleum and National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has long delayed the sale of Iranian natural gas to the UAE emirate (GSN 812/12). But now Iran’s Interior Minister Ali Kordan has confirmed the view from Tehran that: “It is clear that the contents of the contract do not serve Iran’s national interests.”
Issue 837, 26 September 2008. more
Also see Issue 832, 30 June 2008: Iran/UAE: Crescent promises gas imports ‘in three months’
Ajman – Speed loving Sheikh Rashid backs Ajman’s mega-projects
Hollywood film star Patrick Swayze has been through recent ups and downs over his investment in Ajman’s $1bn PKN Princess Resort development. In mid-June, the Ajman authorities said the project – their joint development with California/Dubai-based PKN Group – had been axed, but gave no reason.
Issue 832, 30 June 2008. more
RAK emerges as a significant player in the resources industry, to underpin domestic growth
Ras Al-Khaimah is pursuing an aggressive development plan to double its GDP over the next five years, and is venturing abroad to meet local and regional resource needs. Its crown prince told GSN RAK was working hard to counter energy and other shortfalls, as it works to compete with bigger, richer emirates.
Issue 825, 14 March 2008. more
Sharjah’s new deputy ruler
Sharjah Ruler Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi has named Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salim Bin Sultan Al-Qasimi as another Sharjah deputy ruler. He is the deputy chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council and has been chief of the Emiri court since 1991.
Issue 825, 14 March 2008. more
Dana Gas sources feedstock closer to home
Sharjah-based Dana Gas has won a 25-year exploration and development concession for the Western Offshore block. The concession, in Sharjah, covers a total offshore area of more than 1,000 km2, and includes the development of the Zora gas field, which was discovered in 1979.
Issue 825, 14 March 2008. more
Ajman – CP Sheikh Ammar: Equine diplomacy
Ajman Crown Prince Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al-Nuaimi has been in Doha, for a meeting with heir apparent Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani. Sheikh Ammar’s horses recently took part in the 17th Qatar International Arabian Horse Show.
Issue 825, 14 March 2008. more
Smaller emirate’s ‘fate’ to absorb Dubai’s boom
Ajman is among the smaller emirates looking to exploit the dynamics of Dubai to build a new economy for itself. In an interview, economic adviser at the Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dr Abdel Fattah Farah told GSN the emirate was “very happy” to capture Dubai’s overspill, in part caused by high living costs in the most commercial of the emirates, which he called “fate”. “This is what has pushed Ajman towards its own economic development,” Farah said.
Issue 824, 29 February 2008. more
Access to gas is crucial to continuing the UAE’s boom
Each UAE city state now has big plans to bring in industrial and real estate investors to help meet their growing populations’ demands, but GSN’s soundings suggest these ambitions are being put at risk by differences over how to allocate the federation’s energy resources.
Issue 824, 29 February 2008. more
Also see Issue 824: UAE gas use: a question of supply and demand
Gulf companies target African energy plays: New look RAK
Ras Al-Khaimah is fast emerging as an investor in Africa. RAK Petroleum is new and ambitious, established to take advantage of the current liquidity in the Gulf. It has a web of backers and shareholders who number among the UAE (and region’s) most prominent business families.
Issue 821, 21 January 2008. more
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| 2007 Archive – UAE – Northern Emirates |
Sharjah fights to keep Dana Gas’ Iranian import deal alive
A dispute over pricing has led to delays in Sharjah-based Dana Gas’ deal to import Iranian gas into the UAE.
Issue 812, 14 September 2007. more
RAK plans to be offshore hub of the region
In an attempt to continue diversifying and growing RAK’s economy, Crown Prince Sheikh Saud and his team of business advisors are planning to capture a portion of the region’s offshore market through the latest development, RAK Offshore.
Issue 809, 6 July 2007. 
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RAK’s economic growth
Chairman of Ras Al-Khaimah Investment Authority and advisor to Crown Prince Sheikh Saud, Dr Khater Massaad, told GSN that RAK’s economy grew by a robust 18% in 2006, and is expected to continue doing so in 2007.
Issue 809, 6 July 2007. more
RAK’S Sheikh Saqr uses Dubai model to capture his own market
Ras Al-Khaimah’s latest venture to develop a financial centre reflects the northernmost emirate’s opening to business as Crown Prince Sheikh Saud endeavours to be taken seriously alongside his more globally recognised Emirati neighbours.
Issue 808, 22 June 2007. more
RAK Petroleum continues its apparently irresistible rise
Ras Al-Khaimah’s ambitious new player RAK Petroleum has made a number of big acquisitions this year in preparation for its forthcoming initial public offering (IPO).
The latest, Gulf Keystone, highlights the newcomer’s determination to benefit from the region’s liquidity boom and establish itself as real player with hard assets.
Issue 806, 25 May 2007. more
Western-style universities adopt differing approaches to achieving academic excellence
Emirates are looking west for expertise as they seek to develop their educational institutions, in a world where investment in knowledge is crucial to the long-term competitiveness of high-cost economies. GSN examines the strategy of two institutions in what is becoming one of the biggest growth industries in the smaller GCC states.
Issue 801,16 March 2007. more
Fujairah’s new crown prince brings business experience to emerging government role
Preparations for an orderly succession line are being bedded down early in Fujairah with the confirmation of the Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Mohammed Al-Sharqi’s son Sheikh Mohammed Bin Hamad as heir apparent. The relatively youthful crown prince has gained some business experience, taken over in December as chairman of Fujairah Oil Technology, a government company whose Sulphco offshoot specialises in reducing oil densities and sulphur content.
Issue 797, 19 January 2007. more
2010 UAE – Northern Emirates archive
2009 UAE – Northern Emirates archive
2008 UAE – Northern Emirates archive
2007 UAE – Northern Emirates archive
Pre-2003-2006 UAE – Northern Emirates archive
Return to main GSN's World Northern Emirates page
Return to main GSN's World UAE page
Select another country
