Middle East's construction, infrastructure sector in 2011

The impact of the recession that hit markets worldwide has declined business in the Middle East as a consequence. But the decline was less pronounced than in other parts of the world. Middle East is a market that readily accepts new things. This region is earmarked as one of the fastest-growing markets. Each country has its own expertise and skills-set to support the whole region. The countries that were not as badly impacted as Dubai during the recession are doing well. Oil and gas projects are back on track and the utilities are investing in infrastructure again, so there has been a tremendous recovery. International Metalworking News -Middle East gathered facts about Middle East's active development projects and what metalworking manufacturers and suppliers across the world should expect in 2011. Bahrain Twenty-eight companies have so far signed leases to set up their ventures at the ambitious Bahrain International Investment Park (BliP) in Hidd. Investment from the leases was estimated at BD84 million ($222.8 million). A further 13 leases will be agreed over the next few months with a total investment of BD47 million. Bahrain plans to build a $6 billion refinery if more oil is discovered. Bahrain's exports could be boosted by $2 billion a year with the construction of a proposed steel plant. Japanese firm Yamamoto Steel is reported to be one of the driving forces behind plans for the new $1.2 billion plant in Bahrain. A $488.2 million six-year development plan for the King Faisal Highway is being implemented. It is part of a series of projects to enhance Bahrain's infrastructure so it can meet the requirements of the current investment boom. A key agreement has been signed for developing and running a BD600 million industrial investment project in Hidd. AI Khaleej Development Company (Tameer), which acquired 170 hectares of land from the government for development, gave authority to Bahrain Investment Wharf (BIW) to operate the project on its behalf. Saudi Arabia King Abdullah Economic City will be the latest Gulf site for a greenfield aluminium smelter. The plant will cost $5 billion and have a first-phase production capacity of 700,000 tonnes per year. Saudi Aramco and Total have planned to build a refinery in Jubail whose cost was initially estimated at $6.4 billion. Between 2011 and 2020, Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (Sabic) expects to invest at least $48.2 billion on 30 projects that will raise production in a host of petrochemicals. These projects follow 11 ventures marked for completion between 2006 and 2011 at a total price of $25.9 billion. Of these, two have been completed and nine will have their mechanical commissioning this year or in the next two years. Saudi Aramco and US Dow Chemical Co are building a large petrochemical complex with an investment of at least $26 billion. There will be a big industrial area around it to house downstream industries. The second, third and fourth phases of Jubail industrial City-2, which will be completed in 2011, 2015 and 2020 respectively are expected to attract total private investments of SR138 billion (36.8 billion). King Abdullah Economic City to the north of Jeddah is being built with an investment of $26.6 billion. Ma'aden is developing a phosphate venture with Sabic at a cost of $5.6 billion. Ma'aden also features in a project to mine bauxite at Az Zabirah in the north of the Kingdom to produce 720,000 tonnes of aluminium per year at a facility in Aes Az Zour. MMC International Holdings and Saudi Binladin Group (SBGI) have signed an agreement with Aluminium Corp. of China Ltd to develop, own and operate an aluminium smelter at Jizan Economic City. Saudi Industrial Investment Group will set up a $4 billion firm to build a new petrochemicals complex in Saudi Arabia with Chevron Phillips. United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi is investing $15 billion in the first phase of a greAir Precision 2017