Common Ground News Service

‘Entrepreneurial Spirit’ Sweeping Through Middle East

‘Entrepreneurial Spirit’ Sweeping Through Middle East

NADA AKL, CGNEWS: Positive role models and an increasingly connected world are having a positive effect in encouraging young entrepreneurs

 Common Ground News Service

Moroccan Youth Take Initiative To Reform Society

Moroccan Youth Take Initiative To Reform Society

NADIA RABBAA, CGNEWS: End corruption, reform the judicial system, better access to education and better healthcare. Key demands of Moroccan youth organisations

 Rob L. Wagner

Is Saudi Arabia’s Auto Industry a Non-Starter?

Is Saudi Arabia’s Auto Industry a Non-Starter?

ROB L. WAGNER: As the authorities in Saudi Arabia seek to diversify the country’s economy what’s the future for one of their key strategic moves?

 Abu Muhammed

Literacy: The Fatal Flaw At Heart of Saudi Academia

Literacy: The Fatal Flaw At Heart of Saudi Academia

ABU MOHAMMED: The way in which Saudi university students is taught simply does not encourage independent, critical thought. Maybe not a problem.

 Crossroads Arabia

Women Only ‘Industrial Cities’ For Saudi Arabia

Women Only ‘Industrial Cities’ For Saudi Arabia

CROSSROADS ARABIA: The announcement of four industrial cities to be staffed entirely by women marks a further step in the ‘separate but equal’ doctrine

 Sultan Al Qassemi

Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman: A Power House Emerging

Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman: A Power House Emerging

SULTAN AL QASSEMI: Combined the three emirates would be in the top 10 in the Arab world for population, and a GDP of $100 bn, its eight largest.

 American Bedu

‘Diploma Mill’: Easy Qualification for Some Saudis

‘Diploma Mill’: Easy Qualification for Some Saudis

AMERICAN BEDU: It’s a determinant of salary and position in many organisations but how useful is a university degree for Saudi citizens?

 Common Ground News Service

‘Turkey Is Our Model State’, Say Egyptians In Survey

‘Turkey Is Our Model State’, Say Egyptians In Survey

LUCY CHUMBLEY, CGNEWS: The role of religion in society is important for Egyptians but not as important as a strong economy.

 Editor, MEP

UAE Economy Remains Arab World Showcase

UAE Economy Remains Arab World Showcase

The oil price has been defying gravity for some time and you can see the dollar and oil being, if anything even more of a safe haven.

 Francis Matthew

Most Admired: UAE, Turkey Top Arab Youth Survey

Most Admired: UAE, Turkey Top Arab Youth Survey

FRANCIS MATTHEW: This regional popularity is an asset and the UAE should make every effort to nurture the conditions that built this reputation.

 Rania Al Malky

Daily News Egypt: Casualty of the Revolution

Daily News Egypt: Casualty of the Revolution

Daily News Egypt, the only independent English language newspaper published in Egypt has closed its doors after a 70% collapse in ad revenues.

 Crossroads Arabia

Saudi Crackdown on Expats: Feeling Unwelcome

Saudi Crackdown on Expats: Feeling Unwelcome

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Life’s getting tougher for expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia.

 Common Ground News Service

Tunisia: Economic Woes Point To ‘Major Trouble’

Tunisia: Economic Woes Point To ‘Major Trouble’

AMINE GHALI, CGNEWS: With growth stagnant, foreign companies leaving in droves Tunisia’s new government faces huge issues

 Naseem Tarawnah

Army: Making Jordan’s Mass Employer Pay

Army: Making Jordan’s Mass Employer Pay

NASEEM TARAWNAH: With 100,000 active personnel, nearly 65,000 in reserve , and household sizes of 5.4 that’s 891,000 people linked to the army’s payroll.

 Alexander McNabb

Ratings Agencies: The Emperor Has No Clothes

Ratings Agencies: The Emperor Has No Clothes

ALEXANDER MCNABB: I’m bewildered at the power that three ratings agencies wield in the world today.

 David Westley

News Analysis: The UAE’s new bankruptcy law

News Analysis: The UAE’s new bankruptcy law

NEWS ANALYSIS: The UAE is in the early stages of implementing a new bankruptcy law that will allow companies the time they need to restructure their business…

 Steve Royston

Default: Political Cowardice & Ratings Agencies

Default: Political Cowardice & Ratings Agencies

STEVE ROYSTON: I would suggest that to downgrade US debt while leaving other sovereign debts at a higher rating is a meaningless exercise.

 Steve Royston

Powerless: Why We’re At the Mercy of the Markets

Powerless: Why We’re At the Mercy of the Markets

STEVE ROYSTON: Whereas the blind are at least able to steer clear of walls and ditches, the rest of us don’t have the faculties even to recognise the wall.

 James M. Dorsey

Strauss-Kahn Arrest puts European control of IMF at risk

Strauss-Kahn Arrest puts European control of IMF at risk

JAMES M. DORSEY: Emerging markets are demanding that the heads of major international institutions be chosen on the basis of merit…

 Mishaal Al Gergawi

Paranoia and Control in the Gulf Economy

Paranoia and Control in the Gulf Economy

MISHAAL AL GERGAWI: Incubation is the most innovative role governments can play, sparking industries whose high start up costs are a barrier to entry.