QATAR GROK Daily News – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
Israel Rejects Qatari Proposal to Restore Diplomatic Ties [May 29]
“An Israeli newspaper said that the Israeli government has rejected recently two proposals from Qatar to restore diplomatic relations and let Israel reopen an office in the country’s capital, Doha. Qatar and Israel have a recent history of cooperation and the small Gulf Kingdom had believed diplomatic relations would continue their amiable relationship. According to a Ha’aretz report last week, which quoted a senior source in Jerusalem as saying that in return for renewed diplomatic relations, the Qataris demanded that they be allowed to carry out a series of reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip and to import the necessary construction materials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman were unwilling to agree to this, the official reportedly said..” [Complete Report]
Qatar Patient With its $19bn Jewel [May 29]
“Royal Dutch Shell and its partner Qatar Petroleum have started commissioning the world’s biggest natural gas project, a gas-to-liquids (GTL) plant valued at US$19 billion (Dh69.73bn) that will mostly produce a type of ultra-clean diesel fuel. But the expected commercial debut of the huge Pearl GTL project by the end of this year will take place against the backdrop of a world awash with transportation fuels, especially diesel. The global recession hit just as Middle Eastern and Asian oil refiners were undertaking major capacity expansions geared towards diesel, the fuel that is usually derived from crude oil and powers lorries, trains and the lion’s share of industrial heavy lifting. Where there once were diesel shortages, there is now overabundant supply. Enter Pearl, apparently on a miscue..” [Complete Report]
Qatar in talks with Lebanon to supply LNG [May 29]
“According to Lebanon this Week published by Byblos Bank, Qatar’s Energy Ministry indicated that it is in talks to supply Lebanon with 3 million tons of liquefied natural as (LNG). A study commissioned by the World Bank from consultants Poten & Partners indicated that liquefied natural can offer important support to Lebanon’s energy sector over the medium to long term by significantly reducing power generation costs. It estimated Lebanon’s needs at 1.5 million to 2 million tons per year by 2020, and encouraged authorities to move quickly to secure LNG supply. It identified Qatar, Algeria, Yemen and Egypt as the key potential LNG sources given their supply availability and geographic proximity to Lebanon. It said Lebanon could secure long term prices of around $7 per million British Thermal unit in the current surplus market conditions, and that Lebanon would not have to pay an additional country-specific risk premium..” [Complete Report]
US$100m Doha Cables is Qatar’s First Cable Maker [May 29]
“Doha Cables LLC, Qatar’s first cable manufacturer, has been launched officially in the Messaieed Industrial City. The company is a subsidiary of Senyar Industries, a 50:50 joint venture between Aamal Company QSC and Elsewedy Cables, an integrated cable and electrical products manufacturer. Initial contracts are in place to supply a number of new customers, including Kahramaa (Qatar’s general electricity and water corporation), Ashghal (Qatar’s public works authority), Qatar Petroleum, ABB and Siemens. The new plant is expected to make a material contribution to the future industrialisation of Qatar by helping to meet the increasing demand for cables, driven by the country’s rapid infrastructure development..” [Complete Report]
