Gulfsands is going to invest almost $25 million after a discovery at oil fields near the Iraqi border.

The company thinks the Khurbet East field can produce 100,000 barrels-per-day.

Labels: Economy

The past seven days in Syria really could have taken place in 1987, not 2007.

If two events show us that nothing has changed, it is the parliamentary elections, and the sentencing of human rights campaigner Anwar Al-Bunni.

The embarrassing contrast of Syria's polls taking place on the same day that France voted for its new president wasn't lost on many observers outside the country. One point kept being repeated: part of parliament is 'reserved' for the Baath. Yes, there are many independents, who do fight a genuine campaign, and who won dozens of seats. But Syria is no France.

The focus on Syria feels like it has more than a tinge of hypocricy. Hariri bought off opponents in Beirut - so that almost all of the capital's voters had just one choice on their ballot paper: a Hariri candidate. And what of the Gulf states, where until recently women's voice was surpressed. Or Egypt, where anti-Mubarak bloggers are detained and raped by police, and where politicians are jailed en-mass (Ayman Nour and the Muslim Brotherhood). Or Saudi Arabia, where no-one votes.

Should any of this come as a surprise? Did we really expect a change since the last elections in 2003? There hasn't been any pretence of political reform. How can we complain that there hasn't been enough movement, and then act surprised when we realise we're still standing in the same place?

The election period has just drawn attention to that stagnation. And it takes the focus away from the very real economic progress. Growth has gone above 5%, the World Economic Forum praised Syria's improvements on rooting out corruption - one year after an anti-corruption drive was launched, and foreign private banks have sprung up. Tourist developments are underway across the country, funded by Saudi and Qatari money. It's part of Syria's aim to attract 7 million tourists into the country, to fill the gap left by the dwindling oil reserves.

Seven years ago, few believed much would change in Syria's economy. Not enough has happened, but there has been just enough to surprise us all. Maybe we shouldn't be so dismissive of the promised political reform.

And now, Abdullah Al-Dardari - the former UN economist who came back to Syria to head up the economic reform - looks set to be announced as the country's new Prime Minister.

That would really show how much of a priority economic reform is.

It would also signal a significant political shift: Al-Dardari is a non-Baathist.

The self-inflicted pain wasn't limited to the elections, though. Human rights campaigner Anwar Al-Bunni has been given five years in jail.

I didn't agree with much of what he said - especially what appeared to be his support for Farid Ghadhry, who advocates a US military invasion of Syria. But I agree with his right to say it. Syria's opposition is what makes this country strong. I believe that whatever our political opinions, we will all suffer if there is a lack of debate. Bunni's voice is vital.

Over the past few years, the trend has been towards releasing political prisoners, and makes Bunni's treatment even more shocking - many were expecting him to be released, not sentenced. Other human rights campaigners claim Syria has no more than a few dozen political prisoners left in jail (excluding the Muslim Brotherhood). Amnesty International puts the figure at around 600 (including the MB).

Of course, there have been arrests and subsequent quick releases - the reveolving door. In most cases, people are held for a matter of weeks or months, and we can only hope Bunni will be face a similar fate and be out by the summer.

No such chance for a rebirth of the Sandmonkey. One of Egypt's most outspoken bloggers has signed off for the final time. The neo-con made many enemies, but no-one, it seems, can compete with the might of the Big Enemy.

We have to hope a similar fate never befalls Syria's blogosphere. It remains a strong and independent voice amid the turmoil and despair.

Labels: Democracy, Economy, Egypt, Elections, Muslim Brotherhood, reformists/dissidents, Saudi

The World Economic Forum has analysed Syria's economy for the first time, and praised it for having low corruption. It also says Syria's economic infrastructure is efficient - with the exception of the airports and sea ports.

The health care and education systems also come in for praise, where progress has been made.

Syria is ranked 12 in the world for its competitiveness (compared to other countries at the same level of development). Egypt, Morocco, Oman and Tunisia were the only Arab countries to get a higher place in the table.

Syria's economy has been the focus of liberalisation efforts in the past seven years, as political reforms have stalled. Bashar launched an anti-corruption drive months ago, which many laughed at. It seems to have paid dividends.

Earlier in his presidency, Deputy Prime Minister (and former World Bank official) Abdullah Dardari - seen as one of the country's rising stars - opened the country's economy up, creating a stock market, and allowing foreign private banks in for the first time.

The World Economic Forum did criticise Syria for the size of its budget defecit (it is spending more than it earns - mainly on a huge public sector, with far too many employees) and the size of its public debt (to fund that defecit).

They advise" "comprehensive liberalization of foreign trade and labour markets, facilitating access to finance for business as well as fostering the use of latest technologies".

It was the first time the WEF studied Syria. The United Arab Emirates was rated as the Arab World's most competitive economy - last year Qatar took that title.

Labels: Economy

Some of the achievements of the Siniora government (from UNESCO via the excellent Blogging the Middle East).

EDUCATION
- Only one in ten Lebanese primary teachers have received training (equal to Sudan - in Iraq and Palestine, all teachers are trained).

- 12.7% of government expenditure is spent on education (compared to 20% in Djibouti, Morocco, Oman, and UAE).

ELECTRICITY
- There were fewer power cuts during Israel's war on Lebanon (when Israel was targeting power stations) than there are now.

- The government gave the Ministry of Energy and Water 0.5% of all the money it spends in 2005 (before Siniora came to power it was 1.1%).

- The government gives the National Lottery 0.7% of all the money it spends.

Labels: Economy, Lebanon, Siniora