As part of our coverage for Al Manakh 2, we recently visited some of the most important cultural attractions of Bahrain. From the renovated cultural centers in Al Muharraq to the pedestrian areas of Al Adliya, Bahrain is definitely on the right track to become a cultural hub for the region.

… Despite the economic slump, Dubai’s electricity demand rose 13% last quarter and water consumption increased 7% … [read more]

As part of Al Manakh 2’s coverage of Saudi Arabia (not covered in Al Manakh 1), Al Manakh recently held events and meetings in Riyadh and Jeddah. Al Manakh 2 correspondent Reda Sijiny (left) arranged for a thoughtful meeting with Dr. Sami Angawi (right), an architect and an expert on Meccah… (read more)

From trained masseuses to folk dancers, the Arabian Travel Market 2009 (ATM) presented a talent-injected sales pitch to an audience of not only travel agents and investors but also a public hungry for any uplifting news. In sharp contrast to March’s Cityscape Abu Dhabi, engulfed by a sober reality [see Al Manakh report], ATM which ran from May 5th to 8th managed to deliver its visitors an optimism against economic crisis that has emotionally curdled the UAE for the past half year.

Under the direction of the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), six new cities are currently in development totalling ‘four times the geographical area of Hong Kong, three times the population of Dubai, and an economic output equal to that of Singapore.’

…Saudi tourism and antiquities officials said they were considering a loan program to save the quickly dilapidating historic buildings of Jeddah’s center… (read more)