Arabian Business reported that Oman has announced its plans to attract 12 million tourists a year by 2020. Considering the Omani 2010 census suggested the sultanate's population was just under 3 million, this would be an amazing achievement. Perhaps some of the tourists heading in Oman's direction will be brave enough to pop over the border into Yemen, which is arguably more beautiful and, violence aside, makes a wonderful tourist destination.
Qatar has also set itself a goal for 2020, although not one which concerns tourists. The Wall Street Journal reported that Qatar will build a $5.5 billion petrochemical plant in the northern industrial city of Ras Laffan by 2018. Qatar is making a significant effort to utilise its gas reserves, which are currently the 3rd largest in the world and plans to more than double its petrochemical production by 2020.
The Kuwait Times reported that all forms of smoking have been banned in "most" public places (the article is a little vague as to where exactly). Interestingly, the ban includes the smoking of sheesha in public. I will watch to see if the Kuwaitis are as good at adhering to the smoking ban as the French are at ignoring theirs...
And finally...
The Khaleej Times reported that Dubai’s shares have reached an all-time high after its benchmark index rose to the highest in more than six months after Drake & Scull International posted better-than-forecast earnings and Greek lawmakers passed a plan to avert default. This will be welcome news to the financially troubled emirate.
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