We want to gather here a series a business ventures of Spanish companies in Arab countries, especially in the Middle East.

Islamic banking is enjoying an increased popularity in Europe, but what about Spanish and European businesses in the Middle East? Let’s check this list out:

GOP Oficina de Proyecto SA has been granted the contract for a new study of the project of a new airport in Oman. The consulting company will choose the final location of the airport out of 5 possible locations. Moreover, the company will establish the size and major characteristics of the aiport.

Caja Canarias will open a branch in Rabat. The inauguration of this branch is part of an expansion plan into Africa, in Senegal, Morrocco, Cabo Verde and Mauritania.

Porec Irrigation Systems, based in Barcelona, entered the Dubai market. The company, specialized in irrigation systems for agriculture and gardening, has signed an agreement with Terra Verde, one of the most important gardening specialized companies in the Emirates.

Also, Spain has signed this year a number of important agreement with Arab countries. Let’s check out some of them.

Spain and the Emirates reinforce the energetic cooperation. During an official visit to the Emirates, the prince, along with a delegation of Spanish energy companies (Abengoa, Acciona, Indra, Tecnicas Reunidas and Sener), met with the president of Mubadala. At the visit, Torresol Energy (40% of which pertains to Sener) announced that it had received a funding of 540 million Euro for 20 years to build two solar plants in Cádiz. The total investment is estimated at 700 million euros and the credit line has been signed by seven Spanish financial institutions: Banco Santander, La Caixa, BBVA, Instituto de Credito Oficial (ICO), Caja Madrid, the Spanish Bank of Credit and Spanish Banco Popular.

During a meeting in Madrid, sponsored by chambers of commerce, a Kuwaiti delegation of representatives of the Ministries of Public Works, Transport and Interior informed a group of Spanish companies about the investment plan implemented nationwide in the next five years , at a total estimated amount of 43 000 million euros. Among the projects include the construction of a subway and railway network. The metro will surround the capital, Kuwait City, and have 4 lines with a total length of 170 km.

The Economic Office Trade Commission of Spain in Muscat (Oman) was opened on the 11th of January 2010. During the opening ceremony it was announced that Spain and Oman have signed an agreement to open their airspace. The opening of the office will also promote the initiation of negotiations to reach an agreement on reciprocal protection of investments in the future. Spain wishes to reinforce the presence of Spanish companies in Oman in sectors like renewable energy, construction, engineering and information technology.