Major commercial projects in the Persian Gulf: Middle East contracts

This file concerns the monitoring of commercial and defence contracts in the Middle East, upon the request by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Douglas Hurd. It contains memoranda and correspondence concerning:

• Lists of major projects proposed in the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Oman, the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) and Saudi Arabia
• Desalination units for Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (DUBAL)
• The proposed construction of a hospital in Sharjah
• A new arrivals terminal for Dubai International Airport
• The poor performance of British contractors in winning commercial contracts in Oman
• A proposed naval base in Oman
• The contract for the construction of the proposed Sultan Qaboos University in Oman
• The poor communication within HMG, and between HMG and commercial interests undermining the ability of British contractors to win contracts
• The project for the construction of an airbase in Qatar; French competition for contracts; and the undertaking of consultation by the Qataris themselves
• The failure of British contractors to make a substantial effort to win a contract for gas turbines for Qatar
• The poor sales capability of British manufacturers and contractors
• The development of the North West Dome Gas Field
• The sale of Chieftain tanks to Kuwait
• The construction of natural gas storage tanks on Das Island
• Well head development at the Upper Zakum oil field
• The local manufacture of Hawk aircraft in Iraq
• Aircraft sales and defence cooperation with Saudi Arabia
• The sale of Hawk to the UAE, and an article in The Times concerning the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s mishandling of the sale during her visit to the Gulf in April 1981
• The sale of Rapier missiles to Qatar
• Possible contracts with the Arab Satellite Communications Organisation (ARABSAT)
• HM Ambassador to Qatar C T Brant’s monitoring of the prospects for contracts in Qatar