An IC Publication • 35th year • The bestselling English language pan-Arab magazine

UAESPECIALREPORT

FEBRUARY 2009 ISSUE 397

10"

10.5"

1.5"

Why rich countries

are buying the world’s

most fertile land

PLUS

Iraq: Turning the page? Gulf investors look to Europe North African real estate

GCC banks to merge The global currency race Cinema: Salt of this Sea

Euro Zone €4.00 • UK £2.90 • USA $4.95 • Algeria DA220 • Australia A$7.50 • Bahrain BD1.500 • Canada $5.50 • CFA Zone CFA2500 • Cyprus ¤3.85 Denmark DKr33 • Egypt E£13 • Ethiopia BR20 • Gambia Da50 • Ghana GH¢ 2.00 • Indonesia R 29,700 • Iran IR35,000 • Japan Y700 • Jordan JD2.500 • Kenya KShs250 • Kuwait KD1.200 • Lebanon LL 5.000 • Liberia US $3 • Malaysia RM14.90 • Mauritius MR 150 • Morocco Dh 25• Nigeria N 250 • Norway NOK 59 • Oman OR 1.500 • Qatar QR15 • Saudi Arabia Rls15 • Sierra Leone LE 5,000 • Singapore S$6.90 • South Africa R 24.95 (inc. tax) • Other Southern African Countries R 21.90 (excl. tax) • Sweden SKr 33 • Switzerland SFr 8.70 • Tanzania TShs 5000 • Tunisia TD 2.500 • Turkey 3.75YTL • UAE Dh 15 • Uganda USh 6,750 • Zambia K12,500