Join Ed James and Colin Foreman for a different kind of end-of-year market review. Instead of a conventional presentation, they will go head-to-head on the issues, challenges and decisions shaping the region’s future
🌐 Webinar: The big questions shaping the Gulf market. You decide what gets debated.
🗓 Tuesday 24 November 2026 | 🕐 11:00 AM GST | Register now
What makes this session particularly interesting is that the audience gets to decide the agenda. Registrants can vote for the topics they’d like Ed and Colin to debate, with the most popular questions forming the final shortlist for the live session.
Topics in the ballot:
- Is the Gulf trying to build too much, too quickly?
- Saudi Arabia or the UAE: where would you place your next big bet?
- Are gigaprojects the best use of public money?
- Who is really responsible when projects go wrong?
- Should the lowest-price tender become a thing of the past?
- Can private capital take over from the government in financing infrastructure and diversification?
- Is the Gulf’s AI and data centre boom a smart bet or the next overbuilding risk?
- Should the Gulf double down on hydrocarbons to fund diversification?
- Is localisation strengthening the economy or making delivery harder?
- Are Gulf countries building complementary economies or competing for the same customers?
The session will also feature live audience polling and Q&A, giving attendees an opportunity to share their views.
Hosted by:
Edward James, head of content and analysis at MEED
A well-known and respected thought leader in Mena affairs, Edward James has been with MEED for more than 19 years, working as a researcher, consultant and content director. Today, he heads up all content and research produced by the MEED group. His specific areas of expertise are construction, hydrocarbons, power and water, and the petrochemicals market. He is considered one of the world’s foremost experts on the Mena projects market. He is a regular guest commentator on Middle East issues for news channels such as the BBC, CNN and ABC News and is a regular speaker at events in the region.
Colin Foreman, editor of MEED
Colin Foreman is editor and a specialist construction journalist for news and analysis on MEED.com and the MEED Business Review magazine. He has been reporting on the region since 2003, specialising in the construction sector and its impact on the broader economy. He has reported exclusively on a wide range of projects across the region including Dubai Metro, the Burj Khalifa, Jeddah Airport, Doha Metro, Hamad International airport and Yas Island. Before joining MEED, Colin reported on the construction sector in Hong Kong.
