Dewa gives nod for power project
Dubai: The Emirates Trading Agencies and the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) have given the go ahead to a Dh347 million ($94.47 million) project to improve Dubai’s electricity transmission.

The project involves the construction of nine major substations and aims at enhancing the reliability of Dewa’s transmission network.
The substations and the new cable network will be at Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ), International city, Arabian Ranches and the Dubai International Financial City.
The extension to the structure is part of Dewa’s master plan for the area. Construction of the substations that started last month will be operational by early 2005, a source said.

Cargo Village expedites first phase
Dubai: The Dubai Cargo Village plans expediting the first phase of the mega terminal to complete it by early 2006.
Investment plans involve pumping $200 million into the project in four phases.
According to general manager Abdullah Mohammed bin Khediya, by the end of the final phase, the cargo village will be able to hold an additional four million tonnes of cargo.
The decision to go faster was taken in the wake of a very encouraging performance last year, a difficult period for the industry.

UNEC to build textile city
Dubai: The Textile Merchants Group (Texmas) has signed a Dh212 million ($57.73million) contract with United Engineering Contracting (UNEC) to build the Dubai Textile City (DTC), a report said.
The work on the DTC is expected to start early this month and will be completed in 18 months, Texmas said.
The main consultant for the project is Arif & Bintoak Consultants while Model Engineering Consultants will be the engineers representing the client.
Six million sq ft has been allotted by Dubai Customs for the project in Warsan en route to Al Aweer.

Ceag to partner with BMTS
Dubai: Ceag, a German leader in emergency lighting and central battery systems, has signed a sales and service partnership with BMTS (Bahri and Mazroei Technical Systems) of Dubai.
Dr Klaus Vatter, managing director of Ceag Germany, stated that Ceag products will now be available through the BMTS network in Dubai.
Esam Al Mazroei, general manager of BMTS, said: “We see our participation and association with Ceag as an ideal route to link up to its latest technology of products.”

Reisco unveils Capital Plaza
Abu Dhabi: Real Estate Investment and Services Company (Reisco) has unveiled the Dh750 million ($204.1 million) Capital Plaza project on Abu Dhabi corniche.
The project involves the construction of five towers including a 250-room luxury hotel, a 25,000 sq m office building, 220 luxury apartments including 21 sky villas and six rooftop villa type apartments located in three towers, retail facilities and underground parking for 1,200 cars.
The project will also include a private beach and recreation facilities with an underpass to connect the plaza with the beach.
The Dh350 million phase one of the project is being financed with a bank loan of Dh259 million. The facility has been lead arranged by National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) with Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ABDC), Union National Bank (UNB) and First Gulf Bank (FGB).
Construction of the five towers will start soon and is scheduled for completion in 42 months time.

Dubai to get German Centre in 2005
Dubai: Rakadh bin Salem bin Rakadh Al Ameri has announced the development of the Dh220.3 million ($60 million) German Centre, Dubai, in close cooperation with the German Industry and Commerce Office (AHK) in Dubai.
The project will encourage the relocation of major existing German companies and government agencies under one roof.
The seven-storey development on Mina Road, Dubai, has been designed by German architect Lucas Scheid and features 12,000 sq m of office space for lease, serviced offices, conference and event facilities, a state-of-the-art business centre, as well as a ground floor lobby with restaurant, shops and showroom, rooftop garden, and a luxury 60-room boutique hotel. Construction work will start this month and the project is due for completion in mid-2005. Dubai-based Intelpro is the project manager.

Sharjah to get two more corniches
Sharjah: Two more corniches will be set up in Sharjah at Al Khan and Al Mamzar North Lagoons by the end of this year, said engineer Ahmad Mohammad Fikri, director general of Sharjah Municipality, in a report.
According to him, construction work is in progress and will finish by the end of 2004.
“The corniche in Al Khan and Al Mamzar will look similar to Buhairah Corniche.
The lagoons will have walkways, beaches, proper landscaping and date palm trees encircling them, benches to sit and parking areas,” he said.

Ras Al Khaimah to get facelift
Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah’s new structure plan has outlined 10 major projects which will give the emirate a facelift.
The 10 projects include: RAK-Sharjah Ring Road, Al Hamra Fort Resort, Al Murjan Island, Noor Project, Khor Al Qarm (Jazerah Al Hamrah) resort development, Tower Links Golf Course, Al Shamal area nationals subdivision, Al Khabil area nationals subdivision, Hulaya island development and Ras Al Khaimah airport master plan.
Work on some of these projects has started and the others are expected to start soon. The plan seeks to develop the Ras Al Khaimah Metro area until 2015. It also seeks to provide a safe and pleasant living environment, protect the environment and promote economic growth.
The plan considered the area from the Ras Al Khaimah-Umm Al Quwain border to Saqr Port and areas such as Digdagah and the airport. It will also examine special areas of opportunity, whether for tourism, industry, environmental protection and the main area to be examined is Khatt Hot Springs.

Police HQ annexes complete
Sharjah: The Ministry of Public Works and Housing, which completed the headquarters of the Sharjah Police Department in the Eastern Region in Khor Fakkan last year, has said that the other annexes are also ready.
The project, which cost Dh13 million ($3.53 million), consists of the main building, criminal research department, traffic police department, service building, drivers’ building, detention building and rooms for guards and watchmen.
The headquarters is spread over more than 18,000 sq m. The ground floor occupies 6,000 sq m, the first floor has a similar area, and the second floor occupies 400 sq m.

DIPDC launches Phase 3 of park
Dubai: The Dubai Investments Park Development Company (DIPDC) has announced a comprehensive development plan for Phase 3 of its huge Park project.
The park’s location has become even more significant following the announcement of the Dubailand project, says a top official.
Phase 3 covers the development of land for industrial and residential purposes on an area of 200 million sq ft and the next phase will focus on development of land for commercial and residential projects.
Phase 1 and 2 of the region’s only privately developed and managed fully integrated investment zone have already been completed at a cost of Dh165 million ($45 million).
Phase 2 of the park development was undertaken at an estimated cost of Dh45 million, and is spread over an area of 20 million sq ft. Phase 1 of the park, which accounts for 12 per cent of the total area of the project, was completed at a cost of Dh120 million.
As part of its commitment to support the welfare of the workforce, Dubai Investments Park is constructing an additional 230 senior/junior employee accommodation units for 1,500 people, adding to the existing junior employee accommodation facilities provided by the park.

New road to cut travel time to RAK
Dubai: The newly-constructed Dh30 million ($8.17 million) Al Tawiyeen-Odhen road, scheduled to open this month, is aimed at reducing travel time to Ras Al Khaimah. A source from the Fujairah office of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing said the 30-km road will be the shortest link between Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
The two-lane dual carriageway will be lit and will have steel fences on both sides to prevent animals from straying onto the road and will benefit residents of Al Tawiyeen, Al Riyamah, Wadi Kob, Al Muhtarika and Al Ghob, said the source.

Material costs rise by 40 per cent
Dubai: Construction material costs have gone up by a sharp 40 per cent in Dubai, impacting the sector negatively, a report quoting companies said.
The sudden increases have resulted in net losses of as much as 20 per cent for some companies in the sector. Steel prices have almost doubled, it said (see page 18).
Concrete is another important raw material to have seen a sharp price increase. Every two months, the price of concrete goes up noticeably. Companies have reported losses due to the price escalation.
“The increasing value of the euro against the dollar is the main reason. When the value of the euro goes up, imported products from Europe become expensive, and adds to our costs,” said Abid A Junaid, general manager of Associated Construction and Investment Company.

Port Saeed area to get facelilft
Dubai: Port Saeed area of Dubai, will be renovated by the Dubai municipality,  with the aim of turning the area into a well-developed, modern neighbourhood with an area of 30,000 hectares.
The project’s objectives include providing public services as per approved standards, creating urban squares where residents and visitors can meet, enhancing streetlighting and providing shades during the daytime, improving advertisement hoardings, giving the area an urban look, reducing pressure on the adjacent areas vis-a-vis parking space, and attracting major investments to enhance the importance of the area.
As part of the project, roads in the area will be modified and enough parking spaces will be provided along with other necessary infrastructure services and public utilities.

Dubai Mall to have top-class parking
Dubai: Emaar Properties has unveiled plans to set up top-class parking facilities at the Dubai Mall, the world’s largest retail project. Some 16,000 bays plus overground parking by lakeside slots will help accommodate the estimated five million visitors in the first year of trading.
The Dubai Mall, which is scheduled for completion in 2006, will be highly accessible, given its numerous entrances, access and drop-off points for pedestrians and vehicles.
“We are allowing for generous car-park areas and service zones,” said Ibrahim Al Hashimi, executive director of Emaar Properties retail and leasing department.
“Multiple grand entrance drop-offs will be provided along Doha Road and will allow a high volume of traffic to arrive and depart without creating bottlenecks along the roads. Centralised car-park locations will minimise walking distances to the mall’s shopping zones,” he said.

Airport expo to be expanded
Dubai: Planning work has begun on the proposed facilities expansion of Airport Expo Dubai – the purpose-built exhibition site for the Dubai air show – in the UAE.
“Initial plans have been launched to further develop facilities including creating more car parking space, possible expansion of one or both of the two exhibition halls and the creation of an on-site conference centre,î says Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president, Department of Civil Aviation and chairman of the Emirates Group.
“These additional facilities are needed to cope with increased demand for the Dubai air show and to ensure it lifts its ranking among the top four aerospace exhibitions in the world,” he adds.
Airport Expo Dubai has already been hailed by the international aerospace industry as a world-class venue. The improved facilities will further raise the bar on excellence in exhibitor and visitor servicing. says Dubai air show organisers, Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E).