Wetex concludes on successful note

The Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (Wetex) and the first Dubai Solar Show successfully concluded last month, both reinforcing their positions on the international map of specialised energy-related exhibitions, according to Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), founder and chairman of Wetex.

The three-day exhibition at the Dubai World Trade Centre in Dubai, UAE, was held under the theme ‘Leadership in Sustainability’. It saw the participation of major international firms which displayed the latest technologies for water, energy and the environment.

Marmomacc sets new records

The 51st edition of Marmomacc, an exhibition for marble and granite, processing technologies, design and training held in Verona, Italy, last month (October), set new records in terms of visitor and exhibitor numbers, according to the organisers.

Veronafiere president Maurizio Danese said there was a 10 per cent increase in the number of exhibitors with more than 1,650 firms from 53 countries, and 67,000 visitors from 146 countries. 

All space was sold out, with all 12 halls of the exhibition centre and outside areas occupied, for a total show area of more than 80,000 sq m – an increase of four per cent over 2015.

Next year’s event will run from September 24 to 27.

Experts call for PPP upgrades

Project management experts called for fostering partnership between the public and private sectors by upgrading the principles, rules, mechanisms and policies at last month’s Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIMPF) in Dubai, UAE.

The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) session, which drew 35 international speakers, called for studying PPP contracts diligently by conducting feasibility studies compiled by both parties, focusing on potential variables, and seeking legal guidance from experts.

Empower to host cooling summit

Emirates Central Cooling Systems Corporation (Empower) is to host the seventh edition of the International District Cooling Conference this month (November 13 to 15) in Dubai, UAE.

Themed as ‘A Climate Solution’, the conference will be attended by global delegations representing international energy-related companies and organisations.

In addition to a series of sessions and panel discussions, the event will incorporate a workshop, and an international trade exhibition that will display latest technologies and solutions in district cooling and rationalise energy consumption related to it.

1,000 brands at furniture fair

The upcoming Istanbul Furniture Fair (Ismob) will present products of more than 1,000 brands to customers in 14 halls, covering an area of 120,000 sq m, said event organisers.

Organised by Tuyap fairs with the cooperation of the Association of Turkish Furniture   Manufacturers (Mosder), the event takes place for the 13th time in Tuyap Fair and Convention Centre in Istanbul, Turkey, from January 10 to 15, 2017.

RAK developer showcases projects

Al Marjan Island (AMI) company of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, showcased its key projects at the recent GRI Global forum, organised by Global Real Estate Institute,  in Paris, France.

A 2.7-million-sq-m cluster of four man-made islands in Ras Al Khaimah, the AMI extends 4.5 km into the Arabian Gulf and houses luxury hotels, resorts, marinas and world-class residential units.

District cooling issues discussed

Leading experts from the district cooling (DC) and utility sectors discussed several major industry issues at the two-day annual District Cooling Arabia 2016 conference held last month in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

According to experts, there has been a marked shift towards sustainability and ‘green technologies’ globally. The conference featured keynote addresses by Monis Mosfi, CEO of City Cool; Mohammed Sami Chatila, technical support and training manager of Shaker LD; and Fawaz A Alharbi, head of masterplanning at Jeddah Economic Company.

The conference explored the regulatory perspective, design processes, chilled water distribution systems and the future of DC in the kingdom.

Dr Anwar Hassan, the vice president for field sales and operations, Al Salem Johnson Controls, Saudi Arabia, said the use of district cooling in certain government projects is now mandatory, and the respective regulations were being developed accordingly.

Studio Bruno Guelaff wins award

Studio Bruno Guelaff, a boutique design studio, has won the ‘Outstanding use of American Hardwood in the Middle East’ award for its Unique Properties’ offices project at the Commercial Interior Design (CID) Awards 2016 ceremony held in Dubai, UAE.

The UAE-based studio won praise from the jury for its “committed and inventive use of American white oak that defines the space and sets the material rhythm.”

The award was sponsored by the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) for the sixth year running. Highly commended in the category were MMAC for its work on ‘JBR Guest Room’.