DWTC kicks off design contest 
Dubai World Trade Centre, one of the Middle East’s most prominent business organisations, has launched an international design competition for the second phase of its major Dubai Trade Centre District development.

Designs are being sought from the world’s leading architectural practices, and the area to be developed will include the District’s Landmark Tower, which is expected to be one of the most striking structures ever developed in the region.
Sir Michael Hopkins, considered one of the world’s leading architects, will head the judging panel, which has been charged with selecting the “apex of architecture” in terms of design and sustainability.
“Dubai Trade Centre District will provide the headquarters for some of the world’s most dynamic companies. It will create a unique urban environment at the heart of Dubai, that will surpass the top business destinations globally,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, director general, Dubai World Trade Centre.

Caparol plans new Dubai facility
Caparol, the Dubai arm of leading German paint manufacturer Deutsche Amphibolin Werke (DAW) Group, will set up a factory in Dubai to meet the strong regional demand for paints in the Middle East, said Dr Ralf Murjahn, owner of the company.
The decision follows last month’s development whereby Emaar Industries and Investments, a subsidiary of Emaar Properties, acquired a stake of 52 per cent in Caparol.
“Emaar is targeting partners who bring in new technology and products to this market while also meeting challenges faced by the construction sector,” said Dr Ahmad Khayyat CEO, Emaar Industries and Investments.
This year, Caparol Dubai aims to invest Dh25 million ($6.80 million) for a plot of land to set up a factory, which will go into operation within two years.
“We aim to make our products more environment-friendly and longer-lasting in the harsh climate of the Middle East,” said Gary Seabrook, general manager of Caparol. “Our main market is the UAE, but we will be exporting to the GCC while also looking at North Africa and South Asia.
The new Dubai factory will have a production capacity of between 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes annually.

UAE BM industry to reach $10bn
The value of the building materials (BM) industry in the UAE was projected to reach Dh40 billion ($10.8 billion) by the end of 2007, according to latest research findings.
The research assessed and projected the expenditure in construction materials by property developers within the country. In a bid to leverage the booming market, Danube Building Materials, a leader in construction, building materials, and shop fitting industry, sponsored the recently concluded Building Materials Trading Group (BMTG) networking dinner.
The event, which was co-ordinated by BMTG, an organisation formed under the patronage of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), seeks to facilitate the growth of local and regional building materials companies, said an official spokesman.
Veolia to run Fujairah RO plant
Veolia Water has been selected to run the operations and maintenance part of the reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant of the F2 Independent Water and Power Project (F2 IWPP) in Qidfa, Fujairah.
The plant will produce 136,500 cu m per day of desalinated water.
The 12-year operation and maintenance contract starting from 2010, worth an estimated cumulated amount of $115 million, has been awarded by Fujairah F2 O&M Company, which has been set up by International Power and Marubeni Corporation.
The desalination plants are part of the independent water and power project (known as F2 IWPP) which will also include a 2,000 MW power plant.
The project is headed by a consortium set up by the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (Adwea) in collaboration with International Power and Marubeni Corporation which will operate and maintain all the facilities.
The reverse osmosis (RO) plant has a production capacity of 136,500 cu m/day and will be operated by Veolia Water while the multiple effect distillation (MED) plant will be operated by Fujairah F2 O&M Company.
Indigo kicks off Spectrum towers
Indigo Group has commenced construction of its second development in the central district of Nakheel’s International City in Dubai.
The plush residential projects – Indigo Spectrum 1 and 2 – offer spacious living in close proximity to mainland Dubai, the developer said in a statement.
Built over eight floors, Spectrum 1 and 2 boast some of the most exquisite residences currently on offer in Dubai.
The towers will comprise one, two and three bedroom apartments, a rooftop pool, a fully equipped gym and ground floor retail area.