UAE Focus

Update

Artist's impression of the new access roads.

Palm access road works on target
Dubai: Dubai Municipality will complete works on a new network of roads and two interchanges at a total cost of Dh611 million ($166.3 million) that will provide access to The Palm Island and the adjoining areas where several new projects are coming up.

Dubai Municipality director general Qassim Sultan said nearly 30 per cent works of the project had already been completed.
He said one of the new interchanges would be built in Al Safouh Road consisting of fly-overs, tunnels and ring roads that allow free traffic flow around the Dubai Pearl project.
This project alone will cost Dh178 million and is expected to be over by February 2006.

Dubai Investments plans float glass unit
Dubai: Dubai Investments is planning to set up a manufacturing plant for float glass in the UAE at an estimated investment of Dh735 million ($201 million).
With a design capacity of 600 tonnes per day for architectural and automotive glass, Emirates Float Glass plant would convert sand and other basic raw materials into glass sheets.
“Setting up the float glass unit is a logical vertical integration strategy for us in the glass value chain,” stated Dubai Investments managing director and CEO Khalid bin Kalban.
The company has built its expansion strategy on favourable business climate and policies of the UAE government. Easy availability of natural gas and electricity at competitive rates makes UAE one of the lowest cost producers of float glass in the world.
In addition, UAE’s strategic location offers ready access to major neighbouring markets even as it enjoys advantageous freight rates to Asia, Far East, US and Europe.
The state-of-the-art plant will be designed with the technical know-how provided by a leading supplier in the field. The product mix will include clear, tinted, and coated glass sheets of a broad thickness range.
It will operate round the clock throughout its campaign period of 15 years and will produce 160,000 tonnes of glass a year which is equivalent to 12.5 million sq m.


Jafza unveils expansion designs
Dubai: The Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) has unveiled designs for a new eight-cluster South Zone industrial expansion.
Being developed at an estimated cost of more than Dh2 billion ($536.5 million), the clusters are designed to cater to the needs of diverse manufacturing activities in Dubai.
The eight clusters include the Dubai Distribution Centre, Digital Valley, Construction Square, Pharma-Med Park, Chemical and Plastic Field, Paper Pack Zone, Fragrance and Beauty Park, and Food and Beverage Park.
Jafza, which is positioning itself as a Dubai business hub, as part of a new corporate identity, has moved into the next level of diversification with the launch of the South Zone, an ambitious project committed to developing specific industry sectors through eight different clusters.
Sigma revamps UAE operations
Dubai: SigmaKalon Middle East has reorganised its operations in the UAE.
Following the reorganisation, the head office of Sigma Paints for the marine, protective coatings and decorative business of the entire UAE and Oman, has been relocated under the management of one team located in Dubai. Sigma Abu Dhabi will cease its operations, and will transfer all commercial activities to Sigma Paints Dubai.
“This has been undertaken to ensure a better synergy between Abu Dhabi and Dubai and for improved levels of service,” says a company spokesman.
Sigma will aim at improving the speed of delivery and its productivity through its two factories in Saudi Arabia. “This approach has proved to be the right one in several countries in the Middle East and we are confident that it will be effective in the UAE as well,” adds the spokesman.
Drake and Scull propose saving tips
Dubai: Drake and Scull has proposed measures that will reduce the cost of utilities and services by 10 per cent to 30 per cent in project developments across the region.
Experts at Emcor Drake and Scull say that appropriate design, procurement and operational solutions can reduce the cost of utilities and services in project developments by nearly a third.
A thorough assessment of buildings and facilities designs in terms of sustainability, buildability, maintainability, product and material selection during the procurement process can result in large savings on both the initial capital investment in the project and also reduce operating costs over the life cycle of these projects in the long term.

Naran to design Baghdad rail line
Dubai: Dubai-based Naran Group has won a Dh18 million (around $5 million) contract to work on the design and development of the Baghdad Loop Line Railway project, a report said.
“We have tied up with a Dutch company, Nedco, to offer the best solution for the project. This includes preparing the study, costing and the tender documents for the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation,” group chairman Sabah Al Shammery said.
“International bids will be invited by November this year and we expect to award a contract soon after,” he added.
Iraq’s Ministry of Transportation has been seeking prequalification of international contractors to form consortiums to bid for as many as six railway projects to be tendered out as part of the masterplan in the next 18 months.
Dubal acquires Alstom turbines
Dubai: Dubal has recently acquired a new state-of-the-art Alstom steam turbine, which will allow the aluminium giant to increase its generating capability to 1,700 MW, at an operating efficiency of 45 per cent.
“The new Alstom 125 MW steam turbine comprises of two GE Frame 9 gas turbines and two CMI heat recovery steam generators. Also, in line with Dubal’s stated commitment towards guaranteeing a cleaner and healthier environment, the gas turbines have specially built-in combustion equipment which limit the production of atmospheric pollutants to well below accepted international standards,” said Mossa Ismael, general manager, Power and Desalination, Dubal.
Kaitoob to build Armada’s HQ
Dubai: The Armada Group has awarded a contract to build its Dh25 million ($6.8 million) new headquarters to Dubai-based Al Kaitoob Building Contracting company. The project, to be built at Dubai Internet City (DIC), is expected to be completed within one year.
The Armada Group headquarters at the DIC will have a total office floor space of 110,000 sq m and will incorporate the latest architecture with all the modern facilities. It will be effectively designed to suit the needs of the group.
Tabreed wins cool deal in Ajman
Ajman: Tabreed (the National Central Cooling Company) has won a contract to design and build a district cooling system for eleven 13-storey buildings in Ajman.
The contract signed with Real East Investment will require Tabreed to design and build a new district cooling scheme that will provide chilled water for cooling purposes across the entire development – the Al Rashidiya Towers.

Simon Voss appoints UAE distributor
Dubai: SimonsVoss Technologies, a leading German access control and biometrics company, has further strengthened its operations in the Middle East with the appointment of Dutco Tennant as its distributor in the UAE.
“Ensuring excellent distributors who provide the best possible service to customers is very vital in this region,” said Rainer Erdmann, managing director for SimonsVoss Technologies Middle East.
“With the rapid construction boom in the Middle East and the demand for high levels of security, we feel the need to have a stronger presence and such strong growth is only possible through a trained, motivated and enthusiastic partner like Dutco,” he added.
Dutco Tennant has offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain as well as branches in many other countries in the region.
Arabtec forges ahead in strength
Dubai: Arabtec Construction, one of the leading organisations in the construction industry, is forging ahead in the market with its aggressive growth strategy and its significant expansion plans, says a spokesman.
The company has been making headlines lately with its recent projects, including the contract to build the Burj Dubai, which is expected to be the tallest building in the world.
Arabtec will be working in joint venture with the Samsung Corporation, Korea, and Besix Constructions, Belgium for this project.
Work on the project commenced last month and the building is slated to be completed in December 2008.
Other recent noteworthy projects by the company include the 21st Century Tower (the world’s tallest residential building), the Dubai Pearl Movenpick Hotel, the Silicon Oasis, the Arabian Ranches, The Meadows, the Jumeirah Beach Residence and Al Fattan Marine Tower.
IJM wins Fortune tower deal
Dubai: Dubai real estate developer Fortune Investment said it had appointed Malaysia-based IJM Corporation Berhad as the primary construction contractor for its Dh170 million ($46.3 million) Fortune Towers project.
The 35 storey Fortune Towers, located at Jumeirah Lake in Dubai, is the UAE’s first freehold property development exclusively catering to offices.
This landmark project, that would house 254 office units, was sold out within four months of its launch in October 2003.
The tower itself will provide users a host of possible amenities including dedicated car parking, 24-hour security, computer-controlled ambient temperatures for maximum comfort and dedicated high-speed lines for heavy business traffic.