Gulf Construction Online

Regional News

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Update

01 October 2008

Bobcat celebrates ‘50’ on the web
Machinery specialist Bobcat is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a unique website – dedicated to the event, located at www.50-bobcat.eu/.

Bobcat’s loaders, excavators, tool carriers and utility vehicles are used throughout the Middle East, and the website tells the story behind the success of Bobcat over the last 50 years, from the company’s roots in the US to developments over the years in the market covering Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
The website recounts the group's rich history, including how the brand was born, through to the latest products coming out of the factories today. The site also shares with the viewer the values that still inspire its workforce: pride, enthusiasm, and team spirit.
Steel plant planned for Iraq
Kuwait’s Kanoos Group is to build a steel plant in Iraq in partnership with the UK-based IPBD. Kanoos, which is led by non-resident Indian (NRI) businessman K S Kaddar Pillai, will invest $24 million in the project to be carried forward in partnership with UK-based IPBD. “There is an immense potential for Indian entrepreneurs to invest in various areas like industry, real estate and civil construction (in Iraq) and the administration is providing all conducive elements for investors, especially those from India,” the company said in a statement.
Jeddah road project awarded
Saudi Arabia’s Shibh Al Jazira Contracting Company has secured a construction package for the second ring-road project in Jeddah. The value of the contract is SR245 million ($70 million) and work was scheduled to start on-site last month. The work is expected to cover a 15-km stretch of the 60-km ring road, and will include two interchanges.
The Transport Ministry is the client.
The new ring road is expected to take three years to complete and tenders for the remaining section are expected to be issued next year.
UAE-Omani check-point planned
The UAE is to build a Dh15.5 million ($4.2 million) check-point at its border with Oman. As per the directives of Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Minister of Interior, the Department of Construction and Maintenance was to commence work at the Kathem Melaha check-point last month.
The move forms part of the ministry’s decision to develop border points and to facilitate better services to those entering or leaving the UAE.
New Isa Town highway on way
Bahrain is building its longest flyover, which will run for a total length of 1.8 km over the Isa Town roundabout. Comprising an 884-m-long eastern bridge and a 905-m-long western bridge, the BD41 million ($108 million) project will take 29 months to complete.
New union will include expats
Membership of a new union for construction workers in Bahrain is expected to be dominated by the kingdom’s expatriate workforce. The proposed National Trade Union for Construction Sector aims to safeguard the interests of more than 100,000 people working in the construction industry, according to Salman Mahfood, the general secretary of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions (GFBTU). Expats however, will not be allowed to stand for election to top posts such as general secretary because of their lack of Arabic language skills, he said.
Radcon #7 protects desal plant
Australia’s Radcrete Pacific says its Radcon #7 has been chosen to waterproof concrete water tanks at the Sharqiyah desalination plant in Oman, which is scheduled to be operational from early 2009. Located near Sur, the plant is being built and operated by Veolia Water of France in conjunction with Oman’s Suhail Bahwan group on a BOT (build, operate, transfer) basis for 22 years from the final completion date.
The plant will have a capacity of over 80,000 cu m per day and will supply drinking water to the 350,000 people resident in the Sharqiyah region.
Radcon #7 is distributed in Oman by Bahwan Building Materials.
Emcor launches Bahrain operations
Emcor Facilities Services (Bahrain) has launched operations in Bahrain. A joint venture between the Bahrain Financial Harbour Holding Company (BFHHC), Financial Centre Development Company (FCDC), and Emcor Facilities Services Group (EFSG) for the delivery of integrated facilities services and property management solutions, the new company will provide comprehensive services to the Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH) development, which will include estate management and customer support services, including operations and maintenance, asset and property management, and integrated system solutions.
RealViews project gets go ahead
Bahrain-based RealCapita has awarded a BD4 million ($10.6 million) construction contract to Mohammed Jalal & Sons for the RealViews project in the heart of Manama, Bahrain.
“Mohammed Jalal & Sons has been selected based on its extensive experience in completing various milestone projects in Bahrain,” RealCapita chief executive Mohammed Al Tawash said. “Through RealViews, we are looking to create a new lifestyle environment for residential life in the Al Fateh Corniche which is considered a vital commercial area in the capital.”
Autodesk promotes MEP suite
As the value of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) contracting market in the GCC is expected to surge to $14.5 billion in 2008, Autodesk, a world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, building, and media and entertainment markets, has announced its aims to leverage the rapid growth of the booming MEP market.
The company plans to highlight AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite, a premier design, analysis and documentation solution for MEP contractors and consultants, in a bid to raise awareness of how MEP companies can support sustainable design efforts using Revit MEP 2009.
(Autodesk focuses on sustainable design – Pg 104)
Middle East key paint market
The Middle East will be a key area of growth in the international paint market, according to executives from ICI Dulux. “People in the Middle East are looking to replace standard colours that are found in every new home. They want to apply a personal touch and are seeking out increasingly bold colours,” said Tony Myers, managing director, Licensing and Export Business, ICI Paints.
ICI Dulux has been operating in the Middle East for over a decade.