Gulf Construction Online

Regional News

Update

01 August 2012

Omnix showcases Autodesk solutions

OMNIX International, a leading distributor of digital software imaging solutions, recently highlighted its new line of powerful Autodesk design solutions at roadshows held in Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

Autodesk Solutions Day is part of a strategy that is aimed at strengthening Omnix’s focus on Saudi Arabia’s construction market currently valued to be worth more than $82.54 billion.

The roadshows, which are the fourth in the series, showcased enhancements in the Autodesk 2013 portfolio, engineering and entertainment software featuring in-depth creation suites and latest design innovations, to more than 400 users from more than 90 companies in the country.

Bapco to award refinery contract

BAPCO is planning to award a front-end engineering and design contract to expand its only refinery in Bahrain in the first quarter of next year, Alwasat reported, citing chief executive officer Gordon Smith.

The state-run company will draw up a masterplan for the project this month and complete the expansion in 2018, Smith said. Bapco will also award construction contracts this year to enlarge the pipeline carrying oil to the refinery from Saudi Arabia, the report said.

The expansion will help increase the refinery’s capacity to more than 450,000 barrels a day from 260,000 barrels at a cost ranging from $6 billion to $10 billion.

Kuwait to upgrade sports facilities

KUWAIT is upgrading its sports facilities to world-class standards as part of an integrated plan, a top sports authority in the country said.

Esam Jaafar, the director general of the Public Authority for Youth and Sports (Pays) for Construction and Maintenance Affairs, said the authority was implementing construction projects at various sports facilities. Among the projects are the Kuwait sports club for the disabled, association premises for athletics, gymnasium, karate, fencing and swimming and a headquarters for the Kuwait Olympic Committee, he said.

530 houses to be built in a year

BAHRAIN’S Housing Minister Bassim Al Hamer said 530 homes will be built as part of the first phase of the Northern City project.

Four Bahraini contractors have been selected to start work, which was due to begin by the middle of last month following the tendering process. The minister said the homes will be ready in one year, adding land allocation is about to be completed.

The project includes about 15,000 homes with the first phase totally comprising 2,300 homes that will be built in two and a half years.

The first phase will also include 2,470 homes to be built by the Naseej company.

Surespan eyes the Middle East

SURESPAN, a leading manufacturer of bespoke assist-lift access covers and roof hatches, is aiming to strengthen its presence in the Gulf by acquiring new trade partners and stepping up customer support.

Surespan has supplied products to projects located far and wide and in extreme climatic conditions, from the Antarctica to the Middle East.

Surespan has supplied a diverse range of project types within the Gulf.

Notable projects in the UAE include the Burj Khalifa tower, Dubai International Airport, Dubai Metro, Ikea retail outlets, TRIP highway contracts, Delma and Gavathi sewerage schemes, and Dubai power generation facilities.

Projects supplied in Qatar include the Nakilat Shipyard and Ismail Bin Ali commercial building, while in Saudi Arabia, Surespan products have been used on the control tower at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Riyadh Dryport, and on the Makkah-Madinah Expressway.

Bahrain awards $2m roadwork deal

BAHRAIN’S Ministry of Works has recently awarded a major contract worth BD771,426 ($2.04 million) for the development of Shaikh Daij Road/Palace Road junction to ensure smooth traffic flow.

The contractor Atlas Transport, Contracts and Mechanical Services has started work on the project and hopes to complete it by January next year. The project entails demolition of a roundabout and replacing it with traffic lights to improve the flow of traffic.

The Electricity and Water Authority will upgrade the water-mains in the area as part of this project.

Meanwhile, the ministry has announced the completion of a BD1 million ($2.66 million) development project of Al Ghoos Road in Busaiteen. The road aims to improve traffic flow, increase road capacity, reduce congestion and enhance road safety.

Radcrete names Bahrain distributor

AUSTRALIA’S Radcrete Pacific has appointed Canadian Building Materials (CBM) as its distributor in Bahrain for its Radcon Formula #7 waterproofing product.

Commenting on the appointment, Radcrete’s executive director, Michael Rorke said: “We are very proud to be associated with such a reputed company as CBM. CBM was formed in Bahrain in 2005 as a distributor and applicator of high quality waterproofing, damp proofing and floor coating materials.”

CBM general manager Bob Campbell said: “The rapid pace of development in the Gulf has created a demand for more sophisticated products and so for CBM to represent Radcon in Bahrain is a natural fit for both parties.”

Radcon #7 has been used to waterproof structural concrete on landmark projects in more than 85 countries around the world over the past 25 years.