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Barraquer-UAE Eye Hospital ... foundation work complete.

News in brief

01 October 2019

ELM named main contractor for UAE hospital project

Abu Dhabi-based Emirates Link Maltauro (ELM) has been awarded the main construction contract for the Barraquer-UAE Eye Hospital by Grandis Investment Company, the investment firm behind the project.

The Barraquer Ophthalmology Center, headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, is one of the leading eye clinics worldwide, conducting 150,000 consultations, with 16,000 surgical procedures including laser treatments in 2018. It also has a 24-hour emergency room that has attended to over 13,000 patients in a year.

The new hospital will be a debut for Barraquer in the Middle East market, says ELM.

The announcement was made following the completion of the foundation works in Phase Two of Dubai Healthcare City overlooking Al Khail Road.

On the UAE debut, Professor Rafael I Barraquer, the medical director of Barraquer’s Barcelona centre, and Dr Elena Barraquer says: “Our UAE launch is a testament to our commitment to providing eye care of the highest quality to patients around the world.”

“The UAE is committed to developing and delivering excellence in healthcare and is actively expanding its local healthcare services,” they add.

DSI completes key phase of Kuwait University campus

UAE-based Drake & Scull International (DSI), a regional leader in engineering and construction services, has announced the completion of Phase One of Sabah Al Salem University development in Shadadiya, Kuwait.

Under the terms of the Dh200-million ($54.4 million) contract, DSI says its Kuwaiti subsidiary, Drake & Scull for Electrical Contracting, will complete the second, and the final, phase and hand it over by the end of this year.

The scope of work includes construction, operation and maintenance of electrical, mechanical and plumbing works including fire alarm and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems and all low-voltage works as well as the supply, installation, testing and commissioning and maintenance of all electrical and mechanical works in the colleges of arts and education.

DSI has been operating in Kuwait through Drake & Scull for Electrical Contracting since 2004 and has been associated with several prominent construction and engineering projects, including the special training centre for Public Authority for Applied Education and Training; Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters; the State Audit Bureau of Kuwait; the Public Institution for Social Security Building; the Immigration Complex; and Nasser Tower.

Arabtec mulls tie-up with Trojan

Arabtec Holding, a leading contractor for social and economic infrastructure, says it is looking at the possibility of tying up with Abu Dhabi-based group Trojan Holding.

Any further details or developments regarding this matter will be revealed when an agreement is reached or otherwise, the Dubai contractor said in its filing to the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) last month.

In another development, Arabtec Holding has appointed Wail Farsakh, an industry veteran, as the new group chief operating officer.

He has over 33 years’ experience in the UAE starting as a structural engineer, progressing to general manager of Dutco Balfour Beatty (currently known as DBB Contracting).

A holder of a Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree from University of Iowa and an MBA from Bradford University, Farsakh has delivered civil, marine, roads, retail, residential and hospitality projects in his long tenure.

Welcoming him into the fold, group CEO Peter Pollard says: “I am delighted that Farsakh has joined us on the journey to re-establish Arabtec as a leading contracting company in the region.”

Farsakh’s track record, he states, demonstrates he is prepared to make the long-term commitment needed to build a sustainable business.

“With over 33 years’ experience working in the UAE, Farsakh will play a key role in building our presence in social and economic infrastructure. His experience across most contracting sectors will be important to integrating the group’s operating companies into a more seamless contracting business,” he adds.