Gulf Construction Online

Regional News

Update

01 June 2003

Plan ready for Failaka development

Kuwait City: Kuwait has presented a structural plan for an ambitious investment project aimed at transforming its Failaka Island into a state-of-the-art tourist attraction.

A government-appointed team presented a build, operate and transfer (BOT) agreement to potential local and foreign investors. The investment proposal calls for the construction of a holiday resort complete with hotels, shops and restaurants. The project has been estimated at KD1 billion ($3.3 billion).

"We prefer one prime investor who can take over the whole project and have sub-investors," said Hamed Khajah, communications ministry undersecretary and team member. "Or, we could take a maximum of three investors in order for the project to remain financially feasible,'' he said.

"We have had some response but it's not up to expectation," admitted Khajah. An international adviser is currently drafting a "term of reference".

Failaka lies 20 km east of Kuwait City and is home to Kuwait's most important archaeological site. It is 43 sq km in size with 38 km of coastline.

Suq facelift gets green light

Manama: Work aimed at giving Manama's old suq a major facelift has been given the green light by Bahrain's Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

The first phase, to start immediately, will take about six months and cost BD5 million ($13.26 million), with work on the second phase to follow. The total project is estimated to cost BD15-20 million. The proposed renovation is aimed at transforming the area into a centre of tradition and culture once again.

The tenders council approved a report from the technical committee assigned to evaluate work of engineering firms involved in the project.

An area has been allocated for a public square, which will include traditional coffee shops and other cultural shops. Renovations will also take into consideration traffic flow and car parks.

QP Dukhan HQ project retendered

Doha: Construction of Qatar Petroleum's (QP) Dukhan operation headquarters building at the Dukhan Township has been re-tendered due to the high quotes submitted by the bidders. The client will name the contractor by mid-June.

The project involves construction of three separate buildings, two of which are two-storeyed and one three-storeyed. QP's Dukhan operation headquarters building will be built over a total area of 20,000 sq m.

Car parks for 400 vehicles are allotted in the basement. Covered surface parking is also available.

All QP's Dukhan combined operation activities will be housed in the new headquarters.

Car showroom planned

Manama: Mohammed Jalal & Sons (MJS) plans to invest BD1 million ($2.65 million) in an exclusive showroom for Jaguar cars in Bahrain. The proposed 4,000 sq m showroom will be built in Sitra near the Ma'ameer roundabout, MJS director Ahmed Jalal said. The consultant is the local Mohammed Salahuddin Consulting Engineering Bureau.

Interchange work on schedule

Doha: Construction work to convert the Midmac and Immigration roundabouts in Qatar into a three-tier interchange highway is on schedule.

The contractor, J&P, has completed almost 40 per cent of works on the two projects. This phase includes removal of obstacles, replacement of sewerage lines, excavations, tunnel digging and erection of bridge pillars.

The three-level Midmac project consists of an overbridge (800 m)/underpass intersection (1,400 m) at Midmac and a staggered bridge/underpass intersection. At the Gharafa (Immigration) junction, there will be an 800-m-long flyover connecting the Shamal road with 22 February Street, and a 700-m-long underpass in the direction of the Luqta road.