Aluminium Bahrain's (Alba) $400 million project to build a coke calcining plant, seawater desalination plant, a new jetty and raw material handling facilities is all set to take physical shape at its marine terminal, following the completion of all the reclamation and piling work on the development.

construction work is well under way and on schedule on the prestigious headquarters building for Arab Bank in the Diplomatic Area.Work on the 11-storey building commenced on February 15 last year and is due for completion on October 14, 2000.

The advance reclamation contract on the new port and industrial area at Hidd was completed at the end of August last year and tender documentation is in the final stages of preparation, according to the Ministry of Works and Agriculture.

The ISO9001-certified company offers a wide range of standard precast concrete products which includes hollowcore slabs, cladding panels, double-tee slabs as well as polished precast concrete which is offered in a range of colours.

The Saudi-owned company Alaa Industrial Equipment Factory (AFI) aims to be the regional leader in industrial equipment supplies, by delivering to its customers the widest range of top-quality products at competitive prices and backed by a friendly service, says a spokesman for the Dammam-headquartered firm.

Work is under way on what is considered to be among the most strategic projects in Bahrain. Phase Two of treated sewage effluent (TSE) project in Tubli is vital for the conservation of Bahrain's natural water resources, according to Ali Murad, undersecretary at the Ministry of Works and Agriculture.

Two separate but identical buildings are taking shape on a prime site in downtown Manama. Surrounded by high-rise commercial and banking premises, the complex located on a 2,250 sq m site on Government Avenue opposite the National Bank of Bahrain Tower, is expected to be completed in May-end, 2000.

agrand moghul-style entrance welcomes visitors to Bahrain's latest four-star hotel which is poised for a soft opening on January 10. Crafted out of stone imported specially from Jaipur, India, the entrance arcade to the Al Safir Hotel in Juffair is the only one of its kind in Bahrain, according to the consultant for the project.

Bahrain-based Khayber Trading Company, which claims to set the standard in the design and installation of fire detection and extinguishing systems, stresses that international standards in its field should be more stringently applied in the region.

Atotal of 39 contractors in Bahrain are currently using Paschal formwork, a marked increase over the 14 reported at the same time last year.

ALARGE number of projects are currently under way or on the drawing board to boost the country's tourism potential.Designs are being drawn up for the BD300 million ($795.75 million) tourist coastal resort, the Pearl of Bahrain, which is expected to be completed in three years.

Work is due to commence on the rehabilitation of Shaikh Hamad Causeway. Two other major road projects - the Shaikh Khalifa bin Sulman Bridge and the extension to the Shaikh Khalifa bin Sulman Highway - are poised to move ahead.