Kuwait plans to implement KD15 billion ($51 billion) worth of housing and infrastructure projects by decade end, the public works minister has said.

Construction work on a $1 billion new downtown area for the Jordanian capital Amman should begin early next year, a senior executive of Jordan's largest property investment firm, state-owned Mawared, said.

GCC power grid to cost $3 billionRiyadh: The planned GCC power grid will cost $3 billion, Saudi Water and Electricity Minister Abdullah Al Hussain, said at a joint meeting of the GCC water and electricity ministers and the GCC power grid authority in Riyadh, recently.

TCM claims that its improved series of 1 to 2.5 tonne electric reach trucks have gained recognition for topping its class especially as regards continuous daily operation.

Habtoorland in Lebanon, an $80 million project developed by the UAE-based Al Habtoor Group, has put all its expansion plans on hold, Elie Tohme, park manager said.

One of the most important trade meetings on the calendar of international fairs for the natural stone industry will be held in Spain in May. The sixth edition of Piedra, the International Natural Stone Fair, organised by Ifema will be held from May 10 to 13 at the Feria De Madrid and the show promises to be its largest edition.

Window 2006, the seventh window, glass technology, accessory, related industry and auxiliary products fair, will be organised by Tuyap Fairs and Exhibitions Organisation in cooperation with and Pukab (Plastic Window Manufacturers’ Quality Association) from February 16 to 19, 2006.

Gulf Energy, a global consortium of leading energy consultants and major investors from the Gulf, US, Europe, and South East Asia, have recently unveiled the master-plan for phase one of the multi-billion-dollar Energy City-Qatar project.

The Towers and Galvanising (T&G) Business Unit of Zamil Steel has signed its single-largest contract ever with Saudi Services For Electro Mechanical Works Company (SSEM), valued at SR74.5 million ($19.9 million).

Gulf Shade – which has recently completed work on a double-cone fabric tensile structure covering up a 418 sq m departure/gathering point for passenger and staff alike at the Bahrain International Airport – describes the project as challenging and interesting.

Italian construction group Impregilo said its Fisia Italimpianti unit had won a $260-million contract to build a desalination plant in Qatar.

The kingdom has unveiled plans of setting up a strategic network of highways that will link the upcoming Bahrain Financial Harbour (BFH) by inviting tenders for the first phase of reclamation said assistant under-secretary for roads Essam Khalaf.

Saudi Arabia-based Al Zamil Metal Works Factory (AZMF) – a leading player in the design, supply and manufacture of steel products – is looking ahead to get some of the more coveted certifications for industrial facilities such as the ISO9001 in recognition of its quality standards and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standar

Al Babtain, a Saudi Arabia-based leader in transmission and distribution systems, has recently signed several contracts in the kingdom, once again boosting its presence as a major player in the region. These include a SR21 million ($5.

Khaleej Finance and Investment (KFI) and Bahrain Motor Company (BMC) have recently signed a formal agreement to set up a BD16.9 million ($45 million) cement manufacturing company called Falcon Cement Company, which will produce clinker directly from basic raw materials such as limestone, iron ore, bauxite and other additives.

Thoroughly-planned marketing is the key to success industry-related exhibitions and with two major exhibitions in the region - The Big 5 and the SaudiBuild 2005 (December 11 to 15) set to be staged imminent, a well planned approach could offer exhibitors more in terms of exposure and high-value contacts, says Ashraf A Shah, sales and marketing mana

The Industry and Commerce Ministry has issued new regulations regarding the import of Saudi sand into Bahrain making it clear that the sand could now be imported only through the Saudi Bahrain Transport Company. Those companies planning to import sand can obtain the licence from the Bahrain Investor's Centre in the Seef Mall.