As more than 10,000 sporting greats from Asia arrive in the Qatari capital of Doha in time for the Asian Games starting December 1, they will see the culmination of efforts that have gone into ensuring a world-class venue for an event that will make its debut in the region.
THE countdown has started and Doha is going all out to set the gold standard in event organisation and management as it readies itself to host the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 in December – the first time such a prestigious event will be held anywhere in the GCC region.
Work is well under way on the Phases two and three of the City Centre expansion in Doha, which involves the construction of five five-star hotel towers with a total built-up area of 430,000 sq m. The towers – ranging from 48 to 50 storeys in height – rise above three basement and eight podium levels.
Enabling works including piling, excavation and dewatering have just been completed on the site that will house Qatar’s tallest tower and the main contractor is due start work on the prestigious development later this month.
South West Architecture, one of the leading engineering consultants in Qatar, has appointed Dubai-based wa international as interior design consultants for the hotel package of the Al Maha project, which will be operated by the Sofitel group of Accor managed properties. `The superior Sofitel brand is well known throughout the world.
Arabian Profile Company Limited (APL) has played a pivotal role in the supply of materials, design and construction of the Aspire Sports Hall, which boasts a 250-m free span and houses some of the best athletic facilities in the world.
The HBK Group – a leading Qatari construction conglomerate that started out as a contracting firm 35 years ago – has just been transformed into a holding company, a move that is designed to enable it to further expand its horizons and develop the group’s full potential.
Alukbond – a leading Indian manufacturer of aluminium composite panels for curtain walling and cladding applications which exports globally – is set to launch active operations in Qatar next month, following the appointment of a distributor in that market, a company spokesman says.
Construction work on the Al Jazeera Tower – an exclusive five-star hotel in in Doha – is progressing at a rapid pace to ensure its completion in time for the Asian Games in December this year. The $41 million hotel building, which has a footprint area just 30 by 30 m, will have two basement floors, a ground floor and 36 floors.
Saudi-based Raghadan Paints Company – which set up a joint venture company in Qatar two years ago in partnership with the local Safari Group – is confident of gaining a larger share of the booming Qatari market over the next few years.
United Engineers (Malaysia) Berhad (UEM), which is currently expanding the main Salwa Road into a dual four-lane motorway, has purpose-ordered a fleet of Dynapac road surfacing equipment for the project.
The Doha Asian Games Organising Committee (DAGOC) has recently awarded two contracts to Siemens for the development, supply and installation of two security systems for the 15th Asian Games to be held in December.
Tensator Dubai, part of the Tensator group – a the global market leader in the field of retractable barriers and electronic queue technology – has recently completed a significant queue management installation of more than 300 Tensabarriers at Doha International Airport in Qatar.
