The project to build the largest aluminium smelter in the world in the UAE is swiftly going ahead and officials are happy with the pace of the progress, it was announced. The world-class greenfield aluminium smelter complex is coming up at the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone in Abu Dhabi.

Construction projects in the Gulf are making a definite shift towards u-PVC (unplasticised polyvinylchloride) windows and doors because of the advantages they offer as well as the soaring aluminium prices, says a leading UAE fabricator.

Siemens Power Transmission and Distribution (PTD) will deliver a turnkey 400-kV/132-kV substation with gas-insulated switchgear to Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) as part of the further expansion of the power supply system of the UAE.

Dubai-based Age Intrade – a leading stockist and trader of structural steel with one of the largest inventory in the UAE – is currently poised to further expand its existing storage capacity in the Jebel Ali Free Zone by another 25,000 sq m by the end of this year.

Kuwait’s Abyaar Real Estate Development, backed by Aayan Leasing and Investment Company and Al Rashdan Group, has entered the UAE market with plans to invest up to $1.4 billion in Dubai over the coming year.

Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV), the region’s international education hub, has launched the third phase of its development. To be located within the Dubai Academic City complex, the new phase is being developed in response to the tremendous interest DKV has evoked from educational institutions around the world.The Dh 300 million ($81.

Hughes opens new office Sharjah: Hughes, Europe’s largest manufacturer of emergency safety showers and eyebath/facewash equipment, has set up an office at the Sharjah International Airport Free Zone. Shaik Sayeed has been appointed sales manager for the new Hughes Middle East office.

Prolec, a UK-based manufacturer of productivity and safety systems for construction plant, is now in a position to supply its widely-respected, industry-leading product portfolio into the Middle East market through its local sister company Strainstall Middle East.

Abu Dhabi-headquartered Al Jaber, one of the most prominent construction and development companies in the UAE, is to build a signature resort on Saadiyat Island – the natural island lying 500 m offshore the UAE capital city which is being transformed into an international tourism destination.

Ducab, a leading manufacturer of high-quality power cables in the Middle East, has  opened an Dh20 million ($5.5 million) PVC compounding plant at its Jebel Ali facility. Ducab’s decision to have its own PVC compound plant is part of its on-going expansion and forms part of its vertical integration programme, said a senior official.

R Holding, a leading developer, has appointed PilingTech to undertake piling work at its Emirates City project in Ajman. The company will complete the piling work for the first phase, which includes more than 25 towers of different structural designs and sizes. PilingTech has already started work on the project after finishing activities.

Wet Design, a specialist in the design of water features worldwide,  has been appointed by Aldar Properties to work on the company’s impressive, Dh54 billion ($14.7 billion) Al Raha Beach Development in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE-based Eagle Electromechanical Company (EECO), a leader in water and wastewater treatment works, has recently been awarded Dubai Sports City sewage treatment plant job. The contract scope includes design, build and operation and maintenance for 12 years. The plant will have a capacity of 25,000 cu m per day.

The contract for the construction of the world’s tallest residential tower, The Princess Tower, has been awarded to Arabian Construction Company (ACC) by the Sharjah-based Tameer Holdings, the developer. The 107-storey building will be located in Dubai Marina. The value of the contract is Dh690 million ($187.

In a move that pioneers sustainable development practices in the UAE’s corporate sector, the Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech) has announced that all its buildings will be built to meet global environmental benchmarks.

The ‘Queen of the Netherlands’, a high-capacity trailing suction hopper dredger, has begun dredging and reclamation operations in the waters of Abu Dhabi for Sorouh Real Estate’s Shams Abu Dhabi project on Reem island.

Nakheel, a leading UAE real estate developer, has launched the fourth member of its Jumeirah family: Jumeirah Park. The development joins Nakheel’s current portfolio of Jumeirah communities – Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, and Jumeirah Golf Estates.

Dubai Central Laboratory Department (DCL) has granted Dirk India Private Limited the licence to use the DCL conformity mark for its Pozzocrete cement replacement products. The DCL, represented by Ali Ahmed Elian, and Dirk India, represented by Georg Dirk, recently signed the licensing agreement.