A consortium composed of GDF Suez and Gulf Investment Corporation (GIC) has signed an agreement to build, own and operate a $2-billion IWPP (independent water and power production) project in Bahrain.

Cement continues to be in short supply in Qatar and a senior official at the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) says he is completely in the dark about the reasons behind the shortage. “We know there is cement shortage but we do not know what the reason is.

Bobcat celebrates ‘50’ on the web Machinery specialist Bobcat is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a unique website –  dedicated to the event, located at www.50-bobcat.eu/.

QACC, a subsidiary of Arabian Construction Company (ACC), has been awarded an estimated $142 million contract to build residential buildings at the Viva Bahriya district on The Pearl-Qatar in Doha.

Kuwait’s booming real estate market will level off over the next two years before picking up speed again, an industry expert was quoted as saying. The comments were made by Al Mazaya Holding CEO Khalid Esbaitah in the latest annual Kuwait guide from the Oxford Business Group (OBG), titled ‘The Report: Kuwait 2008’.

New landmark ... The first phase of the $46 million Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) in Kuwait has had its soft opening. Said to be the first comprehensive private university of its kind in Kuwait, the GUST campus is located in Mishref and is being built in two phases.

Kirby Building Systems has won several new contracts across the GCC, including two prestigious orders in Bahrain, for a shopping mall and an industrial park. “Recently, Kirby has won several steel building projects in the GCC,” says a company spokesman.

Qatar’s building standards need an overhaul and the Qatar Specifications and Metrology Authority (QSMA) is working towards improving the country’s building code, according to a news report.

WORK on the $1.6 billion Bahrain Investment Wharf (BIW) is progressing on the fast track, according to Tameer, the project’s developer. Initial construction work, at a total cost of $250 million, has commenced and the infrastructure in this phase will be completed over the next 24 months, says Tameer chief executive officer Muhanad Al Durah.

Sohar Industrial Port Company (SIPC) will shortly be seeking bids for the construction of a $200 million deepwater jetty at the industrial port in Oman. “The project will involve the design, construction and maintenance of a 1.2-km-long deepwater jetty for the import and export of bulk materials,” says SIPC construction manager Richard Stam.

A new 40-storey luxury residential tower being constructed in Jeddah is employing two Liebherr tower cranes for materials handling.

Phase One of Salam Resort Bahrain, which is being developed at a cost of $1 billion near the Bahrain International Circuit, is well under way and scheduled to be completed by the end of next year.

Prysmian, a worldwide leader in cables and systems for energy and telecommunications, has won a €140 million ($196 million) contract from the Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa) for the development of the country’s first-ever high-voltage submarine power link in the country.

Mabani Steel of the UAE has awarded a contract to build a new factory for the company in Saudi Arabia, as part of its drive to become the region’s pre-eminent manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings (PEBs).

Work is under way on Al Fardan Residence Tower  in Qatar, which will top out at 243 m on completion,  becoming one of the tallest skyscrapers in the country.