THE main construction work has started on Dubai Pearl, a Dh15-billion ($4 billion) integrated luxury development, following the completion of the enabling and piling works by Al Habtoor STFA Soil Group (HSSG), according to Pearl Dubai, a leading real estate developer in the UAE.

Almasah awards Jumeirah projectsDUBAI-BASED Almasah International Real Estate has appointed a consortium of contractors to complete the design and build of three of its residential projects in Jumeirah Village – Cadi 4, Jouri 5 and Judi Palace – which are worth a total of Dh295 million ($80.38 million).

AJMAN One, the first fully-integrated complex in Ajman covering 72,000 sq m and consisting of residential, business and hotel facilities, will be completed on schedule, according to its developer Aqaar.

GRAPHISOFT EcoDesigner, a building energy evaluation tool for ArchiCAD 12 has been launched in Abu Dhabi by atOne Software, a subsidiary of Bahrain-based Khalid Almoayed & Son.Graphisoft, the global leader in virtual building solutions, is represented in the GCC by distributor atOne Software, which has offices in Dubai and Bahrain.

DAMAC Properties intends to award contracts worth Dh2 billion ($544.5 million) this year for a number of prestigious developments at Dubailand, Dubai World Central and Dubai Marina, among other master developments, Peter Riddoch, CEO, Damac Properties, tells Gulf Construction.

ASHTECH International has recently opened a new terminal at Al Ghail in the Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone as part of a strategic move to facilitate bulk supplies of fly ash to its customers. Headquartered in Mumbai, India, Ashtech is today the leading manufacturer and supplier of quality fly ash in the Middle East and India.

EMIRATES Glass’ (EGL) new Dh100-million ($27.2 million) glass coating line, which is currently in the commissioning stage, is poised to go online next month.

MEMON Investments has announced that it is on track with the construction of all its projects in Dubai, which are collectively valued at Dh1.34 billion ($365 million). It has pointed to the first development within its Champions Tower series, and the Cambridge Business Centre which is for delivery by the year-end.

THE largest solar power grid in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) has gone online. Based in Abu Dhabi, its launch confirms that the UAE is shifting its focus from oil to renewable energy sources.

THE Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai has awarded a Dh307.36-million ($83.7 million) contract to construct Phase Four of Al Khail Road Improvement Project in Dubai.

KEY infrastructure work including sewage, water network, district cooling and power connectivity is steadily progressing at the Dh110-billion ($30 billion) Business Bay master development, according to Dubai Properties, a subsidiary of Dubai Properties Group.

A DONATED Caterpillar skid-steer loader was sold to the highest bidder for charity during an unreserved Ritchie Bros auction held in Dubai last month (June). Its full proceeds went to the Dubai-based Foresight, a non-profit organisation, helping its aim of finding a cure for blindness and improving the lives of people with sight loss in the UAE.

ALL labour accommodation in the UAE is expected to be to meet international best practices by 2014, according to a cabinet decision issued last month.

ABU DHABI Airports Company (Adac) has signed a joint venture agreement with Helios SinoGulf Property Development to create a logistics and business park, which will be a 650,000 sq m free zone adjacent to Al Ain International Airport.