Ajman Ruler Shaikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuami has signed into effect a new law to pave the way for a $140-million sewage treatment system in the UAE emirate. The Sewer Law, the first of its kind for Ajman, formally establishes a new concession company that will build, operate and manage the system for 25 years.

The local Al Habtoor Group intends to build a new property on The Palm, Jumeirah - the first of the two giant palm tree-shaped resort islands being off the shores of Dubai. "We are extremely pleased with our acquisition of one of the prime plots at The Palm, Jumeirah.

Construction of a multi-million-dinar water and sports recreation site on the western shores of Bahrain is expected to begin as early as December. The Economic Development Board (EDB) has said it will soon be accepting bids for the Al Jazair beach, recreation and watersports development.

Requests for proposals have been invited for the operation and maintenance of the Fujairah Water and Power Plant (FWPP) in the UAE. A notification issued by the UAE Offsets Group/Union Water and Electricity Company (UOG/UWEC) said the plant at Qidfa was designed to produce 100 million gallons per day (mgpd) of desalinated water (62.

The UK's Flowcrete has won a contract to install 140,000 sq m of its Isocrete K-Screed at the towers at Dubai Marina. The 40-storey towers, being developed by Emaar, are the first residential towers on the coastal marina development.

Spending in the Gulf's construction sector rose from $40.5 billion in 2000 to about $45 billion last year, according to industry estimates. One of the key factors behind the splurge is the growth of the office interior sector, a report said. Imports of interior products in the local market is estimated to be over $2.8 billion in 2000.

A database on the roads and sewage network in GCC cities is to be set up, it was decided at a GCC workshop, hosted by Dubai Municipality at Al Khaleej Palace Hotel. The workshop also decided to set up and provide for researchers detailed information on the roads and sewage network in the Gulf.

The Dubai Festival City will have a multi-billion-dirham golf course community as part of its large-scale, mixed-use development. Al Futtaim Investments, which is developing the project, is finalising negotiations with Al Naboodah Contracting for the golf course. The project will open by the end of 2003.

The Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is upgrading two halls that will offer some 9,100 sq m of prime exhibition space when completed. Halls 1 and 2 of the Dubai International Exhibition Centre have been demolished and are to be replaced by two new, modern exhibition halls.

India's Bharat Heavy Electrical Limited (Bhel) plans to open a turbine and heavy electrical equipment maintenance facility in the UAE, said its Middle East regional manager S F A Rizvi said. The state-owned heavy electrical equipment manufacturing and engineering company has an annual turnover of $1.6 billion.

Oman has awarded four contracts covering road works, sewage treatment and supply of transformers. The first agreement signed with Hassan bin Juma Backer Trading and Contracting calls for the construction of a sewage treatment plant in Rustaq, a report said. The plant will have an initial capacity of 7,200 cu m per day.

Dubai's Department of Civil Aviation has invited prequalification submissions for a number of packages as part of the $2.5 billion Phase II expansion of Dubai International Airport. The expansion involves the construction of Terminal 3, and Concourse 2 and 3, a mega cargo facility and a car-park, among other works.

A new Dh24 million ($6.5 million) police headquarters has been completed and will be handed over to a special committee set up by the Ministry of Housing and Public Works in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. The four-storey building will accommodate all police units and sections.

Sigmakalon, considered to be the world's fifth largest paints group, has set up a new company to develop its business in Egypt. Sigma Paints (Egypt) Limited has assumed all responsibilities for the development of Sigma business from June 1, the company said in a statement.

Dubai's Noor Al Maarif is the first school in the UAE to be connected to the Tabreed cooling network, it was announced. Noor Al Maarif is being showcased by Dubai Municipality as the school of the future for its design, use of space and technology.

Ossis Property Developers has announced plans to build a replica of Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh resort in Bahrain at a cost of about $130 million. "The project, Fanar Beach, includes hotels and restaurants, and will be built in partnership with foreign firms," said Saud Kanoo, chairman of the private holding firm.

Construction is well under way for Jumeirah International's latest resort development, Madinat Jumeirah. Located adjacent to the Burj Al Arab and the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Madinat Jumeirah is designed to be one of the most luxurious and diverse resorts in the world.