I refer to the article 'Bigger focus urged on air distribution' in Gulf Construction's May 2002 issue and as a 1971 graduate engineer specialising in the field of air-conditioning for over 30 years - having worked in Bahrain, Cyprus and Australia over the last 27 years - I have the following comments to make: The published article appears to b

Kuwait has issued tenders for the largest portion of a KD115.7 million ($382 million) water distribution project. The latest phase, C3, is the largest of the four stages of the Subiya Water Distribution Scheme with some KD42.5 million earmarked for this phase, executives said. The closing date for the tender is August 27.

AUGUST 17-22: Ninth International Conference on Asphalt Pavements, in Copenhagen, Denmark. SEPTEMBER 1-5: IRF Asia Pacific Roads Conference and Exhibition 2002, in Sydney, Australia. 4-7: Baucon India 2002, the international trade fair for construction machinery and building materials, in New Delhi, India.

US firm Turner Construction and DTZ Middle East have been named as the lead property advisors on Dubai's multi-billion-dollar financial district project. The project is envisioned as a world-class financial district in line with those in New York, London, Singapore and Hong Kong. To be located on a 3.

Abu Dhabi-based Dolphin Energy Limited (DEL) has invited contractors to prequalify for engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works on an onshore gas plant and compression facilities to be sited at Ras Laffan in Qatar.

Duravit AG recently premiered its new bathroom range Starck 3 in Frankfurt, Germany. The range, designed by the famed Philippe Starck, was unveiled before 900 invited guests from 47 countries at the Staedel Museum. The extensive Starck 3 line is suited to fit a variety of different bathroom plans, Duravit said.

Key new projects costing more than BD20 million ($53 million) have been approved by Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to develop Bahrain's infrastructure. They include: New runway at Bahrain International Airport for emergency landing. The BD7.

Dubai Aluminium Company (Dubal) has named Mott MacDonald as the engineer for the planned upgrade at its smelter complex in Jebel Ali. The aim of the project, named Kestrel, is to replace the older reduction plant and increase aluminium production by 174,000 tonnes per year to 710,000 tonnes.

The construction sector in Qatar is enjoying a boom with a host of new projects on the cards, the Gulf Times said. Several international firms are bidding for infrastructure and tourism projects. The government has allocated QR4.391 billion ($1.

US Chiller Services has successfully reconditioned and modernised a 24-year-old, 320-ton air-cooled Trane centrifugal chiller to 2002 technology and condition. ''The chiller manufacturer wanted the owners to replace the old chiller with a new screw chiller,'' says a Bahrain-based spokesman for US Chiller.

Australian consultant GHD has won the project management contract for the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. The scope of the contract will include a variety of planning, feasibility and consulting tasks embracing all aspects of the 2006 Games.

Redler Limited, the UK-based bulk materials handling and storage specialist has been awarded a £3 million ($4.74 million) by Kuwait Flour Mills and Bakeries Company for the extension of its storage silo and associated conveying equipment.

Deal inked for Dubai substations Dubai: A consortium of Mitsubishi Corp and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has won a Dh94 million ($25.59 million) contract to design, construct and commission three 132/11 kV substations in Dubai, UAE. The project is currently in the design stage with work expected to begin by the year-end.

Two more malls for Dubai Dubai: Two new shopping malls with an investment of about Dh200 million ($54.5 million) are coming up in Dubai, UAE. The 145,000 sq ft Dubai Shopping Center will be ready for occupation in the first quarter of 2003. It will have 115 units, a large food court and children's zone.

Barka plant nears completion Muscat: The $411 million Barka power and desalination plant in Oman is likely to be commissioned early next year. AES Corp of the US and a local company are developing the 427.

Morocco has issued international tenders for the selection of builders and managers of five tourist resorts located on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, the official MAP news agency said. Another resort at Taghazout, near the southern city of Agadir will developed by Saudi group Dallah Al Baraka, MAP said.

Emaar Properties has launched a new residential apartment project at the Emirates Golf Club on Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai,UAE. The new development project - named Greens - will be open to both local and expatriate investors on a freehold ownership basis, said Emaar chairman Mohammed Alabbar.