Al Gurg Fosroc, a leading supplier of construction chemicals in the Gulf, has reached new heights in the field of self-compacting concrete (SCC) admixtures.

To what extent and for how long is a contractor or architect liable for any construction defects in a structure? Antonios Dimitracopoulos, legal consultant at the Dubai-based Al Tamimi & Company, examines the issue under UAE construction law.

A specialist lighting and building exhibition will be held in Abu Dhabi early next year. The exhibition aims to help develop contacts between international manufacturers and potential investors, decision-makers and government representatives as well as to intensify the trade relations between Europe and the UAE.

THE Society of Construction Law in the UK has recently published a consultation copy for general circulation and comment on protocol for determining extensions of time and compensation for delay and disruption. Although issued in the UK, the principles of the protocol can be equally applicable to the Middle East.

The Safeer Group is building two malls in Sharjah at a total cost of Dh300 million ($81.6 million). Both projects - the Safeer Market and the Century Mall - have been designed by Brewer Smith Brewer Gulf and built by System Construct, the Sharjah-based group said. Safeer Market will have a built-up area of 1 million sq ft.

Contracts are awaited for the new Jumeirah Beach Residence real estate development in Dubai. The project will involve an estimated Dh5.2 billion ($1.4 billion) in investment and project chairman Mohammed Al Gergawi said many investors were seeking to buy properties in bulk, lured by the location and the range of facilities on offer.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has appointed Gensler & Associates as the designer of the DIFC Gate building. The building will serve as the headquarters for the DIFC and will be the first in the proposed multi-billion-dollar Dubai financial district. The winning bid was drawn from a shortlist of seven firms.

Leading architectural practices and infrastructure companies from the region and overseas will be taking part in the first Cityscape 2002 exhibition to be held in Dubai in December.

Dubai-based National Fire Fighting Manufacturing Company (Naffco) has set up a full-fledged fire truck division and started manufacturing fire trucks. The new division was inaugurated by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation at the company's office in Jebel Ali.

An Ajman-based company has introduced the WM brand of heavy-duty cable protection systems in the Middle East and Africa. Interface FZC, based at the Ajman Free Zone, says WM conduits are most suitable for protecting electric cables in car parks, basements, swimming pools and other outdoor applications.