construction week issue 302

SAUDI ARABIA BAHRAIN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES QATAR OMAN KUWAIT

ConstructionWEEK NEWS, ANALYSIS, PROJECTS,

TENDERS, CLASSIFIEDS, ANDJOBS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

DEC 26–JAN 8, 2010 [302]An ITP Business Publication CONSTRUCTIONWEEKONLINE.COM

INSIDENEWSSaudi Arabia issues a record breaking budget for 2010PAGE 9

FACE TO FACESchool building could be a goldmine for UAE contractors PAGE 12

INDIA INITIATIVEContractors from the sub-continent make their mark in the GCCPAGE 19

CITY FOCUSThe latest news, projects and tenders from Doha, QatarPAGE 30

TpfrPFINISH

RACE TO THE

CW GETS A GRANDSTAND VIEW OF MEYDAN AS IT READIES FOR THE 2010 RACE SEASON

Licensed by International Media Production Zone

Tru-liftSelf Climbing Core Forming System

Formwork and Shoring SolutionsRMD Kwikform has the skill, expertise and experience to provide you with unique and elegant formwork and shoring solutions. Our team of technical experts and engineers are there to assist you in the creation of any concrete structure and our industry leading equipment ensures that throughout the process your project is correctly supported.

RMD Kwikform will rise to any challenge so why not contact us today and see how we can help you create.

Tru-lift Product Features:

All sizes of core walls accommodated

Complete system raised during lifting cycle

Controlled lifting of equipment through the use of hydraulics

Fully boarded working platforms create a safe working area

Unique striking corners allow quick and easy release of wall formwork

Concrete placement from top working platform

MIDDLE EAST

Tailored Solutions • Global Expertise

For expert solutions contact our specialists

now on

+971 6 553 [email protected]

www.rmdkwikform.com/ae

CONTENTS

11 NEWS IN BRIEFHighlights of the week.

12 FACE TO FACECW talks to two people involved in the development of educational establishments.

13 COMMENTAlan England says mediation could be the region’s preferred form of dispute resolution in the new year.

REGULARS2 ONLINE4 MAIL

FRONT9 SAUDI ARABIA SETS RECORD BUDGETSaudi has unveiled its largest budget in history, projecting expenditures of US $144 billion and revenues at $125 billion.

10 FATAL FALL PROMPTS INDUSTRY WARNINGAn industry expert has warned about the dangers of using fall-protection hoists incorrectly, following a fatal accident.

FEATURES14 SITE VISITCould a new racetrack and grandstand be just what Dubai needs?

19 SPECIAL REPORTCW looks at which Indian fi rms are proving to be success stories in the Middle East and what the future holds for them.

DIRECTORY24 TENDERS25 PROJECTS 26 SPECIALIST SERVICES

BACK30 CITY UPDATEThe latest news and projects from Doha, Qatar.

32 DIALOGUERubber World Industries managing director Muzammil Shaikhani discusses his company’s plans to upsize and how it will reach its growth targets.

DECEMBER 26, 2009-JANUARY 1, 2010 | ISSUE 302

1DECEMBER 26, 2009–JANUARY 8, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

4

32

14

13

10

CONSTRUCTION WEEK DECEMBER 26, 2009–JANUARY 8, 20102

FEATURESFM

HARNESSING THE ELEMENTSBob Knott, director of golf operations for Jumeirah Golf Estates, talks about designing, building and maintaining golf courses in the Middle East.

CW

ROYAL INSIGHTSheikh Maktoum Hasher Maktoum Al Maktoum talks about Dubai World’s restructuring and other pressing issues.

Not happy with just one world-record holder, China has started construction on what will be the world’s longest sea bridge, just 18 months after cutting the ribbon on the current record holder, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge (pictured). Work began on 15 December and is scheduled for completion in 2015. Current cost estimates for the project are a whopping 39 billion dirham. The bridge will be a Y-shaped structure, covering 50km, around 35km of which will be over the sea. The Hangzhou Bay Bridge is just over 35km in length and was designed to cope with strong tides and the severe seasonal storms that part of China experiences.For more images visit www.ConstructionWeekOnline.com

IN PICTURES: CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON WORLD’S BIGGEST SEA BRIDGE

ONLINEwww.ConstructionWEEKonline.com

MOST POPULARCONSTRUCTION STARTS ON WORLD’S BIGGEST SEA BRIDGECONSTRUCTION MAGNATE FIFTH RICHEST ARABCONTRACTORS TO ENTER MASSIVE MERGER IN KSACONTRACTORS SAY $10 BILLION WILL SEE INDUSTRY BREATHE

TO VOTE IN THIS WEEK’S SPOT POLL GO TOwww.ConstructionWEEKonline.com

HAVE YOUR SAYWHAT DO YOU THINK 2010 WILL HOLD FOR THE INDUSTRY?What are you looking forward to in terms of projects – and what are you worried about?

JOBS OF THE WEEKBranch Manager, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesSenior Designer Hospitality, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesCAD Operator Interior Design, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

ONLINE POLLWHAT’S YOUR MAIN AIM FOR 2010?

29.6%Survive

27.8%Get paid for the work we’ve done in 2009

25.9%Tender for more work

13.0%Upsize

3.7%Downsize

FM

TIPS TO BEAT THE RECESSIONfmME investigates how it’s possible to achieve success during an economic downturn.

MEP

MEP NOUVEAURotary Humm contracts manager David Gamble tells MEP Middle East that the contract, which is currently in its very early stages, is valued at US$54.5 million.

CH

INA

PH

OTO

S/G

ET

TY

IMA

GES


MAIL

WRITE TO THE EDITOR Please address your letters to: Post, Construction Week, PO Box 500024, Dubai, UAE or email [email protected]. Please provide your full name and address, stating clearly if you do not wish us to print them. Alternatively log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com and air your views on any one of a number of the latest Middle East business articles.

I am sure that contractors in Dubai are fi rmly following safety codes, but most contractors in Abu Dhabi are not, especially when constructing four storey buildings, or smaller.TAMA

various energy saving and water conservation methods needs to be made easily accessible and available to every person. The knowledge needs to be given in an open platform and not in a seminar in a fi ve-star hotel. Our ministers and government need to be taught fi rst, our bureaucrats need to be made to understand and once the system is corrected, the rest is very easy to operate. It is now or never....AVINASH

RE: CONTRACTORS SAY $10BN WILL SEE INDUSTRY BREATHEThis announcement may have some investors / contractors feeling slightly more comfortable, as a large chunk of the debt can be wiped off, but where is the money going to come from to instigate a continuation of many of the current projects on hold? Band aid on a gaping wound if you ask me.SHANE

RE: EXCLUSIVE: US $2.5 BILLION CLAIM OVER DUBAI METROClaims are only valid if the contractor had initially made a request for payment at the time of delay, or variation, which was at the time agreed by the RTA. If the consortium decides to backdate/create variations to improve his cashfl ow, then the RTA will not pay. Claims are only valid if originally discussed and agreed at the time. Notwithstanding

RE: WATER SCARCITY DRIVES GREEN BUILDINGThe subject needs to be simplifi ed, in common language, which the common man can understand and react to. The message of

the above, I think this poor consortium has no chance. You are talking about $2.5 billion from a government which is already in debt. The reality is the RTA belongs to Dubai Municipality, which is a Dubai government body. I think the new law that came out a few days back, asking all government entities to return any surplus monies to the government treasury, is one way of protecting themselves against claims. The RTA will have no cash left and the consortium will need to deal with the government directly. KAL

RE: MATERIAL PRICE INCREASES EXPECTED IN 2010During this time, when demand is lower, why would any supplier increase the freight cost? For argument’s sake, if we agree that a container from China will cost $1500, then there are other suppliers in the world who will offer the same service cheaper.GS

Is this just an excuse to increase prices? Freight rate increases would affect all items, not just building materials. Let’s check it out with shipping companies.PREMCHAND

And what is that ‘freight rate hike’ exactly? The oil price is steady and market demand is still suppressed so why would transportation costs go up? Please explain this to me.BOB D

RE: FATAL FALL PROMPTS INDUSTRY WARNINGOn the details given it, would appear more of a management failing; why was a carpenter allowed on a scaffold that was being dismantled? If the scaf-fold was not being dismantled, then generally a well designed and installed scaffold does not require the user to wear a harness. These are generally the last result in terms of fall arrest, so the quality of scaf-fold may have been an issue and this is a massive problem in a number of countries.

ANDY

The opinions expressed in this section are of particular individuals and are in no way a refl ection of the publisher’s views.

CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS

Carbon Fiber Strengthening

Crack Injections

Micro Concrete

Patch Repairs

CONMIX LTD.P.O. Box 5936, Sharjah, United Arab EmiratesTel: +971 6 5314155, Fax: +971 6 5314332Email: [email protected]

A complete range of concrete repair and strengthening products complying to international standards

High Strength Polymer Modified MortarsStructural Repair MortarsEpoxy Repair Mortars Crack Injection SystemsBar Anchoring SystemsPile Head Repair SystemsMicro ConcreteStrengthening Systems with Carbon and Glass Fiber Wrapping and Plates

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

l

ReCon - Total Solutionsfor Concrete Repair

PUBLISHED BY AND © 2010 ITP BUSINESS PUBLISHING, A DIVISION OF THE ITP PUBLISHING GROUP LTD,REGISTERED IN THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS COMPANY NUMBER 1402846

Registered at Dubai Media CityITP Business PublishingPO Box 500024, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesTEL +971 4 435 6000 FAX +971 4 435 6080Offices in Dubai & London

ITP BUSINESS PUBLISHINGCEO Walid AkawiMANAGING DIRECTOR Neil DaviesDEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR Matthew SouthwellEDITORIAL DIRECTOR David InghamVP SALES Wayne LoweryPUBLISHING DIRECTOR Jason Bowman

EDITORIALSENIOR GROUP EDITOR Stuart MatthewsEDITOR Conrad EgbertTEL +971 4 435 6256, EMAIL [email protected] & SAUDI ARABIA EDITOR Benjamin MillingtonTEL +973 1 756 4111, EMAIL [email protected] EDITOR Matthew WarnockTEL +971 435 6179, EMAIL [email protected] EDITOR Sarah BlackmanTEL +971 4 435 6278, EMAIL [email protected] EDITOR Gerhard HopeTEL +971 4 435 6252, EMAIL [email protected] EDITOR Greg WhitakerTEL +971 4 435 6263, EMAIL [email protected] EDITOR Alison Luke

ADVERTISINGPUBLISHING DIRECTOR Jason BowmanTEL +971 4 435 6344, EMAIL [email protected] DIRECTOR Raz IslamTEL +971 4 435 6371, EMAIL [email protected] KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER Leigh WrightTEL +971 4 435 6473, EMAIL [email protected] SALES MANAGER Scott WoodallTEL +971 4 435 6172, EMAIL [email protected]

STUDIOGROUP ART EDITOR Daniel PrescottART EDITOR Nadia PumaDIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Sevag DavidianCHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Khatuna KhutsishviliSENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERS Efraim Evidor, Thanos LazopoulosSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Isidora Bojovic, George Dipin, Lyubov Galushko, Jovana Obradovic, Ruel Pableo, Rajesh Raghav

PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTIONGROUP PRODUCTION MANAGER Kyle SmithPRODUCTION MANAGER Eleanor ZwanepoelPRODUCTION COORDINATOR Devaprakash V.A MANAGING PICTURE EDITOR Patrick LittlejohnIMAGE RETOUCHER Emmalyn RoblesDISTRIBUTION MANAGER Karima AshwellDISTRIBUTION EXECUTIVE Nada Al Alami

CIRCULATIONHEAD OF CIRCULATION & DATABASE Gaurav Gulati

MARKETINGHEAD OF MARKETING Daniel FewtrellDEPUTY MARKETING MANAGER Annie ChinoyTEL +971 4 435 6133, EMAIL [email protected]

EVENTS & CONFERENCESDIRECTOR, CONFERENCES, MARKETING & EVENTS Kimon AlexandrouPRODUCER Oscar Wendel

ITP GROUPCHAIRMAN Andrew NeilMANAGING DIRECTOR Robert SerafinFINANCE DIRECTOR Toby Jay Spencer-DaviesBOARD OF DIRECTORS KM Jamieson, Mike Bayman, Walid Akawi,Neil Davies, Rob Corder, Mary Serafin

CORPORATE WEBSITE www.itp.comCIRCULATION CUSTOMER SERVICE TEL: +971 4 435 6000WEB www.ConstructionWeekOnline.comITPIMAGES Certain images in this issue are available for purchase. Please contact [email protected] for further details or visit www.itpimages.com.SUBSCRIBE online at www.itp.com/subscriptions

NOTICE The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. The opinions and views contained in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers. Readers are advised to seek specialist advice before acting on information contained in this publication, which is provided for general use and may not be appropriate for the readers’ particular circumstances. The ownership of trademarks is acknowledged. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publishers in writing. An exemption is hereby granted for extracts used for the purpose of fair review.

PRINTED BY Atlas Printing Press L.L.C. Dubai CONTROLLED DISTRIBUTION BY Blue Truck

Worldwide Circulation StatementAverage Qualified Circulation11,435 (Jan-Jun 2009)

Renitherm® andIntumex® for fireprotection!

RENITHERM® intumescentcoatings for steel, wood andcables. INTUMEX® sealants,seal, collars, mortar and more.

AUDAX-Keck GmbH GermanyPhone +49 70 51/16 [email protected]

Booth NO 8-409 P

Introducing the boom truck crane concept combining American and German technology

DARWISH BIN AHMED & SONS PO Box 28883Abu DhabiUnited Arab EmiratesTel: +971 2 5584800Fax: +971 2 5582242e-mail: [email protected]: www.dbasons.com

DARWISH BIN AHMED & SONS PO Box 1728Al AinUnited Arab EmiratesTel: +971 3 721 3256Fax: +971 3 721 2984e-mail: [email protected]: www.dbasons.com

UNITED MOTORS & HEAVY EQUIPMENT CO. LLCPO Box 22804DubaiUnited Arab EmiratesTel: +971 4 282 9080Fax: +971 4 282 7740e-mail: [email protected]: www.utdmotors.com

& SONS UNITED MOTORS & HEAVY EQUIPMENT CO. LLCPO Box 22804DubaiUnited Arab Emirates

9DECEMBER 26, 2009–JANUARY8, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

Saudi Arabia has unveiled the largest budget in its history for the year 2010, projecting expenditures at US $144 billion (SR540 billion) and revenues at $125 billion.

The budget expenditure has increased by 14% compared to 2009 and has a defi cit of $18.6 billion. It is the second consecutive annual budget defi cit for the Kingdom.

“We’ll channel our fi nancial resources to areas which require more spending in order to boost economic growth and devel-opment, make our economy more attrac-tive for investment, and create more jobs for Saudis,” said Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, in his address to the nation regarding the new budget.

Arab News reported that $36.5 billion was allocated towards new projects in education and training, which covers 1200 schools, new universities in Dammam, Al Kharj,

FRONT

SAUDI ARABIA SETS RECORD US $144 BILLION BUDGETBy Benjamin Millington

SECOND CONSECUTIVE ANNUAL BUDGET DEFICIT FOR THE KINGDOM

Majmaa and Shaqra, the completion of campuses of existing universities and the establishment of new technical colleges and vocational institutes.

Also, $16.3 billion was allocated for health and social development, including eight new hospitals and the expansion of 19 existing hospitals.

Allocations for the water, industrial and agricultural sector amounted to $12.3 billion, which included funds for infrastructure projects required by mineral industries in Ras Al Zour.

The municipal service sector will receive $5.9 billion, and the transport and telecom sector $6.4 billion.

Last year, the Saudi Arabian fi nance min-istry said in a statement that the kingdom would witness a budget defi cit of $16 billion for 2009, as it raised expenditures to, what was then a record, $131.4 billion.

The Saudi economy grew by about 1% this year, compared with about 4.3% in 2008, according to Banque Saudi Fransi.

In the private sector, growth slowed to 2.5%, compared with 4.7% in 2008, despite millions of dollars of projects being can-celled or deferred in view of the tight credit conditions, the bank said.

Oil prices have fl uctuated wildly in the last two years, falling from highs of $147 in July of 2008 to $32 a barrel in Decem-ber 2008, while gradually climbing back to mid-$70s this year.

This year, oil revenues fell by 41% while GDP contracted by 21%.

Saudi Arabia’s budget is the largest in the GCC and is more than three times the total fi scal spending of the UAE. The govern-ment has said it will continue to increase spending in support of its development programme in the next year.

MASSIVE SPENDING PROJECTED BY SAUDI ARABIAN GOVERNMENT AS IT LOOKS TO CONTINUE DEVELOPMENT OF ASSORTED INFRASTRUCTURE.

Fatal fall prompts industry warning 10News highlights 11Face to face 12Comment 13

GEO

RG

E D

IPIN

/IT

P IM

AG

ES


FRONTCONSTRUCTION MAGNATE FIFTH RICHEST ARABBy Stuart Matthews

Nasser Al Rashid, a construction magnate, has been named as the world’s fi fth richest Arab in the Arabian Business Rich List 2009.

Al Rashid has an estimated net worth of US $8 billion (AED 29 billion) and is the highest placed construction industry fi gure on the list. His principal construction interest is Rashid Engineering, a Riyadh-based consulting engineering fi rm.

Rashid Engineering has worked on a number of major government construction projects for Saudi Arabia. The fi rst of these projects was the Al-Khalidiah building at Khazzan Street in Riyadh, which belongs to the sons of the late King Khalid. The company’s fi rst government project was the Al-Massara Hotel at Taif. Al Rashid has garnered a reputation for philanthropic work, fi nancing a mix of hospitals, orphanages and infrastructure projects, as well as supporting a number of medical research causes. He also owns one of the largest private yachts in the world, the Lady Moura, which is 108m in length.

Material prices, which have been relatively stable for the last six months, are expected to rise at the start of 2010, according to Rizwan Sajan, chairman of Danube Building Materials.

Sajan identifi es freight rate rises for imports from China as a key cause.

“The freight rate from China, which was previously at US $600-700, is currently at $1000 per container,” he said. “There is a big possibility of this climbing to $1500 by year end, which also means that there is an increased demand for the products.

MATERIAL PRICE INCREASES EXPECTED AT START OF NEXT YEARBy Stuart Matthews

“Prices have been more or less stable for the last six months, registering a variation of not more than plus or minus 5-10%. For the beginning of 2010, we are expect-ing some prices to go up, especially for wood as a result of the increase in the freight rates.”

Sajan added that there is no established trend covering all building materials. “As far as wood is concerned, price indicators are turned upwards for the beginning of 2010 due to freight rate hike,” he said. “On the other hand, steel bar prices are dropping due to lack of demand and a correction in the prices of scrap and billets.”

An industry expert has warned about the dangers of using fall-protection hoists incor-rectly following a fatal accident.

The incident happened when a carpenter fell fi ve meters from a scaffolding tower. Although he was wearing a harness, it was not fi xed to a solid object and, landing on solid concrete, the man received multiple injuries and later died in hospital.

The secretary of Build Safe UAE, Elias McGrath said: “The wearer needs to be trained to make sure he is using the PPE [personal protective equipment] correctly – otherwise it is just there for decoration.”

FATAL FALL PROMPTS INDUSTRY WARNINGBy Greg Whitaker

He added that there have been a number of accidents of this type in the past – and even cases where workers in confi ned spaces have got themselves tangled in their own harnesses.

McGrath added that the grade of equip-ment also had its part to play: “You have to look for the certifi cation mark and each organisation needs its quality control checks – especially when it comes to helmets.

“If you don’t have a quality in the plastic, it really isn’t going to make a difference. This is one example where quality plays a really important role” he said.

UNSAFE WORK PRACTICES CONTRIBUTED TO WORKER’S DEATH (PICTURE FOR ILLUSTRATION ONLY).

FRONT

HIGHLIGHTS

UAE

WORK TO START ON HEART OF EUROPEThe European Kleindienst Group will commence development on its Heart of Europe project – a 12-site luxury vacation destination on Nakheel’s The World project, off the coast of Dubai, at the beginning of 2010. The development will take in six of The World’s islands and construction will start on the island of Germany, with a fi rst phase comprising 20 villas, designed by Spanish fi rm A-cero.

UAE

PALM JEBEL ALI WORK TO BE AWARDEDThe enabling contracts for three projects on Palm Jebel Ali are set to be awarded

in two month’s time. Work is expected to begin on Nathalie Tower, Blue Moon Tower and Noah’s Arc Tower immediately after the contract is awarded. “We are currently in negotiations with Sharaf Foundations and Geo Foundation,” said Worldwide Project Management managing director Abdel Wahab Talaat.

Kuwait

$62BN CONSTRUCTION SPEND EXPECTEDKuwait will launch around US $62bn worth of new construction projects in 2010, according to the state minister for housing affairs Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah. “2010 will be the year of projects by means of signing housing projects in

the new Sabah Al-Ahmad, Jaber Al-Ahmad and Saad Al-Abdullah cities, together with other housing areas,” he said. The cost of housing projects to be carried out next year will be in the vicinity of $2.1 billion and the government is eager to allow the private sector to get involved.

Saudi Arabia

JV TO BUILD US $11BN ALUMINIUM PLANTState-run Saudi Arabian Mining Co (Maaden) and US aluminium giant Alcoa have agreed to build a $10.8 billion aluminium complex in the industrial zone of Ras As Zawr. The companies have formed a JV to set up a 1.8 million tonne-per-year refi nery, a 740,000 tonne-per-year smelter, a bauxite

mine with an annual capacity of 4 million tonnes and a rolling mill with a capacity of up to 460,000 tonnes.

Saudi Arabia

CONTRACTORS TO ENTER MASSIVE MERGEREleven contracting fi rms are set to merge to form the Saudi Consolidated Contracting Company, worth US $1 billion. Non-listed companies operating in energy, construction, real estate and maintenance work will join together to form the entity in three years time, said chief executive Jassim Al Rumaihi. The fi nal number of contracting fi rms will be agreed by July next year but, for now, consultants Ernst and Young are working on a fi nancial plan.

D I E N S T L E I S T U N G E N

‚WE HELP MANAGE AND SAVE CRITICAL RESOURCES SUSTAINABLY,

�� !��"� ��!��"� �

Combined bill

LocalReading

CentralReading

(RF / M-Bus)

Electricity

Chilled Water

Gas

Water

Issuing BillsReading & Billing Solutions

Hardware & RetrofitingEnergy-Contracting Energy Data-Management

Energy Passport

T: +971 4 214 6624, [email protected]

www.ista.com

‘ ’


FACE-TO-FACE

IAN APSLEYBroadway Malyan, Director

MICHAEL CORBBurt Hill, Senior Associate

We have been working with the Abu Dhabi Education Council

(Adec) since around June this year. Construction is scheduled to

start in June 2010. From the fi rst phase of the model schools, of

which there are 18, we are delivering nine.

HOW ARE YOUR EDUCATION PROJECTS PROGRESSING?

HOW HIGH IS THE DEMAND FOR EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

WHAT MAKES BUILDING A SCHOOL DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER PROJECT?

HAS THE DOWNTURN HINDERED ANY OF YOUR PLANS?

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR 2010?

ARE YOU IMPLEMENTING ANY SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES IN YOUR SCHOOL PROJECTS?

Currently, we are in the concept design phase for a UK public

school located in Abu Dhabi. We have two additional designs

that are under construction in Dubai. However, Burt Hill is not

responsible for the post contract services.

We get a reasonable amount of enquiries from the private market

to build local and international schools to support communities.

Also, the education council plans to start building 100 schools over

the next three years. Consultants who we share information with

also have received a reasonable amount of enquiries.

Education projects continue to be in high demand throughout the

MENA region. With many communities coming on line, we are now

seeing the need to provide community schools. Additionally, the Abu

Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) has been very forward thinking and

aggressive in its plans to provide schools for Abu Dhabi.

I think you need to have the ability to think like a child and imagine

how they would want to experience things. From doing so,

you should be able to think about how your building should be

designed. It is all about using our experience from other markets

and making sure we make the right choices.

Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Qatar hold a lot of growth

potential. Abu Dhabi has demand due to its expanding expatriate

population and ADEC’s goals for 21st century schools. Also, Saudi

Arabia and Libya’s massive infrastructure and residential plans will

require the necessary educational facilities to support communities.

Not really. From a contractor’s point of view, it has probably put

pressure on build costs and the market is very, very competitive at

the moment, which should mean that clients get better value

for money.

Schools need to be highly responsive to how each person learns.

Burt Hill does extensive research into the latest theories on

learning and pedagogy, which infl uences how we approach each

project. In each design, the learner needs to be considered fi rst.

Yes. They are all designed to comply with the three pearl

Estidama rating and there is another private school that we are

currently working on in Abu Dhabi, which is part of the Estidama

pilot scheme.

I hope that we complete our programme for Adec successfully and

that we that we are engaged to start the next phase of its project.

At Burt Hill, sustainable design is integrated into every project we

do. Water conservation and recycling, thermally responsive building

envelopes, controlled natural lighting and endemic landscaping

strategies lie at the core of our regional sustainable design strategy.

We are exceptionally optimistic for 2010. Due to over 30 years

of experience in K12 and higher education design, we feel we are

uniquely positioned to offer the value clients will demand in the

coming year.

SCHOOL DAYS

CW TALKS TO TWO PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS

13DECEMBER 26, 2009–JANUARY8, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK

> For the latest news and comments log on to www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/comment

COMMENT

The opinions expressed in this column are of the author and not of the publisher.

In November 2008, Rics formalised a relationship with Rera to assist Dubai in setting up dispute resolution procedures in property disputes. As part of its support for the establishment of the new Dubai Mediation Centre, Rics Dispute Resolution Services is committed to providing regular accredited mediation training in the Gulf, through its UK-based trainers. The second of these courses was run in Dubai in December 2009. By this means, a pool of specialist Rics Accredited Mediators will be available to help deliver the service.

The Mediation Centre could have a huge impact in cost and time saving and the pres-ervation of long term commercial relation-ships, in what is likely to be a busy sector for the foreseeable future. This is a direct refl ection of both the real estate market in Dubai and the resultant growth in the number of disputes.

Any economic downturn acts as a driver for disputes, and these normally form the basis of a sharp surge in litigation and arbi-tration. This has led to increased levels of interest and use of arbitration in the UAE, particularly in the construction sector.

The new Dubai Mediation Centre is a welcome proactive response by real estate regulatory bodies, with the intention for the participants to agree the settlement of real estate disputes.

Mediation is a voluntary, non-binding, and private dispute resolution process in which a trained neutral person – the mediator - helps parties to a dispute, or other impasse between them, try to reach a negotiated settlement for themselves, with or without the assis-tance of their own professional advisers. It is both Shari’a compliant in its philosophy and well regarded as an established inter-national dispute resolution process. In most cases mediation cannot take place unless the parties agree to enter the process, although the intention of the new Dubai law is that parties will have to engage in it before they can enter the Property Court.

Mediation is also possible with the par-ticipation of all parties, and will cease if one party leaves the process. Mediation is also truly voluntary, as entering the process does not bind the parties to reach settle-ment. Settlement can only come about on the authority of the parties concerned, as the mediator has no authority to make a binding determination. If a settlement is reached, the agreed terms when reduced to writing, will form part of an enforce-able contract.

The entire process is confi dential to the extent local law permits. This means that parties can conduct themselves in the media-tion, for example by disclosing information, expressing views, making suggestions or offering concessions, relatively safe in the knowledge that this will not preclude them arguing a different position should the mat-ter proceed to trial.

The role of the mediator and the confi -dential nature of mediation negotiations help parties to focus on, and realise their true needs and interests, which may be far removed from what a court, an adjudica-tor or an arbitrator might ordinarily have jurisdiction to order.

Mediation generally provides both cli-ent and professional satisfaction in terms of speed, cost, fl exibility of outcome and confi dentiality. Mediation practitioners recognise that a negotiated outcome to a dispute is usually more satisfying, more workable, more fl exible and more dura-ble than an order imposed by a court or other tribunal.

In nearly all jurisdictions the success of mediation comes with educating both professionals engaged in dispute process-ing – lawyers and construction profession-als – and their clients, of both the process and its benefi ts. Thus those intending to mediate and appear for parties in the new Mediation Centre will require proper train-ing and experience for clients to reap the true benefi t.

Dubai readies for mediationME RICS REPRESENTATIVE, ALAN ENGLAND SAYS MEDIATION COULD BE THE REGION’S PREFERRED FORM OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION IN THE NEW YEAR

Alan England is Rics director, Menea (Middle East Near east

and Africa). He began his career at the UK’s Wimpey homes, has

been working throughout the gulf for the last 10 years. Alan

opened the Menea regional office, based in Dubai, in 2007.

“MEDIATION GENERALLY PROVIDES BOTH CLIENT

AND PROFESSIONAL SATISFACTION IN

TERMS OF SPEED, COST, FLEXIBILITY OF OUTCOME

AND CONFIDENTIALITY.”


Forget bungee jump-ing, sand boarding or paintballing; you can leave fi shing, sudoku and social network-ing out of the equation too…surely, right now,

Dubai-bashing must qualify as the world’s favourite pastime.

Tom Cruise, Angelina Jolie and Madonna together could only dream about the sort of column inches that ruminations on the emir-ate’s future are receiving at the moment.

Among all that doom and gloom, it’s easy to forget the magnifi cent feats that Dubai has actually achieved. Even in the next few months, the Burj Dubai – the world’s tall-est building by quite some distance – will throw open its doors, as will the rest of the stations on the Metro’s Red Line.

Flying somewhat under the radar so far, however, has been the Meydan City proj-ect that will ensure top class horse racing heads to Dubai in 2010 and for many years to come.

“Meydan is the Arabic word for ‘meeting place’. Meydan is going to be the newest and most important integrated business and lifestyle destination for the UAE and for the world,” explains Meydan commer-cial director Mohammed Abdul Nasser Al Khayat.

The enormous 18.6 million m² project consists of four separate areas.

“Horizons will be 80% residential and 20% offi ces,” continues Khayat. “Metropolis is to be a business hub and Gadolfi n Parks will be a waterfront district.”

However, what Construction Week is actually here to see is the central feature of Meydan City, which is now reaching completion: the brand new grandstand and racetrack facilities.

COULD DUBAI’S NEW RACETRACK AND GRANDSTAND, READY IN TIME FOR THE 2010 SEASON, BE JUST THE TONIC FOR AN EMIRATE UNDER FIRE?

By Matt Warnock; Photos by Aziz Shah

A NEW FAVOURITEWORTH BACKING

“The grandstand is the longest and larg-est ‘landscraper’ in the world with a span of 1.6kms or the length of 22 Boeing 747 planes,” explains Khayat.

It’s also extremely impressive given that ground was only broken on the project in

THE GRANDSTAND AND RACETRACKS ARE JUST THE FIRST OF FOUR DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE

MEYDAN CITY PROJECT.

MEYDAN COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR MOHAMMED ABDUL NASSER AL KHAYAT: “A LIFESTYLE DESTINATION FOR THE UAE AND THE WORLD.”

“THE GRANDSTAND IS THE LONGEST AND LARGEST ‘LANDSCAPER’ IN THE WORLD WITH A SPAN EQUIVALENT TO 22 BOEINGS”


June 2007 and its progress was anything but smooth. A year ago, Meydan cancelled the US $1.25 billion contract it had with a joint venture between the Malaysian contractor WCT and Arabtec, for the construction and completion of the main building works, external works and infrastructure works of the racecourse project.

Meydan claimed the contract had been can-celled as the JV “failed to abide by the time schedule for the completion”, however there were suggestions that the JV was unhappy about payment being behind construction, which was 60% complete at the time.

Chinese State Construction Engineer-ing Corporation and Mammut Building Systems stepped in to take over principle construction and, fortunately, any disrup-tion has not translated into the quality of the project itself.

Meydan’s head of projects, Douglas Small reveals that between 2 600 and 5 000 con-struction workers were onsite at any time during the building process; meanwhile, at the height of construction, there were eighteen cranes also onsite.

Measuring almost 1.6kms across and boast-ing a built area of 306,580m2, the grand-stand has seating for 20,000 spectators, although its total actual capacity lies closer to 60,000. Meydan offi cials expect to see around 300,000 race fans hit the grandstand during the 2010 season.

The grandstand consists of several sec-tions and lying at one end of the complex and taking up a third of it is the fi ve-star ‘The Meydan’ hotel. The rooms are all fully integrated and 95% of them overlook the course itself. At the other extreme of the ‘landscraper’ is a marina which, through the construction of a canal network, joins up to Dubai Creek, providing boat own-ers with a convenient place to stop during race days.

Designed by Malaysian outfi t TAK – the master planner behind the Palm Deira – which has also served as the project management

“In any construction project there are always differences between what you want to achieve and what is actually happening on the ground,” a WCT spokesman said.

“Changes to the design and to the work that is to be done are always happening in every project.”

THE 2010 DUBAI RACING SEASON

“There will be nine race nights, including three double-headers,”

explains Dubai Racing Club CEO Frank Gabriel Jr. “Thanks to the

new racetracks, both the Dubai World Cup and the Sheema Classic

can start and fi nish in front of the grandstand, creating incredible

anticipation and energy.”

Jan 28 – Dubai International Racing Carnival (First meet)

Feb 4 & 5 - Dubai International Racing Carnival

Feb 11 - Dubai International Racing Carnival

Feb 18 & 19 - Dubai International Racing Carnival

Feb 25 - Dubai International Racing Carnival

March 4 & 5 - Dubai International Racing Carnival (Super Thursday and Meydan Masters)

March 27 – Dubai World Cup and offi cial launch of Meydan grandstand and racecourse

FRANK GABRIEL JR.

MEYDAN CHAIRMAN SAEED AL-TAYER SAYS THAT WORK ON THE OTHER PHASES IS CONTINUING.THE ORIGINAL PRINCIPLE CONTRACTORS WERE RELEASED FROM THEIR CONTRACT BY MEYDAN AT THE

BEGINNING OF 2009 FOR FALLING BEHIND SCHEDULE.

“ON THE UPPER SIDE OF THE ROOF, 4840 SOLAR PANELS GENERATE A 750KW OUTPUT”


fi rm for the fi rst phase of Meydan City, the grandstand’s most impressive point, however, is at its centre where the seating, restaurants, bars and VIP/corporate suites are topped by a cantilevered crescent roof that runs 426m in length and spans 56m across.

“On the upper side of the roof, there are 4,840 solar panels generating a 750Kw out-put,” explains marketing and communica-tions manager William Oburu. “The solar panel surface area measures 5852m2 and the underside is made from titanium. It took 9000 tonnes of steel, in total, to create.”

The crescent roof was topped off in April 2009, less than two years after ground was broken on the grandstand. Sitting snuggly under the crescent roof is the grandstand’s piece de resistance – the rooftop bubble lounge or ‘the sky bubble’ as Meydan is calling it, which was a late addition to the original design concept.

With the capacity to hold more than 4,500 people, the glass pod has 360 degree views back over Sheikh Zayed Road as well as, of course, the racecourse.

It also offers great views over Meydan’s other ingenious and, in many cases, unique features, such as the world’s largest LED

screen which runs almost 110m along the track in front of the grandstand and has a screen area of 1213m2.

You can also glimpse the elaborate net-work of tunnels – totaling more than two kilometers in length – that guide horses, trainers and jockeys quickly around the facilities. Then there is the IMAX theatre that seats 585 viewers.

“The grandstand development has a value of around AED 4.6 billion [US $1.25bn],” claims Meydan chairman Saeed Al-Tayer. “But the net value including the Falcon Car Park, training facilities and infrastructure

will be about AED 10bn [$2.7bn]. It’s a very detailed project.”

The Falcon Car Park structure holds bays for 8,622 cars and is so named because “…the design as you approach the track is of a falcon and is the most challenging archi-tectural feat to date, especially considering the whole project was completed within 24 months,” explains TAK managing director Teo A Khing.

While Meydan may be a good news story at a time when Dubai really needs one, the Meydan chairman insists that it will be far from the last of the emirate’s successes.

THE GIANT CANTILEVERED CRESCENT ROOF IS ONE OF THE MAIN STRUCTURAL FEATURE ON THE HIGH PROFILE PROJECT.

THE MEYDAN CITY PROJECT HAS BEEN MASTER PLANNED AND PROJECT MANAGED BY MALAYSIAN FIRM TAK.

“THE NET VALUE INCLUDING CAR PARK, TRAINING FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE IS AROUND US $2.7BN”


“Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Mak-toum and the Dubai government granted us the land for this landmark building and its associated projects and they have there-fore been extremely helpful and supportive throughout,” continued Al-Tayer.

“The economy is diffi cult for the world, not only Dubai. It’s a challenge for everyone

BUILDING THE TRACKS

Meydan will boast two new racetracks, a 2400m turf track and a 1750m all-weather track –

replacing the previous dirt track – as well as high quality turf and all-weather training tracks.

The turf track consists of Bermuda grass (over-sown with rye) on top of two layers of sweet

soil root zone, a red sand tapered drainage layer and a bed on natural subgrade soil.

The all-weather track is based on a dedicated system called Tapeta. “The Tapeta surface

has proven to be a safe and reliable, and has shown outstanding durability in this climate, says

Dubai Racing Club’s Frank Gabriel Jr. “It provides drainage and great cushioning for horses,

aiding their longevity. The top layer is made from a mix of fi bre, rubber, sand and wax.”

Turf:

• Left handed

• 2400m oval

• Chutes of 1200m and 2000m

• 30m wide

• 5% banking on turns

• 1.5% banking on straights

• Final turn to fi nish 450m

All weather:

• Left handed

• 1750m oval

• Chutes of 1500m and 1600m

• 25m wide

• 6% banking on turns

• 1% banking on straight

• Final turn to fi nish line 400m

THE NEW TURF TRACK FEATURES A MASSIVE 200M STRAIGHT FOR TOP-CLASS RACING.

THE GRANDSTAND HAS SEATING FOR 20,000 AND A TOTAL CAPACITY OF AROUND 60,000.

else too. We’re dealing with it and deliver-ing the grandstand and racetracks are the fi rst part of meeting this challenge.”

However, Al-Tayer is a little more cryp-tic when discussing the remaining phases and developments within Meydan City, which, to date, have no completion dead-line attached.

“We’re dedicated to our investment and we’re working closely with partners but it’s also in their hands to decide. The infrastruc-ture has been commenced, as planned.”

Around 80% of infrastructure has been completed in Horizons – where 100 of 140

plots have been sold – while Meydan claims to be “re-strategising and working closely with new partners” on the second phase of Metropolis, while the sub-station is on schedule to be completed in 2010.

Khayat agrees. “We’ve focused on the infrastructure, which is very important because it gives investors an indication when they can start on their own land. We cannot defi ne when construction goes on, it depends on the investor. Some want to start because they have already invested in the land and there are some who are not looking to start just yet. It’s a phased development like Dubai Marina, which took almost 10 years to be fully ready.”

Another issue that has accounted for some of those news pages that Dubai has dominated over the past few weeks is that of non-payment with Chinese fi rms. Far-eastern fi rms played signifi cant roles in the completion of Meydan grandstand and Al-Tayer claims that those relationships remain strong.

“The Chinese contribution to this project was immense – from the curtain wall, to work on the Falcon car park to the prin-ciple construction carried out by China State Construction. Chinese companies provided between 45% and 50% of construction sup-plies for the grandstand and racecourse.

“However, many of the other suppliers and JVs are based locally and 20 to 30% of components, fi xtures, fi ttings, interiors and carpets came from national companies.”

The message is clear: the developers and all involved with Meydan City are deter-mined to provide not only a top class racing venue but, in fact, a top class development.“You’ve seen what has been accomplished in 18 months,” fi nishes Al-Tayer. “We’re now going to hold a racing season with the kind of facilities that we’ve never had in 14 years of racing.” �

“20-30% OF COMPONENTS, FIXTURES, FITTINGS, INTERIORS AND CARPETS CAME FROM LOCALLY-BASED COMPANIES”


India-headquartered fi rms have made signifi cant contri-butions to the Middle East’s construction sector over the past few decades. Their input has spread across the entire sector, with fi rms varying from

manufacturers to developers, consultants and contractors. So who are proving suc-cess stories and with the recent economic

developments on both continents, what does the future hold for such input?

SUPPLYING THE MIDDLE EASTIndia-based manufacturers provide many products for the Middle East construction market; everything from diggers, to tools. One of the largest and most recognised names is Tata. Its Telco Construction Equipment

CW LOOKS AT WHICH INDIAN FIRMS ARE PROVING TO BE SUCCESS STORIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THEM

By Alison Luke

THE SUB-CONTINENTALAPPROACH

Company (Telcon) provides heavy plant and earth-moving machinery among other services. A 60:40 joint venture between Tata Motors and Japan’s Hitachi Construction Machinery, the fi rm supplies a wide range of construction equipment including hydraulic excavators, backhoe loaders, crawler cranes and multi-utility loaders.

Despite the downturn in the economy over the past year, Tata has reported continuing profi ts during 2009. The fi rm’s medium and heavy commercial vehicles sales dur-ing August 2009 were 10% higher than the August 2008, showing the second consecu-tive monthly growth for the business.

Tata Group began operations within the Middle East in the early 1990s and cur-rently employs more than 4000 people in the region. It views the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar as key markets and reports that it is “keen on expanding its presence in these countries”.

Another fi rm that has been increasing its presence in the region is Speedcrafts.

INDIAN LABOURERS WORK ON THE UNDER-CONSTRUCTION CYCLING VELODROME AT INDIRA

GANDHI INDOOR STADIUM COMPLEX, IN NEW DELHI. WORK LIKE THIS MAKES THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY INDIA’S SECOND BIGGEST EARNER.

PR

AK

AS

H S

ING

H/A

FP/G

ET

TY

IMA

GES

CONSTRUCTION IN INDIAConstruction is the second largest industry in India, accounting for around 11% of the

country’s GDP in 2008 and around 33 million jobs. The sector is expected to be worth

US $120 billion in 2010 according to a study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and

Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

The overall economic growth of the country over the past few years has been a major

factor in the growth of the construction sector, as demand grew for infrastructure,

residential and commercial projects. A large number of construction fi rms headquartered

in India now have operations within the Middle East, providing services ranging from the

supply of products, to contracting and consultancy.


Headquartered in Patna, India, the fi rm manufacturers a wide range of plant and equipment for the construction industry. Its portfolio includes products ranging from concrete batching plants to stone crush-ers and mobile hot-mix plants. The fi rm is currently targeting customers throughout the Gulf region.

CONTRACTINGThere are several large and multi-national Indian contractors now operating in the Middle East. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is one of the largest and most successful, the fi rm continuing to win large-scale projects despite the overall economic downturn in the region.

Billed as a technology, engineering, construction and manufacturing fi rm, its Engineering Construction & Contracts divi-sion is one of India’s largest construction organisations. The fi rm’s latest fi nancial fi gures announced in September show a 47% growth in order infl ow compared to the same period in 2008; 26% rise in prof-its after tax; plus a 10.6% improvement in operating margin.

In the Middle East, L&T has manufactur-ing facilities in Oman and Saudi Arabia, plus offi ces in Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. The fi rm has undertaken several projects

compared to the previous year, continuing a period of growth for NCC. This growth has also been refl ected in its Middle East operations: “Our turnover reached 1.2 billion dirhams over a period of four years,” reports Nagarjuna Contracting manager planning and co-ordination Abhilash Sathyan.

Current projects for NCC include a pipeline for DEWA and 588 villas for an Abu Dhabi residential development. It plans to expand its portfolio by bidding for contracts within other sectors explains Sathyan: “At present [NCC is] looking into Government-aided infrastructure projects,” he reports.

Shapoorji Pallonji was one of the fi rst Indian construction fi rms to work within the Middle East. It is the largest private shareholder of Tata Sons, the holding com-pany of Tata Group. The fi rm undertook its fi rst project, the palace of the Sultan of Oman, in the 1970s and has since completed many other high-profi le jobs within the UAE, Oman and Qatar.

In 2008 the fi rm announced that it was re-entering the UAE market having won eight projects valued at a total of around $600 million, including the Fairmont Hotel in Abu Dhabi. The fi rm’s overseas operations are run from its Dubai offi ce and the fi rm reported that is has plans to grow within the Gulf region.

in the region, including Dubai’s Discov-ery Gardens, six electrical substations in Al Ain for the Abu Dhabi Water & Elec-tricity Authority (ADWEA), plus a multi-million dollar residential development in Sohar, Oman.

In August 2009 L&T announced several further project wins valued at a total of more than US $217 million. These latest Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts will be carried out by the fi rm’s Electrical & Gulf Projects Operat-ing Company (E&GP OC), part of L&T’s Construction Division.

They include the construction of four substations for Qatar Petroleum to serve Ras Laffan Industrial City; a 66/11kV gas-insulated substation (GIS) at Education City, Doha for Kahramaa, Qatar; a 132/11kV GIS for Dubai Electricity & Water Author-ity (DEWA); plus a 132/33kV GIS substa-tion for Oman Electricity & Transmission Company (OETC).

Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) is also achieving success both in the Middle East and overall; it is currently planning to expand its Gulf operations. NCC began operations in the Middle East in October 2005 and now has offi ces in the UAE and Oman. The fi rm announced a rise in turn-over for Q2 of the 2009-10 fi nancial year

“TATA BEGAN OPERATIONS IN THE MIDDLE EAST IN THE EARLY 90S AND EMPLOYS MORE THAN 4000 PEOPLE IN THE REGION.”

RATAN TATA, CHAIRMAN OF INDIA’S LARGEST CONGLOMERATE TATA GROUP, WHICH OWNS THE SUCCESSFUL TELCO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT COMPANY.

IND

RA

NIL

MU

KH

ER

JEE

/AFP

/GE

TT

Y IM

AG

ES

MA

NA

N V

ATS

YAYA

NA

/AFP

/GE

TT

Y IM

AG

ES

LIKE THE GULF, INDIA IS EXPANDING ITS INFRASTRUCTURE WITH RAIL PROJECTS SUCH AS THE DELHI METRO.

NEW ENTRANTSOne of the latest Indian companies to expand operations in the Middle East is the major construction fi rm Kristal Group. In late November, the company entered into a joint venture with Bahrain-based real estate developer Crown Dilmun Development to form the new fi rm Kristal Crown International (KCI).

KCI was formed in order to undertake civil contracting projects throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Despite being only a few weeks old, the fi rm has already begun work in earnest. “Kristal Crown International is working on its fi rst contract, which involves three buildings for the Marina Reef project in Manama, Bahrain,” reports a spokesman for Crown Dilmun. “This is a multi-million dinar (BHD) project and there are others in the pipeline,” he adds.

At the announcement of the joint venture, Kristal Group chair and CEO KK Namboodiri explained that the “massive potential” in the region’s construction sector was one

of the attractions of the Bahrain deal. For Crown Dilmun the choice of partner came down to the overall experience and attitude of the other fi rm. “We were not necessar-ily looking for an Indian fi rm, but [Kristal] had all the features we wanted,” states the spokesman. “They have the credentials and experience in building work, seem very honest…and the management is very posi-tive in all respects,” he adds.

A dedicated offi ce for KCI is now operational in Bahrain and further offi ces are planned as the company expands. “There is a three-phase programme in the pipeline for the development of the joint venture and we have huge ambitious plans for the future,” stresses the spokesman. Each phase of the programme is expected to take around one year to implement.

The creation of KCI has also led Crown Dilmun to consider expanding its opera-tions to India. “We are currently seriously considering a large project in India,” reports the spokesman. With such co-operation

AM NAIK, THE CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF LARSEN AND TOUBRO, WHOSE COMPANY HAS MANUFACTURING FACILITIES IN OMAN AND SAUDI ARABIA, PLUS OFFICES IN KUWAIT, QATAR AND THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES.

DIB

YAN

GS

HU

SA

RK

AR

/AFP

/GE

TT

Y IM

AG

ES

and international ties, and the construc-tion sectors in both regions expected to grow in the near future, it seems that Indian fi rms will continue to make positive contri-butions to the Middle East for some time to come. �

Pre

sen

tin

g L

aser

Dis

tan

ce

Measu

rin

g t

ools

for

pro

fessio

nals

.

No

measu

rin

g t

ap

es e

ver

ag

ain

!

Easy t

o u

se •

Maxim

um

fu

ncti

on

s •

To

ug

h f

or

sit

e u

sag

e

ww

w.n

asc

o-u

ae

.co

m

DU

BA

IO

pp. A

l Mak

toum

Hos

pita

l, D

eira

, Dub

aiEm

ail:

nasc

omt@

emira

tes.

net.a

eTe

l: 04

-222

2471

, 228

4314

, 223

6413

Fax

: 227

5803

AB

U D

HA

BI

Mu

saff

ah In

du

stri

al A

rea

P. O

. Bo

x: 2

6359

Tel:

02-5

5560

02/3

, Fax

: 555

6001

/9

SHA

RJA

HG

reen

Bel

t Roa

d, In

dust

rial A

rea

1P.

O. B

ox: 6

768

Tel:

06-5

3336

58, 5

3337

12 F

ax: 5

3370

63

AL

AIN

Al A

in S

t., S

anai

yaP.

O. B

ox:

172

45Te

l: 03

-721

1299

(3 li

nes

) Fax

: 721

1288

AL

QU

OZ

Mak

ita S

ervi

ces

P. O

. Bo

x: 1

825

Al Q

uo

z In

d. A

rea

- 3, D

ub

aiTe

l: 04

-341

0776

, Fax

: 341

0790

DISTRIBUTORS:

FE

AT

UR

ES

MEA

SUR

ING

RA

NG

E0.

05m

– 1

00m

AD

VA

NT

AG

ES

Mod

elLD

10

0P

Flex

ible

and

fast

indo

or

mea

surin

g.

ACC

UR

ACY

±1.5

mm

ove

r 30m

Pre

cise

and

relia

ble

mea

sure

men

ts ti

me

afte

r tim

e.

ILLU

MIN

ATED

4 LI

NE

DIS

PLAY

Val

ues

can

easi

ly b

e re

ad in

the

dark

.

PY

THA

GO

RE

AN

FUN

CTI

ON

SIn

dire

ct h

eigh

t and

wid

th

mea

sure

men

ts fo

r in

acce

ssib

le p

ositi

ons.

IP54

Spla

sh a

nd d

ust p

roof

.

FE

AT

UR

ES

MEA

SUR

ING

RA

NG

E0.

05m

– 6

0m

AD

VA

NT

AG

ES

Mod

elLD

06

0P

Flex

ible

and

fast

indo

or

mea

surin

g.

ACC

UR

ACY

±1.5

mm

ove

r 12m

Pre

cise

and

relia

ble

mea

sure

men

ts ti

me

afte

r tim

e.

ILLU

MIN

ATED

3 LI

NE

DIS

PLAY

Val

ues

can

easi

ly b

e re

ad in

the

dark

.

PY

THA

GO

RE

AN

FUN

CTI

ON

SIn

dire

ct h

eigh

t and

wid

th

mea

sure

men

ts fo

r in

acce

ssib

le p

ositi

ons.

IP54

Spla

sh a

nd d

ust p

roof

.

www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/directory

DIR

ECTORY

To

advertise p

lease call Sh

ishir D

esai +9

71 4 4

35

63

75, o

r email sh

ishir.d

[email protected]

m

DIRECTORY

DECEMBER 26, 2009–JANUARY 8, 2010 CONSTRUCTION WEEK 23

24 TENDERS25 PROJECTS

SPECIALIST SERVICES26 Building materials27 Construction chemicals/concrete28 Education & training/fl ooring29 Recruitment/steel

CITY UPDATE30 Doha, Qatar

TENDERS | PROJECTS | SUPPLIERS | CITY UPDATE


TENDERSFREE TENDERS AND SERVICES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRYTO INCLUDE YOUR TENDERS IN THIS SECTION EMAIL TENDER DETAILS TO [email protected]

To in

clu

de

you

r te

nd

ers

in t

his

sec

tio

n e

mai

l ten

der

det

ails

to

ed

ito

r@C

on

stru

ctio

nW

eekO

nlin

e.co

m

TEN

DER

S

BAHRAIN

Issuer: Electricity and Water AuthorityTender No: 345/2009/5310Description: Replacement of defective meters and faulty current transformers.Closes: January 20Fees: BD15Bond: BD500Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.bh

EGYPT

Issuer: Egyptian Railways Integrated Services CompanyDescription: Engineering, design, installation and commissioning of four stationary train washing systems in Cairo.Closes: January 24Fees: EP5000Bond: EP200,000Contact: The Railways Workshops, Al Farz, El Sharabiya, Cairo

OMAN

Issuer: Public Authority for Electricity and WaterTender No: 324/2009Description: Construction of chlorination unit in Al Khoud Reservoir.Closes: December 28Fees: OR200Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om

Issuer: Majis Industrial ServicesTender No: 332/2009Description: Construction of a seawater intake pumping station in Sohar.Closes: December 28Fees: OR125Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om

Issuer: Ministry of ManpowerTender No: 326/2009Description: Construction of a vocational training centre at Al Burami.Closes: January 4Fees: OR1450Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om

Issuer: Ministry of Transport and CommunicationTender No: 336/2009Description: Design and construction of roundabout and pedestrian underpass in Wilayat of Nakhal, Al Batinah region.Closes: January 4Fees: OR350Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om

Issuer: Majan Electricity CompanyTender No: 344/2009Description: Supply of electrical cables for Majan Electricity Company.Closes: January 4Fees: OR150Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om

Issuer: Ministry of ManpowerTender No: 326/2009Description: Construction of a vocational training centre in Al Buraimi.Closes: January 4Fees: OR1450Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om

Issuer: Public Authority for Electricity and WaterTender No: 335/2009Description: Construction of water distribution network.Closes: January 11Fees: OR1500Contact: www.tenderboard.gov.om

QATAR

Issuer: Public Works AuthorityTender No: PWA/GTC/056/09-10Description: Civil works in Ain-Khalid area.Closes: December 29Fees: QR4000Contact: Contract department, Public Works Authority

Issuer: Public Works AuthorityTender No: PWA/GTC/051/09-10Description: Construction, completion and maintenance of administration offi ces and car parking for the Supreme Council of Justice.Closes: January 5Fees: QR1500Contact: Contract department, Public Works Authority

Issuer: Public Works AuthorityTender No: PWA/GTC/048/09-10Description: Construction, completion and maintenance of a health care centre in Al Nuaim.Closes: January 12Fees: QR2500Contact: Contract Department, Public Works Authority

SAUDI ARABIA

Issuer: Saline Water Conversion CorporationDescription: Construction of a pump station in Buriydah, Saudi Arabia.Closes: December 28Fees: SR1000Contact: www.swcc.gov.sa

Issuer: Royal Commission for Jubail and YanbuTender No: 090-C23Description: Rehabilitation of Jubail Industrial City Airport.Closes: January 5Fees: SR1000Contact: Directorate General of the Royal Commission in Jubail

UAE

Issuer: Dubai Electricity and Water AuthorityTender No: CNE/0114/2008(R)Description: Construction of water intake channel (onshore and offshore sections), and an outfall system.Closes: January 25Contact: The Chairman, Board of Directors, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

Issuer: Dubai Electricity and Water AuthorityTender No: CNE/0488/2009Description: Construction of four accommodation buildings at Jebel Ali Power Station.Closes: February 24Fees: AED2000Contact: The Chairman, Board of Directors, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority

Established in November 2001, the ministry proposes and implements manpower general policies in line with the state economic and social objectives. It prepares draft laws and systems regulating the labour market and vocational training sector in the sultanate. Other responsibilities include applying, following up, monitoring and implementation of the labour laws and regulations and providing labour care in coordination with the concerned authorities.

The ministry currently has a number of tenders open for bidding. Contracts will include the construction of a vocational training centre in Al Buraimi and the construction, completion and maintenance of a proposed building for the labour offi ce in Sumail. The bidding closing date for both tenders is January 4, 2010. �

Tender focus

MINISTRY OF MANPOWER, OMAN

THE MINISTRY OF MANPOWER IMPLEMENTS AND MONITORS LABOUR LAWS.

> For more tenders check online at www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/tenders

PRO

JECTS To list yo

ur p

rojects in

this sectio

n em

ail details to

edito

r@C

on

structio

nW

eekOn

line.co

m

PROJECTSA KUWAIT DATABASE - BUILDING PROJECTS FOCUSTO LIST YOUR PROJECTS IN THIS COLUMN EMAIL DETAILS TO [email protected]

Al Hamra project is a US $950 million (KD272 million) mixed-use development comprising of a shopping centre and offi ce tower. Situated in Kuwait City, the 77-storey building is around 420m-high. The total land area is 10,978m2 and an additional 7000m2 will be used for a multi-story car park.

The client, Ajial Real Estate Entertainment Company, awarded Al Ahma-diah Contracting and Trading the main construction contract in 2005 and construction started soon after. Construction is in progress and is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2010. Skidmore, Owings and Merrill is the architect for the project. �

Project focus

AL HAMRA TOWER

CONSTRUCTION ON AL HAMRA TOWER BEGAN IN 2005..

PROJECT TITLE CLIENT CONSULTANT MAINCONTRACTOR

VALUE(US$MN)

STATUS

KUWAITCENTER FOR RESEARCH & STUDIES AT SHARQ Ministry of Public Works Gulf Consult Al Jaraih Contracting 12 project under construction

COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGICAL STUDIES AT SHUWAIKH

Public Authority for Applied Education & Training

Al Dowailah Engineering Consultants

Not Appointed 16 - 30 award awaited for the main contract

SHOWROOM IN SHUWAIKH Mr. Zayed Al Khalid Al Mousawi Engineering Consultant

Not Appointed 16 - 30 project under design

FURNITURE SHOWROOM IN SHUWAIKH Mr. Zayed Al Khalid Al Mousawi Engineering Consultant

Not Appointed 2.5 - 15 project under design

ACCOMMODATION FOR JUMEIRAH DEVELOPMENT IN AHMADI

Jumeirah Development Al Aliyan Consulting Not Appointed 16 - 30 project under design

MEDICAL CLINICS PROJECT A'Ayan Real Estate Company Soor Engineering Bureau Not Appointed 16 - 30 project under design

HEALTH CENTER AT BAYAN PALACE Ministry of Public Works In House Alamiah Building Company 53 project under construction

IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS AT FARWANIYA Ministry of Public Works Kuwait Technical Consultant Not Appointed 2.5 - 15 award awaited for the main contract

IDEAL HIGH SCHOOL AT AQAILA Ministry of Public Works/Ministry of Education

Al Zamami Consultant Bader Al Mulla & Brothers Company

17 project under construction

KUWAIT BUSINESS TOWN AT AL MIRQAB AREA - ZONE 3

Kuwait Business Town Holding Company

Projacs/Pace/Fentress Bradburn

First United General Trading & Contracting


AL HAMRA TOWER Ajial Real Estate Company Al Jazeera Consultants Ahmadiah Trading & Contracting 241 project under construction

COMMERCIAL BUILDING IN SHUWAIKH Mr. Zayed Al Khalid Al Mousawi Engineering Consultant

Not Appointed 2.5 - 15 project under design

CRIMINAL EVIDENCE HEADQUARTERS Ministry of Public Works/Ministry of Interior

Kuwait Engineering Group/NBBJ

Not Appointed 16 - 30 project under design

GATE OF KUWAIT Al Shaya Group KEO/GLH Partnership/LG Consulting

Not Appointed 260 project under design

KUWAIT INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE Ministry of Public Works/Ministry of Justice

Al Zamami Consultant Not Appointed 31 - 100 bidding underway for the main contract

KUWAIT BUSINESS TOWN AT AL MIRQAB AREA - ZONE 1

Kuwait Business Town Holding Company

Projacs/KEO Int'l/Gensler Associates

First United General Trading & Contracting


AVENUE SHOPPING MALL EXPANSION - PHASE 3 Mabanee Company PACE/Gensler Al Ghanim International Trading & Gen. Contg.


> For the latest projects information visit www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/projects


SPECIALIST SERVICESCONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MADE EASY IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK’S DIRECTORYTO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL +971 4 435 6473, OR EMAIL [email protected]

To a

dve

rtis

e p

leas

e ca

ll +

971

4 4

35

63

75 o

r em

ail s

his

hir

.des

ai@

itp.

com

SP

ECIA

LIST

SER

VIC

ES

BUILDING MATERIALS

Based in Dubai, Ramboll is an international, multi-disciplinary engineering, design and consultancy company. It provides services under four main service areas – buildings and design, infrastructure and transport, energy and climate and environment and nature. The company also has a large oil and gas division based in Qatar.

The fi rm has over 200 offi ces in the Middle East, the UK and India and has worked on projects from China to Ireland and Norway to Saudi Arabia. Also, like many fi rms, Ramboll has shifted its focus from Dubai to other markets – such as Abu Dhabi and Libya. The company is set to further build its pres-ence in these countries in 2010 through variety of means, and will closely monitor construction markets across the region.

Ramboll managing director Peyman Mohajer explains how the company is pulling through the downturn: “The liquidity problems faced by many developers have been well documented for a year now. We have tried to help wherever we can, by agreeing revised payment schedules, or revised scope of work, to suit both parties. We have combined this with a broadening of our horizons to new markets, and using Ramboll’s international expertise to develop new services in the region.” �

Supplier focus

RAMBOLL MIDDLE EASTA SUPPLIER OF ENGINEERING AND DESIGN CONSULTANCY SERVICES

RAMBOLL MANAGING DIRECTOR PEYMAN MOHAJER.


SPECIALIST SER

VICES

To ad

vertise please call +

971 4

4 4

35

63

75 o

r email sh

ishir.d

[email protected]

m

BUILDING MATERIALS HARD LANDSCAPING SUPPLIER

> For directory information visit www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/directory

DEWATERING

Engineering Works Foundation Infrastructure (L.L.C.)

SPECIALIZED DEWATERING SERVICES:• Specialized in Deepwell, Wellpoint,

Open pumping techniques

• Professional Service

• Round the clock backup

• Effective Groundwater control

P.O. Box: 111245, Dubai - U.A.E. P.O. Box: 2752, Abu Dhabi - U.A.E.Tel: +971 4 340 9022 Fax: +971 4 340 8952 E-mail: [email protected]

CONSTRUCTION/MANUFACTURERS

CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS

CONSTRUCTION/MANUFACTURERS

STEEL

HEM, IPE, IPN, UPN

Full range of plaster, tiles and gypsum tools

OTAL (LLC) Dubai, U.A.EPhone: (+971-4) 267 9646 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.otal.ae


SPECIALIST SERVICESCONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS AND SERVICES MADE EASY IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK’S DIRECTORYTO ADVERTISE PLEASE CALL +971 4

To a

dve

rtis

e p

leas

e ca

ll +

971

4 4

35

63

75 o

r em

ail s

his

hir

.des

ai@

itp.

com

SP

ECIA

LIST

SER

VIC

ES

LANDSCAPING

PP CORRUGATED SHEETS

CONTRACTORS/MANUFACTURERS

FLOORING

HVAC & PLUMBING RELATED EQUIPMENT

Albert +971 50 854 5629

Office +971 4 885 8825 Simon +971 50 854 5327

EUROPEAN STYLE CHERRY SOLID WOOD ORIGINAL PRICE

CLEARANCE PRICE $34m

2

2,000m AVAILABLE IN DUBAI

A

L

O

M

I REAL WOOD FLOORS LLC

AlomiREAL WOOD FLOORS LLC

www.alomirealwoodflooringllc.com

Alomi

LOOK!!LESS THAN ½PPRICE

$15m2

2

POST TENSIONING


> For directory information visit www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/directory> For directory information visit www.ConstructionWEEKonline.com/directory

RECRUITMENT

SPECIALIST SER

VICES

To ad

vertise please call +

971 4

4 4

35

63

75 o

r email sh

ishir.d

[email protected]

m

STEEL

STEEL

RECRUITMENT

STEEL

HEM, IPE, IPN, UPNHEM, IPE, IPN, UPN

WOOD AND TIMBER


CITY UPDATEDOHA, QATAR

A PEDESTRIAN WALKS PAST THE BUILDING OF THE DOHA SECURITIES MARKET IN THE QATARI CAPITAL.

“WE EXPECT 2010 TO BE THE BOTTOM OF THE MARKET IN

TERMS OF PRICES, BUT WE DON’T NECESSARILY SEE ANY

UPTURN IN 2011 AS BEING AGGRESSIVE BECAUSE

OF THE SUPPLY COMING IN”K

AR

IM J

AA

FAR

/AFP

/GE

TT

Y IM

AG

ES


TOP PROJECTS US$New Doha International Airport 11bnLusail $5.5bnThe Pearl Qatar $5bnDoha Metro $3bnDoha Convention Centre and Tower $1.5bn

da. Demolition work to clear space for the $5.5 billion Heart of Doha development is in full swing, with construction work expected very shortly.

The project represents work by Allies and Morrison to improve how easy it is to live in Doha as a pedestrian.

“We are witnessing Doha beginning the rebirth of its city centre. But to do this it needs to bring Qatari families back into the city centre and become more pedestrian-friendly,” says A&M partner Tim Makower. “The West Bay district of Doha is not very pedestrian-friendly and so it has become a car dominated area. We need to encourage people to spend less time in their cars.” �

This has seen an overall slowdown in the Qatari construc-tion industry, but 2009 has still seen the hydrocarbon-rich country grow.

A report from Business Monitor Inter-national issued in Q4 said that the con-struction industry would grow by 5% in 2009, saying “one of the best prospects for growth in the infrastructure sector in the Middle East in 2009. Despite a further downward revision to our forecasts for the country in 2009, we are still optimistic for the sector’s potential, and thus expect it to achieve one of the highest growth rates in the region.”

Like many other GCC cities, infrastructure seems to be the key area for growth. The under-construction US $14 billion New Doha International Airport is still on schedule

Slowing, but still steadyDEVELOPMENT IN DOHA MIGHT REFLECT NATIONAL TRENDS BUT THE QATARI CAPITAL

STILL LOOKS A SAFE BET FOR LONG-TERM REGIONAL INVESTMENTBy James Boley

DO

N E

MM

ER

T/A

FP/G

ET

TY

IMA

GES

TH

AN

OS

LA

ZO

PO

ULO

S/I

TP

IMA

GES

THE SKYLINE IS FILLED WITH CRANES AS CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES ON

HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS IN DOHA.

for 2011 and will cover over 22 kilometres outside the city.

Residential development, however, is likely to be off the agenda for some time to come. An oversupply caused by an extra 5,000 new properties and a decline in people moving to Doha as a result of the economic slowdown has seen rental prices plummet by 35% over the last year, according to a study by Century 21 Qatar.

Meanwhile, other reports suggest that prices could fall by a further 15%, according to The First Investor Asset Management as a further 10,000 homes come online next year. “We expect 2010 to be the bottom of the market in terms of prices but we don’t necessarily see any upturn in 2011 as being aggressive because of the supply coming in,” says Keith Edwards, head of asset man-agement at the investment bank.

As a result, improving the quality of the existing city centre comes high on the agen-

“WE ARE WITNESSING DOHA BEGINNING THE REBIRTH OF ITS CITY CENTRE ... IT NEEDS TO BRING QATARI FAMILIES BACK INTO THE CITY.

THE PEARL QATAR.

CONSTRUCTION WEEK DECEMBER 26–JANUARY 8, 200932

How does your product differ from other insulations? Gulf-O-Flex is a closed cell electromeric insulation and an environmentally friendly, CFC-free and fl exible material, which can withstand severe environmental conditions. It can retard heat gain and prevent condensation or frost formation on refrigerant lines, cold water plumbing and chilled water systems. It delays heat loss for hot water plumbing, liquid heating, dual temperature piping and many solar systems.

What are the disadvantages of using rubber products?Rubber insulation is a bit more expensive compared to fi ber glass and mineral wool. However, rubber insulation can be used in a temperature range of -40 to +120º C, while the other two materials can go only sustain up to 350-400º C. When do you plan to expand to Qatar and Iran and why those markets?When the recession affected the growth of the UAE’s construction market, we decided to look for other opportunities by capturing the export market in all its depth. After thorough market research, we have identifi ed Qatar and Iran as booming markets, which hold enormous potential for our products. As a fi rst step, we have participated in a number of high-profi le exhibitions in both countries with aims of building awareness for the Rubber World brand.

What do you hope to achieve in Qatar and Iran?We have already achieved 75% to 80% of the target we have set for these two markets. Now, we are expecting 20% more business at the onset of the coming year.

RWI aims to achieve 25% growth in its production in 2010. How will you achieve this? After having all the calculation and analysis on all aspects of our operations, we came to a prediction that we can increase our production and sales during 2010. We can reach our target without any diffi culties, as we have new products and a strategy planned. With new vision and good marketing, we are now increasing our clients’ strength. Apart from the

GCC, we have expanded our business to the Asian and African continents, which will help us further boost our growth.

Has exporting helped you survive the downturn, as projects have been put on hold in UAE?Yes, defi nitely. We are expecting to supply more air conditioning and refrigeration products to the African and Asian regions.

How high is the demand of rubber insulation products? In the initial stages of the recession, demand slowed down

slightly. However, we are confi dent that demand will shoot up again in the coming year. We have also monitored a signifi cant drop in imports from Italy and China, an indication of the market turning into local sources for rubber insulation products. What are your expectations for 2010?We are on the threshold of 2010 with great expectations. We are anticipating the result of our efforts in 2009, including the launch of new products, production of new materials and overseas marketing, to pay off signifi cantly. We are also expanding our business by growing our client roster, developing more products and

penetrating new markets. We are confi dent all these efforts will make 2010 a wonderful year for RWI. What projects are you currently working on? We are supplying our products to a number of high-profi le projects under construction, including Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, Mirdiff City Centre Project, Al Raha Development, Al Reem Island, Rem Raam Project and Jumeirah Park Package 4 and 4A.

DIALOGUEMUZAMMIL SHAIKHANI

Muzammil Shaikhani, a graduate in

fi nance and business administration, is

a founding member and the director of

the Dubai–based property developer,

MRE Global Investment Group. He is

also the director of the Memon Group of

Companies, a business conglomerate,

which is now celebrating its 30th year

in business. He initially worked with the

Memon Group, and thereafter headed

the group’s manufacturing giant, Rubber

World Industries, before establishing his

presence internationally with operations in

the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

EDITOR’S NOTE: In CW issue #301, an interview with Rabih

Fakih of Grey Matters indicated that the price of self consolidating

concrete was “around 50% higher than conventional concrete”.

The correct fi gure should have read 15%.

Great expectationsRubber World Industries (RWI) managing director Muzammil Shaikhani discusses his company’s plans to upsize and how it will reach its growth targets

By Sarah Blackman

construction week issue 302

Documents

comaecontents11 news

city focusthe latest

cominsidenewssaudi arabia

directory24 tenders25

working platforms

director of golf operations

industry leading equipment

middle eastdec