Author: Paromita Dey

Due to be inaugurated in nine months, Dubai Parks and Resorts will be the largest integrated theme park destination in the region. Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi, CEO of Dubai Parks and Resorts, talks to Construction Business News ME about the challenge of delivering a megaproject                         Spread across 25 million sq.ft of land and located close to the new Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, Dubai Parks and Resort (DPR) will comprise three theme parks – Motiongate Dubai, Bollywood Parks Dubai, and Legoland Dubai – together with Legoland Water Park. Once completed the projected revenue for the first full year…

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The contracts and purchasing department of the Dubai Municipality has officially launched the ‘Automating Procedures of Engineering Contract Department’ in collaboration with Tejari. Tejari, an electronic contract systems provider in UAE, has put their efforts to support Dubai’s ‘smart’ transformation initiatives. The project is set to promote DM’s e-transformation efforts and lay the groundwork for automating the contract tendering and awarding process, build modern efficiencies, and enhance accuracy and efficiency in the awarding of engineering contracts. It involves the activation of a contract and purchasing system in eSupply, the official central procurement portal of Dubai Smart Government in cooperation with…

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UAE-based Etihad Rail announced it will be suspending its tendering process for stage two of project, Reuter reports. The suspension was made in order to review the investment and the options for the timing and delivery of the phase of the project. The stage two included the construction of a rail network in Abu Dhabi that connects the borders with Saudi Arabia and Oman along with areas in the UAE. According to the news agency, the UAE government has begun to show signs of slowly down spending and reviewing construction plans as a result of low oil prices. “Etihad Rail…

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“I am tired and bored of people who use the same technology,” Ramdas Rao, MD of Acore Global reveals. Acore is a supplier of lifting and heavy equipments from reputed brands. In his opinion, the regional and international industry has grown leaps and bounds when it comes to engineering. There have been so many advancements in the way engineers utilise technology in the last decade but Rao observes that very few companies have incorporated this in their heavy equipment. “There needs to be a change, and we as a company are bringing that change through our products.” He urges that…

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Emirates Green Building Council (EmiratesGBC) hosted a seminar on Renewable Energy Technologies for High-Rise Buildings at this year’s World Future Energy Summit 2016. Dubai is home to over 3000 high-rise buildings in 30 kilometre radius. The workshop addressed some of the current barriers faced in the industry while trying to install renewable energy technologies in these buildings. It also concentrated on opportunities and how design and building retrofit methods could be used to overcome these challenges. Chair of EmiratesGBC Saeed Al Abbar said: “According to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, the UAE hosts over 66% of the…

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The sudden growth in medical tourism and spotlight on Arab health issues has increased enquiries for real estate to accommodate incoming providers in the sector, according to Knight Frank. Real estate advice is vital to detect the feasibility of local and international practices expanding across the GCC. Matthew Dadd, partner at Knight Frank, said that the rising life expectancies, rapidly growing populations and per capita incomes, a high incidence of lifestyle-related diseases, and ambitious medical infrastructure projects are driving health care industry growth in the Middle East. “Real estate typically represents 40% of a hospital’s balance sheet—the third largest expense…

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Reports suggest that of the approximately 120 million tonnes of waste currently produced in the GCC countries, 55% is from construction and demolition. As Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week gets under way, Construction Business News looks at how the GCC and wider Middle East can change its ways Research has found that more than half of the GCC’s total waste – which stands at 120m tonnes annually – is produced by construction and demolition (C&D). However, that could all be about to change as Tadweer sets out a new roadmap to not only reduce waste in Abu Dhabi, but take the…

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The Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the European Federation of Agencies and Regions for Energy and the Environment (FEDARENE) at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) on 20 January 2016. In line with the agreement, the two parties will share experience and best practices in energy-related areas including policymaking, technology development, green-financing mechanisms, awareness programmes, green buildings, smart homes, and energy management and efficiency. H.E. Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, vice chairman of DSCE, said: “Our partnership with FEDARENE will promote the implementation of innovative and effective measures, and increase awareness on energy…

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Truck manufacturer, Daimler Trucks, have signed letters of intent with its Iranian partners, Iran Khodro Diesel (IKD) and the Mammut Group, to return to the Iranian market. The cooperation will include a joint venture (JV) for local production of Mercedes-Benz trucks and powertrain components along with the establishment of a sales company for Mercedes-Benz trucks and components. There are plans for Daimler to return as a shareholder in the former engine JV Iranian Diesel Engine Manufacturing Co. (IDEM). Daimler and IKD are set to benefit from each other’s competitive advantages to satisfy the large demand for trucks. Dr Wolfgang Bernhard,…

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Melkan Gursel Tabanlioglu, partner at award-winning Turkish firm Tabanlioglu Architects, speaks with Construction Business News ME about its upcoming project in Dubai Marina, Crystal Towers, and how culture and sustainability play a major role in design  Located between the beach and the vibrant JBR in Dubai Marina, upcoming Crystal Towers designed by Tabanlioglu Architects will offer a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. Inspired by precious stone, the structure is designed with dissimilar triangles and differing angles at horizontal and vertical forming the façade resulting in a crystal-like surface intended to reflect the sea. The 35-floor apartment tower and 30-floor…

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