Asia Africa Intelligence Wire articles from April 2005

Asia Africa Intelligence Wire archives from April 2005

THEME SHOPPING.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) What is claimed to be the world's largest themed mall is now getting its finishing touches and is set to open later this month. The Ibn Battuta Mall, as it is now known, has already seen its anchor store - the...

Towering ambitions.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Significant progress has been made on the iconic Burj Dubai tower and its neighbouring components that make up the highly impressive Burj Dubai District. Gulf Construction provides a detailed report A team of...

Union builds on UDC success in region.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) With the recent official inauguration of Union's new design centre, the company is keen to make substantial gains in its market share in the region by getting closer to where the action is. Almoajil has been...

Unitech thrives on strong portfolio.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Lebanon-based supplier of building materials and tools, Unitech - which has set up its Dubai office in 2000 - is happy with the growth that the company has achieved in that market and is looking forward to grow...

Waterfront wonder.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Nakheel has recently launched the Dubai Waterfront project, which aims to be the largest of its kind in the world Nakheel's recently-unveiled Dubai Waterfront project - considered to be the most ambitious...

Epoc gears up for building festival.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Dubai Epoc Messe Frankfurt, the Dubai end of the global Messe Frankfurt event organisation, is set to present five dedicated exhibitions across six halls at the Dubai World Trade Centre between May15 and 17. The...

East and West meet at dmg's India shows Dubai Drawn by the vibrancy of the Indian construction and interiors markets, companies from the East and West are joining dmg world media Dubai and its partners IEM at the launch of the combined bu.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Dubai Drawn by the vibrancy of the Indian construction and interiors markets, companies from the East and West are joining dmg world media Dubai and its partners IEM at the launch of the combined building,...

in brief.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Mideast's construction show a big draw Dubai: Dubai: The combined construction equipment shows, the Middle East Construction and Industrial Equipment Show 2005 and the Elevators and Escalators Show - held in Dubai...

Waterfront 2005 to focus on latest ideas Dubai Dubai is gearing up to host a groundbreaking conference and exhibition on the future of coastline development in the Middle EastTo be held at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai from May 9 t.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Dubai Dubai is gearing up to host a groundbreaking conference and exhibition on the future of coastline development in the Middle East To be held at the Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Dubai from May 9 to 10,...

BRE pushes forth alternative solutions.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Chilled beams as an alternative for air-conditioning systems are becoming increasingly popular all over the UK and Europe for their ability to offer potential energy savings. DAVID BUTLER of BRE, UK*, explains how...

Notifier introduces smart alert systems.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Notifier, a world leader in commercial fire alarm technology, has introduced an audible exit sign that the company says could potentially reduce evacuation times by up to 75 per cent "Onyx ExitPoint goes much...

Weinig to unveil innovations at expo.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) The German manufacturer of woodworking machines plans to display its strength through the launch of 28 machines at the forthcoming Ligna+Hannover 2005 The German Weinig Group will unveil a long list of...

VCE launches new PRO machines.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) The L30B PRO and L35B PRO compact wheel loaders from Volvo are not only productive, versatile and manoeuvrable - but provide a good working environment for the operator and service technician alike Fitted with...

Aljomaih launches upgraded FD-G series.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Riyadh In line with its policy of assuring total customer satisfaction, Japanese heavy equipment manufacturer TCM has revamped its recently-launched TCM forklift truck "FD-G" series with several advanced and...

Blue City poised for formal launch.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Muscat The Blue City - an Al Sawadi Development project - is poised to take off in Oman with a new group of investors and developers. Formed eight months ago, the company, which will be in charge of this massive...

Biddle targets niche markets in Mideast.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Following its participation at last year's Big 5 show in Dubai, Dutch manufacturer Biddle has become convinced that its high-quality climate equipment can be of great benefit to the Gulf region and has charted out...

Foundation stone laid for Al Areen Desert Spa.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Manama: The $750 million Al Areen Desert Spa and Resort crossed a significant milestone with the following the laying of its foundation and the opening up of an on-site client relations centre (CRC), last month....

Kuwait unveils $517m power plant.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Kuwait City German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has opened a $517 million (390 million-euro) power plant built by Siemens Power Generation to boost Kuwait's electricity generation The gas turbine plant,...

Mega wastewater plant launched.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Kuwait City The world's largest membrane-based wastewater filtration project and GE's first major water project in the Middle East was inaugurated in Kuwait last month. The new Sulaibiya wastewater treatment plant,...

Belle adds new roller to product line.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) The UK-based Belle Group has added a pair of rugged, walk-behind double-drum rollers to its comprehensive range of compaction equipment The BWR650 and BWR750 models are the result of an exclusive partnership...

Bobcat offers new loaders on market.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Known the world over for their versatility, manoeuvrability and reliability, Bobcat skid-steers have been the cornerstone of the expanding global compact equipment market, says its manufacturer "Bobcat's broad...

New golf club for Kuwait.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Kuwait City Construction work is nearing completion on a golf club that will come up on an area of 650,000 sq m located at the Hunting and Equestrian Club along the 6th Ring Road in Kuwait. This build, operate and...

UDC launches second.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Muscat Closely following the successful launch of freehold towers around the Porto Arabia - the main marina of The Pearl-Qatar - project promoter United Development Company (UDC) has released the second wave of...

UPDATE.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Work on Amwaj Plaza II begins Manama: Work on a BD2.8 million ($7.4 million) residential tower has started at Bahrain's Amwaj Islands. The 10-storey tower will be called Amwaj Plaza II A turnkey contract for...

Raghadan eyes expos for product launch.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Saudi Arabia-based paint manufacturer Raghadan - which marked 30 years of successful operations last year - is on a mission to further increase awareness about its range through promoting its products at the Saudi...

UPDATE.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) NDIA invites prequal for major works Doha: Contractors have been invited to bid for two packages on the New Doha International Airport (NDIA) project. The contract for the passenger terminal complex for the NDIA...

TENDERS.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Bahrain Tender No 2005/5. Construction of new facilities at Tadamun Club (Buri and Hamala Centre). Bid bond is BD500. Open to contractors registered under grade A, B and C. Documents can be obtained from the...

SBIE to have larger presence at Jeddah.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) The leading building and interiors exhibition grows in size, keeping pace with the petrodollar-fuelled construction growth in the kingdom Saudi Arabia's major international show for the building and interiors...

dpa's new office grows in business.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Dubai dpa, the internationally renowned independent lighting design practice, which opened its new office in Dubai last year, has already completed work on some of the larger projects in the emirate thereby firmly...

Dubai airport to award Terminal 2 contract.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Dubai The contract for the Dh488.11 million ($132.8 million) expansion of the Terminal 2 of the Dubai International Airport is likely to be awarded by the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) this month with...

Dubailand plans $136m resort.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Dubai Astrolab Resort - the region's first comprehensive environment-based entertainment project - is being developed at Dubailand at a cost of Dh500 million ($136 million), officials announced. The Astrolab Resort...

Ducab inaugurates new Abu Dhabi plant.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Abu Dhabi As part of its ambitious expansion plans for the region, Ducab - a leading manufacturer of high quality power cables in the Middle East - has inaugurated its new production plant in the Abu Dhabi...

Emaar adds two more to Golf Community portfolio.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Dubai Emaar has announced two new additions to its golf community portfolio, offering discerning investors exclusive golf homes designed on two of Dubai's finest golf courses. Comprising the Mirador La Coleccion...

Masterplan of ADU unveiled.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Abu Dhabi The Abu Dhabi University (ADU) project crossed a significant milestone following the approval of the preliminary designs of the Phase 1 facilities by founder and patron, Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan....

New Abu Dhabi airport by 2009.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi's new airport, which forms the second phase of the airport's expansion plan, is expected to become operational in 2009 The new airport will be located in the same area as the existing...

ABM wins Green Lakes contract.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Dubai: Two major contracts have been awarded for Dubai's Green Lakes project, the first freehold real estate development from Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation...

Emirates Glass lands major deals.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Dubai: Emirates Glass has won three major contracts to supply a massive 40,000 sq m of glass to prestigious projects coming up in Dubai, said Ziad Yazeck, sales and marketing director, Emirates Glass Yazeck...

Creating landmarks.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Having created some striking landmarks in Dubai over the last three decades, BSB Gulf is looking forward to the future with optimism. Brewer Smith & Brewer Gulf (BSB Gulf) - a Dubai-based architectural practice...

KVM well poised to meet challenges.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) German manufacturer of construction equipment KVM is aiming at establishing its presence in the region's block-making machines market with its new 105/125-DF. The machine, which was launched by the company at last...

OCP plans launch of new products.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Oman's pioneer concrete products manufacturer looks towards innovation and launching new products while charting a road to growth Despite a tough year in a highly competitive market, Oman Concrete Products...

Burmatex promises unrivalled range.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Leading UK-based contract carpets specialist Burmatex - which has an in-depth experience in flooring some of the bigger projects in the region - is eyeing a greater share of the market by actively promoting its...

Domo widens colour spectrum.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Leading Belgian manufacturer of trendsetting floor coverings launches a new concept in carpets that sets the right atmosphere for a room while being aesthetically appealing Belgium-based flooring specialist...

Kemsol gets set to floor competition.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Kemsol, the official representatives of LG's specialized PVC floorings, is offering a unique product-mix with immense depth, which no other single PVC flooring company offers in the UAE market, claims the...

Diary of Events.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) APRIL 4-7: Rebuild Iraq 2005, the second international trade exhibition for the rebuilding of Iraq, at Amman International Fair, Marj El Hamam, Amman, Jordan 6-9: Expo Build China 2005, at the Shanghai New...

Alumco scores with unitised systems.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) The 39-storey Al Shatha Tower that is currently under construction in the Dubai Media City is among the latest projects to feature Alumco's popular unitised curtain-walling system. The engineering team of Alumco...

Bisley expands product range.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) AS a long-term supplier of raw materials for the manufacture of high-performance concrete to many major projects in the Middle East, the Dubai office of the 50-year-old Australian firm Bisley & Company is busy...

Hunter turns UAE green.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Hunter Industries, a specialist in irrigation products, is playing a vital role in greening the UAE through its tailor-made solutions that are ideally suited for the region's extreme climatic conditions, says...

IFC aims to enhance safety of fire doors.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) AS part of its efforts to ensure the reliability of manufacturing, supply and installation of fire safety products in the Middle East, IFC Certification elaborates on the mechanics of a fire door certification...

In the spotlight.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Twenty-two thousand square feet of land within the highly prestigious and mammoth Dubailand is now in the spotlight as the proposed home for yet another innovative "city" in Dubai: The Dubai Studio City (DSC) ...

Batching plant rises to the occasion.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Unimix, one of Dubai's leading readymix concrete producers - with a contract to provide a range of concrete grades for the Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR) project - recently had to transfer its Lintec batching plant...

Legrand brings Synergy to market.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Legrand, a global specialist in products and systems for electrical installations and data networks, unveiled Synergy, a new British Standard (BS) range of switches and sockets in Dubai recently Synergy is now...

Logistics hub.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Master planning work is under way on a massive international airport complex - which will form the core of the world's first integrated logistics and multi-modal transport platform and will eventually have double...

Mammut kicks off Sharjah expansion.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Mammut Building Systems - a leading manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings (PEBs) and polyurethane injected sandwich panels (PUPs) in the UAE - has kicked off an ambitious expansion at its Hamriyah facility...

On the way up.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Union Properties speaks to Gulf Construction's SARMAD KHAN on the latest developments it has launched on the market Leading Dubai-based property developer Union Properties (UP) - buoyed by an overwhelming...

Developer to forge ahead.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) With five new projects at various phases of development, Union Properties (UP) is now planning and carefully studying the possibilities of creating further investment avenues in Dubai. In an exclusive interview...

Dream city.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Work is in progress on the various components of the $5 billion to $6 billion Dubailand - the region's equivalent of Disneyland. Gulf Construction looks at two key components: The City of Arabia and Dubai Studio...

Massive mall.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) The mega Mall of the Emirates, which will boast the region's first snow dome, is set to take shopping and entertainment to greater heights when it opens its doors this September Construction of the Mall of the...

On track.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Dubai, which is on the threshold of a revolution in its transportation sector, seeks to launch the region's first light rail transport. Gulf Construction provides a bird's eye view of the ambitious project In...

Paschal consolidates its UAE presence.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Growing demand for its formwork in the emirates has prompted Paschal to open an office in Dubai last November. The decision was certainly timely as the UAE currently accounts for half the total revenue earned by...

Proven gear helps speed up work.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) A wide range of equipment from some of the leaders in their respective sectors are helping shape the towers in the prestigious Jumeirah Beach Residence. A look at how these products are helping ease and speed up...

Roca cashes in on 50-year presence.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Roca Corporacion Empresarial, a Spanish specialist in the design, production and marketing of bathrooms, ceramic tiles, heating and air conditioning products, is looking forward to capitalise on the opportunities...

Records all the way.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Dubai's phenomenal development has left the world in awe of the sheer scale and vision of its projects, and the construction industry working 24/7 to execute never-before technical feats The optimist thinks...

Techno Mix looks to showcase new range.
April 1, 2005... (From Gulf Construction) Techno Mix Sanitary UAE, which is aggressively marketing the group's products in the UAE, is planning to showcase its new product range at the ISH Kitchen and Bathroom Gulf exhibition next month (May 15 to 17) as...

ANGOLA - Elections Expected in 2006.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) In November, the People's Assembly approved the dissolution of the CAC, the body responsible for drafting a new constitution, declaring that its work had been completed. Encouragingly, from the perspective...

BELGIUM - Regional Issues Loom Large.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) The Parliament's approval of funding for the right-wing Flemish Interest, which in its previous incarnation as the Flemish Bloc was ruled ineligible for state support owing to its racist leanings, underscores...

BOTSWANA - BDP's Dominance Confirmed.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) As expected, President Mogae won re-election to another five-year term following the October 2004 parliamentary elections, at which his BDP won 44 of the 57 seats in the expanded legislature. The magnitude of...

CHILE - CPD Has Nothing to Fear but Itself.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) Recent polls have confirmed that either of the governing CPD's top two contenders for the presidency would easily defeat the candidate of the opposition APC bloc, former Santiago Mayor Lavin. Former Defense...

CONGO - Debt Relief Brightens Outlook.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) Despite persistent delays in carrying out the disarmament of remaining rebel fighters under the terms of a truce signed with the NRC in March 2003, and clear evidence that President Sassou-Nguesso's...

ECUADOR - Governing Alliance Strained.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) The so-called "institutional majority" patched together by President Gutierrez in November 2004 appeared to be on the verge of collapse in late March, after the president of the Supreme Court annulled the...

EL SALVADOR - Weak Economy Could Hurt Saca.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) President Saca continues to enjoy impressive approval ratings, despite his unpopular decision to send a fourth contingent of troops to Iraq in early 2005, and indications that his controversial anti-gang...

HONG KONG - Beijing Steps up Pressure.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) The resignation of Chief Executive Tung in March 2005 indicates that the government in China, headed by President Hu Jintao, has reached the limits of its patience with pro-democracy forces in Hong Kong....

NICARAGUA - Sources of Instability Abound.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) The opposition alliance of the leftist FSLN and the center-right PLC is on shaky ground, as a factional battle within the FSLN has forced the party's leaders to refuse to cooperate in efforts to free the...

OMAN - Extremist Threat?
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) Questions remain about the circumstances surrounding the arrest of at least 15-20 intellectuals, clerics, and government employees (some early reports put the total of detainees in the several hundreds) in...

PAKISTAN - Trouble at Home and Abroad.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) President Musharraf has come under increasing pressure during the first quarter of this year, from both domestic and external sources, and there are few signs of any abatement in the near term. On the...

PHILIPPINES - Arroyo Secure, but Also Unpopular.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) President Arroyo received something of a boost in late March, when the Supreme Court confirmed that the election protest filed by the (now deceased) second-placed finisher in the May 2004 presidential contest,...

POLAND - PO Poised for Victory.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) When Marek Belka replaced the corruption-tainted Leszek Miller as prime minister in mid-2004, the hope was that the change in leaders might help to reverse the slide of the governing SLD into political...

PORTUGAL - Tough Choices Ahead.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) The center-right government made up of the PSD and the PP suffered a crushing defeat at a snap election held on February 20, as the main opposition PS gained 25 seats for a total of 121, giving the Socialists...

SAUDI ARABIA - Modest Political Reform.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) The Saudi kingdom took a very small, but nevertheless important, step toward political reform on February 10, as male adults in the capital, Riyadh, voted for candidates to fill one-half of the seats in the...

SLOVAK REPUBLIC - New Government Likely.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) With support for the parties in the center-right government showing no signs of recovery, and the task of holding the shaky coalition together growing ever more difficult for Prime Minister Dzurinda, leaders...

SYRIA - Changes Coming.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) Syria's forced retreat from Lebanon is a fiasco for the government of President Assad, and his political survival may well hinge on his ability to shore up his position vis-a-vis the Baath Party hierarchy and...

THAILAND - Southern Discomfort.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) Prime Minister Thaksin's TRT party won 377 of the 500 seats in the Parliament at the February 2005 general election, providing the government with a better than two-thirds majority without need of coalition...

TURKEY - Avoiding Mistakes Key for AKP.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) Although a series of defections has reduced the governing AKP's parliamentary strength to 361 seats, that is still more than enough for a comfortable majority, and the government of Prime Minister Erdogan...

UNITED STATES - Unexpected Obstacles.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) Following the 2004 elections, at which the governing Republican Party added to its majorities in both houses of the Congress, it appeared that President Bush's reform train might be unstoppable. In the early...

VENEZUELA - From Strength to Strength.
April 1, 2005... (From Political Risk Services) President Chavez continues to consolidate his political control, aided by an oil windfall that pushed real GDP growth above 17% in 2004 and has provided the president with the financial resources he needs to...