Main contractor Energoprojekt is completing work on the Mazaya Centre, on a fast-track basis under a contract worth Dh119 million ($32.4 million).

Energoprojekt started work on the project in March 1998, says Aleksandar Slijepcevic, company managing director.

Describing the project, Slijepcevic says: "It was a fast-track project with as many as 40 sub-contractors involved. The completion of the project was delayed by a few months due to some changes in design.

"The main features of the Mazaya Centre are three atriums and the tensile tents on the roof.

Commenting on some of the more challenging features of the development, he says: "One of the difficult aspects of the project was its facade which is very complicated. The building is geometrically complicated and needed a lot of coordination and control.

"Quality control was very strict and precise. Work was monitored throughout by Energoprojekt to ensure the high standard of the final product which is prestigious and luxurious," he adds.

The total quantity of concrete poured into the project was around 23,000 cu m.

Yugoslavia-based Energoprojekt has had a presence in the region for more than 30 years. However, it established its Middle East office in Dubai in 1997 and has since then secured three projects, two of them being highly prestigious - Mazaya Centre and the Etisalat Building in Ajman.

Slijepcevic comments: "In line with the demands of the new millennium, many companies throughout the world are undergoing a period of tremendous change due to the globalization of the world economies. Competition in securing new projects is getting very strong and it requires immense experience of the contractors to ensure success.

"Having chosen Dubai as our base, we intend to pursue new projects in the Middle East countries. The company can provide a wide portfolio of construction, engineering and consulting services for various kinds of projects ranging from high-rise buildings, condominiums, infrastructure services, sports complex to airports, roads and dams. The company also provides financing for some projects.

''Energoprojekt Middle East is listed as one of the 'unlimited' contractors in the UAE having the capability to do all kinds of works in-house, such as design, construction of civil, building, finishing and infrastructure works, mechanical, electrical and plumbing.''

Energoprojekt was established in 1951. Then a small design office based in Belgrade, the company achieved its first success abroad in early sixties.

"Led by top-class experts and directors with a vision, the company has grown steadily, to become today a powerful and renowned business group consisting of 16 companies in Yugoslavia and over 40 agencies, subsidiaries, branch offices and joint venture companies abroad," he says.

Worldwide, it has designed and/or built, in 70 countries.

"By designing and building in both the hemispheres, Energoprojekt's experts have been boosting the reputation of the company, and following a strict corporate policy: a project must be secure, functional and cost-effective, executed to quality standards, within the completion date.

The company today covers multidisciplinary activities in the field of energy, environmental protection, infrastructure, industry, architecture and information technologies.

Energoprojekt's principal activities include studies and analysis, planning, design, research and development, consulting, production, contracting, equipment assembling and installation, engineering and implementation of turnkey projects, its own and joint investments, international and local investments, real estate, reconstruction and refurbishment of structures, restructuring of companies, establishment and financing other companies and running them, trade, import, export, insurance and reinsurance, stockbrokerage, running and maintenance of housing and office space; and tourism.