Dorma opens office in Doha

DORMA, a leading company for premium access solutions and services, has launched its representative office in Doha, Qatar.

Dorma Qatar will provide clients and partners with customised and integrated solutions right from specification to technical support. It will be a full-fledged country office in charge of complete operational control of Dorma’s strategic business in Qatar.

The company, which has been represented in the region for more than 15 years through its partners, will now reach out to its client base directly.

Famco launches Muscat branch

FAMCO (Al Futtaim Auto & Machinery Company), the Al Futtaim Group’s distributor of commercial vehicles, construction and industrial equipment, has launched a new branch in Muscat, Oman.

Famco Oman will distribute leading brands such as Linde material handling equipment, Merlo telescopic handlers, Ingersoll-Rand industrial air compressors, Mase marine generators, Hart and Nassau industrial doors, Stertil docking systems, Bott workshop and in-vehicle storage solutions.

The opening of the branch, which is in line with Famco’s expansion plans throughout the region, was held at a ceremony in the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Muscat.

Hill wins Porto Arabia deal

HILL International, a global leader in managing construction risk, has been awarded a QR7.3-million ($2 million) contract to provide project management services to a mixed-use development in Doha, Qatar.

Hill’s one-year contract with the Land Investment and Real Estate Development Company involves management of the construction of the Porto Arabia Towers located on Pearl Qatar, an artificial island spanning nearly 4 million sq m. Hill will be managing construction of four of the 10 towers to be built as part of the Porto Arabia development. Each 20-storey tower will have a built-up area of 33,000 sq m.

MWH Global secures drainage deal

ASHGHAL, Qatar’s Public Works Authority (PWA), has appointed MWH Global as management contractor for the five-year Qatar drainage asset management programme to support the organisation’s goal in achieving world-class asset and operational management services.

MWH and its subcontractor, ScottishWater, will work within PWA’s asset affairs directorate to generate and deploy the programme to help enhance levels of drainage services provided to all residents and businesses throughout Qatar. During the programme, MWH Global will manage the full operation and maintenance of all drainage assets.

JV firm to manage Duqm port jetty

OMAN Oil Company (OOC) has signed an agreement with the Port of Duqm Company (PDC) for the construction and management of a liquid jetty at the Omani port.

The terms of the joint development agreement includes establishing a joint venture company named Duqm Petroleum Terminal Company in which OOC will hold 90 per cent stake. The new venture will operate and manage the liquid jetty at the port.

According to the agreement, the project will be implemented in two phases. The first phase involves supervising and managing the construction of the liquid jetty subject to approval from the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (Sezad). The second phase will involve operating the jetty and petroleum tank terminal services.

AHEC team visits Qatar

THE American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), the leading international trade association for the American hardwood industry, recently undertook a trade mission to Qatar in order to reinforce trade ties with key players of the country’s timber industry.

The trade mission saw AHEC director for Africa, Middle East, India and Oceania Roderick Wiles conduct visits to wood processing factories, joineries and importers of hardwoods in addition to architects in Doha. The visits revealed that the majority of them acquired and maintained stocks of American hardwoods, including kiln-dried lumber and veneer in view of the market’s healthy appetite for both, according to the company.

Siemens in Qatar research initiative

SIEMENS has signed a two-year research agreement to develop energy-efficient systems and solutions aimed at supporting the rapidly growing infrastructure in Qatar.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Siemens and Qatar University along with Kahramaa, the local utility for electricity and water, aims to draw on the skills and strengths of each of the parties. As a leading manufacturer in the field of electrical equipment for power generation, transmission and distribution, Siemens will co-operate with Qatar University and Kahramaa on a case-by-case basis in carrying out research and development activities in the field of energy efficiency.

South Korea builds on Saudi ties

SOUTH Korean builders will enjoy easy access to Saudi Arabia’s $60-billion housing market following an agreement signed between the two countries. Under the agreement, the top 20 Korean companies and the state-run land developer Land and Housing Corporation are expected to be not only exempted from diverse Saudi regulations but also be backed in bidding.