The Dubai Ring Road connecting Jebel Ali to the Sharjah Industrial Area has been officially opened in the UAE. The Dh819 million ($221 million) road network was designed to ease traffic congestion, aid development and reduce travel time.
Inaugurating the road, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance and Industry Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum named it Emirates Road, a symbol of solidarity with the UAE's other emirates. "The road will increase access to the other emirates and help reduce congestion within Dubai," he said.
The project was conceived in 1991 after a survey of the road network, growing traffic and development trends. The first two phases are 95 per cent complete, and the 50-km road extends to the Jebel Ali-Lehbab Road. The third phase, which extends another 16 km, will be completed by December 2001 and will extend from Jebel Ali to Abu Dhabi.
$500m power plant for Yemen
Sana'a: Delma Power Company of the US and the Greece-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC) will construct a $500 million power plant in eastern Yemen. The gas-powered plant in Marib is due to go on-line in 2003 and will be the country's first private power station. With a 400 MW capacity, it is expected to double Yemen's electricity production.
The price tag covers the plant's construction and its linkage to the electricity network. The foreign partners will be involved in the conception, management and commercialisation of the project.
Largest hypermarket planned
Sharjah: What is expected to be the largest hypermarket in the Middle East is expected to open in Sharjah. A Dh100 million ($27.25 million) expansion at Al Taawun Mall that will more than double leasable area at the mall - by a massive 139 per cent - will house the Geant Hypermarket. The hypermarket will be managed by the French major Groupe Casino, which owns the Geant chain. More than 200,000 sq ft of the expanded area will be occupied by the hypermarket.
Dubai firm plans Pakistan 'Disney'
Dubai: A Dubai-based company will build a $50 million theme park in Pakistan, a company official said. The company's delegation was due to visit Pakistan last month to finalise the agreement, said Muhammad Tayyab, the company's administration director.
The 'Disneyland of Pakistan' would include a shopping centre, various rides and a 1.5 km promenade facing the sea interspersed with parks. The theme park will be open to public free of cost for walking, jogging, fishing, exercise and recreational activities, he said.
