Swaidan wins top award

The UAE's major heavy equipment and commercial vehicles distributor Swaidan Trading Company (Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group) has won the "best dealership award for the year 2000" from Clark Material Handling.

Swaidan is the exclusive dealer in the UAE for the range of Clark forklift trucks.

Clark sales director Rolf Gerstmann, who presented the award, said that it was given to Swaidan for its implementation of professional strategies in the areas of marketing sales and after sales support.

He said all Clark forklift owners were effectively supported by Swaidan's after- sales back-up.

Swaidan divisional manager Amer Qassem said: "Swaidan Trading Company is very proud to win this award.

"Our value-for money deal for the owners of Clark forklift trucks includes a workshop that is equipped to refurbish Clark forklift trucks which are as old as 25 years," he said.

New Bahrain hotel to be five-star

Manama: A new BD5 million ($13.26 million) hotel adjacent to Bahrain International Airport, originally designed as a four-star hotel, is being upgraded to five-star, it has been revealed.

The Movenpick Hotel will be opened next summer. Project-owning company Global Express has selected Movenpick Hotels and Resorts, an international hotel chain with Swiss origins, to manage the 13,000-sq-m five-storey hotel.

The main consultant for the project is Mohamed Salahuddin Consulting Engineering Bureau (MSCEB), and the main contractor is G P Zachariades.

MSCEB managing director Mohammed Salahuddin said the hotel was being upgraded to five-star with facilities to suit the needs of international business travellers.

"The conference/ banquet hall is also being expanded. With a main facade overlooking the Arad Bay, the hotel will consist of 120 rooms, including suites, executive suites and a business lounge," he added.

"The main feature of the hotel is a five-storey sloping glass atrium."

$26m flyovers to ease congestion

Manama: Work on a BD10 million ($26.52 million) system of flyovers to ease congestion in the Seef district is currently being executed.

The project has already been given the go-ahead by Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

The Seef District flyover will connect Road 40, for vehicles coming from the Seef area, with Road 28, for those coming from Sanabis. It will provide several exits which will help reduce the traffic jams.

Gulf traffic show set in Dubai

Dubai: A new exhibition and conference will address issues related to road planning, building, maintenance and safety in the region, organiser IIR Exhibitions has said.

Gulf Traffic 2002 will run from October 22 to 25, 2002, at the Airport Expo Centre in Dubai.

"The Middle East is seeing significant investment in traffic and transport infrastructure," says Hugh Robinson, managing director, IIR Exhibitions - Dubai. "Saudi Arabia is about to sign contracts for road projects worth over $ 400 million. Dubai is expected to spend $817 million over the next three years and it is estimated that Qatar will spend $4 billion over the next five years on road projects.''

''Specifiers and purchasers across the region, within government departments, construction companies and large petroleum, manufacturing and affiliated industries have welcomed the news that there will be an event dedicated to all aspects of transport infrastructure,'' he added.

The event will combine an international exhibition together with a conference, allowing those responsible for traffic and road planning, construction and safety to network with local and international specialists.

Dubai speeds up airport expansion

Dubai: Dubai has moved forward the next phase of its airport expansion worth Dh5 billion ($1.36 billion) to the end of this year or the beginning of 2002.

The new dates reflect directives by Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, to increase the Emirates fleet to 210 in 10 years and Dubai's rapid economic and travel movement growth.

Department of Civil Aviation operations director Mohammed Al Ahli said project tenders had already been issued, bringing submission date forward by six months. He said changes were needed to taxiways, parking bays and land equipment to accommodate the huge A380 superjumbos purchased by Emirates.

The next phase of expansion will include a mega cargo terminal and a new concourse exclusively for Emirates passengers.

Expo to spotlight pipeline assets

Manama: The fifth International Conference and Exhibition on Pipeline Rehabilitation and Maintenance will be held in Bahrain from January 19-23 next year.

The event at the Gulf International Convention Centre is being held under the patronage of Bahrain's oil ministry and with support from Bapco.

It comes at a time when energy requirements in emerging markets necessitate a full and exhaustive examination of pipeline assets, said the organiser.

Expo to spotlight interiors

Abu Dhabi: The first edition of the International Interior Decoration and Furniture Exhibition (IFEX 2002) will be held in Abu Dhabi from February 17 to 21, 2002.

The exhibition will feature five distinct categories of products and services, to cover classical, traditional and contemporary home, office and outdoor furniture and kitchen and bathroom items.

The event, spread over an area of 14,500 sq m, will be organised by the General Exhibitions Corporation.

The main objective of IFEX is to serve as a meeting point for national and regional investors, interior decorators, designers and architects to interact with regional and international manufacturers and suppliers.

A large number of furniture manufacturers, service providers and companies from different countries worldwide are expected to take part in the exhibition.

Airport plans to expand lounge

Ras Al Khaimah: The Ras Al Khaimah airport is planning to expand its departure lounge next year, a report said.

The UAE airport is also studying the feasibility of establishing an airport free zone, a report said.

The second departure terminal will adjoin the present one.

Meanwhile, a new Dh400,000 ($108,934) desalination plant for the airport is scheduled to start operations soon.

Dubai to host power show

Dubai: Hundreds of international firms are expected to participate in the Middle East Electricity exhibition to be held next year.

The exhibition will run at the Dubai World Trade Centre from February 3 to 6.

On display will be the latest electrical equipment including transmission and distribution systems, computer software, test and measurement equipment, electronic components and wire and cable material.

Qatar tightens licensing

Doha: The Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation is tightening licensing procedures for electrical contractors and technicians.

Only electricians who qualify at theoretical and practical tests will get licences under the new criteria, local media reported.

Electrical contractors will also undergo regular assessment before receiving licences, a manager at the Qatari utility said.

The decision was taken in light of complaints of improper electrical installations in many buildings in the country, he said.