Al Banna to build warehousing

Dubai-based Al Banna Engineering has been awarded the construction contract for the 2,740 sq m Chemstore project, a hazardous chemicals warehousing facility at Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) in Dubai, UAE.

A joint venture between Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) and Modern Freight Company (MFC), Chemstore, which will begin operations next March, will have a storage capacity of 12,000 drums.

To be located next to MFC's existing facilities, Chemstore aims to establish Dubai as a chemicals' storage hub for the entire Middle East and subcontinent regions.

'Chemstore is a highly sensitive project requiring sophisticated construction methods and techniques in order to meet stringent UAE government environmental standards," said Salah Salih, chairman, MFC.

Chemstore will feature advanced safety standards including fire-fighting and spillage containment systems. The facility will also have a separate office unit housing management, inventory control processes and related functions.

Deals inked for sewerage works

Doha: Qatar has signed two contracts worth a total of QR11.88 million ($3.26 million) with a local and an international firm.

The deals were inked by Municipal Affairs and Agriculture Minister Ali bin Mohamed Al Khater.

The local firm has a QR6.38 million contract for the second phase of 'Pumping Station W-3' of the sewerage network. The work is expected to be completed in January.

The other contract with the international firm involves upgrading mechanical and electrical works of the sewage treatment station 'South Doha' at a total cost of QR5.5 million and is to be completed by January, 2003.

Syrian firm to build Four Seasons

Damascus: Syria's Fouad Naim Takla Company has said it had won a $42 million contract to build the 300-room Damascus Four Seasons hotel, which is expected to the country's largest such facility.

The hotel will be completed in 32 months, he said during a ceremony to mark the start of construction, attended by Saudi prince and billionaire Al Walid bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz and Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa Miro.

Al Walid holds a 65 per cent stake of the $96 million capital in the Syrian Saudi Company for Tourism and Investment which owns the Damascus Four Seasons.

A 13,000 sq m plot of land in the centre of Damascus was offered by the Syrian government in return for the remaining 35 per cent of the shares.

The 23-storey hotel will be located near the Damascus International Fair grounds.