Work on schools to be completed

The Ministry of Pub lic Works and Housing is expected to complete work on 39 schools and nurseries by September.

The schools are being built at a cost of Dh418 million ($113.89 million) nationwide.

The new schools are aimed at upgrading the educational sector, based on the latest scientific developments.

They will have modern equipment particualrly in libraries, theatres and sports facilities.

Go-ahead for 10-storey building

Dubai: Dubai Municipality has recently issued a licence to build a new 10-storey commercial-cum-residential building in the Oudh Metha area.

Excavation work is currently under way at the site and construction is expected to begin by March and take 22 months to complete.

The estimated Dh60 million ($16.337 million) project is located opposite the American Hospital near the Holiday Inn Dubai.

The proposed building covers a plot area of 56,686 sq ft with a total built-up area of 394,387 sq ft. It will have two basements, a health club, a ground floor and 10 upper storeys.

The residential part of the building will include 40 one-bedroom apartments, 36 two-bedroom flats, and 18 three or more bedroom apartments. Shops will cover a total area of 8,903 sq ft.

The parking area can accommodate nearly 285 cars.

The consultant is Horizon of Sharjah and contractor is Bu Haleeba Contracting, owned by the client, Abdullah Bu Haleeba.

Timber business gets boost

Dubai: The booming construction sector in the UAE is giving a big boost to the timber and furniture business, according to Dr Eric K L Ng, director, Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) Dubai.

The healthy number of projects in the pipeline shows sustained growth for the sector in the next five years, he said.

AFI invests $10m in Global Village

Dubai: Al Futtaim Investments (AFI) has invested over Dh35 million ($9.53 million) to develop the facilities at Global Village for Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF 2003) which opens this month, a senior official said.

The Global Village will continue to be held in the present temporary site in 2004 and 2005 before moving to its permanent location in 2006.

The Village is a major attraction of the annual Dubai event.

DCCI elects committee

Dubai: More than 250 delegates representing Dubai's building materials trading and manufacturing sector have elected a representative committee at a meeting held the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

Eleven representatives were chosen by secret ballot from nominations submitted by Building Materials Trading & Manufacturing members of DCCI, while a 12th member was selected by a show of hands due to a tie in number of votes.

Emaar set for mega mall go-ahead

Dubai: Emaar Properties expects to obtain the go-ahead to set up a mega mall in the emirate from the Dubai government shortly.

The new mall will be among the largest in the world, said chairman Mohammed Alabbar, who is also director general of Dubai Department of Economic Development. He did not disclose further details on the location, investment and leasable area. Emaar also has interests in mortgage finance and banking.

Mixed-use construction to top $6bn

Dubai: The value of mixed-use construction in the UAE will exceed Dh25 billion ($6.8 billion) in 2003, a key industry official was quoted as saying.

Lee Tabler, chief executive officer of Al Futtaim Investments (AFI), said that mixed-use developments will dominate the real estate sector in future. He cited as examples Dubai Festival City, the Palm and developments undertaken by Emaar Properties.

"In 2003, Dh25 billion worth of work will be executed in development works throughout the emirates. This doesn't include the regular and conventional construction works," he said.

Project for waste managment

Sharjah: The Sharjah Municipality is working on a project for comprehensive management of solid waste, a report said. The project, which will help recycle and yield by-products from solid wastes, will be announced soon, according to the annual report released by the civic body on its achievements and projects.

DSSCB to invite tenders

Abu Dhabi: The Department of Social Services and Commercial Buildings (DSSCB) in Abu Dhabi will shortly invite tenders for 502 construction projects comprising various residential and commercial buildings, according to sources.

The projects, mostly residential villas and apartment complexes, are still in the study and design stage and awaiting approval. The department has so far invested Dh35 billion ($9.52 billion) in executing over 6,000 projects since its inception.