Alarabi Decoration, one of the leading specialists in the Gulf for decoration and finishing works, is involved in several major projects in the Kingdom, says Renato Zimmerman, general manager of the Saudi-based company.

'In Jeddah and Riyadh, we are currently working on all the gypsum decorative works involved in two new royal palaces as well as several villa projects,' he says.

The Jeddah-headquartered company is poised to complete work on the gypsum ceiling works for three floors at Riyadh's Kingdom Centre, for the Kingdom Holding Company. At 300 m high, the Kingdom Centre is the tallest building in Saudi Arabia.

In Kuwait, the company has successfully completed two major projects, namely Phase V of the Kuwait waterfront project at Salmiya and the Public Institute for Social Security (PIFSS) tower. Ahmadiah Contracting, one of Kuwait's largest contracting companies, is the main contractor for the projects. At the waterfront project, Alarabi carried out interior finishing works at the Marina shopping mall which was built under the first stage of the development. The mall was opened last November.

Alarabi offers complete concepts for decoration and technically sound designs. It provides a wide range of services which cover design and consultancy for gypsum and painting work, including marbling, gold leafing, special applications, trompe d'oeil and artistic works, tiling for domes, swimming pools, fountains and murals as well as special woodworks.

Alarabi has completed numerous major decoration works in the Middle East and Europe. These include royal palaces, hotels, casinos, airports as well as shopping centres and private villas.

Its decorative works of art can be seen at the Dhahran International Airport, the New Hilton Hotel and the Leylaty Ballroom in Jeddah and the Presidential Palace in Kazakhstan, says Zimmerman.

In Europe, Alarabi and its European partner GMC are working on three hotels - one in Rome, Italy, and two in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

Alarabi employs more than 1,000 artists, artisans and decoration specialists from different parts of the world under European management.

Alarabi has now set its sights on reinforcing its presence in the UAE and intends to participate in the many important projects coming up in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

'Alarabi has over 20 years of experience behind it - and all these years have been very successful ones for us,' says Zimmerman. 'Alarabi has expanded tremendously since its inception and has obtained great international renown and recognition.'

'We are now implementing our strategy for the future and firmly believe that Alarabi will enjoy other major successes over the next decade,' he concludes.