QP plans $3bn aluminium plant
Doha: The construction of a $3 billion aluminium plant – a joint venture between Qatar Petroleum, which holds a 51 per cent stake, and Norway’s Norsk Hydro – is to commence in June 2006.

The planned 570,000-tonnes-per-year aluminium smelter for Qatar is likely to be expanded even beyond current plans, to make it the world’s single biggest aluminium plant. The expansion would be complete by end-2008, and will double the plants capacity to 1.2 million tonnes.

Kuwait to build second airport
Kuwait City: Kuwait plans to build a second airport to handle 10 million passengers annually and a giant cargo village, an official said.
“The new airport will be built and managed with the assistance of the private sector, and [will be] supervised by the Civil Aviation Department,” Shaikh Ahmad Al Abdullah Al Sabah, Minister of Communication, was quoted as saying. “Plans will be presented in a few weeks,” Shaikh Ahmad said.

$106m performance hall planned
Manama: A BD40 million ($106 million) performance hall project, has been planned to come up as part of BFH’s third phase. The landmark building, which will host ceremonies, conferences, meetings and attract cultural and religious events, is expected to be completed by 2008.
‘Work on the centre is expected to start early next year as part of BFH third land reclamation phase, and cover a total of 25,800 sq m. Its first part will feature a performance hall capable of accommodating up to 1,600 spectators. The second part will boast a state-of-the-art media centre featuring offices and studios, while the third one will consist of a chain of restaurants and retail shops.

Bahrain plans six new towns
Manama: Plans are being drawn up to build six new towns in the centre of Bahrain. The Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry has asked the Central Municipal Council to suggest sites for future housing projects.
Designs for three of the towns have already been completed and agreed with the Works and Housing Ministry, according to municipal councillor Sayed Abdulla Al A’ali.

Work under way on $199m resort
Manama: Work is under way on a BD75 million (around $199 million) beach resort in Budaiya off the King Fahad Causeway that links Bahrain to Saudi Arabia.
The project, financed by Bahraini company A A Janahi Holdings, will be built on about 800,000 sq m of area at Al Dafna Al Hamra, in the northern area of Budaiya.
Construction is expected to be completed by 2007.