Jotun marks 30 years in MidEast
Dubai: One of the leading manufacturers of paints and coatings Jotun Paints is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in the Middle East this year.

Renowned for its protective, marine and decorative paints, Jotun is a name synonymous with quality and professionalism with the company going from strength to strength throughout the region.  The first company to open a manufacturing unit in the UAE in 1974, its continued success has been inextricably linked to Jotun’s consistent investment and expansion in the region.      

Dubai launches $2bn Exhibition City
Dubai: The Dubai government has launched a Dh8 billion ($2.17 billion) Exhibition City within the Jebel Ali Airport City.
To be completed in phases by 2020, the project will have three-million sq m of space, the world’s largest in terms of display space, halls and offices. The exclusive facility, spanning over 500,000 sq m, will have 19 exhibition halls, conference halls and service facilities.
The project will be developed in phases, the first of which is expected to be complete in 2009. The first phase, to be implemented on 100,000 sq m, will have a parking space for more than 20,000 cars, and will host the Dubai Air Show 2009 upon completion.
International consultants are putting finishing touches to the design of the project.

The Palm crosses 60 per cent mark
Dubai: The Palm, Jebel Ali is on schedule with 60 per cent of land reclamation complete and a staggering six million tonnes of rock already placed.
The Breakwater and Crescent are now visible above sea level, with the remaining reclamation to be completed by the last quarter of last year. Eight fronds have also been reclaimed on the western half of the project with fronds on the eastern side to follow in rapid succession.
The half moon extension, known as The Crescent’s Headland, is also complete. Situated at the centre of the 16 km Crescent, the headland extends out into the Arabian Gulf adding a further 15 per cent of land to The Palm, Jebel Ali.
• Nakheel has won international honours for the iconic creation and dramatic design of both The Palm and The World projects at a major construction awards ceremony. Nakheel said it received global recognition for its leading design and exceptional vision, from the event, held in Italy, by Samoter, the international exhibition of earthmoving, site and building industry machinery.

Dubai to house largest mall
Dubai: A group of Singapore companies will build the world’s largest shopping mall in Dubai.
The project is being touted to become a modern super-mall that embodies the charms of traditional Arab bazaars.
The four-storey Dubai Mall will be built by 18 firms from Singapore at a cost of $35 million and cover 34 hectares. When completed in 2007, the Dubai Mall will house some 1,200 stores in almost 511,000 sq m of shopping area and have 14,000 car-parking lots. The mall will also sport the world’s largest aquarium in the centre of the atrium.

Diamond launches sixth building
Dubai: Diamond Investments has launched its sixth building in the Dubai Marina, the UAE’s exclusive waterfront development.
Successfully developing a strong sense of brand identity and credibility for its Marina Diamond buildings, the first of which will be completed by the end of this year, the company is now set to enter the second phase in its corporate strategy.
The latest addition to the extended Marina Diamond family, similar to Four and Five, is a 20-storey residential tower with affordable apartments ranging from one to two bedrooms. It will have amenities such as swimming pools, sauna, steam rooms, children’s play area, and high-quality security services.

Versace plans resort in Dubai
Dubai: Italian fashion house Gianni Versace plans to start building its second beach resort early next year in Dubai.
Versace will be in charge of the design and style of its new resort while the Sunland Group, which developed its Australian hotel, and Emirates International Holdings, which bought the land for the new project, will develop and manage the complex.
The companies said the ‘multi-million dollar’ plan should be finalised by September but gave no breakdown of costs.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi inaugurates.

Emirates Group plans new five-star
Dubai: Emirates group will be building a new Dh800 million ($218 million) five-star, luxury hotel in Dubai.
The new 70-storey, 350 m high building on Sheikh Zayed Road, which will be among the world’s five tallest hotels, and also one of the largest in the UAE.
Contemporary and futuristic in its design, the Emirates Hotel will break new architectural ground with cantilever rooms and over 50 sky terraces. When completed in 2008, it is certain to stand apart with its distinctive elevation in a stepped form, encased in a glass and aluminium exterior, a spokesman said.
The hotel will offer 560 deluxe rooms, 112 suites and one Presidential suite, each giving guests a panoramic view of Dubai, including some of its most prestigious projects, such as the Burj Dubai, Business Bay and the Dubai Financial Centre.
With a huge, 25,000 sq ft health club, guests will have ample opportunity to get in shape at the ultra-modern, state-of-the-art gymnasium or unwind at the relaxing spa.
Entertainment facilities and common areas also will include a shopping boulevard, 15 food and beverage outlets and a rooftop bar on the 69th floor of the building.

Builders Merchants sees rising sales
Dubai: Builders Merchants, a major supplier of high-quality building materials to professional builders and contractors in the UAE, says its imports and sales increased by 35 per cent and by 30 per cent respectively during last year
The company is now targeting a 25 per cent increase in sales over these figures for 2005.
“The increase in our sales and import figures mirrors the construction industry’s trust in Builders Merchants,” says G V Eswar, chairman of Bumga Group of Companies, of which Builders Merchants is a subsidiary. “Builders Merchants has aggressive growth objectives and the rising figures are in line with them.”
The announcement of the rise in import and sales figures follows closely on the heels of Builders Merchants’ decision to ramp up its imports of film-faced plywood, white wood and structural steel.
Builders Merchants supplies to all leading contractors of the UAE and is one of the first building materials supply company in the UAE to become ISO 9001:2000 certified. Projects to the contractors of which Builders Merchants has supplied raw materials, include Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Lake Towers, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina and various other commercial and residential projects announced by developers such as Nakheel and Emaar.

Plans afoot to build 40-km corridor
Dubai: Plans are afoot to build a 40-km bonded overland corridor between the Dubai International Airport and the proposed Jebel Ali Airport City to transfer cargo. The project is currently in the approval stage and work is expected to start soon.
The corridor will give much-needed access to goods at the Logistics City, currently under development, as major cargo operators will gradually move their operations from the Dubai Cargo Village to the Logistics City.
The Department of Civil Aviation has awarded a Dh100 million contract for the Logistics City, which will be ready for occupancy by the end of 2006.

Istithmar plans $81m hospital
Dubai: Istithmar, the Dubai-based investment holding company and Bumrungrad Hospital of Thailand have announced plans to construct a new hospital in Dubai.
The Dh300 million ($81.7 million), 125-bed phase one of the new facility, will come up along the Sheikh Zayed Road and cater to the rapidly growing communities of Jumeirah, Jebel Ali and New Dubai districts of Dubai. Construction work will commence in the third quarter of this year and is expected to complete in December 2007.

ETA, Hircon to erect 90-storey tower
Dubai: ETA Star has teamed up Hircon – a leading designer – to erect one of the world’s tallest residential tower with 57 swimming pools destined to become one of Dubai Marina’s most impressive landmarks.
Hircon, ETA Star’s joint venture with India’s Hiranandani Developers, will build a 90-storey edifice, known as 23 Marina.
Towering to 380 m, 23 Marina encompasses 48 exclusive duplex apartments, each promising a regal way of living with unique features such as independent elevator, open-to-air swimming pool, and private Jacuzzi.

Sanyo unveils seven new models
Dubai: Sanyo, one of the largest digital and appliances brand in the world, has unveiled seven new models of duct split air-conditioners, offering several built-in features. The series comes with a hydrophilic-coating on the condensing fins, providing anti-oxidation and anti-corrosion properties to the units that are exposed to harsh weather conditions. In addition, the air-conditioners are easier to service and are quieter and energy efficient.

DCM opens Middle East office
Dubai: DCM, an Austrian mining and marketing house offering a wide range of products and services to the steel industry worldwide, has opened an office in Dubai.