Reem attracts Saudi investor
Abu Dhabi: A Saudi firm will invest SR4 billion ($1.07 billion) into Abu Dhabi’s $5.4 billion Reem Island real estate project, making it one of the main investors in the project, company officials says.
Abu Dhabi Towers, wholly-owned by Saudi capital, will spend the amount to purchase 8.9 million sq ft and build five 40 to 68 storey towers on the island, which will house around 80,000 people once completed in 2012.

New laboratory for Dubai
Dubai: Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) and Bodycote warringtonfire (part of Bodycote Testing Group, UK) have agreed to open a centre excellence for fire safety testing and product approvals in Dubai. The service will be delivered from a new laboratory being built at the DCD training centre at Awir. The laboratory will be fully commissioned by early 2007.
DCD director Colonel Rashid Al Matrooshi says his organisation has reviewed a number of proposals over the last 18 months to create a laboratory.
“The proposal from Bodycote warringtonfire provided the best opportunity to create a local testing capability, as well as supply fire technical expertise to ensure that Dubai’s building and infrastructure development encompasses the best international practices to achieve fire safety,” he explains.

Septech technology for marina
Abu Dhabi: Septech will install a service marina at Al Qarsana Island in Abu Dhabi, incorporating technology unique to the Middle East region. The small marina will provide landing access on the island and will include an integrated floating wave attenuator, the first of its kind in the Gulf.
Unlike traditionally fixed wave breaking structures, the Septech wave attenuator, which is designed to sustain a 50-year storm in the Gulf, is a floating, integrated system tailored to withstand wave action unique to the site. The Septech wave attenuator floating pontoon design features a wing-like structure to moderate the effects of weather and wave action within the marina, making it safe to moor vessels at the site.
Septech managing director David Heffernan says alternative methods attempting to combat wave action use inferior methods compared to its wave attenuators utilise the unique Bellingham Marine floating, integrated system, saving cleints money and making the marina a safe haven for vessels.