Tag Archives: development
Development to pick up pace as Dubai gears for Expo 2020
Development to pick up pace as Dubai gears for Expo 2020 (Wam) / 28 January 2014 The ongoing Destination Dubai 2020 event is the first conference to detail the very latest developments in Dubai’s preparations for Expo 2020. Development is expected to pick up pace beginning next year as Dubai sets into motion its master-plan for World Expo 2020, key government agencies revealed at the ongoing Destination Dubai 2020 conference. The Dubai Expo 2020 event will require GBP 6.45bn (Dh 39.23 billion) of investment to develop all of the required facilities and host the event – a figure that, according to Helal Saeed al Marri, Director-General at Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), would be needed for the development and operational costs until the end of the event. Al Marri said a “significant amount” of the funding will come from the government, but there was also an opportunity for the private sector to invest during the build up to Expo 2020 and during the event itself. “There was a significant opportunity for foreign direct investment (FDI) from the event,” he said in the opening keynote session at the conference which opened today at Dubai’s JW Marriott Marquis Hotel. Al Marri said preparation for the event involved two main areas, development of the actual Expo site and the development of the city. “The Expo site requires significant infrastructure and development, and the team is working on designs for this. This will be very project based,” he said. “The other side is city readiness. [The event] will require significant development around the city.” Al Marri highlighted that doubling the number of hotel rooms was a key part of preparing the city to handle the 25 million visitors expected to attend the event, 70 per cent of whom will come from outside the UAE. This will include a number of “good quality” three- and four-star hotels. The DTCM chief said the newly created Higher Committee would coordinate the activities of all the different government entities to ensure all projects are delivered on time. Another exciting development set to take off next year is Burj 2020, which when completed is expected to be the world’s tallest commercial tower, revealed Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). “We have put out tender to work with consultants, the architect will be announced this year, and construction will start next year [2015]. It will be built by 2020,” said Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC. The tower is planned as the world tallest commercial tower. It will be a steel structure meaning that it can be built quickly. “That tower is likely to be a steel structure and very efficient,” continued bin Sulayem. “We are leaving nothing to chance with that building.” For leasing, DMCC expects that the tower will attract large international companies. “It is catering to multi-national corporations that need 10-20 floors,” he added. The ongoing Destination Dubai 2020 event is the first conference to detail the very latest developments in Dubai’s preparations for Expo 2020. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
General Shaikh Mohammed opens World Future Energy Summit
General Shaikh Mohammed opens World Future Energy Summit 20 January 2014 As the centrepiece of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, WFES 2014 expects to receive 30,000 attendees from over 172 countries. General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, attended the official opening ceremony of the 7th edition of the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC), as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. The summit runs from January 20-22, 2014 and is held under the theme: “Powering the Future of Energy Innovation”, saw the participation of a number of heads of states and governments, representatives of international organisations, international companies and experts. The World Future Energy Conference (WFES), which is the largest summit of energy experts, will share the best international practices, unveil new products and discuss sustainable solutions to tackle present and future energy challenges. As the centrepiece of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, WFES 2014 expects to receive 30,000 attendees from over 172 countries, up from the 152 countries that participated last year. Since its inception in 2008, WFES has grown to become the leading discussion platform for renewable energy, clean technology and sustainability, and it is now considered the pre-eminent international event for government and industry decision makers to find viable, sustainable solutions to the world’s growing energy challenges. Hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, WFES 2014 is the centerpiece of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the largest ever gathering on sustainability in the Middle East. The event comprises a world-class conference that offers an unparalleled forum for political, business and intellectual debate and a large-scale exhibition which facilitates networking and transactions between manufacturers, suppliers and customers across both the public and private sectors. Global decision and opinion makers include UAE Minister of Energy Suhail bin Mohamed Faraj Fares Al Mazrouei; Rachel Kyte, vice-president for sustainable development at the World Bank; and Maria van der Hoeven, executive director of the International Energy Agency. Around 125 speakers will address delegates during the conference programme, on topics such as waste-to-energy, natural gas and the evolving energy mix, energy efficiency, and renewable technology innovation. Other high-level speakers at the event include Marie-Jose Nadeau, president of the World Energy Council; Saif Al Sayari, executive officer of energy solutions, Taqa; Santiago Seage, CEO of Abengoa Solar; and Kazuo Furukawa, chairman of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation. More than 900 exhibiting companies will take part in WFES, International Water Summit, and the inaugural EcoWASTE, with more than 200 new products to be unveiled at the three shows. New and expanded exhibition features at WFES this year include the Project and Finance Village, showcasing over 20 renewable energy projects from the region and beyond. For more news from Khaleej Times, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/khaleejtimes , and on Twitter at @khaleejtimes Continue reading
Shaikh Mohammed flags off Jumeirah Corniche project
Shaikh Mohammed flags off Jumeirah Corniche project (Wam) / 27 October 2013 The project will run along the beach adjoining six residential districts, starting from the area behind Dubai Marine Beach Resort down to the Burj Al Arab Hotel. His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has sanctioned the Jumeirah Corniche Development Project. The project will run along the beach adjoining six residential districts, starting from the area behind Dubai Marine Beach Resort down to the Burj Al Arab Hotel, stretching 14km in length, thus constituting the longest corniche in the emirate. Shaikh Mohammed directed to link both the walkway and the jogging track with the Dubai Canal Project, and for the corniche project to be completed in one year’s time. Shaikh Mohammed stated: “Our objective is to achieve peoples’ happiness.. we are keen to establish all the necessary components to make nationals, expatriates and visitors happy and enjoy quality life. Our developmental projects are integrating to attain this ultimate goal. We are committed to invest in building healthy human capital through providing ideal enabling environment”. Shaikh Mohammed, accompanied by Shaikh Maktoum and Mattar Al Tayer, viewing the Jumeirah Corniche Development Project. -Wam Shaikh Mohammed asserted that sport is an essential element for the society and a fundamental prerequisite for having healthy and productive individuals. He said: “We instructed the authorities concerned to increase the number of walking and jogging tracks around the emirate, and we will create and develop more to serve various residential areas in Dubai. We hope the people of Dubai will make use of these tracks and practise sports for the best of their body and mind. A lazy individual lacks positive energy and does not innovate or create. We have great hopes for the future, and these hopes will not correlate unless we have a healthy and fit people that are able to fulfil their duties towards themselves and their families and stand up to their community and country”. Shaikh Mohammed’s statement came during his tour of the project site, accompanied by Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; and Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani, Director-General of the Ruler’s Court of Dubai. By conclusion of the developments operations, Jumeirah Corniche will be the longest in the emirate giving the public a bigger area to enjoy several activities. The project is a manifestation of Shaikh Mohammed’s vision to provide quality life for the people of the UAE and its visitors. The project serves big sectors of the community, especially families, and offers public utility services, parks, beaches and outstanding touristic attractions. In addition to the project’s value as a recreational and entertainment addition to the emirate, Jumeirah Corniche represents crucial contribution in developing social infrastructure in Dubai, most particularly on the public health. Once completed, the project facilitates for variety of sports including jogging, walking, swimming, rowing and other activities that suite families and contribute in enhancing physical fitness. Shaikh Mohammed was briefed by Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), about the Jumeirah Corniche Development Project, which will be the new apt avenue for recreation, swimming, jogging and hiking for the populace of the neighborhood in particular, and citizens, residents and tourists in general. “The project includes constructing a five-metre wide walkway and a four-metre wide jogging track, in addition to lay-by facilities containing kiosks & shaded seating areas overlooking the beach, stylishly designed lighting fixtures, and public & health amenities, in addition to landscaping works which will be developed and spaced in consistent manner, giving gorgeous and eye-catching sceneries,” he added. “The project aims to transform the sandy beach into a more vibrant area by adding aesthetic, recreational elements and public services for beach goers, be it residents or tourists who flock to Dubai beaches to savour fabulous beach sitting, jogging or hiking,” continued Al Tayer. Continue reading
