international
construction
october 2014
REGIONALREPORT
22
Global showpieces
Dhabi andDubai, UAE, as well as Doha inQatar and Jeddah
in Saudi Arabia.
This in turn has led to an improving picture for many
contractors and other suppliers to the construction industry,
with manufacturers such as Doosan Infracore reporting an
increase in sales –particularly for staple products like excavators
and loaders across theweight category spectrum.
GabyRhayem, Doosan’s regional director for theMiddle East
and North Africa, said, “We are seeing growth in our business
in the Middle East, particularly within the one to two tonne
category of excavators that are used for landscaping.
“Saudi Arabia is the largest market at the moment with the
railways it is building and a lot of other infrastructureworks.”
This has been supported by a trend reported by Procorre
consultants, which said there had been a surge in demand for
construction professionals in theGulf.
The company’s relationship manager Lisa Mangan believed
there was now far greater optimism “as the regional recovery
and high oil prices have combined to trigger another boom in
building, particularly as the regionprepares formajor events like
theWorldCup.”
Adrian Grigorita, Caterpillar’s Middle East sales manager,
confirmed the regional market had been promising this year.
While he acknowledge that civil unrest in Syria had been a
factor within the region’s markets, he believed the performance
of Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar had meant its overall
positionwas strong.
He said, “The Middle East construction sector in general is
showinggrowth- especiallywithexcavators andother equipment
includingwheeled loaders and earthmovingmachines.
“The higher sales of excavators have been down to them
being versatile machines that are capable of operating inmany
environments.
“Caterpillar has been involved in a lot of work developing
specific excavating products for the region that have done well
within the market. Our machines have been designed so that
they are easily repaired and rebuilt.”
Major projects
One of themost eye-catchingmulti-billiondollar developments
within the region isDubai’s plannedMall of theWorld– already
dubbed as a “citywithin a city.”
This monumental 48 million ft
2
(4.46 million m
2
) shopping
centre scheme from investment group Dubai Holding has
already captured global headlines,
Its 7 km of thoroughfares including its own versions of
Broadway and Oxford Street, as well as 100 luxury hotels
offering a total of 20,000 rooms.
In addition, there are also plans to include a huge indoor
theme park, covered by a glass dome designed to open during
wintermonths.
Also contained within the scheme are proposals for the city’s
largest events centre, capable of accommodating 15,000people.
Scheduled to open in 2020, work is forecast to begin on the
site early next year and it is envisaged this visually striking
schemewill attract 180million tourists a year.
The Mall of the World is expected to serve as the
centerpiece for Dubai’s World Expo event being staged in
2020, showcasing its grand architectural vision.
Othermajor plans within the city include proposals to replace
its airport, which is among the busiest in
theworld.
The newUS$ 32 billion project known
as Al Maktoum International is part of
theDubaiWorldCentral master plan.
This centres on the development of
eight specific zones located within Jebel
Ali, southern Dubai that includes areas
dedicated to aviation, logistics and
commercial offices. It will take up to
eight years to construct.
Events within Dubai’s leisure sector
continue to progress apacewith plans for
new theme parks including Legoland in
Dubai – to be constructed by the Besix
Group. Proposals have also emerged
for two other major facilities including
a Hollywood movie themed park to be
built by LaingO’Rourke.
Dubai’s near neighbour, Abu Dhabi
has also put significant infrastructure
projects on the agenda.
The largest scheme currently underway
is the newMidfieldTerminal Complex at
AbuDhabi International Airport, which
is due for completion in 2017.
The Al Wakrah
Stadium in
Qatar, is the first
stadium under
construction for
theWorld Cup
2022.
