Union factory set up
The Union Factory for Polyethylene Pipes in the Mussafah Industrial Zone, set up at a cost of Dh40-million ($10.9 million), will produce 15,000 tonnes of multi-purpose plastic pipes a year.
The 72,000 sq m plant will be an addition to the major economic and industrial facilities in Abu Dhabi.
"The factory was commissioned mainly to meet demand from the infrastructure sectors of local and foreign markets. It uses raw materials which are 100 per cent UAE-made as they are supplied by the Abu Dhabi Polymers Co (Borouge)," plant director-general Mohammed Hajib was quoted as saying in media reports.
He said new production lines for 710-1,600 mm diameter pipes would be commissioned in the second phase, which starts by June. He said the Dh25-million expansion would increase the annual capacity to more than 25 million tonnes.
The first phase focuses on producing pipes with diameters ranging from 16mm to 630mm, Hajib said.
Jafz southzone to open
The 40 sq km south zone of the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafz) will open for business later this year. With the addition of the new area, the total area of Jafz will be over 100 sq km, said Abdullah Lootah, senior manager of Jafz. He said there are more than 4,000 companies in the 15 free zones operating in the UAE and Jafz itself hosts over 2,300 firms. Jafz has been rated amongst the top three free zones out of a global 2,000, by Dr Juan Torrents, president of the World Federation of Free Zones (WFFZ). The first international exhibition and conference on free zones, Freezex 2003, which was held in Dubai from January 12 to 15, attracted participants from 29 countries. The event also addressed some of the important issues faced by the free zones community.
Vertscape, Microsoft in tie-up
Vertscape, a provider of e-business Web services solutions, recently tied up with Microsoft to offer specialised services to the logistics and freight sector in the region. The comprehensive XeRM solution provided by Vertscape enables companies in the industry to incorporate business interaction, update workflow and customer information as well as ensure that employees are provided ready access through a password-protected browser interface.
UAE to hold trade show in Mumbai
The UAE will hold a new trade show as the springboard to tap the Indian market. The first 'UAE Trade Exhibition in India' will run from May 12 to 15 at the Mumbai World Trade Centre. The venture is being mounted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Public Corporation for Ports Customs & Free Zone and the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). "The exhibition in Mumbai will further enhance business relations with India and create wider business opportunities," says DCCI director general Abdul Rahman Al Mutaiwee.
Omani firm's 15 years with Grundfos
Oman Water Pumps Manufacturing Company has completed 15 years of operations as licencees of Grundfos International of Denmark. To mark the occasion, senior officials of Grundfos - Andre Minnerath, managing director for the south-eastern region, and John Frampton, general manager for Gulf distribution - visited the Omani company recently.
They also met the undersecretary and the director-general of industry and held discussions. During the discussions, the ministry officials indicated there would be additional opportunities for Grundfos to participate in the Omani market through the Omani company. The company started production of water pumps in 1988 in collaboration with Grundfos. An overview of its growth, expertise and innovation was presented to Grundfos officials.
Hotel signs Tabreed deal
The five-star deluxe Shangri-La in Dubai has signed a 20-year agreement for district cooling services from Tabreed. Located on Dubai's Shaikh Zayed Road, the 43-storey Shangri-La will use this kind of cooling throughout its twin tower complex. The Shangri-La is the first global hotel brand in the UAE to choose the Tabreed cooling system. The hotel's owners have decided to use the area previously earmarked for the air conditioning plant for tennis courts. Tabreed, or the National Central Cooling Co, has a cooling facility on the Sheikh Zayed Road.
Other buildings in the area that use Tabreeed's service are the Rotana Hotel, Tower Number One Suites and Noor Al Maarif School.
Legrand hosts meet
Electrical accessories maker Legrand hosted its annual export meet in Dubai.
This was the first time that the Limoges-based Legrand held this event in the Middle East. Named as New Horizons 2003, it was attended by more than 70 Legrand managers from 27 countries The Legrand group's turnover in the Middle East for the year 2001 was $70 million, with the UAE accounting for 15 per cent.
New Horizons 2003 was held in association with Al Hathboor, Legrand's agent for Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The five-day meeting began at the Sofitel City Centre Hotel on January 21.
The aim was to introduce Legrand's new product ranges: a new air circuit breaker, the VDI new Cat 6; a smart home system, Omizzy; and DLP trunking systems.
GPIC achieves record production
The Bahrain-based Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC) achieved record production and an operating profit of $51 million last year. The company will pay shareholders $21 million in dividends, said Oil Minister and GPIC chairman Shaikh Isa bin Ali Al Khalifa.
The operating profit was $50 million in 2001, when $21 million was paid out as dividends. Shaikh Isa said the company achieved a record performance in terms of production last year. "This achievement has been made possible by the loyal and sincere efforts of the employees," he noted. "Their continuous rationalisation of costs has resulted in the reduction of expenditure and production costs as well as in enhancing productivity." General manager Dr Mustafa Al Sayed said last year was a record year for GPIC in terms of its production of ammonia, methanol and urea. "The total production reached 1.1 million tonnes, 12 per cent more than the budgeted figure," he said.
$11.74m contract for cable firm
A new contract worth SR44.055 million ($11.74 million) has been awarded to Saudi Cable Company by Saudi Electricity Company. The new project in Khaiber involves the construction of a double circuit 110kV transmission line for an approximate length of 154km. The scope of work includes the construction of foundations, towers, insulators, hardware, phase conductor, ACS earth wire, erection, stringing and commissioning of line.
Tests to be done in country of origin
All goods imported by UAE factories will be tested in their country of origin to ensure they conform to the standards of the UAE Specifications and Standards Authority. The move will ensure an early detection of defects in products as well as their validity, said authority director Walid bin Falah Al Mansouri. He said factories registered with the Ministry of Finance and Industry's Industrial Development Department had been given a grace period ending on June 1 to adjust with the new specifications, which will soon be announced. The new measures were discussed at a meeting chaired by UAE Minister of State for Finance and Industry Dr Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash.
College develops new course
The UAE University's College of Engineering has developed a new course to train its final-year students in aluminium electrolysis and production.
A team of experienced engineers from Dubai Aluminum Company (Dubal), holding PhD degrees, has developed the course with the help of college academics. Dr Khalifa H Harib, assistant professor and chairperson of the college's department of mechanical engineering, said the four-month course was being offered for the first time in the region. A course co-ordinator said students would learn the latest technologies in aluminium production.
Yousef Ali Mohammed Alfarsi, Dubal's technology development manager, said the company had been playing a leading role in supporting various educational programmes for UAE nationals.
Guidelines issued
Civic authorities in Dubai have issued new guidelines to control waste disposal activities. Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Industry and Chairman of Dubai Municipality, has issued a local order regarding the management of waste disposal sites in Dubai. According to media reports, order No 7 of 2002 stipulates that waste generators must dispose of waste only at the site designated by the Dubai Municipality's environment department after paying the specified fees.
