Steel plant increases capacity
Emirates Iron and Steel Factory (EISF) in Dubai has increased its annual production capacity to 600,000 tonnes during 2004, almost doubling from 340,000 tonnes in 2003.
The increase in capacity is expected to meet the UAE’s rising demand for steel that is being witnessed over the last couple of years. The total demand rose to 2.5 million tonnes last year and is projected to cross the three million tonne level by the year-end. Sultan Al Zaabi general manager, EISF, said: “EISF sales and volume of production grew by 42 per cent between 2001-2003, making it one of fastest growing steel and iron companies in the region”.
DCCI exhibition in Libya
The Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) will hold a UAE Trade Exhibition in Libya 2005 from 27 to 30 November, 2005, its director-general Abdulrahman Ghanem Al Mutaiwee said.
DCCI is organising the exhibition in conjunction with the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) and the Dubai Tourism Commercial Marketing Department (DTCM).
Streamline Marketing Company will be the technical organiser and more than 100 companies are expected to take part in the event, said Al Mutaiwee.
“We consider the event as a perfect marketing and promotional option to cement our excellent relations and develop new venues for bilateral trade and economic cooperation with our sister country, Libya,” he said.
Adpico’s plans
Adpico, which produces steel tubes, profiles and line pipes for the oil and gas sector in Abu Dhabi, is planning a major thrust into GCC markets followed by a campaign to push into the North American marketplace, says its sales directory Feisal Hammude.
The company’s capacity is 2 million tonnes per year and production began last November at the Mussafah Industrial Park.
It is a member of the Safa Group whose other main production facilities are Saveh Rolling, Safa Rolling (Saveh, Iran) and Alpha Steel (New Port Wales, UK).
Adpico represents a new era in steel manufacturing, says Hammude, who was brought on board from his previous position as vice president at Salam Ogilvy Consultants.
Naran Group to work on Iraq rail project
Dubai-based Naran Group has won a Dh18 million ($5 million) contract to work on the design and development of the Baghdad Loop Line Railway project.
“We have tied up with a Dutch company, Nedco, to offer the best solutions for the project,” group chairman Sabah Al Shammery was quoted as saying in the Dubai press. The Naran Group will be preparing the study, finalising costing and compiling tender documents for the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation.
“International bids will be invited by November this year and we expect to award a contract soon after,” Al Shammery said.
The Naran Group has diversified business interests in Iraq Jordan and the Gulf.
Drainage projects
Dubai Municipality is to launch four drainage projects worth Dh21.5 million ($5.9 million) that will help enhance the drainage and irrigation network of the emirate and dispose the wastewater safely.
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Industry and Chairman of Dubai Municipality, has approved the projects. Dubai Municipality director-general Qassim Sultan said the municipality is currently implementing a five-year strategic plan with the objective of setting up drainage and storm water networks to cover all the urban areas of Dubai city.
Jafza honoured
The Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) has joined the global Superbrands club. The honour was recently bestowed on Jafza by the Superbrands organisation, the global independent authority and arbiter of branding excellence, in recognition of its success in positioning itself as a world-class free zone.
The award was presented to representatives of Jafza at a Tribute Event held in Dubai recently, in the presence of a galaxy of brand guardians and the media. A Superbrand is described as one that “offers consumers significant emotional or physical advantages over its competitors.”
“Jafza is an outstanding example of the entrepreneurial spirit of the free trading city of Dubai, built around the largest man-made port in the world,” said Abdullah Al Banna, marketing manager, Jafza.
