New research states that 2012 will see U$15.068 billion worth of contracts awarded in the Emirates in 2012 – an increase of 26.57 per cent from last year.
The latest figures from research specialists Ventures Middle East have been released in the build-up to WORLD ecoConstruct, featuring Infrastructure Arabia Summit, the pioneering industry event taking place from 22-25 April 2012 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
The total value of current UAE construction projects is evaluated at US$1.249 trillion with buildings accounting for US$871.6 billion, energy (oil and gas, petrochemicals, power and water projects) for US$190.9 billion, and infrastructure (roads, bridges, rail, sewerage, wastewater and marine) projects amounting to US$187.2 billion.
Commenting on the Municipal System participation in WORLD ecoConstruct, H.E. Engineer Ahmed Mohamed Al Shareef, Under Secretary of the Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA), said: “The importance of the building and construction sector in the local economy makes this event very important for the Municipal System to participate in.
“The DMA and the three Municipalities of the Emirate, Abu Dhabi City Municipality, Al Ain City and the Western region, all play an important role in achieving sustainable development in this sector and will showcase many sustainable projects at the exhibition, reflecting our commitment to achieving sustainable development as per the Abu Dhabi 2030 vision.
“Visitors to the event can find out more about current projects, especially the Abu Dhabi new building codes which improve building standards in the Emirate, in addition to saving energy and water and improving safety regulations.”Across the GCC, sustainable building projects spearhead the growing real estate construction boom. Masdar City, the emerging low-carbon, low-waste global clean-technology development in Abu Dhabi is a leader in this and aims to become one of the world’s most sustainable cities in the world powered by renewable energy.
To facilitate the development of a more sustainable construction sector Masdar has also developed a green building materials portal, Future Build, to help architects, engineers and contractors – particularly in the UAE and wider region – select and source environmentally sustainable, third party-certified products to meet their projects’ environmental objectives.
Elsewhere, construction on the US$60 billion Sustainable Economic Cities of Saudi Arabia has begun across the Kingdom, while Energy City in Qatar and Sabah Al Ahmed International Finance Centre in Kuwait both place major emphasis on the use of green building technology.
Tsitsi Lynn Makuni, Exhibition Director of WORLD ecoConstruct, said: “The latest figures illustrate that the Middle East continues its aggressive development plans. The Abu Dhabi Executive Council has approved spending on the new billion dollar airport terminal, a metro system, two industrial zones, more than 20,000 new homes, 14 new hospitals and 24 new schools.”
Associate Exhibition Director Marie-Eve Cote added: “One of the keys to solving global environmental issues is an increased collaboration between leading construction material producers and those charged with creating, and delivering, a low carbon future environment.”
WORLD ecoConstruct, a crucial collaboration between Abu Dhabi’s two leading building and construction events, CityBuild and Arabian Construction Week, is the region’s only dedicated exhibition focusing on sustainable design and construction for the built environment.
Co-located with the 6th edition of Cityscape Abu Dhabi, WORLD ecoConstruct provides a crucial sourcing and knowledge platform for the billions of dollars committed to major projects within Abu Dhabi and the surrounding region. Together the events attract more than 30,000 visitors.
WORLD ecoConstruct is supported by its Foundation Partner the Department of Municipal Affairs, Sustainable Knowledge Partner Masdar City, Strategic Partner Emirates Green Building Council, Principal Sponsor Emirates Steel and is Endorsed by the UAE Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Notes to Editors
WORLD ecoConstruct and infrastructure ARABIA is a collaboration of Abu Dhabi’s two leading building and construction events, CityBuild and Arabian Construction Week and is jointly organised by Informa Exhibitions and Clarion Events Middle East. More information can be found at www.worldecoConstruct.com.
About Department of Municipal Affairs:
The Department of the Municipal Affairs (DMA) was established in May 2007, and replaced the Department of Municipalities and Agriculture to become the main focal point of all municipal planning and oversee public works projects in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The DMA aims to produce efficiencies and higher customer satisfaction in accordance with the National Policy Agenda which represents a new era in municipal services to the general public.
As a regulatory body, the DMA supervises the three municipal administrations; Abu Dhabi Municipality, Al Ain Municipality and Western Region Municipality.
About Masdar
Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted initiative advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future – developing the “greenprint” for how we will live and work tomorrow. Backed by the stability and reputation of the Mubadala Development Company, the strategic investment company of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the emirate’s long-term vision for the future of energy.
