Tall-tower trend far from over, says Al-Futtaim

Al-Futtaim Engineering (AFE) elevator division GM Syed Shamsul Haq.

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The era of tall buildings is far from over, with plenty of high-rise projects in Dubai and strong growth in Abu Dhabi, says Al-Futtaim Engineering (AFE) elevator division GM Syed Shamsul Haq.

“Dubai's construction sector is not dead. You have to be selective, but there are good projects out there still,” Syhamsulhaq says, pointing to the elevator division’s ongoing involvement at Hotel JAL Tower, Millennium Tower and Al Hikma Tower, all on Sheikh Zayed Road, and The Address Hotel at Dubai Mall.

“Dubai is not as it was before, but there is still work. Dubai passed through a period which was a bit unnatural to the extent of there being too much work. Companies had to pass through this phase without really getting to grips with the work that had to be done.

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“So in a sense this is now the time to learn from past experience and prepare, which is how we are approaching it. We are looking at our strengths and weaknesses, and how we can improve upon areas where we are lacking,” says Shamsul Haq.

So has the downturn meant the end of the trend of high-rise buildings? “If you look at the bigger picture, at the GCC level, definitely overall there are more high-rises now than there were in 2006. Qatar and Saudi Arabia have a lot of high-rise projects. So the trend will continue,” is Shamsul Haq’s firm prediction.

“It is quite natural to have a construction boom followed by a lull in activity. In one area there will be saturation, and in another area opportunity.” He says Abu Dhabi went through a similar experience of a decline in construction activity, while Dubai was booming.

“Dubai is relatively quiet now, while our major activity is in Abu Dhabi. We are supplying 50 elevators and escalators, including many high-speed elevators, to Nation Towers on the Corniche, and also have the Investment Corporation Headquarters coming up. We are also involved at Masdar University,” says Shamsul Haq.

Read the full interview with Syed Shamsul Haq in the August issue of MEP Middle East.