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Construction Week’s Public Infrastructure UAE 2012 conference is to be held in March in Dubai with a view to discussing and dissecting some of the key issues involved in future major projects.
The UAE has more than $45bn worth of infrastructure projects set to bear fruition.
The Federal Government has a keen eye on using infrastructure investment to both stimulate growth and be a vehicle for market recovery in 2012.
“It is the belief that increasing investment in major transport infrastructure across the UAE will fill development gaps, create jobs and ultimately create more demand for good quality real estate in the country,” said event director Samm Medina.
The event is to be held at the Grosvenor House at Dubai Marina on Monday, 5 March.
It is to be held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Public Works. The Ministry will be speaking at the event. Four sections – aviation, roading, rail, and water and electricity – will be discussed and analysed.
Each will contain a keynote address from a Government client followed by an interactive panel discussion complete with some of the biggest and most active contractors and consultants in the region.
“The financing and delivery of some of these large projects has been opened up to the private sector, which make it a significant revenue generator for contractors over the next few years,” said Medina.
“Airport infrastructure has long been a strategic advantage for the UAE, which is set to continue with the construction of Dubai World Central and expansion of the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
“Roads remain a lucrative market for contractors – the UAE is forging ahead with $58 billion worth of road and bridge projects, including Abu Dhabi’s $25bn Surface Transport Master Plan.
“And The Etihad Rail project will see the construction of a 1,200km rail route through the UAE at a total cost of some $10.9bn, which will be completed over three phases.
“The state-backed project is one of the most eagerly awaited and competitively-tendered infrastructure projects in the Middle East.”
The UAE also has 11 water and power projects underway valued at $10bn – including the $800m Hassyan 1 independent power plant (IPP), where construction is expected to begin next year.
Since its establishment, the UAE Ministry of Public Works has completed a range of projects across the country. Its budget for the period 2011-2016 has been announced at some $4.5bn.
Confirmed speakers at the CW event so far include Baha Mohammed Al Qedrah, Director Building and Facilities Department, Roads and Transport Authority UAE, Alessandro Borgogna, Principal, Booz and Company, George Kenich, Infrastructure Manager, Aldar Properties , Paul Willis, Partner – Head Of Aviation, EC Harris, HE Fatima Al Jaber, Chief Operating Officer, Al Jaber Group and Philippe Dessoy, General Manager, Besix.
