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The Middle East Consultant editorial team has expanded its focus on equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) in the region, and has announced the opening of nominations for its new ‘Equality Diversity & Inclusion Awards’.
The awards feature 10 categories, including: Gender Empowerment Champion of the Year, Ethnicity Human Capital Champion of the Year; People of Determination Facilities Champion of the Year; Mentoring Champion of the Year; Management Education Champion of the Year; Workspace Inclusiveness Champion of the Year; C-Suite Gender Champion of the Year; Human Capital Manager of the Year; ED&I Programme of the Year, and ED&I Company of the Year. Read about all the categories here.
The deadline for nominations is 22 March 2024, click here to read the nomination guidelines. Winners will be announced at a gala dinner event, which will take place on 24 April in Dubai – a venue will be announced soon on the award’s website.
“The ED&I Awards have been created to honour the innovators and change-makers who are defining equality, diversity & inclusion in the workplace – and are transforming for the better the raft of gender, disability and ethnicity issues that they involve,” said Paul Godfrey, Head of Content at Middle East Consultant.
The awards aim to recognise the achievement at a corporate and individual level, and also honour programmes that have proven to be most popular and most highly effective. One of the key factors within these awards is that they also recognise businesses who are empowering and supercharging ED&I and gender progress and participation at all levels of the organisation: from the shop floor to the boardroom, the editorial team noted.
Read more about the 2024 ED&I Awards by clicking here.
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RAK Properties has announced it has successfully sold out the first set of units at its recently launched residential waterfront development, Quattro Del Mar, in Ras Al Khaimah.
Quattro Del Mar forms part of RAK Properties’ broader masterplan for Hayat Island, reinforcing Mina Al Arab’s position as a community-centric lifestyle destination in line with RAK Vision 2030.
A four-tower property, it boasts a range of premium amenities that caters to families, wellness enthusiasts and millennial investors.
Following the successful sellout, RAK Properties has released the next collection of residences for sales to local and international buyers.
RAK Properties’ CEO, Sameh Muhtadi said: “As predicted, Quattro Del Mar has been widely accepted by the market, due to our lifestyle promise which comprises a sea of luxury amenities offerings, solidifying Mina Al Arab as the most desirable residential addresses in Ras Al Khaimah. We are launching the next collection of residences earlier than anticipated due to buyer demand.”
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The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) announced that it commissioned 1,414 11kV distribution substations across Dubai in 2023.
The construction of these substations and related tasks resulted in a total of 996,648 man-hours, which were completed following the highest standards of health and safety.
“We are building a state-of-the-art infrastructure that keeps pace with the sustainable development requirements in Dubai and meets the needs of customers, developers, and businesses. This is achieved through well-thought-out and reliable planning processes based on the latest foresight tools to contribute to the sustainable urban development of Dubai, supporting the goals of the Dubai 2040 Urban Masterplan,” said DEWA MD and CEO, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.
He continued, “In addition to energy and water production projects, DEWA is working to enhance the transmission and distribution networks based on electricity demand forecast until 2030, considering the emirate’s demographic and economic growth.”
Rashid Bin Humaidan, Executive Vice President of Distribution Power, said the total number of medium voltage substations (11kV and 6.6kV) reached 44,015 stations by the end of 2023. He added that all substations are implemented according to the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and safety using the latest digital technologies, and follow strict international standards of Best Practice.
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Damac Properties has launched its first apartment complex within its upcoming master community, Damac Lagoons. Damac Lagoon Views will offer one- and two-bedroom apartments across the ground + six floors of living space with a host of amenities complementing the community’s Mediterranean theme, the developer said.
According to a statement, residents will have an opportunity to revel in a range of relaxation and recreational experiences. There will be hills where people can lounge in the sun on mini mounts of green spaces, and a honey bar that offers wellness products. Adding to this offering are comfortably placed hammocks over the lagoons, an outdoor spa and an aqua boho lounge.
“What truly sets Damac Lagoon Views apart is its commitment to offering unparalleled experiences. This is not just a residence; it’s a lifestyle, a promise of unforgettable memories, and a testament to our commitment to creating exceptional communities that redefine modern living,” said Mohammed Tahaineh, General Manager of Projects at Damac.
The developer also noted that an olive tree garden will provide an ideal wedding venue, and will be set amidst the backdrop of an event space, while a Flamenco Gardens concert stage will be at the centre of the community. Unique to the project will be an aqua opera school pavilion and a volcanic stone park. As well as a beach club and glow lounge, a board games pavilion and a dedicated kids area wrap up the entertainment offerings at Lagoon Views.
The gastronomy hub will offer a range of F&B experiences, including a tapas lounge, a pool bar and a sunset beach bar. Keeping in line with the water theme of Damac Lagoons, the new project also promises to awe with its Lagoon Rain Party Zone, and a unique aquatic party venue. For fitness enthusiasts, Lagoon Views will also offer an aqua gym with a running track, it added.
The UAE developer said that it has so far awarded contracts worth nearly US $1.90bn for Damac Lagoons, with over $270mn assigned for infrastructure, and more than $1.52bn for the construction of villas in the community.
“We are very pleased to see the progress at Damac Lagoons and are excited to start welcoming residents this year,” he concluded.
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Construction group China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC) has announced that it has broken ground on its key development in the Jahra Governorate of Kuwait, about 25 km west of the capital city. On completion, the South Saad Al Abdullah City Housing Project will cater to the housing needs of at least 150,000 people.
As per the terms of the contract, CGGC will conduct earthworks excavation and filling work as well build more than 150km of new roads and bridges. The scope of work also includes laying of 975km of pipelines.
The Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) reported earlier that the housing project was being built at a total investment of US $6.8bn, which will be phased over the coming state budgets according to the construction stages of the project.
The ground breaking ceremony was attended by senior Chinese and Kuwaiti officials, including Kuwaiti MP Fayez Al Jumhour and Rashid Al-Enezi, Acting General Manager of Kuwait’s Public Authority for Housing Welfare.
“We have always regarded Kuwait as an important strategic market for investment and construction, and are committed to becoming a positive force in building Kuwait. We will make efforts to build a comfortable living environment for local residents and make more contributions to deepening cooperation between China and Kuwait,” concluded He Baisen, Executive General Manager and Project Manager at CGGC.
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US $187mn in contracts have been signed by Rua Al Madinah Holding, as part of its efforts to enhance local content, support small and medium enterprises, and boost local manufacturing and human capabilities, and help create direct and indirect job opportunities.
The company is tasked with undertaking holistic development projects that use modern urban planning in projects such as Rua Al Madinah, which is enhancing the experience of residents and visitors of Madinah.
CEO Ahmad bin Wusul Al Juhani stressed the importance of the signed contracts in supporting the company’s projects, especially the Rua Al Madinah project, the largest in its portfolio. The project aims to provide 47,000 hotel rooms by 2030.
He said Rua Al Madinah was actively working on several ambitious projects. He explained, “The goal is to enrich the experience of the visiting pilgrims to Madinah and help achieve the targets of the pilgrimage, Umrah, and visitation sector, and Vision 2030 by facilitating the hosting of 30m pilgrims by 2030.”
According to a report, the first contract involves the completion of existing towers in the Dar Al Hijra project, with a built-up area exceeding 450,000sqm. The scope of development includes implementing facade work for the existing towers, their infrastructure, and overall site development to prepare them for investment.
The second contract was signed by Rua Al Madinah with a security expertise firm in the field of security planning, operation, and supervision. The deal is aimed at securing the company’s offices, properties, project boundaries, and ensuring the smooth execution of security plans by supervising security contractor teams. Additionally, the company will provide technical support by reviewing submitted security plans to ensure they meet security requirements, the report noted.
The third contract was sealed with Saudi telecom giant STC for the implementation of the Rua Smart Cities Strategy. Billed as a key initiative, the deal aims to enhance the smart destination experience for visitors to the Rua Al Madinah project and improve qualify of life within the company’s hotels and locations, using advanced digital technologies, IoT-supported by artificial intelligence, and enhancing data efficiency.
Rua Al Madinah Holding also signed a MoU with the Saudi Industrial Cities and Technology Areas Development Authority (Modon) to co-ordinate the construction of a prefabricated concrete building units factory. The agreement includes conducting feasibility studies and action plans for the targeted projects, supporting business development by attracting value-added partnerships, and providing support and advice in implementing projects that serve the goals of both parties.
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Daimler Commercial Vehicles Mena (DCV Mena) has delivered the region’s first Mercedes-Benz eEconic collection truck to Beeah Group, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Beeah Headquarters in Sharjah.
The official handover of the eEconic was completed by Emirates Motor Company Commercial Vehicles (EMC CV), DCV Mena’s authorised General Distributor in Abu Dhabi.
Kay-Wolf Ahlden, President & CEO, DCV Mena FZE said, “This MoU represents our unwavering commitment to drive innovation, foster environmental responsibility, and shape the future of mobility. By combining our expertise in commercial vehicles with Beeah’s visionary approach to waste management and sustainable solutions, we are confident in our ability to create a greener, smarter, and more efficient tomorrow.”
As a zero-emission vehicle specifically designed for urban waste management, the eEconic will be added to Beeah’s fleet of over 2,000 waste collection vehicles, offering leading-edge efficiency, safety, and environmental performance. The addition of the vehicle underscores Beeah’s commitment to decarbonising its growing fleet operations in the UAE, Egypt and KSA, while aligning with the organisation’s ambitions to achieve Net Zero emissions across its range of operations by 2040.
The delivery of the eEconic is part of a larger collaboration between DCV Mena and Beeah, which will leverage the strengths and expertise of both organisations to create innovative solutions that will benefit society and the environment alike.
“We are delighted to hand over the first Mercedes-Benz eEconic in the region to Beeah, marking a significant milestone in our partnership. We would like to thank Beeah for their trust and partnership, and we look forward to working together to create innovative solutions that will benefit our customers and the environment alike,” said Bilal Al Ribi, General Manager, EMC CV.
Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Beeah added, “This addition to Beeah’s fleet perfectly aligns with our objective of shaping zero-waste societies through an advanced, digitally enabled fleet. The eEconic’s zero-emission drive and advanced safety features will enable us to further enhance our sustainable waste management solutions. We look forward to our ongoing collaboration with Daimler Commercial Vehicles Mena and Emirates Motor Company to explore more ways to reduce our transport-related emissions and contribute to the UAE’s sustainability targets.”
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A consortium led by French utility specialist EDF Renewables and Korea Western Power Corporation (Kowepo), has announced that it has reached financial close on Manah 1 – a 500MW solar power plant located in Oman.
Following the bid submission in September 2022, the consortium was awarded and signed a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (PWP) in March last year.
As per the PPA, the consortium will be responsible for the design, finance, construction and operation of the plant located in the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, 175km south of Muscat. The plant will begin commercial operation during the first quarter of 2025.
Once commissioned, the Manah 1 project will power more than 50,000 Omani households providing clean energy, while off-setting over 700,000 metric tonnes of CO2 per year.
The Manah 1 project is the first for EDF Renewables and Kowepo in the sultanate and is part of the consortium’s strategy to support the region’s Net Zero ambitions, as well as contribute to Oman nation’s Clean Energy Goals, through the diversification of the country’s energy mix aiming at 35-39% of renewable generation by 2040.
The financing for the project will be secured through equity and loan schemes sourced from local and international financial institutions, such as the Export-Import Bank of Korea, European bank Société Générale and Oman Bank Muscat.
EDF Renewables Middle East CEO, Olivier Bordes said, “Today we are reaching the financial close for this project, which highlights our strong commitment to contribute to Oman’s goal to produce from 35 to 39% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2040, and demonstrates EDF Renewables and Kowepo’s consortium’s continuing support for the sultanate in reaching its Clean Goals. The consortium’s first large-scale renewable installation in the country is perfectly in line with the EDF Group commitment to triple the renewable energy net capacity in operation worldwide, between 2023 and 2030.”
Korea Western Power Corp CEO (for MENA region), Youn Ho Ko added, “We are very pleased to announce the successful financial close of the Manah 1 solar PV project, and that we are the first Korean company to be awarded a project in Oman. This achievement was possible due to the strong partnership with EDF Renewables and their extensive experience and the unwavering support of Société Générale, KEXIM Bank and Bank Muscat.”
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