Abu Dhabi has introduced new rules to govern construction activities as part of an overall restructuring process to support the domestic economy within the emirates 2030 development strategy. The new rules have already been inforced but contractors and other construction companies have up to four years to meet the various criteria set out, according to the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

Emirates Cement Company has now been rebranded as Lafarge Emirates Cement. Exports account for 30-40 per cent of output from Lafarges quarry and three million tonne capacity factory. CEO, Antoine Duclaux, said that the change in name reflects his companys changing priorities. "Were still happy with the volume of sales in the region," said Duclaux. "But at the time, like all manufacturers, the objective was to sell domestically in Dubai, which we did. But now like most big players we export to Oman and some other captive markets, like Kuwait and Iraq and we are also targeting the Indian Ocean islands, like Mayotte and Mauritius."

Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) has confirmed that Six Construct Qatar (a fully-owned subsidiary of the BESIX Group which is 50 per cent-owned by OCI) has been awarded a US$675mn contract to build phase IIB of the Doha Convention Centre & Tower in Qatar in a joint venture with Midmac Contracting Co. Six Construct Qatar?s share of the contract is approximately US$338mn or 50 per cent of the total contract value.

Nakheel will reportedly resume work on at least six projects by early October as it settles outstanding bills with contractors. The developer, owned by Dubai World, is restructuring US$10.5 billion owed to banks, contractors and service providers. Last month contractors started to receive payments from Nakheel leaving the way clear for stalled projects around the emirate to resume.