February 23, 2012

Rising to a corporate challenge

Nick Hayes, head of sustainability, EC Harris

EC Harris head of sustainability Nick Hayes and head of property Paul Foster analyse the sustainability challenge facing corporations Across the Middle East region sustainability is rising up the corporate agenda driven not only by a desire to be more environmentally friendly but also by more pragmatic, economic influences. With some commentators now … [Read more...]

Depression report

A Study by the UAE University published late last year, concluded that 25.1% of low-paid workers in the UAE's construction industry suffer from depression. The Big Project investigates the effects on construction labourers and the work of one charity that aims to help Last year, UAE University commissioned a study into the effects of long hours, poor pay … [Read more...]

CBRE Market view: Dubai

Burj Khalifa (2)

Key elements Law no 13 of 2011 was announced with the aim  of regulating economic activity and connecting government departments under a single portal in order to streamline commercial activity and investment in the Emirate. Prime office lease rates remained unchanged for the fourth straight quarter with rates ranging between AED1,080 to … [Read more...]

A shift towards asset performance management

Across the MENA region today a shift is beginning to take place with investors and occupiers more and more aware of the vital role property can play in a business’ overall commercial performance. Increasingly, a wider understanding is  emerging that enhancing asset performance can play a key role in delivering increased capital value and a greater return … [Read more...]

Qatar – One Year On

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This month marks a year since the announcement that Qatar is to host the 2022 World Cup. Dan McAlister looks at how the tiny Gulf state is stepping up to become the first in the region to hold the world’s biggest football tournament   It’s December 2 2010 and FIFA is announcing the host nations of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments. … [Read more...]

Laying the Foundations

Hyder

As Qatar commits itself to infrastructure projects worth US $571 million, The Big Project speaks to Hyder Consulting’s chief executive Ivor Catto and regional managing director, Wael Allan, as the firm undertakes its biggest project to date   On November 23 2011 an historic document was signed at the ministry of public works in Doha. Ashghal, … [Read more...]

Disaster planning

A screengrab of the software

In recent years, the Middle East has experienced some of the most extreme weather ever recorded, and the region hasn’t always been prepared. Dan McAlister finds out about a new software package that will help protect civil infrastructure against the changing climate   It’s important to recognise the Middle East as a whole was not really in the … [Read more...]

MacDonald & Co salary survey

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The results of MacDonald & Company's fifth salary survey   Average monthly base salary in UAE dirhams has decreased from AED 38,351 last year to 37,965 this year, down 1.0%. “In the context of the figure it’s about the same as last year,” says company director, Ben Waddilove.   30% of respondents received an average monthly … [Read more...]

Stormy waters

45 Kuwait from water 2

On August 19 it was reported that 150 Iraqis had gathered at the country’s border with Kuwait to protest further construction of the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port on Bubiyan Island. Security forces from both countries intervened to  prevent violence, but extra security remains around the port as threats to attack the site and the companies working on it … [Read more...]

Through the looking glass

What have been the key emerging trends to affect the development of glass products over the past year? Yazbeck: Firstly there are a lot of high quality products coming in the area; secondly the local production has become   being a major quality provider to the world; we used to import, but now we’re exporting. Th at’s very  important. Th e switch … [Read more...]