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September 30, 2022 wicsummit0

Fully interactive virtual real estate and communities designed in the metaverse are driving significant growth in DAMAC Properties’ pure online sales, Ali Sajwani, General Manager of Operations at DAMAC Properties and CEO of D-Labs, said while speaking at the Dubai Metaverse Assembly.

Speaking alongside fellow Web3 experts at the event, Sajwani stated that online-only transactions are accounting for an ever-increasing proportion of DAMAC Properties’ real-estate activity – approximately $100mn per quarter, at present. He added that the UAE-based developer has set a target of growing this figure to $150mn per month by mid-2023.

In addition to Sajwani, the Dubai Metaverse Assembly’s ‘Sector Deep-Dive: Opportunities in Virtual Real Estate’ panel featured Joe Abi Akl, Chief Corporate Development Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Group, Guy Parsonage, Partner and Leader at PwC Experience Center, and Sam Hamilton, Creative Director at Decentraland Foundation.

At its recent Digital Construction Summit, Big Project Middle East put together several regional experts to discuss what the metaverse means for the construction sector.

Speaking in front of delegates during the panel discussion, Sajwani said: “When the global pandemic hit, DAMAC Properties started an online-only channel for sales. We would sell to our customers using Microsoft Teams and Zoom, and these sales are substantial. We now generate over $100mn per quarter using that channel. But as you will appreciate, conversions tend to be low because this is not an immersive experience, so we took the decision to invest in the metaverse, creating digital twins of all our assets and communities to allow our customers to inspect the villas and apartments they wish to purchase virtually.”

The metaverse, also known as Web3, is increasingly being used by real estate developers to host digital twins, virtual facsimiles of real-world structures and communities. In conjunction with virtual reality (VR) technology, these models not only enable investors to view and inspect properties from anywhere on the planet, but they can also be used to supplement owners’ physical assets by allowing them to engage with digital environments, DAMAC noted.

Sajwani and his fellow panellists discussed a range of topics related to real estate and Web3, including the burgeoning virtual-only property sector, how the technology is being leveraged to engage prospective investors, and the trends and opportunities we can expect to see as the metaverse develops.

In June 2022, Sajwani explained how the UAE is future-proofing by being a metaverse champion.

Commenting on the importance of leveraging Web3-specific talent and expertise, Sajwani added: “What’s key for organisations that want to move into this space is to set up a separate entity and team. The talent in this space and the skillset; they tend to be younger people who may not be suited to typical corporate cultures. We set up an entity called D-Labs to work on the DAMAC Group metaverse project.”

Launched by DAMAC Properties’ parent company DAMAC Group in April 2022, D-Labs forms part of company-wide ambitions to catalyse advancements in digital assets and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), establishing the group as a leading global brand in the metaverse.

Those who invest in the developer’s digital real estate also gain access to its real-world amenities, including food and beverage (F&B) outlets, hotels, resorts and more, it added.

With up to $100mn of investment earmarked for the venture, D-Labs is working to develop a variety of virtual homes and communities, as well as digital wearables and jewellery from DAMAC-owned brands such as Roberto Cavalli and de GRISOGONO.

The Dubai Metaverse Assembly was hosted by the Dubai Future Foundation at the Museum of the Future from 28-29 September 2022. The global event brought together more than 300 regional and international experts from over 40 industry leaders who are playing an active role in shaping the Web3 landscape and capitalising on its potential applications.

Late in July 2022, Omnix Engineering’s Bhaskar Raman said that in the near future, cloud-based digital twins will serve predominantly as an asset management environment. In early September 2022, Virtuzone launched ‘The V’ tower in the metaverse.

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Source: MEConstructionNews


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September 30, 2022 wicsummit0

The ‘Dubai Robotics and Automation Program’ has been launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation. The program aims to boost the development, testing and adoption of robotics and automation (R&A), and accelerate the use of its application in key economic sectors.

“The Dubai Robotics and Automation Program aims to increase the sector’s contribution to Dubai’s GDP to 9% within 10 years. We seek to make Dubai one of the world’s top 10 cities in R&A by adopting and developing advanced robotics technologies, empowering national talent, and generating innovative new solutions, products, and services,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

The program was launched during Sheikh Hamdan’s visit to Dubai Future Labs, an applied research and development facility specialised in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). The new initiative will raise Dubai’s regional and global leadership and strengthen its reputation as a city with one of the highest levels of readiness in the world to adopt future technologies, said a statement from the Dubai Media Office.

In November 2021, the Guinness World Record awarded DEWA for setting up the world’s first 3D-printing laboratory.

Led by the Dubai Future Foundation, the program will feature five key initiatives and will focus on accelerating R&D in five areas. As part of the program, 200,000 robots will be provided over the next 10 years to increase efficiency and productivity in various sectors including services, logistics, and the industrial sector, and enhance the competitiveness of Dubai’s economy.

The Dubai R&A Program is based on three pillars – governance, support for R&D and adoption and utilisation of technologies. As part of the governance pillar, the program seeks to develop structural supportive mechanisms to build and maintain an optimal environment for R&A development, institutionalise collaboration between R&A developers, create a favourable regulatory and legal environment, formulate standards and create a comprehensive knowledge base.

As part of the second pillar, the program will seek to support scientific R&D, increase funding allocation in key areas, maximise the participation of local talent and increase the pool of professionals specialised in R&D in robotics and automation. Within the third pillar, the program will help industries adopt and utilise technologies, reduce the cost of robotics adoption, institutionalise investment cooperation in R&A, support R&A systems integration, ensure public acceptance for new technologies, and enhance rates of robotics technology deployment.

In July 2022, Paul Wallett, Regional Director of Trimble Solutions, Middle East and India told Middle East Construction News (MECN) that AI in construction will save lives.

Sheikh Hamdan pointed out that Dubai’s advanced infrastructure and talented workforce give it many competitive strengths in this rapidly growing global industry. The emirate will focus on advancing R&D in five main areas: production and manufacturing; consumer services and tourism; healthcare and connected mobility and logistics. He added that the main objective of the program is to achieve the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a global destination for innovation in R&A applications. The development of the sector will support the diversification of Dubai’s future economy and help build an integrated knowledge base that can contribute to creating new economic opportunities and improving the quality of life.

Following the announcement of the program, Sheikh Hamdan directed the allocation of laboratories to develop R&A technologies, support research, testing, development, experimentation, and integration activities, provide a supportive platform for collaborative projects, create prototypes, and involve the public in innovative product experiences.

His Highness also stressed the importance of equipping local talent and emerging companies with advanced tools and skills that are expected to be in high demand in the future and developing training programmes in cooperation with government and private entities, universities, and R&D centres locally and globally.

Later in July 2022, Ibrahim Imam, Co-Founder, Group-Co-CEO, CEO MENA & APAC at PlanRadar told MECN that robotics, AI, and IoT can alter the construction business model and make the process of project completion more efficient.

He also called on Dubai government entities and the private sector to strengthen cooperation with local and international research and academic institutions to develop a regulatory and legal environment that supports the growth of R&A in Dubai, and create a comprehensive local knowledge base for standards, technical specifications, and advanced technologies. In addition, he encouraged the fostering of partnerships with national and international universities to support talent development, enhancing practical research, and generating innovative solutions to improve the competitiveness of the national economy.

All the initiatives that will be organised and launched as part of the program will be overseen by the Dubai Council for Robotics and Automation, which consists of representatives from public and private sectors and academia. The implementation of the Dubai R&A Program supports the development of various vital and future-oriented sectors in Dubai, including transportation, space, healthcare, education and artificial intelligence, among others, the statement concluded.

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Source: MEConstructionNews


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September 30, 2022 wicsummit0

Siemens has launched Fire Safety Digital Services, a first-in-market portfolio of digital and managed services, which connect fire safety systems to the cloud, enabling businesses to move from a reactive, compliance-led approach to total protection through intelligent safety.

In a statement, Siemens explained that by embracing digital services in operation, event-handling and maintenance, customers can improve hazard identification and prevention, make better risk-control decisions, protect business continuity, and provide a safe environment for people and assets.

“It’s important to remember that with fire systems, compliance does not necessarily equal safety,” said Brad Haeberle, Senior Vice President, Services, Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “With digital services for fire safety we can go beyond simply meeting fire system regulations, by using data and intelligently applied analytics to fully protect people and assets.

In February 2021, Cristina Perez Domper, Regional Operations Manager, Building Products Testing and Certification at Intertek MEA told Middle East Construction News (MECN) that the Kingdom must learn from the lessons of the past.

“Developing smarter protection systems through cloud connectivity reduces the burden on people, eliminates unnecessary interruptions and gives businesses much-needed transparency over their processes, for smoother operation and system availability,” he added.

With a combination of on-site and above-site services, the new portfolio delivers remote diagnosis and services which reduce the impact of troubleshooting and inspections on business activities. High levels of knowledge, experience and capacity above site and on-site work together to achieve specific customer goals, the company explained.

Interpreting and translating big data into smart data enables customers to proactively ensure system reliability, gain full data transparency for event and incident handling, and create safer, more compliant, and efficient buildings.

In early July 2022, Siemens partnered with the American University of Ras Al Khaimah to reduce carbon emissions.

With Fire Safety Digital Services, continuous monitoring of detector soiling levels ensures that all fire detectors are working correctly, preventing environmental and other external risk factors from compromising the performance of fire safety systems, the statement elaborated.

The eLogbook also ensures all information regarding events and activities at the panel are automatically captured and made accessible to both on-site operators and Siemens technicians via the Service Portal, closing any knowledge gaps in the system. Detailed digital records create tamper-proof and secure data storage for the fire panel history, giving operators data transparency to prioritise future actions and prepare for audits and inspections.

Furthermore, expert remote diagnosis and services can be delivered on-site and above-site by the Siemens Remote Service Centre. With remote operational support, customers will have access to Siemens experts for continuous monitoring, diagnosis and operational assistance, to swiftly resolve issues and ensure fire detection systems are always fully operational. With systems continuously monitored above site, critical issues are addressed, and faults are proactively resolved before they result in system failure, disruption to business or a safety concern, it explained.

Late in July 2022, AESG said it achieved Fire and Life Safety Certification from Saudi Civil Defense.

As part of the portfolio, the Sinteso Connect App has permanent cloud connectivity and allows building users, facility managers and service technicians to access fire safety assets, check on live incidents and receive push notifications from their connected sites.

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Source: MEConstructionNews


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September 30, 2022 wicsummit0

Al Qana, the social dining and entertainment destination in the heart of Abu Dhabi developed by Al Barakah International Investment – has announced the opening of Cinemacity Al Qana, which is billed as the largest cinema complex in the UAE.

The opening of Cinemacity Al Qana expands the destination’s lifestyle offering with 15 screens, including three VIP theatres, one Presidential Theatre, and the XXL theatre with the largest screen in Abu Dhabi. The complex will set a new standard for cinemas uniquely blending F&B destinations with high-quality visual entertainment, said the statement.

The company this week hosted a grand opening ceremony of Cinemacity Al Qana with a premiere of the anticipated Arabic film ‘Al Hayba: The Movie’ in the presence of key officials, developers, the director, and the film’s stars.

Plans for the $230mn Al Qana waterfront were unveiled in 2016 while plans for the cinema were showcased in October 2019.

Speaking at the opening, Fouad Mashal, CEO of Al Barakah International Investment said: “As the new outdoor season commences, Al Qana is emerging as the new hotspot in Abu Dhabi, offering a unique mix of homegrown and international concepts. Building on the successful launch of The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, we predict that Cinemacity Al Qana will also delight visitors of all ages as it redefines the modern cinema experience.”

Cinemacity Al Qana has a capacity of over 1,800 seats and will blend cutting-edge technology with an array of culinary options to offer the next generation of entertainment, he stated.

Hammad Atassi, CEO of Cinemacity Al Qana remarked, “We have officially opened doors for Abu Dhabi and UAE residents. They will be delighted to see what’s inside this beautifully designed, gigantic building and experience the luxurious facility and service for their entertainment pleasure.”

In December 2021, The Bridge|Lifestyle Hub at Al Qana opened to the public.

The XXL Theatre features a custom PLF (Premium Large Format) theatre and a 26m-wide screen with dual high contrast laser projectors and Dolby ATMOS surround sound, which the developer notes will offer guests an immersive cinematic experience.

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Source: MEConstructionNews


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September 30, 2022 wicsummit0

Wacker Neuson will debut its new innovations at the Bauma trade fair in Munich in October, including the first battery-powered reversible vibratory plate with direct drive and its new EW100 wheeled excavator.

According to the company, the APU3050e vibratory plate expands the potential range of applications in this segment and is characterised by its good maneuverability, while it has “the lowest overall design height of all reversible vibratory plates on the market,” making it ideally suited for use in narrow trenches.

In September 2020, Wacker Neuson introduced two new tracked mini excavators while, in February 2021, Bobcat introduced a new product range for light compaction duties.

The direction of travel is controlled by the tried-and-tested hydraulic adjustment system, the same as in the conventional models. It has a working width of 50cm and a centrifugal force of 30kN.

Wacker Neuson says that its new EW100 wheeled excavator, meanwhile, focuses on Construction Site 4.0 including “intelligent attachment management with tool recognition and a sophisticated human-machine interface.”

The company adds, “For Wacker Neuson, the focus is always on customer benefit, as is the case here with the further development and optimisation of our EW100 excavator. Thanks to its powerful traction hydraulics and high basic working capacity, the EW100 can also be used to complete tasks that would otherwise require the use of a 14-tonne excavator.”

In August 2021, Wacker Neuson introduced a range of vibratory compactor plates with three electric models.

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Source: MEConstructionNews


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September 30, 2022 wicsummit0

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed by QatarEnergy with General Electric (GE). The agreement will see the companies join forces to develop a carbon capture roadmap for the energy sector in the country.

The focus of the MoU is to explore the feasibility of developing a world-scale carbon hub at Ras Laffan Industrial City, which as of today, is home to more than 80 GE gas turbines, QatarEnergy noted.

His Excellency Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, witnessed the signing of the MoU, which was held at QatarEnergy’s headquarters in Doha. The MoU was signed by Ahmad Saeed Al-Amoodi, QatarEnergy’s Executive Vice President, Surface Development & Sustainability and Joseph Anis, the President & CEO of GE Gas Power Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

In March 2020, Anis told Middle East Construction News (MECN) that gas will play a critical role in the region’s energy mix.

“This MoU affirms QatarEnergy’s sustainability strategy and our efforts to implement effective measures to curb emissions and produce cleaner energy using the latest proven emissions reduction technologies. We are pleased to work with GE, who is a strategic partner, to pursue all available avenues including the use of clean energy carriers such as hydrogen as a fuel for gas turbines coupled with efficient and affordable carbon capturing technologies from such turbines, on an unprecedented scale, to achieve a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions,” H.E. Minister Al-Kaabi said while stressing the firm’s commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change.

QatarEnergy recently updated its sustainability strategy, which outlines several initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the further deployment of carbon capture and sequestration technology to capture over 11m tons per annum of CO2 in Qatar by 2035, the company confirmed.

Anis added, “QatarEnergy has a clear vision to lead the transition to a lower carbon industrial landscape. GE has been honored to support the development of Qatar’s energy infrastructure for decades and we are delighted to collaborate with QatarEnergy on their evolving sustainability journey. Exploring pre- combustion technologies such as the use of low carbon fuels to generate power, and post combustion technologies such as carbon capture and sequestration, can potentially significantly reduce the CO2 emissions from QatarEnergy’s facilities. Looking ahead, Qatar has the possibility of becoming a leading global player in the areas of hydrogen, ammonia, and CCS by helping to pilot and scale up these technologies for the rest of the world.”

In February 2022, Qatar facilities management market was estimated to be worth $22.3bn by 2030.

QatarEnergy said that its new projects are expected to further reduce the carbon intensity of Qatar’s LNG facilities by 35%, and of its upstream facilities by 25% (compared to previous targets of 25% and 15%, respectively), and strengthen Qatar’s commitment to responsibly supply LNG at scale in support of the energy transition.

The roadmap includes the development of carbon capture and sequestration, the utilization of hydrogen, and the potential usage of ammonia in GE gas turbines to reduce their carbon emissions, the firm concluded.

In June 2022, SNC-Lavalin launched an ‘Engineering Net Zero in the GCC’ report to support the region in achieving its Net Zero targets.

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Source: MEConstructionNews


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September 29, 2022 wicsummit0

Roughly nine months after reaching the four-billion-tonne autonomously hauled milestone, trucks equipped with Cat MineStar Command for hauling have now moved over five billion tonnes, Caterpillar has revealed.

Currently, more than 550 mining trucks are equipped with Command for hauling, operating across three continents. According to the company, Cat autonomous trucks are on pace to eclipse previous record totals of materials hauled in a calendar year, projected to be more than 1.4bn tonnes in 2022.

In May 2022, Caterpillar launched three new compact wheeled loaders.

“In 2013, we placed our first fleets of autonomous trucks in Western Australia at FMG Solomon and BHP Jimblebar. Since that time, trucks using Command for hauling have safely traveled nearly 200m km, more than twice the experience in autonomous operations of any automobile manufacturer,” said Denise Johnson, Group President of Caterpillar Resource Industries in a statement.

She added, “Caterpillar has grown the number of autonomous trucks in operation by 40% in the past two years. We believe that automation is one of many keys to implement technology that unlocks the value miners need when it comes to the energy transition toward more sustainable operations.”

In June 2022, Komatsu said it would expand its autonomous technology on haul trucks by 2024.

Speaking about the latest Cat autonomous trucks to be deployed, Marc Cameron, VP of Caterpillar Resource Industries added, “The new Cat 798 AC electric drive trucks replacing BHP’s entire haul truck fleet at the Escondida mine [in Chile] will feature technologies that advance the site’s key initiatives, including autonomy and decarbonisation. The agreement allows Escondida | BHP to accelerate the implementation of its autonomy plans by transitioning the fleet with autonomous haulage system (AHS) technology.”

In early September 2022, Caterpillar inked a deal to replace the haul truck fleet at a Chilean mine.

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Source: MEConstructionNews


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September 29, 2022 wicsummit0

The Saudi Power Procurement Company (SPPC) has revealed that it plans to float five renewable energy projects across the Kingdom with a total capacity of 3,300MW as part of the fourth phase of the National Renewable Energy Program’s projects.

Of the five projects, three will be utilising wind energy to produce electricity, while the other two will make use of solar energy, a statement from SPCC said. It will also be the principal buyer, the statement added.

In March 2022, Acwa Power and SPPC inked a deal to develop 700MW of solar projects while, in June 2022, Acwa Power inked a PPA with SPPC for a $107mn solar PV plant.

Once operational, the total production from these wind energy projects will be 1,800MW – the Yanbu facility output will be at 700MW, the Al Ghat plant at 600MW and the Waad Al Shamal facility will be 500MW. The solar projects will have a total production of 1,500MW, which will be distributed through the 1,100MW Al Henakiyah project, and the 400MW Tubarjal project.

Floating these projects is part of the Kingdom’s National Renewable Energy Programme, a key initiative being implemented under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy, the SPPC statement said.

Late in June 2022, ACWA Power signed a $1.15bn deal to develop one of the largest windfarms in the world.

“The programme is aimed at helping Saudi Arabia achieve its Net Zero target through the best energy mix of renewable energy resources and gas with 50% for each of them and replacing the fuel used to produce electricity by 2030, in bid to realise goals of the Saudi Vision 2030,” it said.

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Source: MEConstructionNews


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September 29, 2022 wicsummit0

The approach to wellness in the workplace in GCC countries differs compared to what’s seen in markets such as North America, Europe, the UK and even the Far East, according to Jennie Stallings, Partner and Commercial Manager at ChelseaGREEN.

“Awareness of its importance is growing but there is still a lot more to be done, and many opportunities to improve wellness in the workplace across all sectors. One of the main drivers for widespread adoption is education and incentivisation on a government level,” she explains.

Stallings is an established wellness consultant based in Dubai and will be speaking at Middle East Consultant’s forthcoming Wellness in Construction Summit, which will focus on Health, Safety and Wellness in the built environment. The event is scheduled to take place on 5 October 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai. Registration is complementary but mandatory for construction professionals. Read about the event’s agenda here.

Discussing wellness programmes and critical steps that businesses need to put into action for tangible results, Stallings comments, “This is a complex topic and the requirements are multi-faceted. However, the biggest thing is putting it into practice from the top down, with businesses owners and CEOs leading by example. Employees need to see they have the company’s support to make their health and wellness a priority.”

Many individuals and companies have touted the benefits of wellness programs in the workplace, with a number of construction stakeholders introducing staff focused programs in a bid to boost productivity and take care of staff health.

According to McKinsey & Company, the global wellness market is worth about $1.5tn, with an annual growth of 5% to 10%. It noted that as per a survey of 7,500 consumers in six countries, 79% of the respondents said they believe that wellness is important, with 42% considering it a top priority.

Asked whether wellness initiatives actually deliver commercial benefits, Stallings responds, “Wellness initiatives absolutely deliver commercial benefits and there are numerous studies to demonstrate the return on investment for a business a whole. When the wellbeing of staff improves, productivity is enhanced and that has a direct impact on the bottom line.”

In June 2022, CRTKL said that wellness and happiness are key for Egyptian workplaces.

She adds, “Anybody and everybody can benefit from an in-house wellness program, providing it is tailored to the particular company and meets the individual needs of the user.” She made the comment when asked whether only particular employees or stakeholder groups benefit from in-house wellness initiatives.

Speaking about the Wellness in Construction Summit and its importance, she points out, “This event is helping to bring the wellness conversation to the forefront of people’s minds, and it’s only when these things are talked about openly that change happens.”

“It is also important to understand how wellness fits into the construction process as a whole during design and build, rather than seeing it as an interiors job once the occupiers move in,” she elaborates.

Discussing her presentation at the Wellness in Construction Summit – What can a business gain from wellness? A look at realities – she notes, “I’m going to cover several aspects but my main objective is to highlight how the value of an organisation is driven by its people and therefore, how companies can attract, nurture and retain talent with well-developed wellness strategies.”

She concludes, “I will discuss the tangible financial benefits and demonstrate how wellness programs contribute to high-performing workplaces. I will also look at the main aspects to consider from a conceptual point of view, such as air quality, movement, and ergonomics.”

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Source: MEConstructionNews


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September 29, 2022 wicsummit0

HKA has announced that Crispin Cockman has rejoined the company as a Director, and will relocate from the UK to be based in HKA’s office in Dubai.

According to HKA, Cockman is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor with approximately 35 years of experience across major construction projects across various sectors of the industry.

At the 2021 Middle East Consultant Awards HKA was announced as the winner in the ‘Dispute Resolution & Claims Specialist of the Year’ category and, in April 2022, Mahmoud Abougabal joined HKA’s Expert Services Team as Director.

“Crispin is a valuable addition to our team for clients and peers alike. We are delighted that he has decided to re-join HKA after we worked together in KSA. With his technical and managerial background combined with his past experience working in the Middle East, he will be an excellent cultural fit within our organisation,” said Haroon Niazi, Partner & Head of Middle East.

The firm pointed out that Cockman’s experience as a senior manager, professional quantity surveyor and commercial manager has seen him work across the UK, the Middle East and South Africa involving work on major power plants, oil and gas installations and major commercial buildings.

He is said to specialise in the analysis of contract pricing and is also experienced in the preparation and assessment of claims on behalf of both contractor’s and employers, and in the preparation of numerous expert witness reports on matters of quantum.

In June 2022, HKA’s Nurul Sabri said that overcoming pay disparity based on ethnicity will require commitment of all levels and a strong collaborative approach.

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Source: MEConstructionNews