‘We have grown 10 times over since 2005′. (MUSTAFA KASMI)

He has been in the industry for 19 years and firmly believes Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the way to go forward. Tahir Sharif, Managing Director of Tekla ME, says in the late 90s it was adopted by the likes of Bechtel, JGC and other major players in the oil and gas industry. “They adopted BIM in a specific way, which includes working with their sub-contractors where the information flow is used in the detail stage such as steel detailing.”

Fast forward to 2008. Today the construction boom in the Middle East offers great potential for business for the company, says Sharif.

Tekla ME plans to open an office in Saudi Arabia and sees most potential in the UAE, the Kingdom and Kuwait. “Whether a boom or downturn, projects will continue up to 2020. The Middle East is a strategic part of our business,” he said.

Founded in 1966, the Finnish Tekla, is a software company, whose international operations account for more than 80 per cent of its net sales.

Yet, market perceptions have a long way to go, says Sharif. In his words, ‘BIM is localised by a vendor who wants to capitalise’. He spoke to Emirates Business on why the AEC (architecture, engineering and construction) industry should look at the bigger picture.

What is the market perception of BIM in the global sense?

The BIM movement in the US is quite advanced with the US government looking to mandate BIM – more in relation to spatial modelling as opposed to details. That will come in time. But the momentum of BIM is being promoted more by vendors.

However, BIM is not really understood in the global sense. Couple of vendors do understand the value chain of BIM. But it has not been explained to the extent on the real benefit of usage in projects. The challenges are that BIM is localised to a vendor who wants to capitalise and positions it into the market from their point of understanding.

Over 19 years, I have witnessed the early implementation of computer-aided design (CAD); today all building processes have been integrated to create one intelligent 3D product model, resulting in improved productivity, greater speed, higher quality and lower costs. Today AEC is beginning to talk of 3D/4D (time), 5D (cost), and 6D (facility management) solutions. Everywhere, owners are expecting greater efficiency and cost saving in the design, construction and operation of facilities. With the adoption of BIM, they can achieve more than 20 per cent savings on project costs.

Is BIM accepted in the region?

Many leading architects, consultants and contractors have incorporated BIM into their business strategies. This is mainly driven by the industry challenges of needing fast and accurate information to avoid delays and to keep projects within budgets.

How does BIM translate into usage for high-rise structures?

It is perfect to use in high-rise structures. In a multi-storey building, a seemingly simple change to the architectural appearance on one floor of the building may affect and cause design changes on many other floors, too. All changes have to be thoroughly analysed and the associated affects correctly communicated, as described above. This often means many drawing revisions and much cross-checking being made in the drafting offices to ensure all related drawings, impinged on by these changes, have been correctly modified and nothing has been missed.

With BIM, we start and continue the whole process in 3D, which means everyone collaborating on a project is working off the same 3D model, seeing everything the way it really is, while fabrication and construction are taking place. This will keep a project on schedule and within the budget, specially, if everyone knows what is due when and where on site. This makes for better co-ordination between consultants and contractors, which is beneficial to the project.

Tekla projects include Burj Dubai, Trump Hotel, Dubai Mall, The Tower, Al Attar Tower, Rose Rotana, Ski Dubai, Dubai Metro Stations, Al Mas Tower and others in Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, we have worked on the Feature Tower and Shaikh Zayed Mosque dome.

What does the coming year look like in terms of profits?

We expect some very big revenue increases in Tekla. Last year’s figures were already achieved in the first six months of this year. Revenue is €60 million (Dh324m) globally and the Middle East is a strategic part of our business.

We will open a branch office in Saudi Arabia and be active in around eight countries here. We are active in the GCC, Egypt, Jordan and Iran. But it is the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which we feel have great potential for us.

How do you create awareness in this market?

Apart from conducting seminars and conferences on BIM, Tekla ME has been associated with many engineering colleges and municipalities across the Gulf. We are also organising a conference along side the Construction Machinery Exhibition (Conmex), which will be held on October 20 and 21 at the Sharjah Expo. It will examine BIM, lean construction and RFID.

What are the global market forecasts for BIM?

It is estimated the BIM market is worth $1bn in annual sales and is expected grow at 10 per cent per annum (normalised) in 2008-2012. The primary growth drivers include: improved design process enabled by 3D modelling; increased project complexity and better interoperability; and costs savings.

What challenges lie ahead?

The fear factor is there at the user level, not at the management level – this has been our experience. But this is the market to be in. We have a large user base and a loyal one. In terms of growth from 2005 to date, our growth has increased over 10 times.

Whether a boom or downturn, projects will continue up to 2020.

Developers are not knowledgeable about BIM details but they buy into the transparency aspects and real-time information. And we are looking to be more involved at the owner-end. Even more than before.

PROFILE: Tahir Sharif, Managing Director of Tekla ME

Sharif is a building industry consultant specialising in BIM with more than 18 years of experience on senior management level positions.

He has written several articles and presented number of papers internationally on BIM.

In the Middle East, he has been instrumental in promoting awareness in the use of 3D/4D/5D/6D as central tools for construction and design processes.

He was influential in promoting BIM technologies for use at JGC, Bechtel, Ove Arup and Partners and Precast Concrete Software Consortium.

Source:

http://www.business24-7.ae

Hu said the two agreed to pursue their partnership “by strengthening political communications and deepening cooperation in economy and trade.”

President Lee Myung-bak and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao embrace after a joint press conference in Cheong Wa Dae on Monday. /Yonhap

In a bigger meeting, the two sides also agreed to hold the first high-level strategic meeting between the two foreign ministries this year, and to stimulate exchange between ranking defense officials, improve liaison, and seek military exchange and cooperation.

The two leaders also agreed to strengthen consultations and cooperation within the framework of the six-party talks to solve the North Korean nuclear issue, and to press for implementation of phase 2 of the denuclearization process.

They agreed to increase the annual volume of two-way trade to US$200 billion by 2010, two years ahead of the previous target year, and to strengthen cooperation in economy and trade.

Exchanges including tourism were also on the agenda: they designated 2010, the year of Shanghai World Expo, “Visit China Year,” and 2012, the year of Yeosu World Expo, “Visit Korea Year.”

The two countries signed five memorandums of understanding: closer cooperation in the fields of energy conservation, the prevention of desertification, and state-of-art technology; and two agreements on sanitary control on fisheries products and on educational exchange.

Hu leaves Tuesday after meeting the house speaker and the prime minister, attending a seminar on the exchange between organizers of Shanghai Expo and Yeosu Expo, and attending a luncheon hosted by the heads of four employers’ organizations.

Source:

http://english.chosun.com

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak announced this during a joint press conference after their meeting in the Korean capital, Seoul.

Hu Jintao is on a two-day visit to South Korea, his second in almost three years.

The leaders issued a joint communiqué Monday, detailing frequent exchange of high-level diplomatic visits and contacts between the two countries.

Diplomatic bodies of the two countries will begin a series of advanced strategic dialogues on important issues concerning bilateral common interests, this year.

It has also been decided to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of defense, foreign policy and international situation, environment, information and communication, logistics, and energy on multiple levels.

Seoul and Beijing will accelerate studies on the possibility of setting up a free trade zone.

Officials from both the sides signed agreements for successfully hosting the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the 2012 Yeosu World Expo.

The east-Asian nations have designated 2010 as Visit China Year and 2012 as Visit Korea Year.

It has also been agreed to implement the second phase action of the six-party talks on North Korea’s de-nuclearization.
Source:

RTT Staff Writer

http://www.rttnews.com

Shanghai and Yeosu, South Korea, host cities of the 2010 and 2012 World Expo respectively, signed a four-year agreement to cooperate and share Expo information in Seoul yesterday.

Also yesterday, Denmark announced it would turn its Shanghai World Expo pavilion into a fairy-tale world.

Source:

http://english.eastday.com

On August 26, 2008, President Hu Jintao of China met with ROK Prime Minister Han Seung-so in Seoul.

Bilateral ties have achieved rapid progress since the two nations established diplomatic ties 16 years ago, Hu said at the meeting, expressing delight with the achievements in the development of bilateral ties.

Hu proposed that in the current and next period, the two governments should advance bilateral ties mainly in the following four aspects. First, strengthen communication in the political area and build up mutual understanding and trust. The two governments could make full use of their communication and cooperation mechanisms — especially the bilateral strategic dialogue mechanism at the foreign-ministry level to be launched in the near future — to further play their coordinating, planning and guiding role, President Hu suggested. Second, deepen cooperation in the economic and trade field to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results. Hu expressed hope that both sides will enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in such key areas as communications, finance, logistics and environmental protection and strengthen collaboration on hosting the World Expo. Third, expand exchanges in the humanities field and increase friendly sentiments between the two peoples. Hu hoped that the two neighbors would expand people-to-people communications in view of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the 2012 Yeosu World Expo, successfully host the 2010 ‘Visit China Year’ and 2012 ‘Visit Korea Year’ and well hold youth exchange activities between the two countries. Fourth, enhance bilateral coordination in regional and international issues to secure the common interests of both China and the ROK. The Chinese leader expressed hope that the two nations would continue to push forward the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, maintain peace and stability on the Peninsula and Northeast Asia and strengthen coordination in regional cooperation and major international and regional issues.

Echoing Hu’s proposals on bilateral ties, Prime Minister Han said the exchange of high-level visits is vital to the development of ROK-China ties. He expressed hope that both sides will maintain this momentum. He said the two countries should work together to expand economic cooperation to counter the global economic depression. The ROK-China cultural exchanges enjoy a time-honored history and the two nations should boost people-to-people communication for better mutual understanding, Han added. He hailed China’s leading role in maintaining peace and stability in Northeast Asia and in pushing forward the six-party talks, and expressed hope to further cooperate with China on regional and international issues including the UN affairs.

Han congratulated the Chinese president over the successful hosting of the recently concluded Beijing Olympics and wished the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games every success. Hu expressed gratitude for his remarks.

Ling Jihua, Wang Huning and Dai Bingguo attended the above activities.

Source:

http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/zxxx/t469336.htm

La celebración de actos deportivos con motivo de las fiestas patronales tiene su origen en las carreras de pollos del siglo XVIII, según explicó, en rueda de prensa, el concejal de Deportes del Ayuntamiento de Ejea de los Caballeros, Miguel Ángel Sánchez. The holding of sports events on the occasion of the patron festival has its origins in the careers of chickens eighteenth century, as explained in a press conference, the councillor of the municipality of Sports Ejea de los Caballeros, Miguel Angel Sanchez.

Después, en los años 80 se pusieron en marcha diversos proyectos para promocionar la actividad física ‘Deporte para todos’ y, en la actualidad, continuamos con la tradición deportiva mediante la celebración de la Milla Urbana, agregó Sánchez. Later, during the 80 were launched various projects to promote physical activity ‘Sports for All’ and now we continue the tradition by holding sporting Mile Urbana, Sanchez added.

Por su parte, el vicepresidente de la Federación Aragonesa de Atletismo, Jesús Arroyo destacó la relación que el municipio zaragozano tiene con el deporte ya que “cuenta con diversas escuelas y asociaciones deportivas en las que se entrena a deportivas de diversas disciplinas”. For his part, vice president of the Federation Aragonesa athletics, Jesus Arroyo stressed that the relationship with the town has Zaragozano sport because “it has various schools and sports associations in which trains from various sporting disciplines.”

Ejea de los Caballeros acoge dos citas deportivas importantes de carácter nacional, el Gran Premio Marcha, que este año contó con la participación de la selección española de atletismo, y la Milla Nacional, que tan solo compite en importancia con la Milla de Zaragoza, explicó Arroyo. Ejea de los Caballeros hosting two major sporting events on a national basis, the Grand Prix march, which this year was attended by the Spanish athletics, and the National Milla, who only competes in importance with the Mile Zaragoza, explained Arroyo.

El vicepresidente de la Federación Aragonesa de Atletismo reseñó la importancia de la prueba deportiva de Ejea de los Caballeros a la que calificó de “espectáculo deportivo de categoría”. The vice president of the Federation Aragonesa athletics outlined the importance of proof sports Ejea de los Caballeros to which he described as “sporting event category.”

La lista de atletas que participaran en la prueba aún no está cerrada y, aunque todavía se espera la confirmación de algunos de ellos, Arroyo adelantó que en la competición participarán la subcampeona de España de 800 metros y futura olímpica en Londres 2012, Isabel Macias, los hermanos Esteso, el mediofondista oscense Felipe Carnicer y la atleta Elian Periz, entre otros. The list of athletes who participate in the test is not yet closed, and while still awaiting confirmation of some of them, Arroyo anticipated that the competition will participate in the Champion of Spain and future Olympic 800 meters in London 2012, Elizabeth Macias, Esteso brothers, the middle oscense Felipe Carnicer and athlete Elian Periz, among others.

VI MILLA URBANA DE EJEA DE LOS CABALLEROS VI Urbana de Mille Ejea de los Caballeros

La prueba deportiva, que está organizada por el CDE Atlético Ejea con la colaboración del Ayuntamiento del municipio, se disputará en el circuito de la avenida Cosculluela del municipio zaragozano y contará con diversas categorías, la milla popular, la milla absoluta nacional femenina y la milla absoluta nacional masculina. The test sport, which is organized by the CDE Ejea athletes with the collaboration of the council of the municipality, will be played in the circuit Avenue Cosculluela town of Zaragoza and will have various categories, popular mile, mile and absolute national female mile National absolute male.

Además de las categorías de millas habrá un programa de carreras en el que podrán participar escolares y cuyo recorrido variará en función de las edades de los participantes. In addition to the categories of miles there will be a racing program in which students may participate and where the route will vary depending on the ages of participants.

En la milla popular podrán participar atletas tanto federados como no federados nacidos en 1991 o en años anteriores. At mile popular athletes may participate both federal and non-federal born in 1991 or in previous years. La inscripción será gratuita y se podrá realizar el circuito una hora antes del inicio de la prueba. Registration is free and can be made the circuit one hour before the start of the test.

Por otra parte, la inscripción en la milla absoluta nacional, tanto en la categoría femenina como masculina, deberá ser aprobada por la organización de la prueba a instancia de la Dirección Técnica Moreover, enrollment at mile absolute national, both male and female category, must be approved by the race organizers at the request of the Technical Direction.

Source:

http://www.europapress.es

By John Oyuke

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has asked Spanish entrepreneurs to increase investment in Kenya.

Uhuru said Kenya has put in place measures to improve the investment environment.

He cited Investment Promotion Act 2004, provision of duty waiver on capital goods and judicial and regulatory reforms among others.

Uhuru who is the Trade minister, spoke at the ongoing Expo Zaragoza in Spain to market the country as a destination for trade, investment and tourism.

He told Spanish investors that since the enactment of the Investment Act in 2004, investments procedures have been reduced to a five-step process enabling Kenya to be one of the most attractive countries to invest in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Water Minister Charity Ngilu (right), Tourism Assistant Minister Cecily Mbarire (left) and other public and private sector officials during the Expo Zaragoza 2008, in Zaragoza, Spain, last week.

“Licensing and regulatory reforms among other initiatives, are ongoing and these have so far created a positive investor perception,” Uhuru added.

Competitive

The Kenyan delegation comprised members drawn from both the private and public sectors.

The delegates represented horticulture, pyrethrum, coffee, tea, tourism, Information Communication and Technology, commercial crafts and the public sector.

“We demonstrated some aspects of our culture, and a sample of what Kenya can offer to the world, under the “Water for Sustainable Development” theme” Uhuru stated.

He said the vision was to make Kenya more competitive and prosperous globally, while ensuring a high quality of life for all people.

This, he added, is in Vision 2030 that aims at transforming the country into a newly industrialised, middle-income country.

Uhuru noted that opportunities for increased trade for Spain and Kenya exist in areas such as pyrethrum, coffee, fish, such as tuna where Kenya’s cost of supply is relatively lower than her competitors and also cut-flowers amongst others.

Uhuru said by participation in the Expo 2008 Zaragoza the country has gained enhanced bilateral relations and partnership with the Zaragoza Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Expo Zaragoza 2008 which opened on June 14 this year and is ending next month, has attracted over 20 African Countries.

Development

They include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa among others..

The theme of the Expo is water and sustainable development from where several sub themes have been derived.

The forum will also be used as a platform for business communities from different nations to learn from each other and add value to their knowledge.

Source:

http://www.eastandard.net

Singapore is well-timed in its participation in the World Expo 2010, with several iconic developments to be completed by that time as well as the planned opening of The Marina Bay Sands, and Resorts World at Sentosa. The country will also be host to the Formula One race, Volvo Ocean Race and Youth Olympic Games in 2010.

“Last year, China was our second largest visitor-generating market with 1.11 million Chinese tourist arrivals; Singapore was China’s 6th largest source market, with Singaporeans making some 930,000 visits to China…We are very happy and excited to be part of the Shanghai World Expo” said Consul-General of the Republic of Singapore, Mr Yip Wei Kiat.

At the Expo there will be a 3,000 square meter Singapore Pavilion themed “City of Possibilities, Transforming Lives” and it will showcase Singapore’s achievements in sustainable development, economic success as well as its lesser know aspects.

A four-month online competition will also be launched in order to ensure Singaporeans awareness of the nation’s participation in the World Expo 2010. Singaporeans or anyone that has travelled to Singapore can enter, where entries must work within the context of the working theme for the Singapore Pavilion and the five sub-themes of Shanghai World Expo 2010.

Entries will be judged on creativity whilst staying within the theme and the competition will run from 25 August to 31 December 2008 on the www.SingaporeAtWorldExpo.com.sg portal to be launched 25 August 2008.

Winners will receive cash prizes and two return air tickets from Singapore to Shanghai or vice-versa, visitor passes to attend the Shanghai World Expo 2010 and hotel accommodation.

Source:

http://www.etravelblackboardasia.com

    China will host World Expo 2010 in Shanghai and the Expo theme of “Better City, Better Life” reflects the high concern of the international community over the human-living environment, Hu tolda World Expo cooperation conference held on Tuesday in Seoul.

    Hu said he hoped the 2010 Shanghai Expo will serve as a platform for countries and regions around the world to exchange experience on urban construction and seek a better residential, living and working model for the whole mankind.

    South Korea has extensive experience in urban development and is also one of the first countries which have pledged to attend the Shanghai Expo, said the president.

    Hu also expressed gratitude to South Korea for its support and assistance to the preparation for Shanghai Expo.

    China will support and actively participate in the 2012 World Expo which is to be held in Yeosu, South Korea, said the president, saying that he hoped the Yeosu Expo would become another major platform for the two nations to enhance exchanges and cooperation.

    Taking advantage of the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the 2012 Yeosu World Expo, the two countries have designated 2010 as Visit China Year and 2012 as Visit Korea Year to further people-to-people exchanges, said Hu.

    In an effort to successfully host the two Expos, the two countries also inked a series of agreements on cooperation and experience sharing in this regard, he said.

    The meeting was co-organized by the organizing committee of the Shanghai world expo, China’s international trade promotion council, the organizing committee of the Yeosu world expo and the Korea trade-investment promotion agency.

    Hu arrived in Seoul earlier Monday for a two-day state visit.

    South Korea is the first leg of Hu’s three-nation Asian tour. He will also visit Tajikistan and Turkmenistan and attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.

Source:

http://news.xinhuanet.com

Korean National Day at the Zaragoza Expo was held on July 16th attended by dignitaries that included Vice Minister for Knowledge Economy Jae-Hoon Lee, Korea Ambassador to Spain Tae-Yeol Cho, Inspector General of Yeosu Expo Oraganizing Committee Beom-Seo Choi, and Zaragoza Expo General Commissioner of Spain Emilio Fernandez-Castano.

The highlight of the day was artistic performances presented after key persons’ speeches. Korea’s unique and creative stages, that presented traditional beauty of Korea, enchanted 1500 audiences.

Meanwhile, many dignitaries including Chairman of the 2012 Yeosu Expo and Mayor of Yeosu are scheduled to attend the closing ceremonyof the Zaragoza Expo on September 14th. At the ceremony, the BIE flag will be handed over to Korea, the host of the next World Recognized Exposition.

Source:

http://www.expo2012.or.kr