Municipality okays Dubai 2003 structure

The organising committee of Dubai 2003 held a meeting yesterday under the chairmanship of Matar Al Tayer, Head of Venue and Facilities Committee and Member of Organising Committee.

The committee discussed progress on work to host the meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Dubai next September.

Al Tayer, who is also the Assistant Director General of Projects and Roads at Dubai Municipality, said construction work on a structure specially designed for the occasion will begin within two months.

"It may be located on the Trade Centre Roundabout in front of the Trade Centre. But this location may be changed," he said.

The stainless steel structure is expected to be ready in June 2003.

It will be about 20 metres tall, in the shape of a globe on a tower. It will bear the logo of the conference, Dubai 2003, in addition to the names and flags of the countries participating in the conference.

"This structure will be a major landmark for the city. It is designed by engineer Abdulredha Al Hassan, Project Manager and Coordinator of the Venue and Facilities Committee," said Al Tayer.

Some 20,000 representatives from around the world are expected to take part in Dubai 2003. "Preparations for Dubai 2003 will be over well ahead of the conference," he said.

Work is progressing on schedule on the new convention centre and other facilities coming up in Dubai in time for the summit.

"The municipality will start receiving the tenders for furnishing in January and it is expected to be ready within three months," he said. The total cost of the project of Dubai 2003 is Dh600 million.