Nakheel becomes first developer to sign emergency services agreement with Government of Dubai

Significantly, this is the first agreement of its kind to be undertaken by a Dubai developer.

Honouring one of the visions of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai to nurture such partnerships, the agreement will see the Centre of Ambulance Services provide an ambulance vehicle along with qualified medical staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on both developments.

The agreement will ensure a safe working environment for future employees and construction workers as part of the Waterfront and Palm Jebel Ali team and is just one of many initiatives that Nakheel has undertaken to promote health and safety in the workplace.

Matt Joyce, Nakheel Managing Director, Waterfront, said: 'We are delighted to have signed the Emergency Services agreement with the Centre of Ambulance Services as it ensures the safety and wellbeing of those working on the Waterfront and Palm Jebel Ali developments.'

Marwan Al Qamzi, Nakheel Managing Director, Palm Jebel Ali, said: 'We hope that, following our lead, others in the industry will see the significance of such an agreement. The Centre of Ambulance Services provides Dubai with an outstanding service which will prove invaluable to Nakheel.'

Khalifa Ben Darri, Managing Director, Emergency Services, Government of Dubai, said: 'We are committed wholeheartedly to providing the highest levels of medical care to the citizens and workers of Dubai. We are pleased that Nakheel takes the well being of its employees so seriously and we look forward working alongside them in the future.'

In January this year Nakheel unveiled its new Health, Safety, Quality & Environment (HSQE) accredited training centre which is aimed at bringing improvements in HSQE management practices not only in Dubai and the UAE, but internationally.

The centre offers a range of courses by respected international organisations, including the British Safety Council (BSC).

Last month Nakheel sponsored the BSC International Safety Awards (ISAs) banquet, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.

This was the first time in the award's history that the organiser, the BSC, welcomed a sponsor.