Office developments across region top $15.693bn

According to a leading Dubai-based market research company Proleads, there are currently 156 office developments underway across the region, with 74 due for completion in 2009 and 82 due for completion in 2010.

The UAE is home to 103 new office developments, the largest number in the region, worth $10.620bn in total. Fifty of these developments are due for completion in 2009 and 53 in 2010.

Some of the major office developments in the UAE include the 45-floor Highfield Commercial Towers in Ajman, the 29-storey Michael Schumacher Business Avenue, located at Dubai's Business Bay and The Gate District, part of the Dubai International Financial Centre, comprising of ten commercial towers.

In Saudi Arabia, there are 21 office developments worth $2.624bn, due for completion in 2010. In Qatar, 11 office developments, valued at $1.269bn are due for completion in 2010.

In line with a growing demand for office space in the UAE and many large office developments due to reach completion within the next two years, many international companies are looking to the Middle East to generate business.

Over 365 exhibitors participated in this week's Office Exhibition at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, and many companies have reported strong sales and new business partnerships.

Al Aqili Furnishings (AAF) has announced two contract furnishing deals worth a total of Dhs3.2m. The deals were won by its Officeland division and are for the General Civil Aviation Authority in Abu Dhabi, valued at Dhs1.8m and for Oman Insurance's new 5,000 square metre offices in Dubai, valued at Dhs1.4m.

UAE-based office furniture dealer, Delma Interiors, in association with Access International, signed a deal worth over Dhs1m to supply Nightingale chairs to a UK architectural design firm. They also signed a contract to distribute Mi Youl interactive and high technology screens within the UAE, perfectly suited for hotels, corporate reception areas, hospitals and other public display areas.

Ufficio, a division of Ishtar Décor has signed several distribution agreements. The company will be the exclusive distributor in the UAE for FAMO, a Portugese commercial office furniture manufacturer, Davison Highley, a British manufacturer of commercial soft seating and Brunner, a German manufacturer of meeting and conference chairs.

In addition to several deals signed at the event, exhibitors also commented on the high calibre of visitors.

Marcel Wiethoff, Business Development Manager at Estel, said, "The quality of visitors at this year's show has been exceptional and we have made some good business contacts. We have met several designers from outside of the UAE, looking to partner with leading furniture manufacturers in the Middle East."