The Palm partners with Dubai based Eco-Friendly Landscaping and Greenery Research Centre

The agreement confirms The Palm's intention to work closely with the ICBA, to implement practices that enhance the conservation and management of natural resources for the landscaping and greenery components of the island projects.

"The ICBA is one of the world's pioneering institutes into Biosaline Agriculture and we are very proud to be working so closely with them", said Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman of The Palm. "The Palm has a deep commitment to our customers to provide them with a sound, healthy, resource conserved and ecosystem sustained environment and living atmosphere."

Amongst numerous tasks, scientists at the ICBA are researching the feasibility of growing flowers shrubs and trees on The Palm that will survive on seawater alone, hence saving enormous quantities of Dubai's valuable fresh water resources. The cutting edge project will not only enhance the beauty of the extraordinary The Palm, but also provide massive environmental benefits.

Dr Mohammad Al Attar, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the ICBA said, "The Palm is an iconic project of massive proportions and we are extremely enthused by the interest they have show in utilizing the biosaline agriculture technology. The technology will contribute to the beautification and greening of designated residential and commercial areas of the islands".

The ICBA was established in 1996 with the goal to generate new knowledge and technology in saline irrigated agriculture as well as to gather, synthesize and disseminate information in this field. Located in Dubai, it is the sole international centre in this domain.

Bin Sulayem further commented, "The Palm has on board a number of internationally recognized experts in the area of bioresource and environmental engineering. We also enjoy close ties with national and regional research centres in this domain, and exchange information and resources with them on a regular basis".

Work on these extraordinary island projects is progressing ahead of schedule with more than 85 percent of The Palm, Jumeirah now reclaimed, and reclamation also well underway on The Palm, Jebel Ali. The first of the two islands is expected to be operational towards the end of 2005 early 2006.

The ICBA's expertise will be utilised for the whole scope of projects in the Nakheel portfolio including, Jumeirah Islands, The Gardens and The Gardens Shopping Mall.