Khalifa Committee - a leading force in urban development (Feature)
ABU DHABI, JULY 31, 2000
(WAM) --Abu Dhabi owes much of its landmark urban development to efforts by the Department of Social Services and Commercial Buidlings (also known as Khalifa Committee). Established in 1981 by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the Department has and is still playing a leading role in Abu Dhabi's drive to achieve comprehensive development, progress and prosperity. The Department has undertaken projects at a total cost of more than Dh 30 billion since its inception. So far, over 6,000 projects have been completed, providing about 90,000 housing units. By carrying out major projects with the help of Arab and international firms and in accordance with the latest architectural technology, the Department has actually become the backbone of the local construction industry and a major player in completing a modern infrastructure in the emirate. The department's effort is a good example of a fair distribution of national wealth, thus achieving social prosperity and ensuring a promising future for coming generations. The Department is currently undertaking 353 projects at a total cost of Dhs 4.1 billion, and another 533 projects are under study. Last year, the Department completed the construction of 214 buildings at a cost of Dhs 2.5 billion, providing 6,637 housing units which suit all categories of incomes. It works with a number of local housing and construction related bodies, including the Sheikh Zayed housing project, to build modern cities and provide decent lodging to citizens. As a major developer, the Department has contributed a great deal to the emergence and flourishing of local industries in construction sector, including marble, block, cement, concrete steel, glass, lifts, air conditioning and other building materials. The huge projects undertaken by the Department have encouraged local capital to establish construction, contracting and maintenance companies and plants for producing building materials according to international standards. Further, these projects have attracted reputed players in the global construction and architecture industry, who are eager to have a share in the lucrative property market. In the area of emiratisation, the Department has designed a number of programmes to train and rehabilitate national workforce in the technical and administrative fields. These efforts have paid off and the percentage of national staff is on the rise. WAM-TF-VV
