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Enabling works have begun to clear the ground for infrastructure development of Saadiyat Island – the 27 square kilometre natural island lying just 500 metres offshore Abu Dhabi city.  Saadiyat Island is the flagship project of the newly-formed Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), which is charged with overseeing the transformation of this unique natural asset into a strategic international tourism destination. The AED 128.45 million (US$ 35 million) enabling works contract is being carried out by the Abu Dhabi-headquartered Al Jaber Group, which runs one of the UAE’s largest contracting companies. The contract, which is expected to take nine months to complete, covers clearance of the site, demolition of existing structures, re-routing of services, erection of fencing, construction of temporary construction roads around the island, of office building and security gates. Saadiyat Island, which translates from Arabic into Island of Happiness, will be developed in three phases from 2006-2018. “The commencement of enabling works is a visible demonstration of our commitment to ensure the timely transformation of this unique natural asset,” said Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and Managing Director of TDIC. See other recent news regarding: Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island |