Dubai Mall to house largest indoor Gold Souk

A Staff Reporter

Filed on May 29, 2008

DUBAI — The Dubai Mall is going to house the world's largest indoor Gold Souk.

A precinct with a collection of over 220 gold and jewellery retailers, including a selection of dedicated cafés and restaurants, the Gold Souk experience culminates at the treasury dome, a 25m x 13m atrium — a dynamic projection ceiling with ever-changing multimedia shows, according to a Press release. Designed by Northpoint architects, the Gold Souk recreates the traditional charm of an Arabian souk reflecting the rich regional heritage of the gold trade. The Gold Souk reveals the journey of the travelling merchants crossing the desert expanse to trade gold and other commodities — the main north entrance begins the story with life-size bronze camel sculptures resting under a starry sky and an Arabian stallion in the south entrance.

Accentuated with decorative gold and marble detailing, the Gold Souk's traditional theme is a key attraction to The Dubai Mall.

Jim Badour, CEO of Emaar Malls Group, said: "The Dubai Mall is redefining the shopping and leisure experience with its rich array of components, including the world's largest indoor Gold Souk. The Gold Souk is a tribute to the region's rich heritage as to further strengthening the gold and jewellery trade, for which Dubai is renowned globally."

He added: "Visitors to the Gold Souk will be greeted with a new and exciting experience at every turn of their journey. The Gold Souk will offer a route of discovery following the journey of varying themes, designs and colours, culminating with the amazing treasury dome that will project images depending on the time of day. There are also themed courtyards with bronze sculptures."

Talal Al Maiman appointed aschairman of Kingdom Hospital

JEDDAH — Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of the Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), has appointed Talal Al Maiman as chairman of the Kingdom Hospital.

Kingdom Hospital is majority owned by KHC and Prince Alwaleed's decision was the second decision implemented after appointing Al Maiman chairman of Fashion Village Trading (Saks Fifth Avenue). "I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Prince Alwaleed for assigning me this position; Prince Alwaleed's faith in me to continue the management of this successful investment that he had began, is an honour," said, Al Maiman, who is also executive director for development and domestic investments and KHC board member. Moreover, he is board member of the Savola group which is also one of KHC's investments in Saudi Arabia. — By our correspondent

Air Arabia announces startof daily services to Kozhikode

SHARJAH — Air Arabia announced in a Press release issued yesterday the introduction of daily service to the south Indian city of Kozhikode.

Air Arabia became the first Middle Eastern airline to offer flights to Kozhikode when it introduced service in February of this year, providing flights three times per week.

Sama Dubai completes 85pc of earthwork of Salam Yiti-Oman

DUBAI— Sama Dubai yesterday announced the completion of 85 per cent of advanced earth works for its Dh6.5 billion Salam Yiti - Oman lifestyle resort project, it said in a Press release.

The Salam Yiti project, a joint venture with Omran (Oman Tourism Development Company), a subsidiary of the Oman Ministry of Tourism, has over three million cubic metres of rock and sand placed onsite.

The advanced earth works are critical to the development of Salam Yiti, specifically the three-six metre high increment to the existing ground level, along with the realignment of Wadi Qanu. The design followed an extensive study and analysis by Halcrow International of the up-stream wadi catchment areas.

To maintain the progress of enabling work, Sama Dubai has contracted Boskalis Westminister Oman LLC (BOC) along with its joint venture partner Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) to drive the early construction and development works, which included the arrival of major dredging equipment to site capable of delivering nearly 300,000 cubic meters of sand per week to the site.

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