First-ever Excellence in Construction Award winners unveiled at CityBuild Abu Dhabi

Pioneering woman 'opening doors' in construction

First-ever Excellence in Construction Award winners unveiled at CityBuild Abu Dhabi

A pioneering senior executive who has broken male domination of the region's building industry boardrooms has received the first-ever Woman in Construction Award.

Receiving the award at CityBuild Abu Dhabi, a new trade show for the Middle East building and construction industry, Fatima Obaid Al Jaber, Chief Operating Officer of Al Jaber Group, said: “By receiving this award I hope to be opening the doors for more women to follow.”

Al Jaber was among a number of winners to receive CityBuild Excellence in Construction Awards during the show at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre which runs until 21 April 2010.

“The judges were looking for an individual who has overcome the real and perceived obstacles of working within a male-dominated industry,” said Graham Wood, Group Director of CityBuild Abu Dhabi organisers IIR Middle East. “Fatima Al Jaber has forged a successful career in this competitive industry, providing a pioneering role model and inspiration for future generations of women working in construction.”

Fatima Al Jaber has been voted by Forbes Arabia among the top most influential women in the Arab world. She sits on Al Jaber Group's board as an Executive Director and her key responsibilities include overseeing the management of contracting, logistics, industrial, trading, investment and real estate subsidiaries. She is also on the boards of the National Investor and Abu Dhabi Takaful Company.

The CityBuild Excellence in Construction Awards have been introduced to recognise outstanding performance and excellence in the industry with all entries reviewed by an advisory board composed of leading names in the industry, the organisers said.

The CityBuild Honorary Award, made to an individual or organisation that has made a significant contribution and demonstrated outstanding service to the construction industry, went to the Department of Economic Development, Abu Dhabi.

In the Construction Products Award category, the winner of the Best Water Technology product was Waterwise Systems, by Green Precast Systems and Technologies. Best Building and Construction product was Archilede by Iguzzini Middle East. Green Product of the Year was Environmena Power Systems.

In the Architecture and Design Award category, winner of the Best Sustainable Design Award was Administration Building by Make Ltd. The Best Sustainable Construction Award went to Reem Emirates Aluminium. The Innovation Award went to Greencast Precast Systems and Technologies.

CityBuild Abu Dhabi runs until 21 April 2010 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre bringing together industry suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, architects, engineers, importers and procurement decision makers. The new show is being held alongside Cityscape Abu Dhabi, the international real estate investment and development event.

The founding sponsor of CityBuild Abu Dhabi is Kludi RAK. Associate/Awards Sponsor is Mapei. The Summit’s sponsors include BASF’s Construction Chemicals and KNAUF Drywall Systems division. The event is also supported by the Chartered Institute of Business, Building Smart Middle East, Donate a Brick, Emirates Environmental Group, the Middle East Drymix Mortar Association and the UAE Contractors’ Association.

Showing respect to Arabic cultural tradition and Islamic values and by special request, Cityscape and CityBuild Abu Dhabi have announced that the exhibitions will be open to ladies’ only from 3 until 8pm on Wednesday 21 April.

For more information, please visit: www.citybuildabudhabi.com

Photo captions:

1: “I hope to be opening the doors for more women to follow,” said Fatima Obaid Al Jaber, Chief Operating Officer of Al Jaber Group.

2: CityBuild Excellence in Construction Award winners with their awards.