Abu Dhabi, June 1st, 2008 (WAM) - General HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces today accompanied visiting Syrian President HE Bashar Al Assad on a tour of the new development projects being implemented in Abu Dhabi.

Models of the projects, ranging from arts museums to financial centres, entertainment developments and renewable energy cities, are on display at the Emirates Palace Hotel.

President Al Assad was also accompanied by HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, HE Waleed Al Mualim, Syrian Foreign minister and HE Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth & Community Development.

President Al Assad's first stop was Lulu Island, a 5.7 million square meter development with a built area of 3.5 million square meters. The development is scheduled to be completed in 6 years.

Al Assad was briefed on the ambitious development by Munir Hyder, Chief Executive Officer of Sorouh Company, the project's developer. The waterfront project entails construction of residential, resort and retail areas, as well as canals, marinas and a public beach.

He was then apprised by HE Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority and CEO of Mubadala Development Company on Sowwah Island project, off Abu Dhabis coast, which will be developed by John Buck International, a joint venture Mubadala set up in March with Chicago-based real estate firm The John Buck Co. Construction started in summer 2007, with the project scheduled for completion in 2010.

The island is the location earmarked by the urban framework plan, Plan Abu Dhabi 2030 for Abu Dhabis new Central Business District.

Sowwah Square will be a commercial development containing over 570,000 square meters of office, hotel and retail amenities.

It will feature premium quality business facilities and amenities including extensive conference facilities, a 300-seat auditorium, a five-star business hotel with serviced apartments, exclusive parking for over 5,200 vehicles, a private business club, fine dining and waterfront luxury retail.

The island will also be home to the new headquarters of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.

He also viewed developments at Al Reem Island, a residential, commercial and business project to be built on the natural island of Al Reem Isle, located off the north-eastern coast of Abu Dhabi city. The development will be connected to the Abu Dhabi city island by 2 or 3 bridges and be located 20 minutes from the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Al Reem Island will cover an area of 633 hectares (68 million square feet) and is being built by 3 developers - Tamouh Investments, Sorouh and Al Reem Investments. The island is estimated to accommodate 280 thousands residents and will include important amenities like schools, medical clinics, shopping malls, restaurants, a 27-hole golf course, hotels, resorts, spas, gardens, and beaches.

President Al Assad said he was impressed with the size and quality of the projects and the huge development witnessed in Abu Dhabi, thanks to the country's wise leadership.

He then viewed a model of the Masdar City, which is being billed as the 'greenest city in the world.

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, CEO of Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company explained plans for the city that will feature low-rise buildings with solar panels on their roofs. It is hoped that the city, which will be capable of housing about 50,000 people, will serve as a model for sustainable architecture.

It will be the worlds first zero-pollution, zero-waste city. A solar-photovoltaic power plant will deliver energy to buildings and solar canopies will be used to provide shade, as well as power.

The city is designed to take advantage of cool sea breezes, a technique that has been used in Arabia for ages. The perimeter wall around the entire development will protect buildings from air and noise from the nearby Abu Dhabi airport.

President Al Assad praised the Masdar City project, describing it as one of the most vital strategic projects in the Middle East.

He also viewed models of the projects to be set up in Sadiyat Island and was briefed on them by Basim Tirkawi, Director of Public & Media Relations at Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC).

Tirkawi gave an overview of the projects in the cultural district, including the Louvre, Guggenheim, Maritime and Sheikh Zayed museums.

President Al Assad and Sheikh Mohammed were also accompanied by senior officials, as well as Yousif Mohammed Al Madfaie, UAE Ambassador to Syria and Dr Rustum Al Zugbi, Syrian Ambassador to the UAE.