Dubai, UAE, January 18th, 2007: Mivan, the Antrium-based specialist in fast-track construction techniques, has today announced new business worth US$4 million in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  The company is part of the Invest Northern Ireland client group on the Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, led by Irish Prime Minister, Mr. Bertie Ahern T.D.

The Antrium company, which has its Middle East base in Invest Northern Ireland's Dubai office, now a strong foothold in the UAE, one of the world's most dynamic markets for construction companies.

Mivan is to provide its formwork construction system for use in the construction of the following projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi:

AI - Fattan Tower at Dubai International Finance Centre

Al-Fattan Properties LLC is developing this 55 floor residential tower within a mixed development of office and residential towers in Dubai International Financial Centre.  The project was awarded to a Malaysian construction company which has chosen the Mivan System Formwork for the residential tower.  This will be the third tower to be constructed for the Al-Fattan Properties using the innovative Mivan system.

Marina Square Towers - five 44-56 storey towers at Al-Reem Island, Abu Dhabi

Tamouth Investments LLC, the principal developer of the Al-Reem Island Development, which is to be the new ultra modern centre pf Abu Dhabi, is to use the Mivan system for the construction of five towers with between 44 and 55 floors.  Mivan's work will commence in March/April 2007 and the structures of the Towers will be completed by the end of the year.

Jim Laughlin, Mivan's Regional Managing Director, said: "These two contracts are the most recent in a series of similar projects  involving our formwork system.  Developers are attracted by the flexibility of the system and the opportunity it provides to bring very substantial buildings into full operation much faster than is possible using conventional building techniques.

"We've been operating in the UAE for several years now and are beginning to see the benefits in terms of a rapid growth in business following our decision to invest time and other resources to develop opportunities that we had pinpointed from extensive market research.  Invest NI's office in Dubai gave us an all-important address in the Gulf region and the opportunity to make contacts with key developers and to network with the business community there.

"A presence is very important in what is a very fast moving marketplace which is experiencing huge growth in construction projects.  As a result of this commitment, we've become the preferred choice for key developers seeking fast-track construction solutions."

Tracy Meharg, Invest NI's Managing Director of Innovation and Capability Development, added: "These very significant contracts strengthen Mivan's share in what is an exciting and challenging marketplace for construction and many other types of Northern Ireland companies.

"Our objective is to encourage and assist many more Northern Ireland businesses to follow the excellent example set by Mivan and to focus resources on Saudi Arabia and the UAE.  We want to build on current exports to the region of around 250 million by encouraging companies to take advantage of our missions to the region and also to use our office in Dubai, which offers companies access to staff experienced in these markets."

Mivan is among 16 companies from Northern Ireland taking part in the Enterprise Ireland Mission to Saudi Arabia and the UAE from 15-19 January.  The Northern Ireland group will also be visiting Qatar, another substantial market in the Gulf region, from 21-23 on a separate Invest NI trade mission.

-Ends-

Press Release 2007