UAE minister lauds Chinese construction efforts in key housing program

DUBAI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The value of construction projects undertaken by Chinese companies under the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Zayed Housing Program has reached 3 billion dirhams (817 million U.S. dollars), state news agency WAM reported Wednesday.

The key projects implemented by Chinese companies include the Al Badea Bridge in Sharjah, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital in Dubai, the new building of the Sharjah Police Department, Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, minister of Infrastructure Development and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sheikh Zayed Housing Program, was quoted as saying.

The number of Chinese workers involved in these projects has reached 10,000, he added.

The development of the UAE-China relations has led to "activating joint agreements and enhancing cooperation in infrastructure, railways, oil, energy and sustainable sectors," Al Nuaimi said.

Sheikh Zayed Housing Program signed contracts with key Chinese housing companies to provide houses with high sustainability standards and high-quality building materials for the UAE.

The program is named after the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, founding father and first president of the UAE.