Sector set for growth, predict experts

Kuwait will host its first Facility Management Congress on September 22 at the International Fair in Kuwait City during the first day of The Big 5 Kuwait construction show, the event organiser, dmg events announced.

The increasing number of building projects in Kuwait that is expected to drive the Facilities Management (FM) sector in the country is the rationale behind organising the Congress, dmg Events added.

The FM Congress will cover the sector, from initial involvement in construction projects and its role in retaining a building’s value to increasing the lifecycle of the asset, sustainability and energy saving, the organiser highlighted. The event will also reportedly include case studies of some of the country’s big projects.

“Mick Dalton, Chairman of the British Institute of Facilities Management, who will chair the Congress, said: “In recent years, a heightened awareness of the FM sector has been evident, like the growth in large iconic buildings and the need to keep them well maintained. Other factors include the increasing attention being paid to the sector by the financial community and outsourcing as a ‘hot’ management topic.”

Bassam N Hamady, Resident Engineer at Sabah Al-Salem University City, who will be speaking at the FM Congress, observing that FM was badly needed in Kuwait, added, “The public sector is moving forward with the Kuwaitisation process, especially in the administrative sections, which means that more Kuwaitis will be in charge to manage FM contracts.”

Other expert speakers reportedly include:

• Paul Zalloua, Director of Operations, United Facilities Management
• Talal al-Othman, Technical Advisor for H.E. the Minister of Public Works, Kuwait Ministry of Public Works
• Mohamed El Faytoury, Senior Project Manager, Kharafi National
• Mario Seneviratne, P. Eng, LEED Fellow, FIMechE, Managing Director, Green Technologies FZCO

Exclusive case studies will be presented on:

• Sabah Al Salem University (Kuwait University City)
• Jaber Hospital Project
• Sief Palace

The Big 5 Kuwait will take place from September 22-24.