Emirates to buy 150 nipa huts worth P112M

The United Arab Emirates has entered into a P112.5 million ($2.25 million) deal with Filipino suppliers for the construction of 150 nipa hut units in two resorts being built in Dubai.

This was revealed yesterday by Trade and Industry Secretary Manuel Roxas II who said that all the raw material and required treatments would be prepared in the Philippines and assembled in the Dubai resorts.

The preparation of raw materials would begin six months before shipment to Dubai.

At least 100 Filipinos would be employed in the project and actual construction on the site is set to begin by 2005.

Each nipa hut would cost around $8,000 to $15,000.

The quoted unit price is for the basic structure of the nipa hut only, excluding the cost of required furniture and accessories, interior design and landscaping.

The materials to be used are nipa, bamboos, sawali and local wood. The extent of construction work and infrastructure development would need several thousands of workers within the next six years.

Trade Representative Gil Herico reported to Roxas that Dubai recently launched two big palm tree resort Islands called the Palm Island Project.

The resort island will resemble an artificial version of the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

It would be two identical islands in the shape of palm trees, surrounded by protective barrier reefs.

Dubai has claimed that the two man-made islands would be the second man-made structure that would be seen from outer space.

The two Island resorts will be called the Palm Jumeirah and the Palm Jebel Ali and would take three to four years each to complete.