Dick GreenDick Green

Explosive Demolition in the Middle East

THE MIDDLE EAST

ABU DHBI

REASONS FOR EXPLOSIVE DEMOLITION IN MIDDLE REASONS FOR EXPLOSIVE DEMOLITION IN MIDDLE EASTEAST

Generally for redevelopmentGenerally for redevelopment

Where explosives is safest, most cost effectiveWhere explosives is safest, most cost effective

Spectacle .

To mark beginning/ end of high profile project.

Saving on programme time.

BUILDING THAT COULD BE DEMOLISHED BY CONVENTIONAL METHODS IN OTHER

COUNTRIES

Middle East Demolition Companies

Range from local firms with a handful of men and ball and crane technology

multi-million pound professional, international companies

Known cases of arrestKnown cases of arrest Arrest if Explosives Arrest if Explosives

Figures do not matchFigures do not match

Damage to propertyDamage to property

servicesservices

Excessive NoiseExcessive Noise

Failure of structure to Failure of structure to come downcome down

A MAJOR FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN WORKING IN THE MIDDLE EAST

RELIGION

Religion

Respect Islam, It provides guidance, rules and values for personal life,Community relations and ways of doing business.

Examples of how it may effect business

Muslims are obliged to pray 5 times a day (arrange meetings so not to interfere with prayer time)

Friday is congregational prayer and all males must attend.

Avoid doing business during the month of Ramadan, and around the time of Eide (after Ramadan) and after annual pilgrimage.

Weekend for government generally midday Thursday to Sunday

RAMADANRAMADAN

►Dubai Pearl Demolition took place Dubai Pearl Demolition took place during the holy month of Ramadanduring the holy month of Ramadan

►No EatingNo Eating►No DrinkingNo Drinking►No SmokingNo Smoking►No SingingNo Singing

From Sunrise to SunsetFrom Sunrise to Sunset

THIS PROJECT ALSO HIGHLIGHTED OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN WORKING IN THE MIDDLE EAST

AVAILABILITY OF MACHINE OPERATORS AND EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERS.

AVAILABILITY AND TRAINING OF EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERS

EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERS

Must be competent

Must be licensed

Must be Muslim

Up to 10,000 Charges,

20 Explosive Personnel Required.

ANOTHER PROBLEM TO CONSIDER

AVAILABILITY OF EXPLOSIVES

IN COUNTRY

IMPORTED

MILITARY

COMBINATION

SAUDI CHEMICAL COMPANY

EMIRATES EXPLOSIVES, GULF EXPLOSIVES

EPC, NITRO NOBEL SWEDEN

ROYAL JORDANIAN ARMY

LIBYAN ARMY

DEMOLITION TEAM FROM UK

3 x EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERS

1 X CONVENTIONAL DEMOLITION MANAGER

1 X STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

1 X SENIOR MANAGER (DIRECTOR LEVEL)

CLIENTS TEAM

1 X PROJECT MANAGER

2 x COMPUTER OPERATORS

2 X SECURITY STAFF

VILLA COORDINATION AND CONTROL TEAM

ON SITE TEAMON SITE TEAM

► THREE VIDEO OPERATORS (24 hr. Shifts)THREE VIDEO OPERATORS (24 hr. Shifts)

► ENGLISH SPEAKING SUPERVISORS/ MANAGERSENGLISH SPEAKING SUPERVISORS/ MANAGERS

► TWO DEDICATED LIASION MANAGERS (Villa to SiteTWO DEDICATED LIASION MANAGERS (Villa to Site))

LESSONS LEARNTLESSONS LEARNT

► ALTHOUGH USING REMOTE VIDEO LINK TO SUPERVISE ALTHOUGH USING REMOTE VIDEO LINK TO SUPERVISE AND CONTROL SITE EVENTS WAS AN OPTION IT WAS NOT AND CONTROL SITE EVENTS WAS AN OPTION IT WAS NOT IDEAL.IDEAL.

► IT DENIED THE ENGINEER THE ABILITY TO GET AN ON IT DENIED THE ENGINEER THE ABILITY TO GET AN ON SITE FEEL FOR THE TASK. SITE FEEL FOR THE TASK.

► WHICH ALLOWS HIM TO USE HIS INITIATIVE TO REACT TO WHICH ALLOWS HIM TO USE HIS INITIATIVE TO REACT TO SPECIFIC SITE SITUATIONS (i.e. revise charge weights) SPECIFIC SITE SITUATIONS (i.e. revise charge weights)

► IT DENIES THE ENGINEERS THE FULL ABILITY TO IT DENIES THE ENGINEERS THE FULL ABILITY TO CONFIRM THE SUPPLIEDINFORMATION AND FULLY CHECK CONFIRM THE SUPPLIEDINFORMATION AND FULLY CHECK THE STANDARDS OF WORKMANSHIP.THE STANDARDS OF WORKMANSHIP.

LABOUR AND LANGUAGELABOUR AND LANGUAGE

Multi National Work ForceMulti National Work Force

Clients Clients NATIONALSNATIONALS

Project Management Project Management Arab Arab

European/ American/ Australian /Indian etc.European/ American/ Australian /Indian etc.

Labour Force Labour Force Generally 3Generally 3rdrd World World

WEATHERWEATHER

►UAE / Saudi Arabia July to September 40 UAE / Saudi Arabia July to September 40 degrees centigrade (104 degrees degrees centigrade (104 degrees Fahrenheit)Fahrenheit)

►Can reach 50 degrees centigradeCan reach 50 degrees centigrade

Summer working laws June 15Summer working laws June 15thth to Sept 15th to Sept 15th

No outside work 12.30-1500 (only No outside work 12.30-1500 (only emergency)emergency)

DOING BUSINESS IN THE MIDDLE EASTDOING BUSINESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST► ARABS WERE A TRADING PEOPLE AND EXCELLENT NEGOTIATORSARABS WERE A TRADING PEOPLE AND EXCELLENT NEGOTIATORS

(AS WHERE THEIR INDIAN MANAGEMENT)(AS WHERE THEIR INDIAN MANAGEMENT)

► HAGGLING TAKES PLACE EVERYWHERE, SHOP OR BOARDROOM.HAGGLING TAKES PLACE EVERYWHERE, SHOP OR BOARDROOM.

► DECISIONS MADE SLOWLY + BUREAUCRATIC FORMALITIES ADD TODECISIONS MADE SLOWLY + BUREAUCRATIC FORMALITIES ADD TO

DELAYDELAY

► HIGH PRESSURE TACTICS ARE GENERALLY COUNTER -PRODUCTIVE.HIGH PRESSURE TACTICS ARE GENERALLY COUNTER -PRODUCTIVE.

Tips for Doing Business in Tips for Doing Business in The Middle EastThe Middle East

► Be careful when selecting and managing local partners.Be careful when selecting and managing local partners.

If just starting out put together a few small deals before If just starting out put together a few small deals before taking the big jumptaking the big jump

► BusinessBusiness and personal friendship are often one and the and personal friendship are often one and the samesame

► Language is a strong uniting bond across the Arab world Language is a strong uniting bond across the Arab world (learn a little Arabic)(learn a little Arabic)

► Organisations can be many-tiered and difficult to Organisations can be many-tiered and difficult to penetratepenetrate

► Arabs will often speak in vague terms, generalities, Arabs will often speak in vague terms, generalities, stories and metaphors during negotiationsstories and metaphors during negotiations

► Best way to negotiate is always face to faceBest way to negotiate is always face to face

► Know your hostKnow your host

► Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by warm hospitalitywarm hospitality

► Body language is as important as the spoken wordBody language is as important as the spoken word

SHUKRAN (THANK YOU)