Abu Dhabi, UAE. 2008.3.15 - During his recent brief visit to Abu Dhabi, US President George W. Bush inspected plans for the Saadiyat Island cultural district.
 

 
In its latest Newsletter, Leighton International reported on the visit and the President's comments on projects in which Leighton International is a development partner.
 
President Bush praised President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his vision in establishing the cultural district, which will feature museums, performing arts centres and arts pavilions. It would be "a catalyst for a new genre of international design", he said.
 
Saadiyat Island, which translates from Arabic as Island of Happiness, is the largest single mixed-use development in the Arabian Gulf. The 27 square kilometre natural island - half the size of Bermuda - lies only 500 metres offshore from Abu Dhabi island, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
 
The development of Saadiyat Island is a project of the Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC).
 
Late last year, TDIC and Leighton International formed a joint venture to undertake major construction and construction management projects in Abu Dhabi. Projects awarded under the joint venture agreement include: the Saadiyat Link, a large-scale road project linking Saadiyat Island with central Abu Dhabi; TDIC’s new headquarters and the Eastern Mangroves Hotel.
 
Leighton International is one of the leading contractors and project developers in Asia and the Gulf region, and operates in Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and the Arabian Gulf. Leighton International focuses on a number of specific market segments: Civil & Infrastructure, Building, Rail, Mining, Marine, Oil & Gas, Water, Environmental Services, Process and telecommunications.
 
Leighton International is a subsidiary of Australia's largest project development and contracting group, the Leighton Group which has annual revenues in excess of US 10 billion.
 
Digital Tsunami has developed sites for Leighton Asia, since the related company first went online in 2000.
 
Digital Tsunami's capabilities encompass all aspects of marketing communications solutions including: eStrategy, film, identity, interactive, photography and print for global brands, MNCs and innovative SMEs through offices in Australia and China.