American Concrete Institute (ACI), a leading authority and resource worldwide for the development of concrete, has opened its regional office in Dubai, UAE.

The grand opening on Sunday marked the institute’s first physical presence outside the US since its inception in 1904, said a statement from ACI.

A leading authority and resource worldwide for the development, dissemination, and adoption of its consensus-based standards, ACI offers technical resources, educational and training programmes, certification programmes, and proven expertise for individuals and organisations involved in concrete design, construction, and materials, who share a commitment to pursuing the best use of concrete.

The Dubai office located on level 7 of the Dubai World Trade Centre, will be headed by Ahmad Mhanna, the newly appointed Middle East regional director, who will focus on advancing the development, dissemination, and adoption of ACI consensus-based knowledge on concrete and its uses in the region.

“This office will lead efforts to establish and nurture a wide range of strategic relationships between ACI members, chapters, companies, governmental bodies, educational institutions, partners, and other construction industry organizations throughout the region and beyond,” stated Mhanna, while speaking at an event held in the evening to mark the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Ronald G Burg, the executive vice-president at the institute, said: "In addition to strengthening strategic relationships and increasing access to the institute’s consensus-based technical and educational resources, it is the intent of the ACI that our Middle East Regional Office serves as a vehicle for increasing the awareness of regional concrete design and construction practices."

"All of us in the global concrete community can learn from and be inspired by the tremendous concrete innovation happening here in the Middle East," he added.

Hassan Al Hashemi, vice president, International Relations, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and David A Lange, ACI president also took part, besides ACI executive committee members including the institute's past president Khaled Awad and vice presidents Jeffrey W Coleman and Randall W Poston.-TradeArabia News Service