UAE-based Cofely Besix Facility Management (CBFM) said it has been awarded the contract to provide facilities management services for two of Al Ain's retail developments - Al Jimi Mall and Shabahat Plaza.

Al Jimi Mall is a shopping and entertainment location in the heart of the city, and currently has a gross internal area (GIA) of 44,000 sq m, with an annual footfall of 8 million visitors, while Shabahat Plaza is a community-based retail experience located 10 km south of Al Ain city centre.

Al Jimi Mall is currently undergoing a massive expansion and renovation programme to add a further 65 stores, including an 8-screen VOX cinema, and a retail park to the existing 94 outlets, bringing the total leasable area to 76,000 m2.

Expected to be completed by the year-end, the expansion will include a new outdoor ‘retail park’, family dining and coffee shops, as well as an event plaza and an additional carpark accommodating more than 1,000 cars.

As per the deal, CBFM will provide hard FM services to Al Jimi Mall and Shabahat Plaza for an initial period of three years. The scope of services covers full technical services, including MEP and specialist systems, as well as DLP management that includes carrying out an assets condition survey specifically for the new Al Jimi Mall extension.

On the win, Khaled Ramadan, the operations manager at Abu Dhabi, said: "Our aim is to plan and manage the operations of Al Jimi Mall and Shabahat Plaza along with Aldar Properties via a dedicated CAFM system, thereby utilising mobile technology to ensure proactive service delivery within the mall’s 24/7 operation."

"As we currently provide FM services to Remal Mall in Al Ain, we already have an established working relationship with Aldar Properties, and an understanding of their specific requirements," he explained.

"We also look forward to supporting Aldar Properties with an advanced asset management system, and adding various energy saving initiatives which will be implemented across the three malls – Remal Mall, Al Jimi Mall and Shabahat Plaza," added Ramadan.-TradeArabia News Service