Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) laid the foundation stone for a new Dh82-million ($22.32m) employee residential project in Ras Al Khor, Dubai, at an official ceremony marking the beginning of construction..

The event was attended by director general of DWTC Helal Al Marri, senior DWTC staff and project contractors Al Fahdi Engineering Consultants. The Ras Al Khor complex, which is set to open in the summer of 2007, will offer spacious, modern accommodation for DWTC employees, with a range of flat and studio apartments.

It will also provide shopping facilities, a restaurant, a gymnasium, laundry services, an internet café, and a medical centre, to meet the needs of the employee community. The 406,000sq/ft project will offer a total of 784 residential units, supporting DWTC's ambitious plans for growth as well as its ongoing investment in human resources.

"DWTC has seen dramatic growth across its operations in recent years, resulting in a parallel expansion in the number of employees. With major projects like Dubai Exhibition City due to come to fruition in the near future, the construction of this complex will ensure that our increasing number of staff have a home fit for employees of a world-class organisation," said Al Marri.

"In the planning stage, we worked with the developers to ensure that the complex will contain a broad range of facilities - like the gymnasium and the medical centre - which will improve the quality of residents' lives and help inculcate a strong sense of community. The well-being of our people is a top priority for Dubai World Trade Centre, and this investment provides a concrete demonstration of our commitment," he concluded. .