An exceptional cross-section of entries in this year's CMA Awards for Excellence 2006 competition yielded some outstanding winners, with Cathay Pigment Trophies (Premier Awards) bestowed on four deserving projects in the respective category groups of Concrete Roof Tiles, Concrete Masonry, Concrete Block Paving, and Concrete Retaining Wall Elements

A US$23m credit approval grant by the World Bank will assist the Zambian government in its endeavours to consolidate ongoing reforms in the water sector for residents living in Lusaka, and beyond

Mauritius' ""Integrated Resort Scheme"" has opened the door to foreign investors, with Ciel Properties recently announcing the launch of its R2,5bn Anahita residential and leisure development on the island's east coast. Locally based company, REHM-Grinaker, has secured three contracts totalling more than R229m for various phases, which include residential apartments and civils works for a golf course and a hotel on a small island just off the Anahita coast

Whilst work progresses on the compilation of the fourth edition of Franki Africa's definitive text on geotechnical engineering, the company continues to expand its cross-border footprint into major markets, like Angola, whilst building on its solid base at home. A proposed merger between Esor Ltd and Franki Africa is also expected to be concluded by year-end

Soletanche Bachy, global leaders in geotechnical engineering and underground construction, recently completed a complex project entailing a multi-cell diaphragm wall solution and barrette pipes for the Sail@Marina Bay, the first residential development underpinning Singapore's New Downtown precinct

Dr Phil Paige-Green from CSIR Built Environment investigates methods and limits for the better prediction of the durability of basic crystalline materials using innovative tests not routinely applied to road construction materials

Sabita reports that the bitumen from all four South African refineries complies with specific grades of the Superpave classification system following local and international collaborative testing. The tests pave the way for the development of a performance based classification system for bitumen specification in SA

Local bulk materials handling specialist, Osborn, has commenced the introduction of the Fold 'n Go mobile screening plant series through its sister company in the US, Astec Mobile Screens. These units feature dual frequency and high frequency screen vibration - a first for the SA market

The upmarket Park24 development in Kyalami, Gauteng, is to feature one of South Africa's first truly integrated broadband residential packages following an order placed with Goal Technology Solutions by the developer, Zotos Construction