A high-ranking delegation from the South African government, accompanied by HE A Y Suliman, the South African ambassador to Kuwait, visited ABJ on the 13th May 2008.

South Africa is hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2010. As reported in Issue 20, 2008, ABJ is fabricating the roof structures for two of the stadiums being constructed for the games, including the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at which the opening and closing ceremonies will be held. The purpose of the visit was to inspect the work-in-progress.

The delegation was led by Philip Jabulani Moleketi, Deputy Minister of Finance in the South African government. Charles Botha, an executive member of the FIFA 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee, and Professor Eugene Pierre Janse van Vuuren, a structural engineer and member of the organising committee, were members of the delegation, which also included Gerrie Albertyn, and Project Director Koen van Elk.

The guests were received and hosted at ABJ by Operations Manager George Lahoud. A dinner function held at the Chairman’s Club was attended by Mr. Marzouk Al-Kharafi, a member of the board of directors of Kharafi National, and the Director Corporate Affairs, Adel Samara.

The delegation was given a tour of ABJ’s fabrication facilities in Mina Abdullah and saw at first-hand the significant investments being made by Kharafi National in creating one of the largest and most sophisticated manufacturing facilities in the region.

The delegates were highly satisfied with the progress of fabrication on the stadium roofs. They also expressed their satisfaction with the professional pro-active approach of ABJ employees to their questions and their hospitable reception.