With over $1 trillion projects expected to be completed in the GCC by 2020, the industry stakeholders are taking steps to see that these projects are completed to the highest standards of quality, said an expert.

'The projects completed and now under way in the GCC countries have special significance,' remarked Edmund O'Sullivan, chairman of the judging panel of the Meed Quality Awards for Projects, an independent award recognition programme established in 2011 to recognise project excellence across several categories.

'To an extent unmatched anywhere else on earth, the projects industry is placing its future in the hands of the regional and global projects industry,' he stated.

The Meed Quality Awards for Projects is the only one in the GCC to recognise completed projects and it evaluates the outcome of the construction process, rather than the process itself, he added.

Now in its second year, the awards are judged by an independent judging panel consisting of key representatives from the projects industry who will determine the winners at the national and regional level.

According to Meed Projects, a comprehensive and up-to-date tracking system of projects that are either underway or planned throughout the region, Bahrain's projects industry was valued at $80 billion as of this month, up from $64 billion last month.

With the growing size and complexity of projects in Bahrain and their impact on diversifying its economy, effective and efficient execution of both planned and ongoing projects will be critical to the country.

O'Sullivan said the projects will be evaluated not just in terms of their size and aesthetics.

'This is not about being the biggest or tallest. We review the projects on the basis of economic, social and environmental impact; as well as innovations and achievements in design, engineering and construction.

Submissions for the 2012 awards programme are now being sought in the following categories: Oil and Gas Project of the Year, Industrial Project of the Year, Power and Water Desalination Project of the Year, Water Reuse Project of the Year, Leisure and Tourism Project of the Year, Transport Project of the Year, Metito Social Project of the Year, Building Project of the Year and Kimmco Sustainable Project of the Year.

The 2011 award winners included the UAE's Burj Khalifa, Kuwait's National Library and Qatar's Mesaieed A, an independent power project. The deadline for submission of projects has been extended to Thursday.

Winners will be announced during the annual Meed Quality Awards for Projects on May 21 at The Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort and Spa, UAE.-TradeArabia News Service