Assarain Concrete Products & Trading (ACP), a leading producer of concrete products, recently hosted a first-of-its-kind symposium in Oman for the sultanate's construction industry majors.

The symposium on 'the advances in concrete technology in context of Oman’s construction practices' was organised under the auspices of the Said Salem Al Wahaibi (SSW) Group of Companies.

ACP, Muscat and Modern Concrete Products (MCP), Sohar (members of SSW Group of Companies, formerly Assarain Group of companies) are one of the largest producers of innovative concrete products in Oman, supplying concrete products and other beautification/landscaping and construction chemical solutions.

Addressing the gathering, Khalid Said Al Wahaibi, the managing director of Assarain, said: "With the diversification of economies in the region and the growth in the infrastructure industry, it is vital to stay updated on the latest technologies."

"As leaders in concrete products, Assarain has gathered leading experts to share their knowledge and discuss issues that are specific to conditions in Oman," he stated.

The event, which was presided over by Hilal bin Mohammed Al Busaidi, the chief executive of the Public Authority for Mining, Oman, was attended by leading figures of the sultanate's construction industry including top government officials, CEOs, consultants, architects and academics.

The top speakers include Dr David A Lange, vice president at the American Concrete Institute, who spoke on materials science of corrosion control and durability of reinforced concrete structures; Dr Surendra P Shah, founding director of US-based Centre of Advanced Cement Based Materials, who explained how scientific research had led to the significant improvements in concrete.

Dr SK Manjrekar, the chairman and managing director of Sunanda Specialty Coatings and principal convener and past president of American Concrete Institute-India Chapter spoke on the latest innovative material solutions for increasing the service life of structures in the aggressive climatic conditions of Oman.-TradeArabia News Service