Burj challenge

Samsung Engineering and Construction is looking to build a new tower in the Middle East the height of which will top the Burj Dubai. The Korean construction company, which is one of the contractors working on the Burj Dubai, is reported to be in talks with a number of developers across the Middle East over plans to build a skyscraper that will set a new record in tall building.

Kim Bee-Jay, senior manager, Samsung Engineering and Construction said, “We have been approached by a number of clients. Many have tall building plans, not only Nakheel. Kuwait has a project for a 1 km-tall building, Saudi also has some tall tower plans, so do Bahrain and Qatar-everybody has tall building plans, the difference is whose can materialise quicker.”

Samsung has been involved in the construction of three of the world's tallest skyscrapers-Tapei 101, Malaysia's Petronas Towers and now the Burj Dubai, which recently became the world's tallest building when it surpassed the height of Tapei 101 at 508 m.

“We have worked on the three top tallest buildings in the world right now, so if somebody is looking to build another building in the world taller than this we would love to go for it,” said Mr Kim.

The final height of the Burj Dubai is being kept a secret but upon completion in 2008 it will be more than 700 m tall.