Depa love from Doha as company lands Dh929 million deal

Depa, the Dubai interior contractor, has signed the biggest contract in its history, a Dh929 million (US$252.9 million) contract to fit-out 27 lounges in Doha's new airport.

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The company's backlog of projects has jumped to a record Dh3.9 billion, up from Dh2.3 billion at the end of June, in part due to a "significant pick-up" in projects that previously had been delayed, Depa said in a statement.

However, the new deals won't affect the company's revenue and profits until 2012, the company warned.

The airport deal is "in line with our strategy of increasing the proportion of revenue from major government-funded infrastructure projects", managing director of operations Nadim Akhrass said in a statement.

Depa's recent deals include a Dh375 million deal for architectural finishes at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre in Riyadh and a Dh109 million contract for interior work at the new international terminal in Mumbai.

Qatar is turning into a major source of work for the company. The backlog of projects includes a Dh119mn contract for the Twin Tower Hotel and a Dh79 million contract for work on Doha City Centre.

Depa's reflects its ongoing effort to diversify its business. Of its 10 biggest projects, only one is in the UAE.

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From: Lonely Loris is a Sunda slow loris, one of nine species of the animal native to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore

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TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:

- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools

- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say

- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance

- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs

- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills

- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month

- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues

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