Kyrgyzstan: Construction chemicals supplier Sika plans to open a new subsidiary in Kyrgyzstan, based out of the capital, Bishkek. The producer has noted forecast four-year gross domestic product growth of 7% up to 2030, driven by industrial, transport infrastructure and energy projects. The move will expand Sika's network of global subsidiaries to a total 103.

Regional Manager Europe, Middle East and Africa Christoph Ganz said "We are complementing our existing activities in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and thus strengthening our regional network in Central Asia. This provides a strong foundation for the targeted expansion of our market position in the region and for further growth."

UAE: NSL Group subsidiary Dubai Precast won a full precast building system supply contract for a 95-unit housing complex in Meydan, Dubai earlier in April 2026. The contract covers design, supply, delivery and installation of external sandwich walls, solid walls, structural elements, stairs, hollow-core and solid slabs and boundary walls. TradeArabia News has reported that this comprises 18,500m³ of reinforced precast concrete and 39,000m³ of hollow-core precast concrete. Execution of the contract is scheduled for completion later in 2026.

Palestine: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has commenced a project to recycle Gaza’s war rubble into aggregates for use in repaving the territory’s roads and communal spaces, Reuters has reported. UNDP Gaza Head Alessandro Mrakic said that the organisation has removed 287,000t of a rubble of an estimated 61Mt and recycled close to 100% of this. Full clearance is estimated to take seven years provided there is accelerated and unimpeded access for heavy machinery and consistent fuel supplies. The United Nations, EU and World Bank have estimated the cost of recovery and reconstruction at US$71.4bn up to 2036.

Delivery of a US$7bn relief fund organised by the US-led Board of Peace has stalled following the outbreak of the on-going War in the Gulf. The US had pledged a further US$10bn and the UN US$2bn, while sporting body FIFA pledged US$75m for football-related initiatives. The International Court of Justice in the Netherlands previously found Israel liable for full reparations for its actions in its occupied territories in a June 2024 advisory opinion which Israel formally rejected.

US: Mapei Corporation has launched Dynamon XTend 4047, a polycarboxylate-based high-range water-reducing admixture for concrete. The product is designed to deliver extended slump life and higher strength at all ages in precast concrete production and ready-mix concrete applications. Tunnelling Business Magazine News has reported that the admixture is compatible with all Portland cement types.