The Dubai tower (pictured) may not be the tallest building for long, as competition heats up to overtake its many records (tallest free-standing structure, most floors, highest elevator, etc). But, for the time being, its 818 metres and 160 floors dwarf all competition. The tower contains an Armani Hotel, apartments and offices and cost a total of $1.8 billion (€1.25bn). Brusselsbased Besix was one of the three contractors, together with Arabtec and Samsung C&T.

For the opening, lighting company Luminex, based in Hechtel-Eksel in Limburg, were in charge of the sound and light show. “The opening party in Dubai is obviously a very fine reference to put on our company CV,” said managing director Bart Swinnen.