Analysis Construction Slowdown looms for Saudi construction as PIF cuts contracts The number of construction contracts issued by the Saudi government and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) has fallen drastically amid a decline in oil revenues and a realignment of large-scale infrastructure projects. The drop indicates a slowdown in the Saudi construction sector, previously one of the most vibrant in the world. Last year it accounted […] June 12, 2025
Transport Passengers face delays as Etihad Rail tender extended Passengers awaiting the UAE’s high-speed rail link between Abu Dhabi and Dubai may face delays after the submission deadline for key construction tenders was pushed back. Etihad Rail, the state-owned developer behind the project, originally set an early May deadline for bids covering civil works and station design for the passenger line. That date has […] June 12, 2025
Construction Qatar starts work on ‘largest’ 3D-printed schools A Qatari company has commenced work on what it says are two of the world’s largest 3D-printed buildings. The 3D-printed schools project is a venture between Qatar-headquartered UCC Holding and the state-backed Public Works Authority (Ashghal). The project involves the construction of 14 public schools, including two built using 3D printing technology. Each of the 3D […] June 12, 2025
Infrastructure Omani shipbuilding facility to serve regional markets A new shipbuilding dry dock in the remote but strategic Omani town of Musandam will serve regional markets and give the Gulf state’s farmers and fishermen a new lease of life. Musandam Global Investment Company (MGIC), a Turkish and Omani joint venture, will build the shipbuilding and marine repair facilities and the project is expected […] June 10, 2025
Infrastructure Emirates NBD and Siemens to finance green infrastructure Emirates NBD (ENBD), Dubai’s largest bank by assets, and German multinational Siemens have signed an agreement to provide finance for green infrastructure projects in the UAE. The agreement aligns with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. Siemens will develop and design the administrative, technical and structural aspects of the agreement, the UAE […] June 10, 2025
Infrastructure Startups invited to solve Medina’s challenges Saudi Arabia is inviting startups to tackle infrastructure challenges in Medina, one of Islam’s holiest cities, as it ramps up efforts to expand religious tourism. Madinah-Tech, an accelerator backed by the regional municipality and private investors, has opened applications for its first cohort as the city struggles to keep pace with growing visitor numbers. The […] June 5, 2025
Infrastructure Dubai Airports targets $6m savings after lighting retrofit Dubai Airports has launched the final phase of its airport-wide lighting retrofit project, which is expected to result in AED20 million ($5.5 million) in cost savings. In the last phase, more than 180,000 conventional lighting fixtures will be replaced with energy-saving alternatives across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), […] June 5, 2025
Analysis Tourism Oman smart city projects face pushback on heritage Oman may be investing more than $15 billion in developing digitally smart urban areas but critics say the ambition could contravene the country’s heritage priorities. The sultanate has mobilised urban plans that could cost more than $15 billion, starting with Sultan Haitham City, work on which is in full swing on the outskirts of the […] June 4, 2025
Infrastructure Dubai to build Ghana’s first economic zone The government of Ghana has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai state-owned entity Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) to establish an economic zone and digital incubator in Ghana’s capital Accra. The move is intended to attract foreign investment to West Africa and accelerate Ghana’s goal of becoming a regional technology powerhouse, the […] June 3, 2025
Energy China to build ‘sub-critical’ nuclear reactor in Iraq China has agreed to build the region’s first nuclear reactor training facility in Iraq, as the Baghdad government increasingly looks to nuclear power to help tackle its persistent power shortages. Iraq’s atomic energy commission said on Monday that it would sign an agreement for the facility with China’s atomic energy authority and that the project […] June 3, 2025
Energy Oman studies connecting power grid with Yemen Oman has awarded a contract to a local engineering company to conduct a feasibility study for interconnecting its power grid with Yemen. Monenco Consulting Engineers (Oman) won the contract from the state-run Oman Electricity Transmission Company through a tender process, the company said in a statement on its social media platforms. The work scope includes […] May 29, 2025
Analysis Transport Etihad Rail’s super-fast service tracked by investors The UAE’s Etihad Rail is due to start passenger services next year, promising to slash travel time between Dubai and Abu Dhabi by as much as 40 percent. Not only could this reshape the daily commute but it could also shift the investment outlook for a clutch of transport-focused companies listed on local bourses. With […] May 28, 2025
Infrastructure Plans ready for Egypt-Saudi Arabia bridge project Egypt is working to integrate the country into a railway network connecting Asia and Europe, but a long-planned bridge that would link Saudi Arabia to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula has yet to be finalised, transport minister Kamel Al-Wazir said on Sunday. Egypt has been expanding its railways along seven separate axes, he said. These include three […] May 26, 2025
Infrastructure Syria says foreign partners vital to modernise telecoms International partners will be vital to bringing Syria’s telecom infrastructure up to date after 14 years of civil war, according to the country’s interim minister for communication and information technology. “In wanting our people to actually make that leap in technology, in enabling them through technology and giving them the services they deserve through technology, […] May 23, 2025
Infrastructure Uganda’s $800m IDB financing to include rail project Uganda has signed a $800 million financing agreement with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to support various projects, including a planned railway, that aim to boost the landlocked east African country’s trade, its finance ministry said. The railway will connect to neighbouring Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway and on to the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa. […] May 23, 2025
Infrastructure Oman borrows $630m to construct flood defences Oman is to borrow $630 million from the Saudi Arabia-based Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to build flood protection gates and dams across the country. “The loan will help the protection from floods causing damage to many parts of Oman’s low lying areas, especially in towns and small villages,” Al Habsi was quoted as saying by […] May 22, 2025
Infrastructure Taqa to invest in Morocco’s energy and water security The Casablanca-listed subsidiary of Abu Dhabi’s Taqa has agreed to develop multi-billion-dollar large-scale power and water projects in Morocco along with local partners, according to a statement. Taqa Morocco Group, Nareva, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morocco’s Al Mada Group, and the sovereign Mohammed VI Investment Fund signed agreements with the Moroccan government and the Office National de […] May 20, 2025
Economy Kuwait to borrow up to $20bn over next year Kuwait is on the verge of returning to the debt market after an eight-year absence with plans to borrow up to $20 billion during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, according to local media. The loans will be used mainly to fund infrastructure projects worth KD2.3 billion ($7.6 billion) included in the current fiscal year, which started […] May 20, 2025
Infrastructure Iraq to launch Baghdad metro project later this year Iraq has decided to launch a delayed multi-billion dollar Baghdad metro project at the end of this year, according to a senior official cited in local media. The project will be executed in stages and will take several years as it comprises more than 60 stations and covers 150 km of roads, said Mohammed Al-Najjar, […] May 19, 2025
Infrastructure China’s Tsingshan to build ‘steel city’ in Iraq A Chinese company has won a contract to build Iraq’s first industrial city that will be dedicated mainly to steel and construction materials. Tsingshan Holding Group will build the city on the state-owned General Steel Company site in Iraq’s southern oil centre of Basra, after it was destroyed during the US-led invasion in 2003. Industry […] May 15, 2025
Construction Saudi Arabia awarded deals worth $9bn in four months Saudi Arabia reportedly awarded public contracts with a combined value of around SAR34 billion ($9 billion) in the first four months of 2025. The government is also expected to award 10 other projects in May covering mainly construction and oil and gas, the Saudi Contractors’ Authority (SCA) said in its May bulletin. About 79 percent […] May 14, 2025
Infrastructure Qatar to spend $22bn on water infrastructure works Qatar is to spend billions of dollars as part of its five-year strategy to develop drainage, sewage and flood prevention infrastructure. The government-backed Public Works Authority (Ashghal) will invest more than QAR81 billion ($22.3 billion) to implement various infrastructure projects, the state-run Qatar News Agency reported. These projects include the development of citizens’ lands, government […] May 14, 2025
