Analysis Aviation Dubai and Jeddah dominate airport construction in Mena Just two giant projects, in Dubai and Jeddah, account for almost 80 percent of current spending on airport development in the Middle East and North Africa, a report has revealed. Some 19 different projects, ranging from expansions to additional runways and entire new airports, are under way in 11 countries across the region, according to […] July 25, 2024
Transport UAE company in joint venture to build Baghdad metro A Malaysian engineering company and its UAE affiliate have jointly won a $316 million contract to oversee the construction of the new Baghdad metro. The building of the planned 148-kilometre network and its 64 stations across the Iraqi capital was slated to begin this month and end in 2029. This timeline might be delayed, however, […] July 19, 2024
Giga-projects Full steam ahead on ‘largest urban park in the world’ Saudi Arabia is forging ahead with construction of what it calls the “largest urban park in the world”, publishing videos of its first buildings under construction after a tunnel opened earlier this year. King Salman Park in Riyadh is owned by the Public Investment Fund and was recently valued by real estate consultancy Knight Frank […] July 19, 2024
Construction Earthquake rebuild fuels rise in Turkish construction hires A sharp increase in hirings and orders point to a rebound in Turkey’s construction sector, although rising costs, high interest rates and weak demand for new residential properties remain big challenges to continued growth. Employment levels in the construction sector reached 80-month highs in May and more than 1.8 million workers were on the books, […] July 18, 2024
Opinion Renewable Energy Oman is on a steady path to a hydrogen-powered future The sultanate is off to a roaring start – now it needs to stay on course July 17, 2024
Aviation Iraq signs deals to advance new civil airport project Iraq has signed two contracts for the construction of Nasiriyah International Airport in Southern Iraq. The Iraqi transport ministry this week signed an addendum to the construction contract with China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) and the consulting contract with Turkey’s Kiklop Design Hertz Insaat, the state-run Iraqi News Agency reported. The Turkish company will […] July 17, 2024
Logistics Aldar’s new Dubai logistics park to break ground in Q4 Aldar Properties, an Abu Dhabi-listed developer, will break ground on a new logistics park within DP World’s 21-sq km National Industries Park (NIP) in Dubai in the fourth quarter of 2024. The 1.55 million sq ft grade-A logistics park will cater to the emirate’s high demand for warehousing facilities. It will comprise three modular buildings […] July 16, 2024
Logistics Expansion work begins at Egyptian Red Sea port Construction has commenced on expanding a container terminal at Egypt’s Ain Sokhna Port on the Red Sea. Red Sea Containers Terminals, jointly owned by Hong Kong’s Hutchison Ports, France’s CMA Terminals and China’s Cosco Shipping Ports, has appointed Cairo-headquartered Edecs as the main contractor to work on constructing the infrastructure, yards and buildings. The […] July 15, 2024
Construction Emaar restores 4,500 homes for free after April floods Emaar Properties, Dubai’s largest developer, has repaired more than 4,500 homes up to the end of June following the orders of the emirate’s Crown Prince to restore communities devastated by the April floods. The repairs were done free of cost to owners, the developer said in a statement. No other details were given on the […] July 12, 2024
Logistics Dubai veg market to double despite warehouse shortage Dubai plans a massive expansion of its fruit and vegetable market to make it the world’s largest, despite the fact warehouse rents in the emirate keep increasing amid a lack of quality supply. On Wednesday Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum oversaw the signing of a deal between Dubai Municipality and ports operator DP World […] July 11, 2024
Analysis Construction French construction major chases growth in Middle East Saint-Gobain’s $1 billion takeover of Dubai’s Fosroc highlights the growing importance of the Middle East to the company and the construction industry, according to executives at the French conglomerate. The all-cash transaction for Fosroc, which makes construction chemicals, was agreed at the end of last month. Saint-Gobain expects the deal to close in the first […] July 10, 2024
Infrastructure Saudi telco STC ends talks to buy Altice Portugal Saudi telecom group STC has ended talks with French-Israeli tycoon Patrick Drahi to buy Altice Portugal after a disagreement over the price. The Public Investment Fund-owned company, which is listed on the Saudi stock market, had offered 8 billion euros ($8.67 billion) for Altice Portugal, the European country’s largest telecommunications player, Portuguese online business site […] July 8, 2024
Sustainability Forests in the desert: more than just a pipe dream Planting trees in the sand has been done before and can be done again, but when water is so scarce it is a remarkable challenge, says Valentina Pasquali July 8, 2024
Infrastructure Japan to increase investment in Iraq Japanese companies are set to expand their investments in Iraq, launching critical infrastructure projects to aid the country’s economic recovery and development. Futoshi Matsumoto, the Japanese ambassador, told Iraq state news agency that companies like Komatsu, a construction equipment supplier, are “eager” to enter the Iraqi market. A delegation from the company recently visited Basra, […] July 5, 2024
Construction Turkish contractors bag $7.6bn worth of overseas projects Turkish contractors have started work on overseas projects valued at $7.6 billion in the first half of 2024, according to official data. The number of projects reached 82 in the January-June period, state-run Anadolu Agency said, quoting trade ministry data. The average project value increased to $92 million in the first half of 2024, up […] July 5, 2024
Analysis Infrastructure Morocco struggles to solve its water crisis A seawater desalination plant that opened last month at Sidi Rahal near Casablanca is a major part of Morocco’s plans to tackle the country’s frightening decrease in water supplies. The plant will be built in two phases and is designed to produce 300 million cubic metres of water a year to supply 7.5 million people, […] July 1, 2024
Transport Dubai begins work on ‘20-minute city’ concept Dubai has approved a plan to support the “20-minute city” concept by developing land close to metro stations. The emirate’s executive council gave the green light to a plan to develop areas around metro stations by incentivising developers, UAE state-owned Wam news agency reported. The move will provide additional services, support the 20-minute city concept, […] July 1, 2024
Analysis Infrastructure Engineers measure up Dubai’s $8bn flood defence plan After April’s once-in-a-century storm that put swaths of Dubai under water, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has cleared the way for a AED30 billion ($8 billion) stormwater management upgrade. The ambitious expansion of the emirate’s drainage system will provide a sevenfold increase in its capacity to handle rainwater, to more than 20 million cubic […] June 27, 2024
Construction Riyadh dominates Saudi Arabia’s construction market Riyadh and its surroundings account for nearly 40 percent of the value of existing construction contracts in Saudi Arabia, at US$54 billion, according to new research. The provinces of Mecca – which includes Jeddah – and Tabuk in the north of the kingdom follow the capital region, with $28.7 billion and $28.5 billion in awarded […] June 25, 2024
Transport UAE to build a new airport in Uganda The Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry will build a new international airport in Uganda. The Kidepo International Airport in Karamoj will be located near Uganda’s border with Kenya, president Yoweri Museveni said in a post on messaging app X. The cost of the airport was not given. “This agreement is a sign of the […] June 24, 2024
Infrastructure US firm wins $46m contract to boost Iraq infrastructure US engineering giant KBR has won a five-year $46 million contract to support Iraq’s infrastructure development and future energy projects, including mega-projects. The company is expanding its presence in Iraq, establishing a new office in Baghdad and said it is also considering the creation of a design centre to enhance local engineering skills. Under the […] June 21, 2024
Infrastructure Floods prompt Abu Dhabi to issue urban planning tender Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport has issued a tender for studies to aid the city’s urban planning efforts, including infrastructure resilience during storms. The tender for consultancy services opened last month and closes on July 4. It emerges after UAE president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered an urgent review of the […] June 19, 2024
