Analysis Banking and Finance Gulf still struggling to attract private cash for public projects Lower oil prices are driving Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to involve private companies in financing critical infrastructure projects worth tens of billions of dollars. Despite some successes, the expansion of public-private partnerships (PPPs) is being hampered by inconsistent project delivery and changing regulatory frameworks that are holding back investor confidence, experts […] January 10, 2025
Infrastructure UAE’s NMDC Energy bags $1.1bn projects in Taiwan NMDC Energy, an engineering, procurement and construction contractor for energy projects, has won a subsea gas pipeline and power project contract from the state-owned Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) valued at $1.14 billion. The wholly-owned energy subsidiary of NMDC Group will design, construct and install marine pipelines extending between Taichung and Tung-Hsiao on Taiwan’s west coast. […] January 9, 2025
Infrastructure Arab Energy Fund-led group buys Dubai-based Metito A consortium led by the Arab Energy Fund (TAEF), formerly Apicorp, has acquired a 100 percent stake in Metito Utilities, a Dubai-based water and wastewater project developer. The acquisition was carried out in collaboration with Saudi Arabia’s Zamil Group Investment Company and the Ghandour family, the founders of Metito. No financial details were given. Metito […] January 9, 2025
Construction ‘Few other nations have dared to attempt this’ Architects and engineers tell AGBI about the positives and pitfalls of Saudi Arabia's push to build it all, 'all at once' January 9, 2025
Infrastructure Iraq expects road and rail project to provide 20,000 jobs Iraq’s planned $17 billion project to build a rail line and motorway up to the border with Turkey aims to create at least 20,000 jobs for citizens, officials said. Transport minister Razzak Al-Saadawi said the Road Of Development project, which is backed by the UAE and Qatar, will include the construction of several industry cities […] January 7, 2025
Energy Qatar and Turkey to send electricity-generating ships to Syria Syria will receive two electricity-generating ships from Turkey and Qatar to boost its energy infrastructure, which was badly damaged during the rule of President Bashar Al Assad, state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday. Khaled Abu Dai, director general of Syria’s General Establishment for Electricity Transmission and Distribution, told SANA the ships would provide 800 megawatts of electricity but did not specify over what period. “The extent of damage to the generation and transformation stations and electrical […] January 7, 2025
Construction Dubai’s $109m Al Mamzar Beach project to open in 2025 Dubai Municipality has awarded contracts for the AED400 million ($108.9 million) Al Mamzar Beach development project, set to open by the end of this year. The second phase focuses on upgrading the Al Mamzar Corniche beachfront and a focus on sustainable beach tourism, the UAE state-run Wam news agency reported. Spread across 125,000 sq m […] January 6, 2025
Economy Poorest parts of Turkey to get $14bn investment The Turkish government has revealed plans to invest more than $14 billion into the country’s underdeveloped southeast. Spending will be ramped up in the nine of Turkey’s 81 provinces that constitute the area close to the borders of Syria and Iraq, traditionally the poorest in the country, with funding to be provided for 200 projects. […] December 31, 2024
Business of Sport World Cup contractors may have to register in Saudi Foreign companies hoping to capitalise on Saudi Arabia’s SAR100 billion ($26.6 billion) World Cup preparations must be registered in the kingdom, according to the chief executive of a leading Saudi-based investment company. “Don’t waste time offering services from abroad,” said Mohammed AlQahtani, CEO at Saudi Arabia Holding Company, a private equity firm in Riyadh, in […] December 31, 2024
Development Qatar reveals commitment to help rebuild Syria Qatar says it will play a central role in the reconstruction of Syria,and has plans to invest in sectors including energy and port infrastructure. Qatar’s state minister for foreign affairs, Mohamed Al-Khulaifi, made the commitment this week in what was the Gulf country’s first official visit to Syria in more than 13 years. In a […] December 24, 2024
Construction Dewa rolls out $1.9bn smart grid to boost efficiency Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) is implementing a smart grid that will cost AED7 billion ($1.91 billion) up to 2035, focusing on efficient and reliable operations. It says the smart grid will ensure integrated services, offering advanced features such as automated decision-making and interoperability across the electricity and water network. “The smart grid will […] December 24, 2024
Infrastructure Dubai awards $5.6bn metro contract to Turkish-Chinese consortium Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has awarded the AED20.5 billion ($5.6 billion) contract for the Dubai Metro Blue Line project to a consortium of three Turkish and Chinese companies. Three consortia advanced to the final stage before the contract was awarded to Mapa Group from Turkey, in partnership with Limak (Turkey), which will oversee […] December 19, 2024
Logistics DP World starts work on $1.2bn port in Senegal Dubai-based DP World has commenced work on the $1.2 billion Port of Ndayane, with the aim of transforming Senegal into a major centre for global trade. The Willem Van Rubroeck vessel is set to dredge a five km-long shipping channel to build a high-capacity port. The project’s first phase also includes an 840m quay to […] December 19, 2024
Opinion Infrastructure Rebuilding Syria would revive its nexus status A stable environment in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq would encourage an influx of foreign capital December 16, 2024
Aviation PIF acquires 15% stake in London’s Heathrow airport Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has acquired a 15 percent stake in FGP TopCo, the holding company of Heathrow Airport Holdings. The stake was purchased from Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial and other FGP TopCo shareholders. Simultaneously, Ardian, a Paris-headquartered private equity fund, has acquired 22.6 percent of FGP TopCo from the same shareholders through a […] December 13, 2024
Analysis Economy The pros and cons for Turkey of a Syrian exodus The end of the civil war in Syria will, at least in time, offer strong economic opportunities for neighbouring Turkey, though there could also be a few unwanted costs coming as part of any peace dividend. On December 10 Turkish officials said they were developing plans to support up to 2 million of the 3.2 […] December 12, 2024
Sustainability Morocco partners with central African nations on EV plan Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia have joined together to develop the infrastructure needed for electric vehicles (EVs), as they strive to lower their dependence on fossil fuels. The three nations will club their resources and experiences to support the development of EV batteries and battery precursors. Developing carbon-free transportation is essential […] December 12, 2024
Opinion Construction Oman’s heritage is at stake as it seeks investors for ‘lavish’ city The growth of Muscat must be handled with sensitivity December 10, 2024
Construction Turkish builders sense opportunity in Syria Turkey’s construction sector is hoping to build on the rubble of the collapsed Assad regime in Syria. There are high expectations that Turkish companies will be in the running to win valuable contracts to replace damaged housing and infrastructure. There were sharp rises in building shares on the Istanbul Stock Exchange on December 9, the […] December 10, 2024
Infrastructure Parsons signs deal to improve Riyadh’s road network US company Parsons Corporation has won a contract to manage the development of Riyadh’s road network, as the Saudi capital city gears up to host Expo 2030 and the Fifa World Cup 2034. The $53-million three-year contract was awarded by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC) to the New York Stock Exchange-listed company, which […] December 10, 2024
Transport Turkish electric vehicle sales up 39% in a year Turkey’s electric vehicle market is expanding rapidly, with sales increasing almost 39 percent year on year as new models become available and supporting infrastructure is put in place. The rise is in contrast to conventional car sales, which are showing modest growth compared to their greener rivals. Turkey is also bucking global trends, which has […] December 9, 2024
Infrastructure Morocco’s rail project secures $14bn funding Morocco’s mega railway expansion plan has attracted more than $14 billion (MAD139.8 billion) in investments from global investors, surpassing its initial funding goal of $8.8 billion, according to media reports. The project, led by the state-run National Railways Office (ONCF), has attracted significant attention due to its strategic importance, local media said citing Akinwumi Adesina, […] December 9, 2024
