Monthly Archives: September 2013


Kingdom becoming key champion of free trade and investment

Saudi Arabia’s inclusion in the G20 reflects its growing stature as a leading global hydrocarbons producer as well as a heavyweight in the strategically important Middle East-North Africa economy. The dual underpinnings of the Kingdom’s stature are likely to remain in place for a long time. At the same time, rapid population growth and massive […]


GCC traffic infrastructure projects at USD109b

DUBAI – Ongoing roads and bridges developments across the GCC are currently valued at $109 billion according to the most recent figures from business advisory and research firm, Ventures Middle East. The UAE, second worldwide for roads quality in the latest Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report, has investments worth $58 billion in the pipeline for […]


KSA electric power investment seen at SAR300 bn by 2020

JEDDAH – Saudi Arabia plans to invest more than SR300 billion in electric power sector by the end of 2020, with the aim of increasing production capacity, development of transport networks and stations, and all associated systems, Sawary Energy Vice President Sami Akeel said in a press statement Monday. Noting the great challenges faced by […]


Saudi ports’ revenues exceed SAR4 bn

Profits for the General Organization for Ports in the past fiscal year 1433/1434H exceeded SR4 billion, representing an increase of SR800 million from the previous fiscal year. Meanwhile, the container sector has witnessed an increase in the capacity of ports, from 5 million TEUs in 2008 to 12 million TEUs in 2012. A report of […]


Call for linking of industrial cities with rail networks, gas pipelines

The Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CSCCI) has urged the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to link industrial cities with gas lines and rail networks in the Kingdom. Members of the CSC made their request during a meeting with Walid Abu-Khalid, undersecretary to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry , in Riyadh last week. Saad Al-Moajil, […]


Saudi IT market to surpass USD12.4bn by 2016

The 3rd Annual IDC CIO Summit kicks off its activities in Jeddah JEDDAH – The Saudi IT market, which is the largest in the Middle East totaled $1billion in 2012, and is expected to surpass $12.4 billion by 2016, according to International Data Corporation (IDC). IDC, the world’s premier IT and communication market intelligence brought […]


SBG to build Damac luxury housing project in Riyadh

JEDDAH – Dubai real estate developer Damac Properties has handedSaudi Binladin Group ( SBG ) a SR353 million ($96 million) to construct a luxury housing project located on King Fahad Road, Riyadh. The work will be completed by Binladin subsidiary Haramain Gate for Construction, the main construction contract for Damac’s Esclusiva Luxury Serviced Apartments. The 150m tower will include 100 […]


‘Public spend drive to lead Qatar construction boom’

Despite concerns about long lead-times for many of the planned projects across the country and the potential for rising construction costs, Business Monitor International (BMI) has maintained an “overall bullish” outlook for Qatar’s construction sector. “A strong commitment to public spending coupled with the most attractive and stable business environment in the region will help […]


Over OMR275m electricity transmission projects under way

MUSCAT — To enhance the flow of electricity supply in all governorates of the Sultanate, Oman Electricity Transmission Company is currently carrying out projects worth RO 275 million, including new power stations and expansions of existing stations. Ali Al Haddabi, CEO of Oman Electricity Transmission Company , said that work will begin shortly on the setting up of Al […]


Over 1,300-kms of major new road projects under study

Muscat: The Sultanate’s Ministry of Transport and Communications is conducting studies to build major roads as well as dualisation work of existing roads with a total length of over 1,300 kilometres in different parts of the country. These roads include a 200km-long new road between Al Mazyunah and Sheit, 150-km-Metan-Al Hashman-Al Shasr road, 715-km-long dualisation […]