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  Read the September 2025 MEED Business Review

  3 September 2025

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  Doha announced in late July that it will bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. For Qatar, the world’s biggest multi-sport event offers another chance to redefine its economy after the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

  MEED’s September issue Agenda section takes an in-depth look at Doha’s Olympics bid – which, if successful, will make the Qatari capital the first city in the Middle East and North Africa to host the games, reinforcing its position as a global hub for major sporting events.

  With its infrastructure largely in place and a proven track record of hosting international events, Qatar is well-positioned from a logistical standpoint. Time will tell if Doha will be able to extend the country’s World Cup experience into more lasting and sustainable tourism gains. 

  This month’s market focus covers Kuwait, where parliamentary suspension has delivered key reforms, but broader challenges for the country now loom.

  MEED’s latest issue also includes a report on the Middle East and North Africa's downstream industry, with state energy producers and private players poised to increase and diversify chemicals production. 

  This issue is bursting with analysis. The team examines Syria’s plans for post-war reconstruction; looks at how sports stadiums are now the main event for Saudi construction; and discovers why the Middle East is set to be a growth leader for global construction. 

  Also in the September issue, Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and managing director of DP World GCC, outlines how Dubai’s sea-air logistics model is helping to power resilient trade. Meanwhile, in this month’s legal column, we learn how a new law will reshape Dubai construction.

  We hope our valued subscribers enjoy the September 2025 issue of MEED Business Review. 

  

   

  Must-read sections in the September 2025 issue of MEED Business Review include:

  > AGENDA: 
  > Qatar banks on infrastructure for Olympic bid
  > Olympics bid aims to extend tourism gains

  > CURRENT AFFAIRS:
  > Syria charts post-war reconstruction course

  INDUSTRY REPORT: Downstream > Regional chemicals spending set to soar > Adnoc set to become a chemicals major

  > SAUDI STADIUMS: Stadiums become main event for Saudi construction

  > CONSTRUCTION: Middle East to be a growth leader for global construction

  > LEADERSHIP: Dubai’s sea-air logistics model powers resilient trade

  > LEGAL: Dubai's new law aims to reshape construction

  > KUWAIT MARKET REPORT: 
  > GOVERNMENT: Kuwait looks to capitalise on consolidation of power
  > ECONOMY: Kuwait aims for investment to revive economy
  > BANKING: Change is coming for Kuwait’s banks
  > OIL & GAS: Kuwaiti oil activity rising after parliament suspension
  > POWER & WATER: Signs of project progress for Kuwait's power and water sector
  > CONSTRUCTION: Momentum builds in Kuwait construction

  > MEED COMMENTS: 
  > Riyadh Metro Line 2 is a bellwether for Saudi construction
  > Investment secured by Aramco for Jafurah is critical
  > PV expansion depends on more robust storage
  > Syria's new deals do not guarantee a safe rebuild

  > GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf projects market expands

  > JULY 2025 CONTRACTS: Awards activity picks up to 2024 levels

  > ECONOMIC DATA: Data drives regional projects

  > OPINION: Saudi Arabia’s new season of fruitfulness

  > BUSINESS OUTLOOK: Finance, oil and gas, construction, power and water contracts

  To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here

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  MEED Editorial
• 
  Contractors submit bids for Safaniya offshore field expansion

  3 September 2025

  

  Contractors in Saudi Aramco’s pool of offshore engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) service providers have submitted bids for three tenders representing the next phase of infrastructure expansion at the Safaniya offshore oil field development in Saudi Arabia.

  The tenders are numbered 154, 155 and 156 on Aramco’s Contract Release and Purchase Order (CRPO) system.

  Offshore LTA contractors submitted bids for CRPOs 154, 155 and 156 by the deadline of 31 August, according to sources.

  The Saudi energy giant issued these CRPOs to its offshore LTA contractors in February, with an initial bid submission deadline of 31 July. Aramco later extended the deadline to 28 August, and then again to 31 August, sources told MEED.

  The brief scope of EPCI work on the three tenders is as follows:

  CRPO 154:

  EPCI of a water injection tie-in platform; two production deck modules (PDMs)/wellhead platforms; associated pipelines; hook-ups; and subsea valve skids

  CRPO 155:

  EPCI of four PDMs; intra-field and main trunklines to shore; and jackets

  CRPO 156:

  EPCI of a 48-inch trunkline covering a distance of 62 kilometres from the Safaniya offshore oil field to the onshore processing facility; plus hook-ups and associated structures.

  Aramco intends to award the EPCI contracts for CRPOs 154, 155 and 156 in January next year, as per sources.

  The oil giant's LTA pool of offshore service providers comprises the following entities:

  • Saipem (Italy)
  • McDermott International (US)
  • Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon (LTEH, India) / Subsea7 (UK)
  • NMDC Energy (UAE)
  • Lamprell (UAE/Saudi Arabia)
  • China Offshore Oil Engineering Company 
  • Dynamic Industries (US)
  • Sapura Energy (Malaysia)
  • TechnipFMC (France) / MMHE (Malaysia)
  • Hyundai Heavy Industries (South Korea)

  Aramco renewed its LTAs in April with the following contractors, whose contracts had either lapsed or were close to expiry:

  • Saipem
  • McDermott International
  • Larsen & Toubro Energy Hydrocarbon / Subsea7
  • NMDC Energy
  • Lamprell
  • China Offshore Oil Engineering Company

  In addition to advancing the project to expand infrastructure at the Safaniya offshore oil field development, MEED recently reported that Aramco is also progressing with a separate project to build onshore surface facilities aimed at boosting the field’s productivity.

  Contractors have been given deadlines of 24 October and 7 November to submit technical and commercial bids for the Safaniya onshore surface facilities project.

  Offshore contract awards rebound

  Concerns had grown in Saudi Arabia’s offshore market as EPCI contract awards stalled earlier this year.

  Aramco spent a record $5bn on offshore EPCI contracts in 2024 and was expected to exceed that in 2025. However, it awarded no CRPOs in the first half of the year, fuelling concern among contractors and suppliers.

  In July, Aramco eased speculation by selecting contractors for five CRPOs – numbers 150, 157, 158, 159 and 160 – worth over $3bn. These involve EPCI work and infrastructure upgrades at the Abu Safah, Berri, Manifa, Marjan and Zuluf offshore fields.

  Furthermore, Aramco picked contractors for four more CRPOs that are part of a large-scale project to expand infrastructure at the Zuluf offshore field development. The tenders are CRPOs 145, 146, 147 and 148, and their combined value is estimated to be almost $6bn.

  With these contract awards, Aramco has almost doubled its capex on offshore projects this year compared to 2024, marking yet another year of robust upstream project spending.

  Looking ahead, Aramco is evaluating bids it has received for a total of seven key tenders in July and August.

  In addition to CRPOs 154, 155 and 156, those tenders are CRPO 161, which broadly covers the EPCI of four gas jackets at the Arabiyah, Hasbah and Karan fields, and CRPOs 162, 163 and 164, which relate to the EPCI of key infrastructure at the Abu Safah, Berri, Karan, Marjan and Safaniya fields.

  

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  Indrajit Sen
• 
  Saudi seeks contractors for $1.8bn Olympics-style stadium

  3 September 2025

  

   

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  Saudi Arabia has begun the procurement process for an estimated SR7bn ($1.8bn) contract to develop the kingdom’s next major sporting destination.

  MEED understands that Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has received expressions of interest from contractors to build what is referred to as the National Athletics Stadium.

  The client has scheduled further clarification meetings with prospective bidders in the coming weeks.

  The multipurpose stadium will cover an area of approximately 182,000 square metres and is being benchmarked against the design of the London Olympic Stadium.

  UK-based firm HOK is the project’s lead design consultant. It is supported by Canadian engineering firm WSP and Germany’s Schlaich Bergermann Partner.

  UK-headquartered WT Partnership is serving as the project’s cost consultant.

  The stadium will be located within the Qiddiya Sports Park cluster and is expected to be completed by 2030.

  In December 2020, Saudi Arabia was selected to host the 2034 Asian Games. The 22nd edition of the event will be held in Riyadh from 29 November to 14 December 2034.

  Saudi Arabia is also set to host the Asian Winter Games in 2029. In October 2022, the Trojena development at Neom, in the northwest of the country, was selected to host the ninth edition of the event.

  Qiddiya projects

  QIC is ramping up its construction efforts at the development. In October last year, MEED exclusively reported that QIC had started construction work on Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium in Qiddiya City.

  A joint venture of FCC Construction and Nesma & Partners won the contract, which covers the construction of a multipurpose stadium on top of the 200-metre-high Tuwaiq cliff in the sports and entertainment district of Qiddiya City.

  QIC has also achieved key construction milestones on several schemes that are in the execution phase at the development.

  In an update on its website, QIC said that the overall construction works on the Six Flags Qiddiya City project have reached 89% completion, while the Aquarabia theme park is at 84% and the golf courses are at 77%.

  The construction of the development’s first bridge, which spans about 1 kilometre, has been completed.

  The Qiddiya entertainment city project is one of Saudi Arabia’s five official gigaprojects, covering 360 square kilometres.

  Contractors have also submitted bids for the contract to build the performing arts centre at Qiddiya Entertainment City.

  The centre will have over 3,000 seats across three theatres. It will also include a cantilevered amphitheatre overlooking Qiddiya City’s lower plateau, with a 500-seat venue suspended from above.

  The project is a key part of Riyadh’s strategy to boost leisure tourism in the kingdom. According to GlobalData, leisure tourism in Saudi Arabia has experienced significant growth in recent years.

  Domestic leisure tourism trips increased to 33.76 million in 2023 from 16.74 million in 2018. International tourist arrivals for recreational purposes increased by 600% from 2018 to 2023.

  

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  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  Partners achieve financial close on $4bn Saudi power plants

  3 September 2025

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  Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa), Japan’s Jera and Saudi Arabia-based AlBawani have reached financial close on two greenfield combined-cycle gas turbine power plants in Riyadh and the Eastern Province.

  The projects, Rumah 2 and Al-Nairyah 2, will deliver a combined capacity of 3.6GW.

  The plants represent a $4bn (AED14.7bn) investment and will be developed on a build-own-operate basis.

  The consortium has signed two 25-year power purchase agreements with Saudi Power Procurement Company, under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy.

  Financing was secured from a consortium of regional and international banks through senior debt and equity bridge loans. Senior debt leverage exceeds 80%, reflecting lender confidence in the projects.

  Participating banks include Al-Rajhi Bank, Riyad Bank, Saudi Awwal Bank, Saudi National Bank, Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Bank of China and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

  Last November, MEED exclusively revealed that Harbin Electric International had been awarded the engineering, procurement and construction contracts. The firm won the contracts as part of a joint venture with China Tiesiju Civil Engineering Group.

  In March, MEED reported that Germany-based Siemens Energy had been awarded a $1.6bn contract to supply six SGT6-9000HL gas turbines, four SST6-5000 steam turbines, eight SGen6-3000W generators, two SGen6-2000P generators and associated auxiliary equipment for each site.

  The deal includes long-term maintenance agreements to support the plants’ operational reliability over the next 25 years.

  Construction work on both projects has commenced and will be undertaken through special purpose entities owned by Taqa (49%), Jera (31%) and AlBawani (20%). Operation and maintenance will be carried out by companies set up under the same shareholding arrangement.

  Construction on both projects is scheduled to be completed in 2028.

  

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  Mark Dowdall
• 
  SSH to supervise Dubai Expo residences construction

  3 September 2025

  Dubai-based firm SSH has announced that it is working as the main works supervision consultant for the Sky Residences project in Expo City Dubai.

  The project is located on a plot adjacent to the Expo 2020 Dubai site.

  Main construction works are currently under way and are being carried out by local contractor Abr Al-Mutawassit Contracting Company.

  The development is expected to feature 419 residential units, ranging from one- to three-bedroom apartments.

  In addition to SSH, local firm DP Architects is acting as the design consultant for the project.

  Expo City Dubai launched its residential projects at the Expo 2020 site in March 2023. 

  These include Expo Central, comprising three clusters of buildings known as Mangrove Residences, Sidra Residences and Sky Residences. The villa community is named Expo Valley.

  Dubai announced in June 2022 that the expo site would be transitioned into a mixed-use district known as Expo City Dubai.

  Nearly 80% of the built assets are being retained, including landmarks such as Al-Wasl Plaza, the Garden in the Sky observation deck, the Surreal water feature, the Terra Sustainability Pavilion and the Mobility Pavilion.

  

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  Yasir Iqbal