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• 
  Egypt seeks consultant for major inland waterway study

  18 November 2025

  Egypt’s Transport Ministry has issued an expressions of interest (EOI) request, through the River Transport Authority, to appoint a consultancy firm for a study on a proposed inland waterway linking Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean.

  The consultant will carry out basin-wide data collection and prepare a strategic environmental and social assessment for the project.

  The assignment includes hydrological, topographic, bathymetric and geotechnical surveys across the Nile Basin.

  The consultancy is expected to run for about 15 months, starting in February or March 2026.

  Firms must submit EOIs by 6 December.

  The study forms part of the Vic-Med project, a multi-country plan to establish a continuous inland waterway from Lake Victoria to the Mediterranean Sea.

  The masterplan project aims to reduce transport costs for landlocked countries and provide a lower-carbon alternative to road freight along the Nile corridor

  The work is part of phase two, part one of the feasibility study, funded through a $2m grant from the New Partnership for Africa's Development – Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD–IPPF), the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) fund for early-stage project development.

  The first phase, completed in July 2019 with $650,000 in AfDB funding, developed the project’s legal and institutional framework and launched two regional inland water transport programmes.

  The second phase, valued at $11.7m, covers updated feasibility studies and expanded technical assessments supporting detailed engineering design and cost-benefit analysis in the next stage. 

  This phase also covers the establishment of a regional operating unit for the project in Cairo.

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  READ THE NOVEMBER 2025 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

  Mena players up the ante in global LNG production race; Investment takes UAE non-oil economy from strength to strength; Project finance activity draws international lenders back to market

  Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the November 2025 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

  > AGENDA 1: Gulf LNG sector enters a new prolific phase > AGENDA 2:  Mena LNG infrastructure spending rises > INDUSTRY REPORT 1: Region sees evolving project finance demand > INDUSTRY REPORT 2: Iraq leads non-GCC project finance activity > PPPs: NCP showcases private sector project opportunities in Saudi Arabia > GREEN STEEL: Abu Dhabi takes the lead in green steel transition > DIGITISATION: Riyadh-based organisation drives digital growth > LEADERSHIP: Saudi Arabia’s housing boom risks leaving citizens behind  > UAE MARKET FOCUS: Investment shapes UAE growth story

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

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  Mark Dowdall
• 
  Kuwait to make decision on four oil pipeline packages

  18 November 2025

  

   

  Kuwait is evaluating bids on four packages for a major pipeline project after prices were submitted earlier this month, according to industry sources.

  The four separate packages cover pipeline work in the north, south, east and west regions of the country, sources said.

  Although the total of all bids submitted by Kuwait-based Alghanim International General Trading & Contracting is the lowest at KD419m ($1.4bn), the company submitted the lowest individual bid on only one package, located in northern Kuwait.

  Its bid for the north Kuwait package was KD149.8m ($488.3m).

  Mechanical Engineering & Construction Company submitted the lowest bids for pipeline work on two packages located in the south and east of the country. 

  Both of these bids were valued at KD97,868,394 ($319m).

  Al-Dar Engineering & Construction Company is the low bidder on the fourth package, for pipe work in western Kuwait, submitting a bid of KD64,825,398 ($211.3m).

  Together, all four contracts are expected to be worth about $1.4bn when awarded.

  The scope of all four packages focuses on developing new flowlines and connecting pipelines for oil-producing wells and water wells.

  In some cases, companies are also required to replace old flowlines.

  The contracts are based on work orders, so when KOC needs to connect wells it will issue a request for work execution, industry sources said. 

  Kuwait is trying to boost project activity in its upstream sector.

  The country’s national oil company, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, is aiming to increase oil production capacity to 4 million barrels a day (b/d) by 2035.

  In August, Kuwait announced that it was producing 3.2 million b/d.

  Earlier this month, KOC said it was planning to spend KD1.2bn ($3.92bn) on its exploration drilling programme through 2030.

  

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  Wil Crisp
• 
  Indian firm wins Oman chemicals project EPC contract

  17 November 2025

  Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

  Indian contractor Nuberg EPC has won a contract to perform engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works on a project to build chlor alkali and calcium chloride plants in Oman for privately-owned Al-Ghaith Chemical Industries.

  The project involves expanding Al-Ghaith’s existing chlor alkali plant in Sur Industrial City, by adding 120 tonnes a day (t/d) of capacity, taking the unit’s total output capacity to 190 t/d. The project also involves building a calcium chloride plant that will have a production capacity of 80 t/d.

  Nuberg EPC said the contract is being executed on a lump sum turnkey basis, with its scope covering design, front-end engineering and design (feed), detailed engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, commissioning and handover.

  Project execution is already under way, with completion targeted within 19 months, Nuberg EPC said.

  The project marks the second phase of Al-Ghaith’s integrated chemicals complex in Sur and represents a first-of-its-kind large-scale chlor alkali expansion in Oman.

  Nuberg EPC also performed EPC works on the original chlor alkali plant, which has a capacity of 70 t/d.

  In addition to the Oman project, Al-Ghaith has, in the previous decade, also brought on board Nuberg EPC for its chlor alkali and calcium chloride plants in Abu Dhabi. Those contracts covered the commissioning of a 60 t/d chlor alkali plant that was later expanded to 120 t/d, and the execution of a 125 t/d calcium chloride plant and a 50 t/d carbon dioxide plant.

  Nuberg EPC has also executed the expansion of a 45 t/d chlor alkali plant and a greenfield 80 t/d calcium chloride plant for Oman Chlorine in Sohar, increasing the total chlor alkali output capacity to 75 t/d.

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  Indrajit Sen
• 
  Bahrain’s willingness to disrupt takes flight with Air Asia

  14 November 2025

  Commentary
  Colin Foreman
  Editor

  As the smallest economy in the GCC, Bahrain has long understood that its competitive edge lies in being agile and prepared to disrupt established economic models.

  This proactive approach began decades ago with the deregulation of its telecoms sector, positioning it ahead of many GCC peers in opening that market. More recently, the same strategic foresight emerged in the fintech space with the early adoption of regulatory sandboxes and a supportive digital finance ecosystem.

  Bahrain’s disruptive lens is now focused on the aviation sector. At the Gateway Gulf investor forum in Manama on 3 November, Bahrain signed a letter of intent with Malaysia-headquartered Capital A Berhad and Air Asia. The agreement covers the establishment of a hub in Bahrain as low-cost carrier Air Asia and its related businesses expand beyond Asia into new markets, including Europe and Africa.

  A hub in Bahrain, which is located to the west of its existing hubs in Asia, will allow Air Asia to connect to the European and African markets, allowing it to develop a network that will be a low-cost alternative to the full-service airlines based in the Gulf that also bridge east and west, including Bahrain’s flag carrier Gulf Air.

  Bahrain and Air Asia will not be competing on scale; instead, they will disrupt with lower prices. This agility will allow the kingdom to carve out a distinctive niche in an otherwise highly competitive market.

  The strategic pivot is made viable by recent, essential capital investment in aviation infrastructure. A new terminal building was opened at Bahrain International airport in 2022. This has significantly increased passenger capacity and modernised operations, creating an attractive platform for a major international low-cost carrier like Air Asia to base its extensive operations.

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  Colin Foreman
• 
  Firms interested in Qiddiya high-speed rail revealed

  14 November 2025

  

   

  Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

  Saudi Arabia's Royal Commission for Riyadh City, in collaboration with Qiddiya Investment Company and the National Centre for Privatisation & PPP, have received interest from over 145 local and international companies for a contract to develop the Qiddiya high-speed rail project in Riyadh.

  These include 68 contracting companies, 23 design and project management consultants, 16 investment firms, 12 rail operators, 10 rolling stock providers and 16 other services firms.

  The lead developers and contractors that have expressed interest are:

  • Afcons Contracting Company / Shapoorji Pallonji (India)
  • Al-Omaier Trading & Contracting (local)
  • Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting Company (local)
  • Al-Rawaf Contracting (local)
  • Al-Ayuni Investment & Contracting Company (local)
  • AlBawani (local)
  • Al-Fahd Company (local)
  • Alghanim International (Kuwait)
  • Alkhorayef Water and Power Technologies (local)
  • Almabani General Contractors (local)
  • Amar (local)
  • Anjal Al-Khair Contracting (local)
  • Aviation Industry Corporation of China (China)
  • Bouygues Travaux Publics (France)
  • China Railway 18th Bureau Group (China)
  • China Harbour Engineering Company (China)
  • Built Industrial Company (local)
  • Cap France (France)
  • China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (China)
  • China Machinery Engineering Corporation (China)
  • China Railway Construction Corporation (China)
  • China Railway International Group Co (China)
  • Copasa (Spain)
  • Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon (India)
  • Dogus Insaat (Turkiye)
  • EDECS Contracting (Egypt)
  • El-Seif Engineering Contracting (local)
  • El-Soadaa Group (Egypt)
  • ElSewedy Electric (Egypt)
  • Esnad Contracting (local)
  • FCC Construccion (Spain)
  • Freyssinet (France)
  • Global Construction Development Solutions Company (local)
  • Gulermak (Turkiye)
  • Hassan Allam Construction (Egypt)
  • Hyundai Engineering & Construction (South Korea)
  • IC Ictas (Turkiye)
  • Imathia Construccion (Spain)
  • Kalyon Insaat (Turkiye)
  • Kolin Construction (Turkiye)
  • Larsen & Toubro (India)
  • Makyol (Turkiye)
  • Mapa Group (Turkiye)
  • Marubeni (Japan)
  • Mofarreh AlHarbi & Partners (local)
  • Mota-Engil (Portugal)
  • Mubarak Abdullah AlSuwaiket & Sons (local)
  • Nesma & Partners (local)
  • Nesma Infrastructure & Technology (local)
  • Nurol Construction (Turkiye)
  • Orascom Construction (Egypt)
  • Saudi Pan Kingdom (local)
  • Redco International (Egypt)
  • Rio Contracting (local) (local)
  • Rowad Modern Engineering (Egypt)
  • Safari Company (local)
  • Saipem (Spain)
  • Salcef (Spain)
  • Samama (local)
  • Samsung C&T Corporation (South Korea)
  • Saraya Al-Andalus (local)
  • Syneox (Cobra) (Spain)
  • The Arab Contractors (Egypt)
  • Twaik Holding (local)
  • UCC Holding (Qatar)
  • Webuild (Italy)
  • Yapı Merkezi (Turkiye)

  Expressions of interest have also been submitted by the following design and project management consultants:

  • Aecom (US)
  • AtkinsRealis (Canada)
  • Ayesa Engineering (Spain)
  • CH2M (USA)
  • Contrax International (UAE)
  • El-Raeid Consulting Engineers (Egypt)
  • Gensler (US)
  • Geoharbour (China)
  • Hatch (Canada)
  • Hill International (US)
  • Idom (Spain)
  • Introsoft Solutions (India)
  • Italferr (Italy)
  • KL Consults Associates (Malaysia)
  • Kunhwa Engineering and Consulting Company (South Korea)
  • Marrs Global (UK)
  • One Works (Italy)
  • PPMDC (local)
  • Rina Services (Italy)
  • Sener (Spain)
  • Surbana Jurong (Singapore)
  • Systra (France)
  • Typsa (Spain)

  Equity investors that expressed interest in the Qiddiya high-speed rail project are:

  • Aberdeen Investcorp (Bahrain)
  • AlGihaz Holding (local)
  • Almutlaq Real Estate Investment Company (local)
  • Arj Holding (local)
  • Foure Holdings (US)
  • Itochu Corporation (Japan)
  • Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation (Kind; South Korea)
  • Lamar Holding (local)
  • Mada International Holding (local)
  • Meritz Financial Group (South Korea)
  • MXB Investment (local)
  • Plenary (Australia)
  • Sojitz (Japan)
  • Tamasuk (local)
  • Vinci Concessions (France)
  • Vision Invest (local)

  The rail operators that submitted expressions of interest are as follows:

  • Alsa Grupo (Spain)
  • Alsaif Transportation Company (local)
  • DB International Operations (Germany)
  • Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (Italy)
  • Intertoll Europe (Hungary)
  • Keolis (France)
  • Moventis (Spain)
  • MTR Corporation (Hong Kong)
  • Ratp Dev (France)
  • Renfe Operadora (Spain)
  • Serco (UK)
  • Transdev (France)

  Interest in the project was also expressed by the following 10 rolling stock and systems suppliers:

  • Alstom (France)
  • CAF (Spain)
  • Colas Rail (France)
  • CRRC (Hong Kong)
  • CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles (China)
  • Hitachi Rail (Japan)
  • Hyundai Rotem (South Korea)
  • Siemens (Germany)
  • Stadler Rail (Switzerland)
  • Talgo (Spain)

  And finally, the other service providers that expressed interest in the project are:

  • Al-Nasser (local)
  • Alutec (Qatar)
  • Alvarez & Marsal (US)
  • Comatec (Finland)
  • Concrete Technology Company (UAE)
  • Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie (Italy)
  • Hogan Lovells (UK)
  • Indra (Spain)
  • Intellex Consulting Services (US)
  • International SOS (UK)
  • Najd Wire Industries Company (local)
  • Rawasi Albina (local)
  • Smart Directions (local)
  • STC (local)
  • Workforce Staffing Solutions (UAE)
  • Zebraware (UK)

  The firms submitted their expressions of interest on 12 October, as MEED reported.

  The clients issued the notice to the market in September.

  The Qiddiya high-speed rail project will connect King Salman International airport and King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh with Qiddiya City.

  Also known as Q-Express, the railway line will travel at speeds of up to 250 kilometres an hour, reaching Qiddiya in 30 minutes.

  The project was previously planned to be developed under a conventional model, but will now progress under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

  The line is expected to be developed in two phases. The first phase will connect Qiddiya with KAFD and King Khalid International airport.

  The second phase will start from a development known as the North Pole – which is understood to include the Public Investment Fund’s proposed 2-kilometre-tall tower – and travel to the New Murabba development, King Salman Park, central Riyadh and Industrial City in the south of Riyadh. 

  In November 2023, MEED reported that French consultant Egis had been appointed as the technical adviser for the project.

  UK-based consultancy Ernst & Young is acting as the transaction adviser on the project. Latham & Watkins is the legal adviser.

  Qiddiya is one of Saudi Arabia’s five official gigaprojects and covers a total area of 376 square kilometres (sq km), with 223 sq km of developed land. 

  

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  Yasir Iqbal