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• 
  Ambitious projects rebrand engineering

  20 May 2024

  

   

  Over the past two decades, the Middle East has undergone a significant transformation driven by rapid urbanisation, economic diversification and geopolitical dynamics. The region has emerged as a global hub for trade, investment and innovation, with infrastructure playing a central role in facilitating this growth.

  According to Pierre Santoni, president of Europe, Middle East and Africa for Parsons Corporation, ongoing infrastructure investment has created a market that continues to offer strong growth opportunities for the construction industry.

  “Parsons is one of the oldest firms operating in the Middle East, which is a growing and well-funded market, with a team that is executing at a high level and our company has continued to make investments to drive growth in the business,” he says.

  “We had an outstanding fourth quarter and full year in 2023 with record results for total revenue, organic revenue growth, adjusted Ebitda and operating cash flow, as well as major contract awards in countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.”

  Changing focus

  The region’s transformation has led to an adjustment in priorities as pressure on existing infrastructure mounts, he notes.

  In the UAE, the focus in the early 2000s was primarily on developing landmarks and megaprojects that showcased the region’s ambition and prosperity. This era saw the construction of iconic structures such as the Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa and, more recently, Etihad Rail, symbolising the country’s aggressive development plans.

  Over recent years, there has been a shift towards more sustainable and resilient infrastructure development, with the UAE government prioritising investments in transportation, utilities and smart city initiatives to enhance residents' quality of life and improve mobility and infrastructure.

  “The demographic trends, including rapid population growth and urbanisation, are placing strain on existing infrastructure networks, necessitating investments in expansion and modernisation,” says Santoni.

  Robust infrastructure is required to support the regional government’s economic diversification efforts, which are driving investment and growth in sectors such as tourism, technology and renewable energy. This includes the development of new highways, ports and transportation systems to facilitate trade and tourism.

  “The UAE has outlined a stable investment programme that includes the development of large transportation and construction schemes,” says Santoni. “We are working with the Abu Dhabi government on Plan Capital 2040 and it promises tremendous growth opportunities for Parsons.”

  Dubai also offers opportunities for growth due to the property market boom and the government’s plans for new infrastructure projects. 

  “Government spending in Dubai has accelerated post-Covid. There is a renewed optimism in the market through large-scale infrastructure projects and major real estate schemes,” Santoni adds.

  “Parsons is working closely with some of the major real estate developers in Dubai, such as Emaar and Dubai Properties.”

  Santoni says that although the market has a strong pipeline of upcoming projects, there will also be a focus on improving the infrastructure that already exists.

  “There is a lot of focus on improving the existing infrastructure; hence, we have added operations and maintenance services into our portfolio.”

  Beyond the UAE

  The UAE is just part of Parsons’ work in the GCC. It also has a significant presence elsewhere in the GCC, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The company has been operating in Saudi Arabia for over 65 years and is working on a wide range of major programmes in the country, including The Line at Neom, Riyadh Sports Boulevard, King Salman International Park and Diriyah Gate, among others.

  Santoni says, “Saudi Arabia is the fastest growing market globally and is a key market for us. The Vision 2030 projects are a driving force for much of our business in the kingdom and we expect robust growth in coming years.”

  “We are investing significantly in enhancing our engineering capabilities catering to the Saudi market,” he adds.

  The firm has also played a key role in delivering major infrastructure development schemes in Qatar, including for the 2022 World Cup. After a strong decade during the build-up to the event, Parsons worked on several other major schemes in the country, such as the Doha Metro, Qatar Rail, Seef Lusail, Hamad International airport expansion and Pearl Qatar.

  Santoni expects Qatar’s growth to be more reserved over the next few years as the country develops a new long-term strategic development plan.

  Attracting talent

  With so many projects proceeding, the challenge for engineering companies such as Parsons is attracting talent.

  “We have done a lot over the years to make Parsons an employer of choice for Saudi and UAE nationals, and we’re making significant investments in training and retention programmes to continue offering outstanding career opportunities,” says Santoni.

  Construction now has to compete with other industries such as technology and IT, which are often considered more exciting places to work. 

  Santoni says that this may change in the future as the world realises that there is an infrastructure gap that needs bridging with new and exciting projects, especially in the Middle East region. 

  “Many people have left the industry over the past few decades, but with the planned infrastructure projects, engineering is starting to look cool again.”

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  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  UAE forms EV joint venture

  20 May 2024

  Two government entities in the UAE have formed a company, UAEV, to develop electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the country.

  The joint venture aims to provide fast and affordable charging infrastructure, said Sharif Salim Al Olama, undersecretary for energy and petroleum affairs at the of Energy & Infrastructure Ministry.

  Al Olama is chairman of the newly formed joint venture.

  Etihad Water & Electricity (Etihad WE), the partner for the joint venture, provides utility services in the UAE's northern emirates.

  Etihad WE CEO Yousif Ahmed Al Ali is a board member of UAEV.

  "Our intention is for the first UAEV charging points to be operational this year," said Al Olama during the launch of the company at the ongoing Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit in Abu Dhabi.

  MEED understands the company aims to install 100 EV chargers across the UAE by the end of the year, starting in the Northern Emirates of Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Sharjah.

  UAEV also plans to invest in similar infrastructure in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

  It expects to roll out 1,000 charging stations by 2030.

  The company aims to set up several tiers of EV charging stations.

  The initial tier caters to locations such as mosques and supermarkets, while another set of chargers will be installed in parking areas and on streets to ensure that drivers can top up their batteries whenever necessary.

  UAEV also aims to build what it calls "EV hubs", catering to cities and larger communities with wider services.

  UAEV will use fast and ultra-fast charging solutions to accelerate EV adoption. "We will provide advanced charging options to make EV ownership more appealing," said Al Ali.

  The initial phase of the infrastructure rollout will cater to passenger vehicles.

  Plans could extend the services to commercial vehicles and maritime fleets, as well as potentially providing hydrogen fuel to trucks and other types of fleet.

  Al Olama confirmed that discussions are under way to unify EV charging tariffs between the emirates.

  "This partnership is part of a clear mandate to deliver green mobility. There is a great potential and need from end-users," Al Olama said. "It is also an important step to help meet the UAE net-zero target by 2050."

  ---

  MEED's April 2024 special report on the UAE includes:

  > COMMENT: UAE rides high on non-oil boom
  > GVT & ECONOMY: Non-oil activity underpins UAE economy
  > BANKING: UAE banks seize the moment
  > UPSTREAM: Adnoc oil and gas project spending sees steep uptick
  > DOWNSTREAM: UAE builds its downstream and chemical sectors
  > POWER: UAE marks successful power project deliveries
  > WATER: Dubai tunnels project dominates UAE pipeline
  > DUBAI CONSTRUCTION: Dubai real estate boosts construction sector
  > ABU DHABI CONSTRUCTION: Abu Dhabi makes major construction investments

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11792353/main4504.jpg

  Jennifer Aguinaldo
• 
  WTTCO conducts Ras Mohaisen pipeline study

  20 May 2024

  

   

  State-backed Water Transmission & Technologies Company (WTTCO) is undertaking a feasibility study for the preferred procurement model and project structure for the contract to build or develop Saudi Arabia's water transmission pipeline project linking Ras Mohaisen, Al Baha and Mecca.

  The responsibility to procure the project has been transferred from Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC), which planned to implement the project on a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis, to WTTCO.

  The final procurement model for the scheme will be decided once the feasibility project is completed, according to a source close to the project.

  The 300-kilometre water transmission scheme linking Ras Mohaisen, Al Baha and Mecca will have the capacity to transmit up to 400,000 cubic metres a day (cm/d) of water.

  In February 2022, SWPC prequalified the following 13 companies for the contract to develop the project:

  • Abdul Aziz Al Ajlan Sons Company for Commercial & Real Estate Investment (local)
  • Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa, UAE)
  • Al Bawani Water & Power (local)
  • Al Yamama Company (local)
  • China Gezhouba Group Overseas Investment Company (China)
  • China Harbour Engineering Company
  • Cobra Instalaciones y Servicios (Spain)
  • Gulf Investment Corporation (Kuwait)
  • Marubeni Corporation (Japan)
  • Mutlaq Al Ghowairi Company (local)
  • Mowah Company (local)
  • Utico (UAE)
  • Vision International Invest Company (local)

  The project aligns with the kingdom's National Water Strategy 2030, which aims to reduce the water demand-supply gap and have desalinated water account for 90% of the national urban supply to reduce reliance on non-renewable ground sources.

  The transaction advisory team for the first four independent water transmission pipeline projects in Saudi Arabia, which previously included the Ras Mohaisen project, comprised India's Synergy Consulting as financial adviser and the local Amer Al Amr and Germany's Fichtner Consulting as legal and technical advisers, respectively.

  ---

  MEED's April 2024 special report on Saudi Arabia includes:

  > GVT & ECONOMY: Saudi Arabia seeks diversification amid regional tensions
  > BANKING: Saudi lenders gear up for corporate growth
  > UPSTREAM: Aramco spending drawdown to jolt oil projects
  > DOWNSTREAM: Master Gas System spending stimulates Saudi downstream sector
  > POWER: Riyadh to sustain power spending
  > WATER: Growth inevitable for the Saudi water sector
  > CONSTRUCTION: Saudi gigaprojects propel construction sector
  > TRANSPORT: Saudi Arabia’s transport sector offers prospects

   

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11791400/main.jpg

  Jennifer Aguinaldo
• 
  UAE plans nationwide EV charging network

  20 May 2024

  The UAE plans to increase electric vehicle (EV) adoption through the installation of a robust charging network linking the seven emirates.

  "The government is collaborating with private sector partners to make this plan a reality," said Sharif Salim Al Olama, undersecretary for energy and petroleum affairs at the Energy & Infrastructure Ministry, at the ongoing Electric Vehicle Innovation Summit in Abu Dhabi.

  There is also a plan to install EV chargers at the UAE's border with Saudi Arabia. “We aim to increase the scale and adoption by raising EV share [of cars on the UAE road] to 50% by 2050,” Al Olama said.

  “Achieving this target requires investment in infrastructure, collaboration with all stakeholders in the supply chain, and adopting and promoting innovation.”

  The government executive highlighted that greener mobility is crucial to the UAE's net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

  "Our all-inclusive decarbonisation drive includes the adoption and promotion of green mobility, with transport being one of the biggest global greenhouse gas emitters," said Al Olama.

  Photo: Lucid car model on display at Evis 2024

  Related read: Electric vehicles have a long way to go

  ---

  MEED's April 2024 special report on the UAE includes:

  > COMMENT: UAE rides high on non-oil boom
  > GVT & ECONOMY: Non-oil activity underpins UAE economy
  > BANKING: UAE banks seize the moment
  > UPSTREAM: Adnoc oil and gas project spending sees steep uptick
  > DOWNSTREAM: UAE builds its downstream and chemical sectors
  > POWER: UAE marks successful power project deliveries
  > WATER: Dubai tunnels project dominates UAE pipeline
  > DUBAI CONSTRUCTION: Dubai real estate boosts construction sector
  > ABU DHABI CONSTRUCTION: Abu Dhabi makes major construction investments

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11791023/main.jpg

  Jennifer Aguinaldo
• 
  LIVE WEBINAR: Economic challenges and opportunities in the GCC

  20 May 2024

  Register now

  Agenda:

  • How has the GCC projects market evolved over the past decade?
  • What are the key lessons learned for the region's projects market?
  • What are the economic drivers for development?
  • Priority projects and sectors for the next 5-10 years
  • Future challenges and uncertainty
  • Q&A

  Time: Tuesday 21 May 2024 at 2:00 PM GST

  Hosted by: Colin Foreman, editor of MEED

  Colin Foreman is editor and a specialist construction journalist for news and analysis on MEED.com and the MEED Business Review magazine. He has been reporting on the region since 2003, specialising in the construction sector and its impact on the broader economy. He has reported exclusively on a wide range of projects across the region including Dubai Metro, the Burj Khalifa, Jeddah Airport, Doha Metro, Hamad International airport and Yas Island. Before joining MEED, Colin reported on the construction sector in the Middle East and Hong Kong.

  David Clifton, regional director·at AtkinsRealis

  Click here to register

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/11791886/main.gif

  Colin Foreman