Related Articles

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  Riyadh seeks contractors for Expo Icon structure

  22 July 2026

  

   

  Expo 2030 Riyadh Company (ERC), which is tasked with delivering the Expo 2030 Riyadh venue, has asked contractors to express interest in the construction of the Icon, one of the key landmarks at the site.

  The structure will be located at the entrance of the Expo 2030 Riyadh site, within the Collaboration Precinct.

  ERC issued the expressions of interest notice on 20 July. The deadline for submissions of interest is 23 July.

  The structure will be connected to the metro station and will serve as a gateway to the event.

  It will be 66 metres tall and will comprise an observation platform, food and beverage outlets and other features.

  The total built-up area will be approximately 16,279 square metres and it will be able to accommodate more than 1,450 visitors an hour during the event.

  The contract duration is 29 months from the start of construction.

  ERC tendered the contract for the construction of the Saudi Arabia pavilion at the site in May.

  The pavilion is a major asset located within the venue's KSA District, on the eastern side of the Expo 2030 Riyadh masterplan, within the Loop of Nations district.

  Construction progress

  The tendering of the pavilion structure followed swift progress on the site’s infrastructure development works.

  In April, ERC awarded two contracts for the next phase of infrastructure works at the site to local firm Al-Yamama Company.

  The scope covered the construction of road networks and infrastructure for water, sewage, electricity, telecommunications and electric vehicle charging.

  These awards followed ERC’s January award of an estimated SR1bn ($267m) contract for initial infrastructure works at the site to local firm Nesma & Partners. That scope covered about 50 kilometres of integrated infrastructure networks, including internal roads and essential utilities such as water, sewage, electrical and communications systems, and electric vehicle charging stations.

  The overall infrastructure works – covering the construction of main utilities and civil works at Expo 2030 Riyadh – are split into three packages:

  • Lot 1 covers the main utilities corridor;
  • Lot 2 includes the northern cluster of the nature corridor;
  • Lot 3 comprises the southern cluster of the nature corridor. 

  The masterplan encompasses an area of 6 square kilometres, making it one of the largest sites ever designated for a World Expo event. Situated to the north of the Saudi capital, the site will be located near the future King Salman International airport and will provide direct access to landmarks within Riyadh.

  The Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth vehicle, launched ERC – a wholly owned subsidiary – in June 2025 to build and operate facilities for Expo 2030.

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  READ THE JULY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

  Stress test for Gulf aviation; Mixed performance as country outlooks diverge in the Levant; GCC tourism sector pivots from crisis to recovery mode.

  Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the July 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

  > AGENDA: Gulf aviation ambitions face uncertain future > AIRPORTS: Dubai and Riyadh reaffirm airport ambitions > MARKET FOCUS: Levant recovers in three speeds  > INDUSTRY REPORT: Dubai eyes tourism sector recovery > INTERVIEW: EtihadWE prepares roadmap for future projects  > PROJECTS MARKET: Mena project momentum holds despite conflict  > DATA CENTRES: Big Tech falls short on data centre promise > SAVINGS: Retirement creates multibillion-dollar opportunity for region   > LEADERSHIP: Aramco’s citizen developers accelerate digital change

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

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  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  EtihadWE tenders $150m Ajman substation project

  21 July 2026

  The UAE’s Etihad Water & Electricity (EtihadWE) has tendered a contract to build three new substations in Ajman.

  Estimated to cost $150m, the project involves the construction of three new 132/11kV substations in the Bahya, Rumaila and Liwara districts. It also includes associated 132kV underground cabling works to connect the substations to the existing transmission network.

  The bid submission deadline is 10 August.

  According to tender documents, the project will add distribution capacity to support load growth and improve the security of electricity supply in the emirate.

  The scope of work includes site preparation, construction of three substation buildings and foundations, installation of 132kV GIS/AIS switchgear, 132/11kV power transformers and 11kV switchgear, as well as protection, control, Scada and telecommunications systems.

  Etihad WE is responsible for electricity and water services in Ajman, Umm Al-Quwain, Ras Al-Khaimah, Fujairah and parts of Sharjah. The utility has been investing in new substations and transmission infrastructure as electricity demand continues to increase across the Northern Emirates.

  This includes a 132/33/11kV substation project on Al-Marjan Island in Ras Al-Khaimah. Construction work is ongoing on the project, with Maetal Dubai serving as the main contractor.

  EtihadWE is also finalising a new masterplan that will cover network capacity requirements and expansion priorities for the next 10 to 15 years.

  In June, Abdulla Al-Khemeiri, chief operations officer, told MEED: “We are currently reviewing it, and we need to obtain shareholder approval first. Once it is approved, it will be released, hopefully by the end of the year.” 

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17710661/main.jpg

  Mark Dowdall
• 
  Seven seeks contractors for Dammam water park and hotel

  21 July 2026

  

   

  Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, is preparing to shortlist general contractors for the main construction package of its Dammam Water Park & Hotel project in the Al-Hamra district.

  The waterfront development sits on a 324,300-square-metre (sq m) plot.

  A notice was issued to contractors in July, and the client is expected to finalise the shortlist by the end of this month.

  Seven is seeking firms capable of delivering a lump-sum, turnkey solution for both the water park and a 321-key lifestyle hotel. Construction is expected to take 24 months from contract award.

  The water park is designed around five themed zones and will feature what is billed as the world’s first double-tornado/triple-wave waterslide.

  The park will include 21 major rides and attractions, 21 food and beverage outlets, 66 cabanas, parking for 1,100 vehicles and a daily peak capacity of 4,500 guests.

  Slide procurement has already been completed directly by Seven. The selected contractor will be responsible for locally sourcing slide towers, integrating them with rockwork and secondary steel, and installing the units.

  Detailed design and issued-for-construction packages are complete.

  Marine works, piling, dewatering and site utilities are being progressed separately by the existing early works contractor.

  The hotel component covers roughly 31,700 sq m of gross floor area and will offer 321 guest rooms, four F&B outlets, spa and wellness facilities, a family pool, and meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition space.

  The new contractor’s scope includes superstructure concrete works, façade and roof works, mechanical, electrical and plumbing, interior fit-out and landscaping.

  Seven will consider only contractors with demonstrated experience delivering water parks with complex aquatics, theming and rockwork – either directly or through clearly defined subcontractor partnerships – along with a track record in high-end turnkey hotel fit-outs.

  Construction of Seven’s Dammam entertainment complex is currently under way. In October 2023, Saudi Binladin Group won contracts worth around SR5bn ($1.3bn) from Seven to build two entertainment destinations in the Dammam and Al-Khobar areas of the Kingdom’s Eastern Province.

  The Al-Khobar entertainment complex is being built on reclaimed waterfront land. The complex spans around 300,000 sq m and is also known as ‘The Waves’.

  The Dammam entertainment complex spans 360,000 sq m and is being built on reclaimed land on the Dammam waterfront.

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17710096/main.jpg

  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  Al-Ula appoints equestrian village early works contractor

  21 July 2026

  

   

  Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for Al-Ula (RCU) has awarded a contract for early construction works at the Al-Muatadil Equestrian Village.

  The contract was awarded to Al-Khobar-based Al-Shalawi International Company.

  Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRealis is the project management consultant. UK-headquartered Baker Wilkins & Smith and local firm Al-Hoty Company are the cost consultants.

  Dubai-based SSH is the supervision consultant, and UK-based Hopkins Architects is the lead design consultant.

  RCU announced the project plans in March 2023, including the development of an equestrian hub with two arenas that can accommodate 5,000 and 1,400 spectators, respectively.

  The venue will also include grass polo, sand polo and endurance facilities, with capacities of 600, 400 and 600 seats, respectively.

  These facilities will be complemented by visitor amenities, two stable compounds with capacity for 740 horses, and accommodation and retail outlets for event participants and workers.

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/17710170/main.jpeg

  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  Contractors await decision on Riyadh airport sewage plant

  21 July 2026

  

   

  Seven contractors are awaiting a decision on a contract to build a sewage treatment plant at the King Salman International airport (KSIA) development in Riyadh, according to sources.

  It is understood that bids were submitted to King Salman International Airport Development Company (KSIADC) in March, following the tender’s release earlier this year.

  The plant will treat wastewater generated by the airport and surrounding developments, including passenger terminals, runways, residential districts, commercial facilities and logistics areas.

  The facility will have a treatment capacity of 92,000 cubic metres a day. The contract is estimated to be worth SR700m ($187m).

  The bidders (all local) are:

  • Al-Rawaf Trading & Contracting
  • Almajal Alarabi
  • Nesma Water & Energy
  • Safari Company
  • Saudi Services for Electro-Mechanic Works
  • Washnah Contracting
  • Water & Environment Technologies (Wetico)

  The project scope includes the construction of the treatment plant, the installation of preliminary, secondary and tertiary treatment systems, sewage collection and conveyance pipelines, pumping stations, and electrical and control systems.

  US-headquartered Jacobs is acting as the main project consultant. Commercial operations for the plant are scheduled for 2029.

  The sewage treatment plant is one of several water infrastructure packages planned for the airport. KSIADC is also evaluating bids for a separate $30m engineering, procurement and construction contract covering potable water and fire water tanks and an associated pumping station. The same seven companies have submitted bids for that package.

  Earlier in July, MEED exclusively reported that a joint venture of Beijing-headquartered China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and Dammam-based Mofarreh AlHarbi & Partners had won a deal to undertake the enabling and substructure works for Terminal 6 at KSIA.

  The latest development followed KSIADC’s receipt of prequalification statements from contractors on 1 July for two new packages at KSIA.

  These include the construction of a permanent East-West corridor and landside access roads serving the North and South terminals.

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  Mark Dowdall