meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

MEED’s 2023 top 10 GCC contractors

28 March 2023

> Improved outlook for the Gulf region’s construction market is not reflected in the 2023 contractor ranking

> Nesma & Partners retains its position as the most active GCC contractor, but its total value of work this year is down 22 per cent on 2022

> Part two of this report, Top 10 GCC contractors by country, can be accessed here

 

The GCC’s construction market is back. After enduring half a decade of low oil prices and capital spending cuts, the region is back with a new generation of ambitious projects that are attracting global attention. 

Dubai may have led previous boom periods with its palm-shaped islands and record-breaking towers, but this time it is Saudi Arabia that is taking the lead with 170-kilometre-long mirrored structures, 400-metre-cubed buildings and, if the plans are approved, a 2-kilometre-tall tower that will be more than twice the height of the current world’s tallest building, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. 

As the hype builds, the excitement is yet to be reflected in MEED’s contractor ranking for 2023. 

Using data from regional projects tracker MEED Projects, the region’s most active contractor, based on contracts under execution, is Nesma & Partners. While the Saudi firm has retained its position as the most active contractor, its total value of work in 2023 is $5.3bn, down 22 per cent on the $6.8bn of work under execution that it topped the ranking with in 2022.

Further falls

Last year’s second-ranked contractor has fallen even further. Saudi Binladin Group was working on $6.5bn of projects at the execution stage in 2022. In 2023, this has dropped to $4bn, and as the firm’s work on the expansion of the Grand Mosque in Mecca is completed, it may not figure in the ranking in the future.

Last year’s third-ranked contractor has also slid down the rankings. In 2022, India’s Shapoorji Pallonji was working on $5.6bn of projects at the execution stage. This year it is working on $2.9bn. 

Altogether five of the top 10 contractors in the GCC this year have less work than they did last year. If an average of the top 10 is taken, then the number in 2023 has fallen 18 per cent to $3.6bn from $4.4bn last year. 

The five firms that have grown their totals are newcomers to the top 10 this year, the highest-ranked of which is Turkiye’s Limak. 

The contractor’s main project in the GCC is the new terminal building at Kuwait International airport, and a Turkish firm’s presence at number two may be a sign of things to come. After settling political differences with Saudi Arabia and the UAE in 2022, Turkish companies are expected to play a key role in delivering Saudi Arabia’s growing roster of major projects. 

Riyadh, like Neom, will be an important market for contractors over the coming decade

The other newcomers to the top 10 are three Saudi firms, Alfanar, Almabani and Saudi Baytur; and China Harbour Engineering Construction.

Alfanar’s position in the ranking is mostly due to the contract it won to deliver and operate five clusters of community villages on a public-private partnership basis at Neom. That project shows the scale of the Neom schemes that are moving into construction and signals that firms working on the development will perform well in future rankings.

Almabani has been able to secure major contracts on projects in its domestic market. The most recent is the estimated $1.9bn contract that it won this year to deliver the Zone 6 infrastructure works for the Sports Boulevard project that is being developed by the Royal Commission of Riyadh City. 

Riyadh, like Neom, will be an important market for contractors over the coming decade. The city has plans to double in size and major projects that have been launched so far include King Salman airport, New Murraba, Dirriyah Gate, Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City, Sports Boulevard, King Salman Park and Qiddiya Entertainment City. 

China Harbour has built its orderbook with project wins in Saudi Arabia and the UAE and is now the second Chinese firm in the top 10. 

The final newcomer is Saudi Arabian Baytur. While it has historical Turkish links, it has been operating as a wholly-Saudi-owned company since 2016.

A significant trend in the GCC ranking is the meagre showing from western contractors

Ranking departures

The five companies that have left the top 10 this year are Qatar’s Urbacon Trading & Contracting Company, Saudi Arabia’s ABV Rock, Kuwait’s Sayed Hamid Behbehani & Sons, Beijing-based China Railway Construction Company and Kuwait’s Mohammed Abdulmohsin al-Kharafi & Sons.

Urbacon’s departure may be short-lived. The firm has experienced a sharp decline in the total value of its projects at the execution stage this year following the completion of projects in the domestic Qatari market ahead of last year’s World Cup.

As construction activity remains slow in Qatar the firm has begun expanding overseas and this year has secured significant orders from Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven) for the construction of entertainment centres in Saudi Arabia. 

China Railway’s departure may also be temporary. It has completed work on the UAE’s federal Etihad Rail network, which resulted in it dropping out of the top 10 this year. It may return if it is able to secure work on the raft of regional rail projects that are moving towards the construction phase.  

One other significant trend in the GCC ranking is the meagre showing from western contractors. The only western firm in the top 10 this year is Italy’s Webuild, which has $4.5bn of work at the execution stage. 

With most western contractors continuing to exercise caution when approached to bid on projects in the GCC, it is unlikely that this trend will change in the near future.

Looking ahead to next year’s ranking, Nesma will be a strong contender for the top spot again. In February, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) confirmed that it has invested $1.3bn in four local construction companies to support the handling of projects in the kingdom. 

Nesma was one of the firms that the PIF acquired shares in, along with AlBawani Holding Company, Almabani General Contractors Company and El-Seif Engineering Contracting Company.

The PIF said the investment will allow the firms to scale up their capacity, adopt advanced technologies and improve local supply chains. 

At a time when many contractors in the region are still struggling with financial issues, these companies will now be well placed to play a leading role in the rapidly growing Saudi market. As major contract awards are secured over the next year, these firms will likely also be leading the ranking in 2024.

Top 10 GCC contractors by country 

MEED's April 2023 special report on Saudi Arabia includes:

> ECONOMY: Riyadh steps up the Vision 2030 tempo

> CONSTRUCTION: Saudi construction project ramp-up accelerates

> UPSTREAM: Aramco slated to escalate upstream spending

> DOWNSTREAM: Petchems ambitions define Saudi downstream

> POWER: Saudi Arabia reinvigorates power sector

> WATER: Saudi water begins next growth phase

> BANKING: Saudi banks bid to keep ahead of the pack

https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/10708379/main.gif
Colin Foreman

Register for MEED's guest program now to access this article.

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • Consortiums prepare bids for Al-Khairan phase one IWPP

    14 May 2026

     

    Two developer consortiums are finalising bids for the first phase of Kuwait’s Al-Khairan independent water and power producer (IWPP) project, the deadline for which has been extended to 1 June.

    The facility will have a capacity of 1,800MW and 150,000 cubic metres a day of desalinated water. It will be located in Al-Khairan, adjacent to the Al-Zour South thermal plant. 

    The project is expected to run on Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (LSFO) as the primary fuel and to accommodate crude oil, gas oil, and natural gas as backup fuels. Later phases will further expand capacity.

    The main contract was tendered last September. Three consortiums and two individual companies were previously prequalified to participate, with the following groups currently preparing offers:

    • Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa) / A H Al-Sagar & Brothers (Saudi Arabia) 
    • Acwa (Saudi Arabia) / Gulf Investment Corporation (Kuwait)

    The two individual companies, Sumitomo Corporation (Japan) and Nebras Power (Qatar), are now “unlikely” to submit a bid, according to a source close to the project.

    It is also understood that the third consortium of China Power, Malakoff International (Malaysia) and Abdul Aziz Al-Ajlan Sons (Saudi Arabia) is no longer bidding for the contract.

    The project is being procured by the Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects (Kapp) and the Ministry of Electricity, Water & Renewable Energy (MEWRE).

    The Al-Khairan IWPP project is part of Kuwait’s long-term plan to expand power and water production capacity through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

    The winning bidder will sign a set of PPP agreements covering financing, design, construction, operation and transfer of the project.

    The energy conversion and water purchase agreement is expected to cover a 25-year supply period.

    Upcoming awards

    Kuwait is also preparing to offer a contract to develop zone one of the third phase of the Al-Dibdibah power and Al-Shagaya renewable energy project.

    In January, three consortiums submitted bids for a contract to develop Kuwait’s first utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plant.

    The Al-Dibdibah power and Al-Shagaya renewable energy phase three, zone one independent power project (IPP) will have a total power-generating capacity of 1,100MW.

    MEED understands that the preferred bidder announcement will happen after the bid closes for zone two of the third phase of the Al-Dibdibah power and Al-Shagaya renewable energy project.

    The PPP authority is procuring the 500MW solar photovoltaic IPP in partnership with the ministry.

    The bid deadline for this project was recently extended to 31 May.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16835649/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Bidders compete for new Dubai Metro line project

    14 May 2026

     

    Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

    Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has held a pre-bid meeting for the Dubai Metro Airport Express Line with consultants understood to be competing for work on the project.

    It is understood that the RTA has requested firms to form joint ventures for the project. The firms that attended the meeting include:

    • Aecom (US)
    • Arup (UK)
    • ARX (Switzerland)
    • AtkinsRealis (Canada)
    • DB (Germany)
    • Egis (France)
    • Jacobs (US)
    • Mott Macdonald (UK)
    • Parsons (US)
    • Sener (Spain)
    • Surbana Jurong (Singapore)
    • Systra (France)
    • WSP (Canada)

    The consultancy contract covers the study and design of the Airport Express Line, which will extend from the Al-Garhoud area of the city to Al-Maktoum International airport (DWC) in the Jebel Ali area. The proposed line will stretch about 55 kilometres (km) and include five stations, providing passengers with facilities such as remote airline check-in, baggage drop-off and security screening.

    Consultants have been allowed until June to submit their proposals.

    The new line will run from the Red Line metro station at Dubai International airport through Al-Jaddaf, along Al-Khail Road to a new station at Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC) before continuing on to DWC.

    There will be two spur lines. The first will run from the new JVC station to the Al-Fardan Exchange metro station at Emirates Golf Club, while the second will branch out towards Business Bay, where another station will be built.

    The new line appears to follow a similar route to the Etihad Rail high-speed railway project, which is now under construction and due to be completed by 2030.

    Route 2020 extension

    The Airport Express Line scheme is the latest metro project to be tendered by the RTA this year. Tendering activity is already ongoing for the Route 2020 extension, which will start from the Expo 2020 metro station and connect to DWC’s West Terminal.

    In April, MEED exclusively reported that consultants had submitted bids for the project.

    The extension to the line will run for about 3km and will feature two stations.

    The existing Route 2020 metro link is a 15km-long line that branches off the Red Line at Jebel Ali metro station. The line comprises 11.8km of elevated tracks and 3.2km of tunnels, and has five elevated stations and two underground stations.

    The RTA awarded the AED10.6bn ($2.9bn) design-and-build contract for the project to a consortium of Spain’s Acciona, Turkiye’s Gulermak and France’s Alstom in 2016.

    Gold Line

    Dubai’s plans for its metro network do not stop with connecting the extension of the Route 2020 metro line to DWC. There are long-term plans for further extensions.

    In October last year, MEED exclusively reported that the RTA had selected US-based engineering firm Aecom to provide consultancy services for the upcoming Dubai Metro Gold Line project, also known as Metro Line 4.

    The Gold Line will start at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai. It will run parallel to – and alleviate pressure on – the existing Red Line, before heading inland to Business Bay, Meydan, Global Village and residential developments in Dubailand.

    The existing network includes the Red and Green lines of the Dubai Metro and the Dubai Tram, which connects Al-Sufouh and Dubai Marina to the metro network. The last rail project to start operations in Dubai was the Red Line extension that opened for Expo 2020.

    There are also existing and planned rail lines connecting Dubai to other emirates that are being developed and operated by Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Rail. These include passenger and freight services, as well as a high-speed rail connection.

    Blue Line

    In December 2024, the RTA awarded a AED20.5bn main contract for the Dubai Metro Blue Line project to a consortium of Turkish firms Limak Holding and Mapa Group and the Hong Kong office of China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation.

    The Blue Line consists of 14 stations, including three interchange stations at Jaddaf, Rashidiya and International City 1, as well as a station in Dubai Creek Harbour.

    By 2040, the number of daily passengers on the Blue Line is projected to reach 320,000. It will be the first Dubai Metro line to cross Dubai Creek, doing so on a 1,300-metre viaduct.

    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16833450/main.jpg
    Colin Foreman
  • Local firm wins $100m Kuwait substation contract

    14 May 2026

     

    The local Al-Ahleia Switchgear Company has won an engineering, procurement and construction contract for a $100m substation project in Wafra in Kuwait’s Al-Ahmadi Governorate.

    According to a source, the firm has been appointed as the contractor for the Wafra 2Z substation 400/132/33kV project, with construction scheduled for completion in January 2029.

    The contract was awarded by US-headquartered Chevron, which is undertaking its first major power project in Kuwait, according to data from MEED Projects.

    It is understood that contractor bids for the project were first submitted in 2023 by National Contracting Company (Kuwait), Al-Ahleia Switchgear (Kuwait), Imco Engineering & Construction Company (Kuwait) and Larsen & Toubro (India).

    The tender was cancelled in 2024, and a new tender was issued last year.

    In April, Al-Ahleia Switchgear won a contract to build a 400/132/11kV substation at the South Surra township for Kuwait’s Public Authority for Housing Welfare.

    The firm also recently won a separate contract in Oman for the supply, installation, execution and maintenance of a main power substation.

    The contract was awarded by Oman’s Public Authority for Social Insurance as part of its affordable housing project, known locally as Al-Masaken Al-Muyassara.

    According to MEED Projects, Chevron owns about $11.2bn-worth of operational oil and gas projects across the Middle East and Africa. It also owns four major power generation projects in Saudi Arabia, valued at $810m.

    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16832909/main.jpg
    Mark Dowdall
  • Al-Ain breaks ground on Four Seasons Saadiyat

    14 May 2026

    Al-Ain Asset Management has held a groundbreaking ceremony for its Four Seasons Private Residences Abu Dhabi project at Saadiyat Beach.

    Due for completion in 2029, the gated beachfront scheme will comprise 116 ultra-luxury homes with direct beach access. The unit mix includes villas, beachfront mansions, suites and penthouses, alongside a range of bespoke amenities and Four Seasons-branded services, Wam reported.

    Al-Ain Asset Management said the majority of the residences have been sold, and that AED250m ($68m) of new villa sales were recorded within one week, underlining demand for ultra-prime homes in Abu Dhabi.

    The developer added that the development set new pricing benchmarks for the emirate’s luxury coastal real estate, achieving prices above AED14,000 a square foot. Total sales have exceeded AED4bn since the project launched less than a year ago.

    The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by senior leadership and key partners, including Four Seasons, Killa Design and Mirage Leisure & Development. LW Design Group is also involved in the development.

    Al-Ain Asset Management is also developing another residential scheme on Saadiyat Island. The Vida Residences development will comprise apartment units geared towards long-stay living, supported by hotel-style facilities and operational spaces. Mimar Architecture & Engineering is working as the consultant.

    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16833035/main.jpeg
    Colin Foreman
  • Aldar acquires Dubai Studio City development

    14 May 2026

    Abu Dhabi-based developer Aldar has acquired a residential and community retail development in Dubai Studio City from Dubai-based developer SRG for AED1.1bn ($300m).

    The deal is part of Aldar’s long-term strategy to build a high-quality, recurring-income portfolio and to scale its presence in the city.

    Scheduled for delivery in 2028, the project comprises six mid-rise buildings with 312 homes, including one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes. It also includes a community mall with retail, leisure and food-and-beverage offerings, as well as a 16,000-square-metre park.

    “Dubai is a priority growth market for Aldar, and this acquisition reflects our belief in the city’s residential market and the central role that institutionally owned, professionally managed rental housing plays in meeting the needs of a growing population,” said Jassem Saleh Busaibe, CEO of Aldar Investment. 

    “Dubai Studio City’s established infrastructure, vibrant community and strong connectivity make it an excellent location for a high-quality, professionally managed living environment. This transaction is the latest step in a deliberate and broadening strategy to build a diversified portfolio of income-generating assets in Dubai, one that we expect to continue growing as the city attracts increasing global interest and talent,” he added. 

    The transaction expands Aldar’s activities in Dubai across a range of property types. Aldar Investment’s recurring-income portfolio in the emirate now includes residential, commercial, logistics and mixed-use assets. Key holdings include a mixed-use joint venture with Expo City Dubai, a signature office tower in Dubai International Financial Centre, a Grade A office building on Sheikh Zayed Road, and logistics facilities in National Industries Park and Dubai South.

    On the development front, Aldar’s partnership with Dubai Holding continues to gain traction, with three master-planned residential communities already launched and a pipeline exceeding 2.3 million sq m of new gross floor area. 

    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16832033/main.jpg
    Colin Foreman