Read the April 2024 MEED Business Review

2 April 2024

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The Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region is facing a massive infrastructure gap that will require an estimated $2tn-$2.5tn in investment by 2050.

In the latest issue of MEED Business Review, we discover how investment, technology and governance must all come together if governments are to successfully address this shortfall.

We also look at the important role that sustainable construction practices will play as the region strives to tackle the infrastructure deficit, potentially cutting emissions from planned projects in the Gulf by as much as 60%. 

Meanwhile, this month's exclusive 18-page market report highlights Saudi Arabia, which is maintaining a laser focus on its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy as it gears up for the delivery of its gigaprojects. Regional tensions such as the war in Gaza and the escalating conflict in the Red Sea are not distracting Riyadh from its upstream and downstream oil and gas projects, power and water sector spending and transport infrastructure development.

MEED's latest issue is also packed with insight and analysis. The team examines Egypt's plans for the $54bn of
financial assistance
that Cairo has recently secured; considers the impact that Iran's $20bn project to boost production from the offshore South Pars gas field will have on the country’s energy security; and reveals the details of the new Vision 2030 strategy announced for the UAE's northern emirate of Ajman, which will guide the development of its projects for the rest of
this decade.

In this month's industry report on tourism, we see that tourist arrivals are on the rise in the GCC, with Dubai attracting 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023. A strong post-Covid recovery is under way in the travel sector across the region, and Saudi Arabia's efforts to boost its appeal as a tourism destination are reaping rewards: the kingdom welcomed more than 100 million visitors last year, achieving its 2030 goal seven years early. To support and build on this success, there is a pipeline of $54bn-worth of new hotel and resort projects planned for the Mena region and due for delivery by 2030.

The April issue also includes an interview with Ibrahim Waili of the Oman National Spatial Strategy, in which he discusses the sultanate's plans to build a year-round global mountain destination on Jebel Al Akhdar in the Hajar Mountains. We also talk to John van der Velden of Linde Engineering about the regional oil and gas sector’s increasing reliance on new technologies.

We hope our valued subscribers enjoy the April 2024 issue of MEED Business Review

 

Must-read sections in the April 2024 issue of MEED Business Review include:

AGENDA: Bridging the infrastructure capacity gap; Cutting Gulf construction emissions

> CURRENT AFFAIRS: Cairo secures a cumulative $54bn in financing; The stakes are high for Iran’s planned gas projects 

INDUSTRY REPORT:
Regional travel and tourism trends 
GCC becomes a top tourist destination

Region heads for hotel boom

> INTERVIEWS: Oman plans year-round global mountain destination; Process technology adoption is poised for growth

> AJMAN 2030: Ajman launches 2030 vision

> INSIGHT: Pressure builds for region's green hydrogen projectsRed Sea crisis raises Saudi construction costs

> LEADERSHIP: Region must rethink talent acquisition

> SAUDI ARABIA MARKET REPORT:

Riyadh maintains Vision 2030 focus
Saudi Arabia seeks diversification amid regional tensions
Saudi lenders gear up for corporate growth
Aramco spending drawdown to jolt oil projects
Master Gas System spending stimulates Saudi downstream sector

Riyadh to sustain power spending
Growth inevitable for the Saudi water sector
Saudi gigaprojects propel construction sector
Saudi Arabia’s transport sector offers prospects

MEED COMMENTS: 
Dubai reshuffles real estate when market is buoyant
Red Sea crisis makes case for Saudi Landbridge
Oman gives renewables a serious shot
Saudi Arabia pivots to ESG-friendly tech

> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: UAE and Qatar drive projects growth

> FEBRUARY 2024 CONTRACTS: Region sees drop in project awards in February

> MARKET SNAPSHOT: Top airport projects

> OPINIONNew shock treatment for Egypt’s economy

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
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    Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications & Information Technology (MTCIT) has tendered a contract for the sultanate’s second public-private partnership (PPP) road scheme.

    The project spans 66 kilometres between Al-Buraimi and Al-Dhahirah governorates, starting at the Al-Khatm border crossing in Mahdah and ending at the Al-Fath area in Dhank.

    Under the scheme, the winning bidder will design, build, finance and transfer the project, which is specially designed for heavy vehicles.

    MTCIT issued the tender on 30 June. The deadline to purchase tender documents is 11 August, and the clarification period will run from 11 to 18 August.

    The bid submission deadline is 30 January 2027.

    In August 2023, Oman shortlisted five of the eight prequalified teams to compete for the Salalah-Thumrait truck road (STTR) project, the sultanate’s first PPP road project.

    The project failed to materialise beyond that point.

    In January, MEED reported that Oman is planning to establish a new commercial railway line to transport essential supplies between Salalah and Thumrait – an initiative understood to have preceded the STTR project. The railway is planned to be implemented as a PPP.

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    • 2031: Trial operations
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    Commentary
    Mark Dowdall
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    That contract went to a joint venture of Riyadh-based Al-Rashid Trading & Contracting Company (RTCC) and Turkiye’s IC Ictas.

    Stretching 12km, the project runs from Khurais Road to Al-Thumama Road and is a key component of the Second Eastern Ring Road scheme.

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    In 2021, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud said the population of Riyadh would double to 15-20 million people by 2030. 

    He directed government entities to work closely with the RCRC to prepare the city’s development strategy.

    The RCRC’s major projects include Riyadh Metro, Riyadh Art, Sports Boulevard, King Salman International Park, Green Riyadh and several road development projects in the capital.


    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:

    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
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  • Dubai announces First Al-Khail road development project

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