Read the July 2024 MEED Business Review
28 June 2024
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The GCC aims to position itself as a global frontrunner in the data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) era.
There are clear examples of AI becoming a key part of government policy and significant investments are being made as the GCC takes advantage of abundant, cheap energy and capital vigour.
Traditional businesses in the Gulf are seizing AI’s potential, too. In March 2024, for example, Saudi Aramco introduced Aramco Metabrain, a generative AI model trained on data accumulated over the past 90 years. The private sector, meanwhile, also recognises AI's benefits.
With AI promising to be a $1tn market by 2030, MEED takes an in-depth look at the GCC's proactive stance in our latest issue of MEED Business Review. Read why investment, combined with forward-thinking government policy, will allow the GCC to make a statement with AI here.
This month's exclusive 20-page market report highlights the Levant, where Jordan, Lebanon and Syria are contending with challenges amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
MEED's latest issue is packed with insight and analysis. The team examines how the Gaza conflict is testing diplomatic ties between the UAE and Israel; assesses the ways in which the GCC is striving to boost foreign investment in real estate; looks at how healthy financials are driving business growth for Adnoc Drilling; and discovers that good preparation and planning are key to successfully delivering Saudi Arabia's pipeline of mega-events.
This month's issue also features coverage of MEED's 2024 Saudi Giga Projects Summit, which showcased the schemes that are driving the kingdom's ambitious Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.
The July issue also includes an interview with Pierre Santoni, president of Europe, Middle East and Africa for Parsons Corporation, in which he discusses how ongoing infrastructure investment in the region continues to offer strong growth opportunities for the construction industry.
We hope our valued subscribers enjoy the July 2024 issue of MEED Business Review.

Must-read sections in the July 2024 issue of MEED Business Review include:
> AGENDA: Region plays high-stakes AI game; Data centres meet upbeat growth
> CURRENT AFFAIRS: Gaza conflict tests UAE–Israel ties
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INDUSTRY REPORT: |
> OIL & GAS: Healthy financials drive Adnoc Drilling business growth
> INTERVIEW: Ambitious projects rebrand engineering
> LEADERSHIP: Delivering Saudi Arabia’s pipeline of mega-events
> LEVANT MARKET REPORT:
JORDAN
> COMMENT: Jordan manages to maintain its balance
> GOVERNMENT: Jordan policymakers walk tightrope
> OIL & GAS: Jordan refinery project delay is major setback
> POWER & WATER: Jordan's utility sector buckles up
> CONSTRUCTION: Modernisation drives Jordan construction
LEBANON
> COMMENT: Lebanon’s economic fate is in limbo
> GOVERNMENT: Lebanon marks two years without government
> ECONOMY: Lebanon economic recovery postponed
SYRIA
> COMMENT: Syria’s reconstruction agenda stalls
> GOVERNMENT: Gaza conflict reignites violence in Syria
> ECONOMY: Regional diplomacy fails Syrian economy
> MEED COMMENTS:
> Kuwait sends a signal with refinery ceremony
> SLB’s Libyan crisis clouds outlook for oil sector
> Silicon plant boosts UAE industrial and net zero plans
> No time to lose in getting AI right
> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf projects market continues climb
> APRIL 2024 CONTRACTS: Contract awards value bounces back in May
> MARKET SNAPSHOT: Mena oil and gas industry trends
> OPINION: Italy at centre of new reduced Europe
> BUSINESS OUTLOOK: Finance, oil and gas, construction, power and water contracts
Exclusive from Meed
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Kuwait reports war damage on oil infrastructure6 April 2026
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Safety and security matters3 April 2026
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Saudi forecast remains one of growth3 April 2026
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Kuwait reports war damage on oil infrastructure6 April 2026
State-owned Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) has said that some units have sustained significant damage following Iranian strikes on oil and gas infrastructure in recent days.
Strikes hit facilities operated by its subsidiaries Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) and Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC).
Strikes also hit the offices of KPC and the Oil Ministry, as well as power and water desalination plants.
In a statement released on 5 April, KPC said: “On 5 April, 2026, the oil sector complex located in Shuwaikh, which houses the KPC building and the Ministry of Oil, was attacked by drones, resulting in a fire at the building and significant material damage.
“Several operational facilities belonging to the corporation, both at KNPC [sites] and PIC [sites], were also subjected to similar drone attacks, leading to fires at a number of these facilities, and causing significant material damage.
“Emergency and firefighting teams from the concerned companies, with the support of the General Fire Force, implemented the approved response plans.
“The teams continue to work to control the fires and prevent their spread to adjacent facilities.
“The corporation confirmed, thanks be to God, that no human casualties were recorded as a result of these attacks.”
In a television address, Hisham Ahmed Al-Rifai, a spokesperson for the company, said that the offices of KPC and the Oil Ministry were targeted at dawn on 5 April.
He called the attack “reprehensible” and said that Iran used drones to carry it out.
Al-Rifai said that KPC is still assessing damage to the office building and to the PIC and KNPC facilities.
The past few days have seen significant damage dealt to a range of oil and gas infrastructure.
On 3 April, early-morning strikes hit Kuwait’s Al-Ahmadi oil refinery, causing fires in a “number of operational units”.
The strikes on 3 April were the third time that the refinery had been hit since the regional conflict started.
The refining facility is one of the largest in the Middle East and is an important source of refined products for both the domestic market and exports.
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Safety and security matters3 April 2026
Commentary
Colin Foreman
EditorRead the April issue of MEED Business Review
Employment and investment opportunities in a low or no-tax environment have been key attractions for people and businesses located in the GCC for decades. Another crucial factor has been safety and security.
That reputation has been tested by the missile and drone attacks that began on 28 February. Whether the GCC’s safe haven status has been damaged depends on perspective.
For some, the fact that attacks occurred fundamentally changes how the region is viewed. For others, the ability to absorb a serious shock, respond quickly, and keep daily life and businesses functioning demonstrates resilience.Any assessment of safety is also relative. Many people and businesses that relocate in the GCC do so not only for opportunity, but because of dissatisfaction elsewhere. Common reasons include limited economic prospects, high taxation, distrust in political leadership and concerns about personal safety. Even with the recent conflict, the GCC may still compare favourably for those considering these factors.
There is no doubt that missile and drone attacks are extremely dangerous, and the fear of further incidents can linger. Even if attacks are infrequent, the uncertainty matters. It can influence personal decisions, travel advice, and the cost of insurance and risk management. These perceptions will shape the region’s attractiveness.
Safety concerns vary. In many parts of the world, higher levels of crime are an everyday worry for residents and businesses. For some, the GCC may still feel like the better option, provided the current tensions do not become the new normal.
How this question is answered will play an important role in how the region’s economies perform in the period ahead. If confidence returns quickly and the risk is seen as contained and manageable, investment and hiring will likely rebound faster than many expect. If uncertainty persists or escalates, the road to recovery will be a long one.
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire> GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift> MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift> QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race> LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle EastTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16250747/main.gif -
Saudi forecast remains one of growth3 April 2026

MEED’s April 2026 report on Saudi Arabia includes:
> COMMENT: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift
> GVT &: ECONOMY: Riyadh navigates a changed landscape
> BANKING: Testing times for Saudi banks
> UPSTREAM: Offshore oil and gas projects to dominate Aramco capex in 2026
> DOWNSTREAM: Saudi downstream projects market enters lean period
> POWER: Wind power gathers pace in Saudi Arabia
> WATER: Sharakat plan signals next phase of Saudi water expansion
> CONSTRUCTION: Saudi construction enters a period of strategic readjustment
> TRANSPORT: Rail expansion powers Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure pushTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16250096/main.gif -
Dubai seeks consultants for Al-Khawaneej stormwater project3 April 2026
Dubai Municipality has issued a consultancy tender to assess and upgrade the stormwater drainage system serving the Al-Khawaneej First residential district in northeastern Dubai.
The project, listed as TF-22-E1, covers the upgrading and rehabilitation of the stormwater system in the area. The tender has been issued by the municipality’s Sewerage and Recycled Water Projects Department.
The bid submission deadline is 23 April.
The works form part of Dubai’s wider efforts to strengthen flood resilience and support sustainable urban infrastructure development.
Two separate consultancy tenders were issued in March as part of a broader review of the emirate’s water and wastewater infrastructure to support future population growth.
One involves a study to develop a sustainable urban drainage systems strategy across the emirate. The other covers a review of the emirate’s sewage treatment and recycled water distribution strategy.
The Al-Khawaneej First consultancy role will include data collection, site investigations and an assessment of existing drainage conditions.
Additionally, the consultant will be required to identify flooding hotspots and evaluate the performance of the current system.
The project covers the preparation of preliminary and detailed designs, tender documents and construction packages as well as construction supervision through to project handover.
The municipality added that integrated drainage solutions are to be developed as part of the package, including sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and nature-based approaches to address current and future stormwater demand.
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire> GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift> MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift> QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race> LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle EastTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16249098/main.jpg -
Developer plans two residential schemes in Saudi Arabia3 April 2026
Saudi developer Alramz Real Estate is planning two new residential developments in Jeddah and Riyadh.
In a Tadawul filing on 31 March, Alramz said it had signed an agreement with Oud Capital to establish a sharia-compliant real estate investment fund to develop the Alramz Front project in Jeddah’s Al-Firdous district.
The fund is targeting approximately SR650m ($173m), with Alramz committing about SR81.6m. The company will also contribute land totalling around 47,800 square metres, valued at SR215m, as an in-kind contribution.
The project is expected to deliver nearly 900 residential units. Alramz will serve as developer and exclusive marketer under a development contract valued at about SR269m.
Separately, Alramz said it had acquired mixed-use plots in Riyadh’s Al-Malqa district for SR94.6m. The 8,600 sq m site will be developed into a residential scheme comprising approximately 135 apartments.
READ THE APRIL 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDFEconomic shock threatens long-term outlook; Riyadh adjusts to fiscal and geopolitical risk; GCC contractor ranking reflects gigaprojects slowdown.
Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the April 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:
> AGENDA: Gulf economies under fire> GCC CONTRACTOR RANKING: Construction guard undergoes a shift> MARKET FOCUS: Risk accelerates Saudi spending shift> QATAR LNG: Qatar’s new $8bn investment heats up global LNG race> LEADERSHIP: Shaping the future of passenger rail in the Middle EastTo see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click herehttps://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16249064/main.jpg
