Read the September 2024 MEED Business Review

4 September 2024

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Electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the GCC is accelerating. The number of EVs on Dubai's roads rose 72% between year-end 2022 and the end of 2023, suggesting that the city's obsession with fast and expensive sports cars and fuel-inefficient four-by-fours could soon be just a speck in the rearview mirror.

The September issue of MEED Business Review looks at the future of EVs in the GCC and finds that the region is on the cusp of an EV production boom

As governments around the region drive forward their sustainable transport policies in line with their goals of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning away from fossil fuels, cohesive policies will prove key to smoothing out what has so far been a bumpy road for hybrid and electric vehicles.

This support for greener transportation options, combined with energy and economic diversification programmes and ambitious industrialisation plans, has also spurred major investments in EV production. As of July, in Saudi Arabia and the UAE planned projects related to the construction of manufacturing and assembly plants for hydrogen-powered and EVs have a total combined capacity of close to 400,000 vehicles a year.

In MEED's latest issue, we also delve into the downstream sector, where China is expected to lead the increasing global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the coming decade and hydrocarbons producers in the GCC have committed billions of dollars to rapidly expand their LNG production capacities.

Meanwhile, this month's exclusive 15-page market report highlights Kuwait, where prospects are taking a positive turn as the fiscal deficit is pushing the country towards reforms and the suspension of parliament looks set to ignite the projects market.

In addition, our latest issue is packed with insight and analysis. The team assesses the outlook for the project to expand production facilities at Iraq's Khor Mor gas field and discovers how security concerns are threatening the prospects of Libya's oil sector.

This month's issue also features a round-up of the top 15 stadiums being built or refurbished in Saudi Arabia in preparation for the kingdom's hosting of football’s Fifa World Cup 2034. We also examine how communication gaps are hindering Saudi gigaprojects and find out what the region can do to successfully navigate the impact of digital currencies on foreign exchange markets.

What's more, the September issue includes an interview with Diriyah Company’s chief development officer, Mohammed Saad, about legacy building at the Saudi gigaproject.

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

 

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

AGENDA: 
GCC ponders electric future
Region on the cusp of EV production boom

> CURRENT AFFAIRS:
Outlook uncertain for Iraq gas expansion project
Security concerns threaten outlook for Libyan oil sector

INDUSTRY REPORT:
Analysis of the outlook for the downstream sector
> Global LNG demand set for steady growth
Region advances LNG projects with pace

> SAUDI GIGAPROJECTS: Communication gaps hinder Saudi gigaprojects

> INTERVIEW: Legacy building at Diriyah

> SAUDI STADIUMS: Top 15 Saudi stadium projects

LEADERSHIP: Navigating the impact of digital currencies on forex markets

> KUWAIT MARKET REPORT: 

> COMMENT: Kuwait’s prospects take positive turn
> GOVERNMENT: Kuwait navigates unchartered political territory
> ECONOMY: Fiscal deficit pushes Kuwait towards reforms
> BANKING: Kuwaiti banks hunt for growth 
> OIL & GAS: 
Kuwait oil project activity doubles
> POWER & WATER: Kuwait utilities battle uncertainty
> CONSTRUCTION: Kuwait construction sector turns corner

MEED COMMENTS: 
> Saudi World Cup bid bucks global trend for sporting events
> Finance deals reflect China’s role in delivering Vision 2030

Harris-Walz portents shift in US policy on Gaza
Aramco increases spending despite drop in profits

> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: UAE leads slight dip in market

> JULY 2024 CONTRACTS: Saudi Arabia boosts regional total again

> ECONOMIC DATA: Data drives regional projects

> OPINIONThe beginning of the end

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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    French engineering firm Egis has been appointed to undertake the preliminary design consultancy for the Jeddah Metro Blue Line project.

    The project client, Jeddah Development Authority, issued the tender in early January, when MEED exclusively reported that Saudi Arabia had restarted plans to build the Jeddah Metro.

    Engineering consulting firms submitted bids in April, as MEED reported.

    The Blue Line will run from King Abdulaziz International airport and connect to the Haramain high-speed railway station.

    The line will be 35 kilometres (km) long and will include 15 stations.

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    In the same year, US-based engineering firm Aecom was awarded a SR276m ($74m) contract to provide pre-programme management consultancy services.

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    Route details

    According to Jeddah Transport Company’s website, the scheme comprises 81 stations and 197 trains serving more than 161km. The network will have four lines:

    • Orange Line: a 44.8km line running along Al-Madinah Road and Old Makkah Road, with 29 stops including one at Obhur Bridge
    • Blue Line: a 35km line running from King Abdulaziz International airport to the Haramain high-speed railway station, with 15 stations
    • Green Line: a 17km line running through the city centre, from the downtown area to the Haramain railway station, with nine stops
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    > Be recognised among the best in the industry at the MEED Projects Awards 2026 …

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  • Egypt signs gas deal with QatarEnergy and Exxon Mobil

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    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 push

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