Monthly briefing: 14 key developments in the region
21 November 2022
By MEED staff
> Lukewarm Cop27 ends
> UAE and US sign $100bn energy programme
> BlackRock looks to invest in projects with PIF
> Riyadh signs construction deals during Seoul visit
> Middle East outpaces global economic growth
> Riyadh Grade A office occupancy hits 98 per cent
> Dubai developer plans world's tallest residential building
> Saudi Arabia launches national automaker
> Alba reaches Block 4 financial close
> Partners award contracts for $8.5bn US chemicals project
> Investors launch Sohar industrial projects
> Aramco and IBM plan Riyadh innovation hub
COP27
Egypt climate conference ends with agreement on payout
Negotiators from nearly 200 countries at the 2022 UN climate summit Cop27, which took place in Egypt on 6-18 November, have agreed to set up a loss and damage fund aimed at helping vulnerable countries to cope with climate disasters. They also agreed that global greenhouse gas emissions need to be cut nearly in half by 2030.
The agreement also reaffirmed the goal of keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. However, a deal to phase out the use of fossil fuels, and not just coal, could not be agreed upon after a number of nations, including China and Saudi Arabia, blocked the proposal. Read more
The Middle East was thrust firmly onto the global stage on 20 November when football’s 2022 World Cup kicked off in Qatar
Region pitches to be global sporting hub
OIL
Opec and non-Opec partners cut 2 million b/d of production
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude oil exporter, has started to cut its exports as Opec+ begins to reduce its overall target production by 2 million barrels a day (b/d).
Saudi Arabia had cut its crude oil exports by more than 400,000 b/d by the third week of November, while exports from Opec could be on course to drop by 1 million b/d.
In October, Opec+ announced it would slash its collective target by 2 million b/d from November. Although the actual reduction is expected to be about 1.1 million b/d, it is still the biggest cut since the record reduction announced in April 2020, when oil demand plunged at the start of the pandemic.
UAE-US DEAL
UAE and US sign $100bn clean energy partnership
The UAE and the US have signed a partnership that aims to catalyse $100bn in financing and other support, in addition to deploying 100GW of clean energy in the US, UAE and emerging economies around the world by 2035. They also reaffirmed their commitment to climate action, in line with their 2050 net-zero goals.
The two countries plan to stimulate private and public sector support in four areas: clean energy innovation, financing, deployment and supply chains; carbon and methane management; advanced reactors; and industrial and transport decarbonisation. Read more
PIF-BLACKROCK PARTNERSHIP
PIF and BlackRock agree to explore infrastructure projects
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with US asset manager BlackRock to jointly explore infrastructure projects in the Middle East, with a majority of the investment activity focused on Saudi Arabia.
The target projects are in several sectors, including energy, power, utilities, water, environment, transportation, telecommunications and social infrastructure.
BlackRock will look to build a dedicated infrastructure investment team in Riyadh to cover the Middle East region.
In a statement, the PIF said that the aim is to leverage positive Saudi and regional market dynamics to deliver sustainable long-term returns.
The sovereign wealth fund added that the two entities plan to work together to attract regional and international investors to participate in investment projects, and boost foreign direct investment into Saudi Arabia.
This will add value to the Saudi economy and the wider market while facilitating knowledge and skills transfer. Read more
ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
IMF predicts economic growth for the Middle East in 2022
The real GDP of oil exporting countries in the Middle East is projected to grow at 5.2 per cent in 2022, up from 4.5 per cent in 2021, according to the Washington-based IMF.
Growth is projected to slow to 3.5 per cent in 2023 as Opec+ production wanes, oil prices ease and global demand slows.
Crude producers are projected to accrue a cumulative oil windfall of about $1tn in 2022−26, which the IMF said oil-exporting countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE could use to continue to invest in projects that support future economic growth. Read more
SAUDI-KOREA PROJECTS
Deals worth $30bn signed during royal visit to Seoul
Agreements totalling an estimated $30bn were signed during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud’s visit to Seoul, South Korea on 17 November.
The biggest deal was a commitment from Saudi Aramco to invest $7bn in building an integrated refinery and petrochemicals complex in South Korea through its local affiliate S-Oil.
The new plant will have capacity to produce 3.2 million tonnes a year of petrochemicals.
Five South Korean companies – Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco), Korea Southern Power Company, Korea National Oil Corporation, Posco Holdings and Samsung C&T Corporation – have also signed agreements with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund to build and operate a green hydrogen and green ammonia production facility in Saudi Arabia. Read more
RIYADH REAL ESTATE
Riyadh Grade A office occupancy hits 98 per cent
Occupancy levels for prime office space in Riyadh have risen by four percentage points to 98 per cent according to a report by property consultancy Knight Frank.
Average lease rates for prime office space have increased by 18 per cent over the past 12 months to about SR1,775 ($473) a square foot. The company said there is unprecedented demand for Grade A office space.
“As the kingdom’s economic transformation plan unfolds, business activity is rising at an extraordinary pace. Seventy firms have now committed to relocating their regional headquarters to Riyadh, including Aldeham Education Group and French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom,” Knight Frank said. Read more
UAE
Dubai developer plans world’s tallest residential building
Local real estate developer Binghatti and jewellery brand Jacob & Co have announced plans to build the world’s tallest residential structure in Dubai’s Business Bay district.
Known as Burj Binghatti Jacob & Co Residences, the tower will comprise more than 100 storeys and will offer two- and three-bedroom apartments. Amenities in the building will include an infinity pool, a spa and a gymnasium.
Companies recently moved onsite in Business Bay to work on a 116-storey tower for Binghatti. The contractor is Granada Europe Construction. The consultant is Silver Stone Engineering Consultants. Read more
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Saudi Arabia launches electric vehicle manufacturer
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman al-Saud has announced the launch of Ceer, the first Saudi electric vehicle brand. Ceer is the first Saudi automotive brand to produce electric vehicles in Saudi Arabia.
The company is a joint venture of Saudi sovereign wealth entity the Public Investment Fund and Taiwan-based Hon Hai Precision Industry Company, which trades as Foxconn internationally.
Foxconn will license component technology from BMW for use in the vehicle development process, with the first vehicles – sedans and sports utility vehicles – expected to be available in 2025.
Foxconn will develop the electrical architecture of the vehicles, which will feature infotainment, connectivity and autonomous driving technologies.
Ceer is expected to attract over $150m in foreign direct investment and create up to 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. Read more
Further reading
Alba agrees Block 4 financing
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has reached financial close on the 681MW combined-cycle gas turbine plant that comprises Block 4 of the smelter’s Power Station 5. China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) will provide a $225m facility.
Contracts awarded for US plant
QatarEnergy and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company have reached final investment decision on the Golden Triangle Polymers Plant, an $8.5bn integrated polymers facility in the US. The plant will include the biggest ethylene cracker in the world with a capacity of 2.1 million tonnes a year.
Investors launch Sohar projects
Investors have launched two non-oil industrial projects in Sohar Freezone in Oman. The sultanate’s first petroleum coke calcining facility will be built at a total investment of about $155.9m, while a titanium dioxide production facility will be established at a cost of $112m.
Aramco plans innovation hub
Saudi Aramco and US technology company IBM plan to establish an innovation hub in Riyadh. The hub will support tech-driven economic growth in Saudi Arabia with the help of emerging technologies in hybrid cloud, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
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Exclusive from Meed
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Chinese firm wins Dubai drainage contract20 July 2026
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Abu Dhabi launches E20 highway expansion project20 July 2026
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Consultants submit bids for Saudi Arabia’s GCC rail link
20 July 2026
Consultants submitted proposals on 14 July for a contract to provide design consultancy services for the Saudi Arabian section of the GCC railway network, which is intended to link all six member states.
Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR) issued the tender on 7 May, MEED previously reported.
The tender covers the concept, preliminary and issued for construction design stages. SAR requires the selected consultant to review, update and complete the existing preliminary design.
The consultants who submitted bids include:
- Atkins with Khatib & Alami
- DeutscheBahn with ARX
- Egis with Sener
- Idom with Dal al-Handasah
- Systra
Saudi Arabia’s section of the railway will start at Al-Khafji in the Eastern Province, near the border with Kuwait, and end at Al-Batha, on Saudi Arabia’s border with the UAE. The route length in Saudi Arabia will be about 672 kilometres (km).
The railway will interface with the Kuwait National Rail Road (KNRR) project on the Kuwaiti side. Last year, MEED exclusively reported that the KNRR design contract was awarded to Turkiye’s Proyapi Muhendislik ve Musavirlik Anonim Sirketi.
The KNRR forms part of the wider GCC rail network. GCC railway projects have gained renewed momentum since the six member states signed the Al-Ula Declaration in January 2021.
In October last year, Qatar’s cabinet approved a draft agreement paving the way for a railway link between Qatar and Saudi Arabia as part of the GCC railway network.
GCC railway line
Under the overall plan, the railway will run from Kuwait, pass through Dammam in Saudi Arabia, reach Bahrain via a planned causeway, and continue from Dammam to Qatar, the UAE and, ultimately, Muscat via Sohar in Oman. The railway is reported to span about 2,186km in total.
The route length within each member state is as follows: 684km in the UAE, 672km in Saudi Arabia, 306km in Oman, 283km in Qatar, 145km in Kuwait and 36km in Bahrain.
The railway is designed for passenger trains travelling at 220km/h and freight trains operating at 80-120km/h.
With high levels of project activity, governments in spending mode and renewed cooperation under the Al-Ula Declaration, the latest efforts to restart the GCC railway project may make more progress than previous attempts. If completed, the railway could prove transformational for a region that is globally connected but still divided by national borders.
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Chinese firm wins Dubai drainage contract
20 July 2026
China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) has announced it has won a contract to deliver a stormwater drainage pipeline package under Dubai Municipality’s Tasreef programme.
The contract is for the TF-15-C2 stormwater drainage network project located along Umm Suqeim Road in the Al-Barsha and Al-Quoz areas of Dubai.
MEED exclusively revealed in May that the contractor had been selected for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract. The project is estimated to cost $162m.
The scope of work includes the construction of about 20 kilometres of new stormwater pipelines, together with associated inspection and intake manholes. The project is located west of the Dubai Canal and will connect the Al-Quoz 3 and Al-Quoz 4 industrial areas with Al-Quoz 1.
It is being delivered as part of Dubai’s Tasreef strategic plan, which supports the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. Once completed, the new drainage infrastructure is expected to improve the emirate’s stormwater network, increase flood protection and enhance the resilience of Dubai’s infrastructure.
In February, the municipality confirmed it had awarded contracts for five new projects under phase two of the programme to expand and strengthen Dubai’s stormwater drainage network.
These include a separate contract awarded to CSCEC for the TF-11-C1 stormwater drainage project in the Dubailand area.
Also in February, Dubai Municipality invited consultants to qualify for a contract to supervise construction on the TF-15-C2 stormwater drainage projects along with two other projects (TF-13-C1 and TF-16-C1) under the Tasreef programme.
According to a source, a consultant has yet to be appointed.
TF-16-C1 involves upgrading and rehabilitating the stormwater system east of the Dubai Canal, while TF-13-C1 involves building a water pipeline stormwater drainage system at Al-Marmoum, Al-Qudra and Al-Yalayis 2 & 3.
Bids are currently under evaluation for the EPC contracts for both projects.
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Dubai receives eight bids for Hassyan SWRO pipeline contract
20 July 2026
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Eight contractors have made offers for a contract to supply, install, test and commission glass-reinforced epoxy (GRE) water transmission pipelines and associated works for the Hassyan seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) phase two network in Dubai.
The contract relates to project one of the Hassyan pipeline network expansion being undertaken by state utility Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (Dewa).
Local firm Binladin Contracting Group submitted the lowest offer of AED335.92m ($91.5m), according to results published by the utility.
The other bids were:
- Green Oasis General Contracting (UAE) – AED345.00m ($93.9m)
- Al-Nasr Contracting (UAE) – AED391.54m ($106.6m)
- Wade Adams Contracting (UAE) – AED393.80m ($107.2m)
- RMB Contracting (UAE) – AED437.96m ($119.3m)
- Tristar Engineering & Construction (UAE) – AED441.55m ($120.2m)
- Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast (UAE/India) – AED451.47m ($122.9m)
- Gulf Petrochemical Services Trading (UAE) – AED495.20m ($134.8m)
RMB also submitted a conditional discounted offer of AED427.02m ($116.3m). Three companies submitted regret notices, while one offer was rejected after no valid commercial offer was received.
In January, Dewa announced that construction of the 180-million-imperial-gallon-a-day phase one of the Hassyan SWRO independent water project was 90% complete.
Dewa has two other contracts out for tender for GRE water transmission pipeline work related to the Hassyan SWRO phase two network.
Project two was tendered on 22 January and has a bid submission deadline of 21 July. Project three was tendered on 26 January and has a bid submission deadline of 29 July.
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Abu Dhabi launches E20 highway expansion project
20 July 2026
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has announced the E20 highway expansion project.
The scheme covers widening the main carriageway from three to five lanes, constructing more than 10 kilometres (km) of new ramps and loops, and building four bridges.
Works also include 1.5km of internal roads and the addition of eight signalised junctions across Khalifa City and the Zayed International airport precinct.
The project includes utility works, comprising 62km of stormwater drainage, 37km of irrigation networks and the installation of 485 streetlights.
The E20 expansion is one of the major infrastructure schemes being overseen by DMT in Abu Dhabi.
Separately, DMT is evaluating bids for a design-and-build contract to construct two bridges serving Hudayriyat Island in Abu Dhabi.
The scope includes a two-lane bridge connecting 32nd Street to Shakhbout Bin Sultan Street, and a single-lane bridge on 8th Street. It also includes upgrades to signalised intersections.
Shakhbout Bin Sultan Street is a two-way road with three lanes in each direction, providing access to and from Hudayriyat Island.
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Firms given more time for Mid Island Parkway prequalifications
20 July 2026
Abu Dhabi’s Modon Infrastructure has extended the deadline to 31 July for firms to submit expressions of interest and prequalification statements for the next phase of Abu Dhabi’s Mid Island Parkway Project (MIPP), which will be developed as a public-private partnership (PPP).
The previous deadline was 15 July. MEED understands the prequalification notice was issued in June, following Modon Infrastructure’s invitation in May for firms to register their interest.
Modon Infrastructure will act as the lead developer and will hold a majority equity stake in the project company. It will award contracts for engineering, procurement and construction; operations and maintenance; and project advisory services.
Phase two of the MIPP involves the construction of about 11 kilometres (km) of highways, comprising a mix of three-, four- and five-lane sections. The highways will connect the Um-Yifeenah, Al-Jubail, Al-Sammaliyyah and Sas Al-Nakhl islands to Khalifa City and the E10 road.
The scope also includes the construction of three interchanges – E20, E10 and Dumbbell – on Al-Sammaliyyah Island.
The project includes several major structures, including the E20 interchange, which will feature cast-in-place box-girder and void-slab bridges, and the E10 interchange, which will feature cast-in-place box-girder bridges. It also includes I-girder bridges between Raha Beach West and Sas Al-Nakhl Island, as well as a causeway at Sas Al-Nakhl Island.
Further elements include a cast-in-place balanced cantilever bridge between Sas Al-Nakhl Island and Al-Sammaliyyah Island; a tunnel between Al-Sammaliyyah Island and Bilrimaid Island; and a cut-and-cover (open) tunnel on Bilrimaid Island. Another tunnel will connect Bilrimaid Island to Um-Yifeenah Island.
Abu Dhabi awarded three packages for phase one of the MIPP in 2024. The contract for Package 1A was awarded to a joint venture of Turkish contractor Dogus Construction and UAE firm Gulf Contractors. Package 1B was awarded to a joint venture of Yas Projects (Alpha Dhabi Holding) and China Railway International Group. Beijing-headquartered China Harbour Engineering Company and the UAE’s Agility Engineering & Contracting Company won the contract for Package 1C.
Phase one starts at the existing Saadiyat Interchange, connecting the E12 to the MIPP, and ends at the recently constructed Um-Yifeenah Highway.
It comprises a dual main road with a total length of 8km, including four traffic lanes in each direction, two interchanges, a tunnel and associated infrastructure works.
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