meed-logo

line1 line2 line3
SIGN IN / REGISTER

Riyadh steps up the Vision 2030 tempo

22 March 2023

 

Riyadh has begun pushing ahead with many of its Vision 2030 initiatives at a faster pace and in a much more tangible manner in the past six months, with the go-ahead given for several infrastructure packages on the kingdom’s flagship Neom project.

More than $13bn-worth of work has been awarded on Neom-linked projects since the start of 2022, including initial piling and tunnel blasting and drilling work for the Line development. More than $7bn has also been awarded in just the past five months, including $4.5bn across community housing schemes.

There has been equally robust activity on the other four official Public Investment Fund (PIF) gigaprojects. Projects worth another $1.8bn have been awarded since 2021 on the Diriyah Gate project, alongside $1.5bn-worth on the Roshn housing programme and $1.1bn each on the Red Sea Project and Qiddiya entertainment city.

Investment uptick

The shift in project tempo has also been matched by a step-up in other Vision 2030 initiatives, including the Shareek investment programme, which is aimed at supporting large Saudi companies in boosting the economic contribution of the kingdom’s private sector.

On 1 March, Saudi Arabia announced $51bn-worth of investments across eight Saudi companies as part of the programme. By 2030, Riyadh wants to increase the private sector GDP contribution to 65 per cent, while increasing the country’s non-oil exports from 16 to 50 per cent.

For external investors too, Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plans are the top opportunity in the region, according to a recent poll by Egyptian financial services firm EFG Hermes. The survey showed that 34 per cent of respondents viewed Vision 2030 as the most important source of current investment opportunities.

There are meanwhile 23 companies waiting to list on the Saudi stock exchange. Those companies “are essentially on the runway waiting for the appropriate time, and obviously market conditions”, according to Mohammed ElKuwaiz, the chairman of the Capital Market Authority.

Last year was a record-breaking year for Saudi Arabia’s capital markets, with companies raising about $10.7bn (SR40bn) from initial public offerings (IPOs). The country also led regional IPO activity, with 34 out of the 48 GCC IPOs debuting on either the Tadawul or the Nomu.

Looking ahead, the Saudi market regulator is reviewing a further 77 IPO applications. It is also formulating a framework for dual listings, following the example of Americana, the first company to be dually listed in the kingdom and the UAE.

More broadly, the business confidence in the non-oil private sector continues to swell. In February, Saudi Arabia’s non-oil business activity reached its highest level in eight years due to a surge in demand, according to the Riyad Bank–S&P Saudi Arabia Purchasing Managers’ Index.

The index – in which a figure above 50 indicates expansion – increased from 58.2 to 59.8 in the fastest rate of increase since March 2015. The new orders component of the index rose to a record high of 68.7, with over 42 per cent of surveyed companies reporting a rise in new orders. The overall higher output also saw further employment and purchasing expansion.

Despite tighter monetary conditions, Naif al-Ghaith, Riyad Bank’s chief economist, noted the robust demand and supply balance spurred by the ongoing projects in the kingdom, which has caused “sharper uplifts in output and new orders for firms, as well as rising demand for labour”.

He added that while “prices have responded to the surge in demand, with the increase in input costs evident especially in the services and construction sectors”, business confidence remains high amid expectations for strong ongoing activity over the next 12 months.

Growth forecast

Despite the positive economic signs, the IMF reduced its 2023 GDP projection for Saudi Arabia to 2.6 per cent in January. This is in response to Opec+ agreements to restrict oil production 1.3 percentage points below the projection of 3.9 per cent growth in its October outlook.

Though non-oil growth remains strong, the reduction in oil output will unavoidably impact Saudi Arabia’s topline GDP. At the same time, the toll on oil revenue should be relatively contained and not unduly affect the kingdom’s capital spending, which is at this point being backed by a diverse pool of both sovereign and private assets.

According to a late February forecast by Riyad Capital, Saudi Arabia’s economy could grow by 3 per cent in 2023, driven principally by a pick-up in the non-oil sector, which it predicts will see a growth rate of 5 per cent this year.

In 2022, Saudi Arabia witnessed its strongest growth in the third quarter, when the GDP rate hit 8.8 per cent, according to the IMF, boosted by a 6.2 per cent growth rate for non-oil activity.

Riyad Capital also expects the weaker oil prices during the first half of 2023 to recover in the second half of the year, with Brent crude expected to end 2023 at a level above $100 a barrel.

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

> 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/10658249/main.gif
John Bambridge

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

Click here to register
Exclusive from Meed
Related Articles
  • SAR prepares phosphate rail second section contract award

    25 September 2026

     

    Saudi Arabian Railways (SAR) is preparing to formally award another multibillion-riyal contract to double the tracks on the existing phosphate transport railway network connecting the Waad Al-Shamal mines to Ras Al-Khair in the kingdom’s Eastern Province.

    The contract covers construction works on the second section of the railway line, spanning more than 150 kilometres (km).

    The scope of work includes civil works, alignment modifications, track and loop construction, and associated infrastructure such as bridges and culverts, as well as enhancements to signalling and telecommunications systems.

    SAR floated the tender in February, and bids were submitted in April.

    SAR is making significant progress on its Phosphate 3 rail programme. Last month, MEED exclusively reported that SAR had awarded an estimated SR4bn-plus ($1.1bn) contract to add another track to the first section of the existing phosphate transport railway network.

    The contract was awarded to local firm Alomaier Trading & Contracting Company.

    The scope includes track doubling, alignment modifications, utility bridges, culvert widening and hydrological structures, as well as the conversion of the AZ1 siding into a mainline track. It also covers support works for signalling and telecommunications systems.

    The existing railway runs from the Waad Al-Shamal mines to Ras Al-Khair. The first-section works will cover about 100km, connecting the AZ1/Nariyah Yard to Ras Al-Khair.

    Switzerland-based engineering firm ARX is the project consultant.

    Formerly known as the North-South Railway, the North Train is a 1,550km freight line running from the phosphate and bauxite mines in the far north of the kingdom to the Al-Baithah junction. From there, it diverges into a line south to Riyadh and another line east to downstream fertiliser production and alumina refining facilities at Ras Al-Khair on the Gulf coast.

    Adding a second track and freight yards will significantly increase the network’s cargo-carrying capacity and support growth in industrial production. Project implementation is expected to take four years.

    State-owned SAR is also considering increasing the localisation of railway materials and equipment, including developing a cement sleeper manufacturing facility.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19983928/main.jpg
    Yasir Iqbal
  • Meraas awards $272m Nad Al-Sheba Gardens villas deal

    25 September 2026

    Dubai-based real estate developer Meraas Holding, part of Dubai Holding, has awarded a AED1bn ($272m) contract for the construction of the seventh phase of the Nad Al-Sheba Gardens community.

    The contract, which covers the delivery of 272 villas and townhouses, was awarded to local firm GCC Contracting.

    The scope of work includes 130 villas, 142 three-bedroom townhouses, and associated utilities and infrastructure.

    Construction has started, and the project is slated for completion in 2028.

    Last year, Meraas awarded a AED690m ($188m) contract for the construction of the fourth phase of the Nad Al-Sheba Gardens community in Dubai.

    Meraas awarded the contract to local firm Bhatia General Contracting.

    The scope of that contract covers the construction of 92 townhouses, 96 villas and two pool houses.

    In December last year, Meraas announced the eleventh and final phase of its Nad Al-Sheba Gardens residential community. This phase includes the development of 210 new villas and townhouses, as well as a school, located in the northwest corner of the development.

    According to UK analytics firm GlobalData, the UAE’s construction industry will register annual growth of 3.9% between 2025 and 2027, supported by investments in infrastructure, renewable energy, oil and gas, housing, industrial and tourism projects.

    The residential construction sector is expected to record an average annual growth rate of 2.7% between 2025 and 2028, supported by private investment in residential housing, along with government initiatives to meet rising demand.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19983032/main.png
    Yasir Iqbal
  • KBR opens new office in Libya

    25 September 2026

     

    US-based KBR has opened a local branch office in Libya as it seeks to expand operations in the country, according to industry sources.

    The local branch opening follows several significant contract wins in the country.

    In March, KBR announced that it had been awarded a contract by Zallaf Exploration, Production & Refining of Oil & Gas Company to provide project management and technical services for the South Refinery Project in Libya’s southern city of Ubari.

    Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide contract management, project management and supporting technical services throughout the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) phases of the project, according to a company statement.

    The EPC work is expected to be executed over a 50-month period.

    In its statement, KBR said that the project was aligned with its “long-standing commitment to advancing vital oil and gas infrastructure in Libya”.

    KBR is currently re-evaluating the front-end engineering and design (feed) for the project to develop the J6 North Gialo field in Libya.

    In February this year, KBR officials said registration procedures to open a local branch were being finalised and that the company was seeking the necessary operating permits.

    KBR has previously provided engineering services for major national projects in Libya, but was forced to shut down its office in the country several times amid political instability and security issues.

    When the company was known as Brown & Root, it worked on the Great Man-Made River Project in Libya, which is widely recognised as the largest irrigation project in the world.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19981331/main.png
    Wil Crisp
  • Contractors submit bids for jet fuel pipeline to Doha airport

    25 September 2026

     

    Contractors have submitted technical bids for a QatarEnergy project to build a pipeline that will supply Jet A-1 fuel from its tank farm in Mesaieed Industrial City to Hamad International airport in Doha, a distance of approximately 53 kilometres.

    According to information obtained by MEED Projects, the following locally based contractors are understood to have submitted technical bids for the project earlier in September:

    • Doha Petroleum Construction Company (Dopet)
    • Qatar Engineering & Construction Company (QCon)
    • CAT Group (Qatar branch of Lebanese contractor)
    • MedGulf Construction Company

    Following the receipt of technical bids, QatarEnergy has requested commercial proposals for the project in October, according to MEED Projects.

    The scope of work includes:

    • Installation of a fully welded 53km steel pipeline, including pressure testing and non-destructive testing inspection
    • Trenching, bedding, laying, backfilling, reinstatement, erosion control, landscaping and restoration works
    • Construction of a pumping station, including motors and drives, redundancy provisions, safety systems, instrumentation and controls
    • Implementation of a pigging system, including launchers and receivers, and provision for inspection, purging and isolation
    • Installation of instrumentation and metering for flow, pressure and temperature monitoring and control
    • Construction of electrical supply infrastructure, including substations, switchgear, earthing and emergency shutdown provisions
    • Integration of a leak detection system, sectional block valves, SCADA communications and redundancy provisions

    QatarEnergy operates crude oil refining facilities, including natural gas liquids units, petrochemical production complexes and other assets across the hydrocarbon value chain in Mesaieed Industrial City, located about 45km south of Doha.

    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19957351/main.jpg
    Indrajit Sen
  • Saudi projects hold steady

    24 September 2026

    Commentary
    Colin Foreman
    Editor

    Saudi Arabia’s project market is holding steady in 2026, with contract awards reaching $68bn in the year so far. The resilience is notable given the regional conflict that began in February and ongoing security threats that have disrupted shipping through key maritime chokepoints.

    The kingdom’s investment strategy has also shifted. After years of aggressive project spending through sovereign wealth vehicle the Public Investment Fund, Riyadh has moved towards event-driven procurement with fixed deadlines: the 2034 Fifa World Cup, Expo 2030 Riyadh and non-negotiable housing and healthcare commitments, together with a focus on the future economy with major investments earmarked for data centres. 

    The approach is leaner than the sprawling gigaproject model that characterised early Vision 2030 years, and more focused on achieving tangible milestones.

    Construction contract awards hit $20bn in the first half of this year, maintaining momentum against the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and a GDP contraction in the second quarter. 

    Saudi Aramco’s upstream investment programme remains substantial, with $50bn-$55bn committed for 2026, split about 65%-70% towards oil and gas. Major projects including the Dorra gas field development and the Jafurah unconventional gas expansion are progressing, underpinned by the company’s strategy of maintaining oil production at 12 million barrels a day while expanding gas capacity.

    Downstream activity is also contributing. Chemicals giant Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) approved $3.6bn in projects this year, led by the San VII ammonia and urea complex, which was awarded to South Korea’s Samsung E&A for $3.47bn. The company is returning to significant capital investment after several years of constrained spending.

    Power sector activity is shifting towards transmission and battery storage infrastructure to support renewable energy targets. The kingdom’s infrastructure pipeline encompasses $175bn of projects in the transport, rail, aviation and roads segments.

    Private sector participation is expanding through public-private partnership (PPP) structures, with the National Centre for Privatisation & PPP managing about 200 projects in 17 sectors, worth approximately $190bn.

    The market needs more awards. Project completions have reached $91.5bn in 2026, outpacing awards by 35%. While this reflects successful execution of work awarded in prior years, it also indicates that new deals are required in the coming months to maintain activity levels into 2027.

     

    MEED’s September 2026 report on Saudi Arabia includes:

    > GOVERNMENT: Riyadh looks to reset its regional defence outlook
    > ECONOMY: Conflict bolsters case for Saudi economic diversification
    > BANKING: Saudi lenders readjust to lower lending and deposit climate
    > UPSTREAM: Aramco upstream spending gathers pace
    > DOWNSTREAM: Sabic steps up Saudi petchems investment
    > POWER: Saudi Arabia’s power award activity slows
    > WATER: Saudi water sector hits sharp slowdown
    > CONSTRUCTION: Saudi construction defies the headwinds
    > TRANSPORT: Saudi infrastructure pushes forward amid conflict

    To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here
    https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/19794535/main.gif
    Colin Foreman