Related Articles

• 
  Dubai seeks contractors for Metro Gold Line

  20 May 2026

  

   

  Register for MEED’s 14-day trial access 

  Dubai's Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has invited contractors to express interest in a contract to build the new Gold Line, as part of its expansion of the Dubai Metro network.

  The notice was issued in mid-May with a submission deadline of 13 June.

  Dubai officially announced the launch of the new Gold Line in April.

  In a post on social media site X, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, said the project will cost about AED34bn ($9.2bn).

  The Gold Line will increase the total length of the Dubai Metro network by 35%.

  The project is scheduled for completion in September 2032.

  The Gold Line will be a fully underground network covering more than 42 kilometres, with 18 stations.

  It will pass through 15 areas in Dubai, benefiting 1.5 million residents.

  The project is expected to provide connectivity to over 55 under-construction real estate development projects.

  The Gold Line will start at Al-Ghubaiba in Bur Dubai and end at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

  It will be connected to Dubai Metro’s existing Red and Green lines and will integrate with the Etihad Rail passenger line.

  The contractor will be responsible for the design and build of all civil works, electromechanical equipment, rolling stock and rail systems.

  The selected contractor will also be required to assist in the systems maintenance and operations during an initial three-year period.

  In October last year, MEED exclusively reported that the RTA had selected US-based engineering firm Aecom to provide consultancy services for the Dubai Metro Gold Line project.

  Stage one covers concept design, stage two covers preliminary design, stage three covers the preparation of tender documents, stage four encompasses construction supervision and stage five covers the defects and liability period.

  ---

  MEED’s May 2026 report on the UAE includes:

  > COMMENT: Conflict tests UAE diversification
  > GVT &: ECONOMY: UAE economy absorbs multi-sector shock
  > BANKING: UAE banks ready to weather the storm
  > ATTACKS: UAE counts energy infrastructure costs
  > UPSTREAM: Adnoc builds long-term oil and gas production potential
  > DOWNSTREAM: Adnoc Gas to rally UAE downstream project spending
  > POWER: Large-scale IPPs drive UAE power market
  > WATER: UAE water investment broadens beyond desalination
  > CONSTRUCTION: War casts shadow over UAE construction boom
  > TRANSPORT: UAE rail momentum grows as trade routes face strain

  To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16919605/main.png

  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  Qiddiya selects three firms for cable car project

  19 May 2026

  

   

  Saudi gigaproject developer Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has selected three manufacturers for the cable car facility at Qiddiya Entertainment City.

  The selected firms are:

  • Bartholet Ropeways (Switzerland)
  • Doppelmayr Group (Austria)
  • Poma (France)

  The cable car system will link the upper and lower plateaus at Qiddiya Entertainment City. It will include a 700-space car park and a 200-metre-high pylon.

  MEED understands that the selected firm will further nominate a contractor to undertake the civil construction works.

  Construction work on the cable car system is expected to take two years.

  In 2024, MEED exclusively reported that QIC had appointed French engineering firm Systra as a lead consultant to design the proposed light rail transit and cable car facility at Qiddiya Entertainment City.

  Earlier this month, QIC asked contractors to express interest in a contract to design and build the first phase of the development's light rail transit system.

  The project, also known as the Primary Urban Axis, comprises a 22-kilometre (km) automated, driverless rail line as part of its first phase.

  The contract scope includes about 16 stations – 11 elevated and five underground – along with 8km of tunnels, viaducts and other associated structures. It covers all civil; architectural; and mechanical, electrical and plumbing works.

  Stations will be located at Resort Core East Village, Grand Central Station, Anime Hub Integrated Station and Primary Urban Axis 1 & 2 Hub Station.

  A subsequent phase will extend the railway network by a further 11km.

  QIC’s other major projects include an e-games arena, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Stadium, a motorsports track, the Dragon Ball and Six Flags theme parks and Aquarabia.

  QIC officially opened the Six Flags theme park to the public in December last year.

  The park covers 320,000 square metres and features 28 rides and attractions, including 10 thrill rides and 18 aimed at families and young children.

  The Qiddiya project is a key part of Riyadh’s strategy to boost leisure tourism in the kingdom.

  ---

  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

  To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16908386/main.jpg

  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  Construction advances on Riyadh King Salman airport

  19 May 2026

  King Salman International Airport (KSIA) is advancing airside infrastructure works under its long-term expansion programme in Riyadh, including the delivery of a third runway and new private aviation facilities.

  Construction activity on the central runway programme is progressing across several operational zones, with works covering excavation, grading, site preparation and taxiway-enabling infrastructure to support upcoming phases.

  The third runway is intended to increase airfield capacity and cater to the airport’s future operational requirements.

  In a separate development, KSIA has completed initial landside works for the private aviation apron, marking a milestone in the rollout of its executive aviation infrastructure.

  The completed scope includes pavement markings, waterproofing systems, firefighting infrastructure chambers and final operational inspections to support readiness for the next stages.

  KSIA has also secured General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) approval for phase one airside works, which includes the planned connection of Taxiway Alpha to the private aviation facilities, strengthening operational integration between executive aviation assets and airfield movement areas.

  The packages form part of the wider KSIA masterplan, which covers about 57 square kilometres and supports Saudi Arabia’s objective of positioning Riyadh as a global aviation and logistics hub.

  The airport aims to accommodate up to 100 million passengers by 2030.

  Saudi Arabia plans to invest $100bn in its aviation sector. The Saudi Aviation Strategy, announced by GACA, aims to triple annual passenger traffic to 330 million travellers by 2030. It also targets air cargo growth to 4.5 million tonnes and an increase in total air connections to more than 250 destinations.

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16906496/main.jpeg

  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  Aldar launches Al-Ghadeer Gardens project

  19 May 2026

  Abu Dhabi-based real estate developer Aldar Properties has launched the Al-Ghadeer Gardens project, located on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai border.

  The new residential development will feature 437 villas and townhouses, offering two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.

  Al-Ghadeer Gardens will include more than 30,000 square metres of landscaped open space, supporting a pedestrian-friendly layout and outdoor-focused living.

  As part of its sustainability and wellbeing approach, the project is targeting Estidama Pearl 2 and Fitwel 2-star certifications.

  Earlier this month, Aldar announced its Q1 financial results, reporting a 20% year-on-year increase in net profit after tax to AED2.3bn ($626m).

  Aldar Development recorded a 14% year-on-year rise in revenue to $1.7bn, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) increased 23% to $599m.

  UAE revenue backlog rose to $17bn at the end of March from $16.6bn at the end of December, with an average duration of 29 months.

  The group attributed its performance to revenue from its development backlog and steady income from its investment properties.

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16906154/main.jpg

  Yasir Iqbal
• 
  Iraq trucks oil from the south to Kurdish pipeline

  19 May 2026

  

   

  Iraq is trucking crude from Basra to the north of the country to be exported via the Iraq-Turkiye Pipeline (ITP), according to industry sources.

  The oil is being loaded into trucks at fields in Basra before being driven to the north, where it is injected into the pipeline network at Khurmala Dome, in the northern section of the Kirkuk field.

  Once it has entered the network at Khurmala Dome, it is transported to the main ITP export pipeline and eventually to the port of Ceyhan in Turkiye, where it can be loaded onto ships.

  The volumes of crude being transported using trucks have surged in Iraq since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, starting a regional conflict that has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

  One source said: “Most of the crude that is being trucked out of Iraqi oil fields at the moment is going to Syria, but some is being trucked to the north where it is being funnelled through the pipeline.”

  Even with the additional volumes being trucked from the south, Iraq is struggling to boost exports using the ITP.

  At the end of March, Amer Khalil, the director-general of Iraq’s state-run North Oil Company, said that Iraq was exporting 200,000 barrels a day (b/d) through the ITP.

  At the time, he said that the pipeline, which runs from Kirkuk in Iraqi Kurdistan to the port of Ceyhan in Turkiye, was expected to start transporting 300,000 b/d “in the near future”.

  As of early May, the pipeline was still exporting about 200,000 b/d, despite having a nameplate capacity of 1.4 million b/d.

  One of the factors said to be stopping increased volumes from being shipped through the pipeline is that several key oil fields in northern Iraq evacuated staff and stopped production after the US and Israel started their war with Iran.

  Another factor is that Iraq has not invested in domestic pipeline infrastructure to pipe production from Basra to Kurdistan, where it could be exported via the Kurdish ITP route.

  ---

  READ THE MAY 2026 MEED BUSINESS REVIEW – click here to view PDF

  Global energy sector forced to recalibrate; Conflict hits debt issuance and listings activity; UAE’s non-oil sector faces unclear recovery period amid disruption.

  Distributed to senior decision-makers in the region and around the world, the May 2026 edition of MEED Business Review includes:

  > AGENDA: War in the Middle East recalibrates global energy markets > REGIONAL LNG: War undermines business case for Middle East LNG > CAPITAL MARKETS: Damage avoidance frames debt issuance > IPOs: Regional IPO market dries up amid war  > MARKET FOCUS: Conflict tests UAE diversification > INTERVIEW: Desalination holds steady amid tensions, says Veolia CEO > LEGAL: Force majeure will not cure pre-existing construction industry breaches > BANKS:  GCC banks to feel the strain despite strong buffers > PIF STRATEGY: Public Investment Fund approves 2026-30 strategy

  To see previous issues of MEED Business Review, please click here

  https://image.digitalinsightresearch.in/uploads/NewsArticle/16902345/main1824.jpg

  Wil Crisp