Construction Business News ME - October 2022

KSA’S BOLD VISION IS PAYING

THE CROWN PRINCE OF KSA HAS SET HIS SIGHTS ON MAKING THE KINGDOM ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT OUT DESTINATIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WE TAKE A LOOK SOME OF THE TOP CONSTRUCTION, ARCHITECTS, CONSULTANTS, THAT ARE IN KSA

KSA’S BOLD VISION IS PAYING OFF

KSA’S BOLD VISION IS PAYING OFF

The Crown Prince of KSA has set his sights on making the Kingdom one of the most sought out destinations for both tourism and expatriates in the Middle East

18 PROJECT

NEW LIFESTYLE DESTINATION

DANAH BAY

Dubai Investments Launches New Lifestyle Destination in Ras Al Khaimah – Danah Bay. Located within the heart of the View Island on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, Danah Bay is a unique premium beach community 20 REPORT KPMG REPORT

Riyadh real estate sectors show positive growth trends in H1 2022

22 STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

THE GRAND MOSQUE RESIDENCES

Dubai’s Ayana Holding and Nad Al Shiba Holding forms strategic partnerships with Government of Kazakhstan for development of US$2 billion real estate project in capital city

24 ACQUISITION

AL BAWANI ACQUIRES A-HAK SAUDI ARABIA

Al Bawani Water & Power Company (AWP) signed an acquisition agreement for the entire shares of A-Hak Saudi Arabia at the Dutch Embassy

48 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

In conversation with Eng. Mohammad Abdul Karim Khamis, GM at Emirates National Facilities Management (EnFM)

58 REBRANDING

NAKHEEL RE-BRAND SUPPORTS

DUBAI 2040 URBAN MASTER PLAN

Focus on ‘building happiness and prosperity’ to enhance the wellbeing of citizens, residents and visitors

SUMMER OF

KSA’S BOLD VISION IS PAYING OFF

The Crown Prince of KSA has set his sights on making the Kingdom one of the most sought out destinations for both tourism and expatriates in the Middle East. Projects such as The Red Sea Development, NEOM, The LINE, and now the establishment of Saudi Downtown Company are just a few ambitious projects that are already underway to make this vision come through.

As such KSA’s Vision 2030, along with a significant investment in housing and infrastructure development promoted across the country by local authorities, is revitalizing the construction industry and generating interest in a growing number of international players.

Developers, contractors, and hospitality industries are flocking to KSA to take advantage of this great opportunity. The ROI coming out of the KSA’s Vision 2030 is too tempting to resist and we are expecting to see more developments in 2023

In this magazine we decided to cover some of the few construction companies that are contributing to this vision.

Kasun Illankoon

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GREENING THE GCC

THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR IS FREQUENTLY PERCEIVED AS POLLUTING, SLOW TO INNOVATE AND DANGEROUS. IT’S TIME TO CHANGE THAT PERCEPTION, AND INNOVATIVE NEW TECHNOLOGIES CAN HELP

BY JIHAD BSAIBES, CEO AMANA CONTRACTING GROUP

The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted that global warming will increase by 1.5°C by 2040 – describing it as a “Code Red for Humanity”.

Climate change is possibly the greatest existential crisis facing us and taking action to reduce carbon emissions in the race to net zero has never been more

important. Urgent action is required by governments, businesses and individuals around the world to tackle global warming.

As part of the construction industry, we bear a responsibility in addressing climate change, locally and globally. After all, building and construction are responsible for more than one-third (39%) of all carbon emissions in the world, with operational emissions from energy used to heat, cool and light

buildings accounting for 28%. The balance 11% comes from embodied carbon emissions – associated with the construction processes as part of the whole building lifecycle. The World Green Building Council (WGBC) has set an ambitious target for the sector to reach 40% less embodied carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve 100% net zero emissions by 2050.

The silver lining? There is a real will to make a difference. Since the pandemic, environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy have been prioritized by leadership in the public and private sectors. Our clients are more ready than ever to commit fully to achieving ambitious sustainability targets, through measures large and small.

From retrofitting buildings for solar energy and passive cooling, to greenfield developments constructed using innovative, resource-saving technologies, businesses are open to all possibilities to become more sustainable. There is a sound business case for the shift to

sustainability as well. Research from the World Economic Forum states that a move toward a circular economy could generate $4.5tn (AED16.5tn) in additional economic output by 2030 for the UAE.

The case for productization

Each business has a unique sustainability journey, a product of its industry, maturity, values and leadership. Our

own journey over the past thirty years has seen us championing the shift from projects to productization.

Part of this is inspired by being headquartered in a region driven by incubators for innovation and imagination. However, while breathtaking projects such as The Museum of the Future in Dubai are being realised, is the region’s construction sector ready to step forward into a sustainable future?

The shift from a project mindset to a product manufacturing one, is enabled by technology. Software such as Autodesk Building Information Modelling (BIM) and innovative technologies, such as modular construction, can help the industry achieve the economic diversification, job creation and sustainability goals set by national agendas such as Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s National Transformation Program.

Modular construction can go a long way towards making the sector cleaner, greener and leaner. We can now manufacture entire buildings off-site in factory-controlled environments, reducing the need for manpower by up to 30%, and with far lower wastage rates than an open construction site. Modular construction potentially reduces material waste by up to 30% and improves the work safety environment by up to 70%.

Pre-finished modules can be trucked to job sites, where they are installed. Time to project delivery is shrunk, as modules are manufactured in parallel within a factory environment, ensuring consistency in material and finishes. Offsite construction reduces environmental impact in pristine sites such as The Red Sea Development Project (where AMANA has successfully delivered dozens of buildings for The Red Sea Development Company) in KSA

The construction sector has long suffered from a shortage of talent and people to work on sites, which has delayed projects across the region. Today, digitalization has presented the sector with an opportunity to attract talent by reimagining our business models and operations.

There have been countless reports backed by anecdotal evidence to show

that people want to work for a company that has a strong sustainability agenda, and a strong environmental conscience. Digitalization is creating office and factory-based jobs for construction workers, improving health, safety and productivity; and helping the sector improve scores on diversity and inclusion as well.

Why sustainability should matter to our clients

Group AMANA has invested over 10 years of research and development in modular construction, with projects prototyped and realized across the region, delivering over 130,000 sq m of built-up area (BUA) in modular.

However, not all clients buy the business case for going green. Despite the best intentions, the reality of budgetary pressures can force stakeholders to value engineer and reduce costs where possible. Affordability is the top challenge in adopting sustainable construction practices and policies for almost 40% of UAE-based companies. Half the construction firms across the Middle East expect green buildings to incur higher primary production costs.

Building sustainably actually makes sound business sense over the long term, delivering earlier returns on investment (RoI). Investors value green building assets higher than traditionally built buildings, due to their reduced operating costs. Not to mention the health benefits to workers, communities and future inhabitants from decreased air and noise pollution.

To combat climate change, new buildings must be built sustainably and existing buildings must be decarbonised. As a regional construction leader, Group AMANA is championing initiatives to promote sustainable construction in the region, bringing in the digital tools, standardised manufacturing techniques, reduced wastage, and processes to usher in a new era for the industry.

Looking to the future, sustainable construction has the potential to be a powerful change engine for the construction sector, a catalyst for the GCC’s decarbonised future and a valuable contributor to the global fight against climate change.

GREENING THE GCC | INNOVATIVE NEW TECHNOLOGIES CAN HELP

“From retrofitting buildings for solar energy and passive cooling, to greenfield developments constructed using innovative, resourcesaving technologies, businesses are open to all possibilities to become more sustainable.”

Jihad Bsaibes, CEO, AMANA Contracting Group

TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY

Tell us about your role at RIB CCS

I have been appointed as the Vice President of RIB CCS, a role that is underpinned by more than 25 years in the construction industry and a love of the built environment.

In this role, I am committed to ensuring RIB CCS people are enabled to do what they are passionate about and presented with opportunities for growth. Further focus will include the nurturing of

relationships with the business’s current and future customers; overseeing broader changes in the business; exploring new opportunities and products; and working with my colleagues across the business’s global footprint to achieve their growth aspirations.

My many years in construction have given me a deep understanding of the complexities involved in the construction process, how challenging it can be to

deliver construction projects and how important it is to have tools that are reliable and fast to secure and deliver the necessary work.

This is one of the reasons RIB CCS Candy was my partner, my trusted assistant for the 25 years I worked at the construction coalface. It allowed my teams to secure work for the business and feel confident in the knowledge that every tender submitted would be correct.

From a project controls perspective, integration of systems helped our teams manage change more easily, with the right tools, you have access to information that allows you to make crucial decisions that influence the outcome of the project, rather than waiting for the outcome of the project to influence you.

How has technology enabled the Construction industry over the past few years and how has RIB CCS changed the dynamics of this industry?

The construction industry is notorious for being one of the least digitally transformed industries worldwide.

Although it is the single largest industry vertical in the world, it lags behind other industries in average productivity growth, only having grown by about 1% in the last decade.

Approximately 80% of all construction projects run over time and/or budget, resulting in high levels of customer dissatisfaction.

Traditionally, information on construction sites has been managed and communicated verbally and via paperbased systems. A common challenge with this approach is miscommunication between on-site and office personnel which, in turn, leads to delays, lost time and money, and decreased morale.

The introduction of Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Building Information Modelling (BIM), supply chain integration, and mobile computing has set the stage for the modernisation of the sector and digital tools are becoming a staple of the industry. What is missing, however, is the seamless and meaningful integration of these technologies.

Companies that are succeeding in this area have embraced innovative software, which has helped them with the identification,

quantification, and streamlining of work tasks, resulting in saved time, money, and effort. Digital tools support a host of functions and when they are successfully integrated, users can improve project planning, establish accurate timelines and budgets, and track work in real-time. In addition, contractors can use the data accumulated on digital platforms to improve communication, efficiencies, productivity, and safety, thereby promoting growth, improving profitability, and enabling sustainability.

RIB CCS’ role in the industry, which commenced more than 40 years ago, is to leverage the latest digital technologies with a view to empowering its construction clients to run their businesses better – making them more collaborative, transparent, efficient, and sustainable.

But we are now at an interesting stage within the built environment with fit-forpurpose digital solutions that allow the journey to be fasttracked. And, that’s where RIB CCS comes in. It’s our mission to drive the digital transformation of the industry so that it can prosper for many generations to come.

We live this mission when we engage our customers. It’s not just a sales process, but a partnership that lasts for many years, decades even. We become our customer’s trusted advisors and we show them not only how to use our software, but how to embed industry best practices

into their organizations. We do this by hiring industry professionals who truly understand our customers’ challenges and address them via purpose-built solutions.

What are some of the projects where RIB CCS software is/has been used that you are particularly proud of?

While our software solutions have supported various projects around the world, we are particularly proud of the high-end projects our clients have been involved

in the UAE and MENA Region, including the Burj al Arab in Dubai, the Museum of the Future in Dubai, Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi, Qatar stadiums and infrastructure for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the Kingdom Tower in Riyadh among many others.

What are the key opportunities in the MENA region for techno-enabled solutions?

The MENA region understands the importance of technology-enabled solutions

TRUSTED

“MY MANY YEARS IN CONSTRUCTION HAVE GIVEN ME A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMPLEXITIES INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS.”

and the role they play in economic growth and gaining a competitive advantage. Notably, about 50% of cities expected to become smart by 2025 will be in emerging markets and the Middle East.

The area is well positioned to harness its appetite for digital solutions to create viable smart cities that will, in turn, enhance the quality of services offered to their urban populations, reduce costs and resource consumption and allow for more effective engagement with citizens. We see it has started in UAE where it is setting the example for other countries in the region and globally. Saudi Arabia as well, in line with its vision, has a major share in many techno-based projects such as NEOM and Red Sea Projects. The same goes for other GCC counties like Egypt, Kuwait and Bahrain.

What are the plans for 2023 and what’s in the pipeline for the next five years?

Since the acquisition of CCS by RIB, we have been through quite a bit of change, my position being one of them which came about when Andrew Skudder (former CEO of CCS) took over the role

of Chief Revenue Officer of RIB. The next most notable change is to review a fragmented product-based business and to reconstitute this with a regional bias, allowing each one of the teams representing RIB in a particular region to offer multiple solutions from our broader RIB group, best suited to the needs of the client. In addition to this the RIB product team have are now actively harnessing

the skillset throughout the world for the greater benefit of our clients and in turn the future of RIB.

The next five years will see a focus on our client base to ensure they can maximize the use and opportunity the software provides, focus our regional teams to embrace the multiple products offered by RIB and to bring updates as well as new solutions to the industry.

NEXT

RIGHT

AT

NEW LIFESTYLE DESTINATION DANAH BAY

Dubai Investments Launches New Lifestyle Destination in Ras Al Khaimah – Danah Bay. Located within the heart of the View Island on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, Danah Bay is a unique premium beach community

Dubai Investments, a leading investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) launches Danah Bay, a vibrant, mixed-use beachfront community and lifestyle destination on Al Marjan Island with breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf. A freehold premium beach community, the AED 1billion flagship project sets a new standard for Ras Al Khaimah.

With the Group’s expertise across diversified sectors over the last 27 years, and with the real estate sector being a key vertical, adding to its impressive line-up of real estate developments is Danah Bay. Spanning an area of approximately 90,000 square meters, the project includes luxury townhouses and villas, residential waterfront apartments, an upper scale 4-star hotel resort and community retail.

“This region offers tremendous potential for the residential, hospitality and the tourism industry and after careful evaluation and in line with the market trends, we have announced this integrated beach community in Ras Al Khaimah, that will capitalise on the lucrative opportunities of the emirate,

creating a benchmark in mixed-use development and providing a longterm value to the economy. Benefiting from the Group’s resilient business model, supporting diversification through unique investments, Danah Bay is a step forward in strengthening the Group’s real estate portfolio and expanding presence regionally”, said Khalid Bin Kalban, Vice Chairman and CEO, Dubai Investments.

Danah Bay offers a variety of freehold residential options including stunning two-bedroom townhouses with roof terrace, three-bedroom villas and four-bedroom beachfront villas along with waterfront residential apartments. The project’s tranquil beach provides exclusive access for residents and hotel guests to enjoy recreational activities and relaxation.

Reflecting Dubai Investment’s vision of creating a comfortable lifestyle destination, seamlessly integrated with nature, Danah Bay is a relaxing retreat that encourages visitors to pause and look after their wellbeing. From its simple, urban, and modern exteriors to the interiors that sport natural color palettes, the overarching architecture of Danah Bay matches the beauty of its surrounding natural landscape and the beachscape.

Strategically located in Ras Al Khaimah, which is known for its tourism, hospitality and an attractive property market, Danah Bay is 50 minutes away from Dubai International Airport, 60 minutes from Downtown Dubai, 30 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah Airport, and 30 minutes from Ras Al Khaimah City Centre.

“THIS REGION OFFERS TREMENDOUS POTENTIAL FOR THE RESIDENTIAL, HOSPITALITY AND THE TOURISM INDUSTRY AND AFTER CAREFUL EVALUATION AND IN LINE WITH THE MARKET TRENDS, WE HAVE ANNOUNCED THIS INTEGRATED BEACH COMMUNITY IN RAS AL KHAIMAH, THAT WILL CAPITALISE ON THE LUCRATIVE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE EMIRATE.”

KPMG

KPMG released its first ever interactive and advanced “Riyadh Real Estate Market Overview” highlighting the indicative investment opportunities, market trends, and market performance for the first half of 2022, covering four core real estate sectors: residential, retail, office, and hospitality.

The overview comes in an insightful, easy to navigate, interactive dashboard, which allows sorting in three dimensions by selecting sectors, sub-sectors, and zones of the capital city. Users can select multiple sub-sectors and zones to witness a customized result in terms of market performance and indicative

investment opportunities. Furthermore, the dashboard illustrates indicative locations that can be considered for future developments in the respective sector and sub-sector.

Residential

KPMG found that demand for housing units, particularly in the affordable segment, is continuously increasing despite the recent slowdown – mainly driven by a large and growing population, coupled with growing urbanization, declining household size, and government measures. In line with Vision 2030, the government is continuously working on the provision of affordable housing units for Saudi nationals to increase home ownership,

KPMG

which stands at just above 62%, as per the latest published statistics.

“The residential market remained resilient during the pandemic which can be attributed to strong demand fundamentals and has witnessed a positive trend in KPIs in the first of 2022,” said Rani Majzoub, Head of Real Estate Advisory at KPMG Professional Services. He observed that the demand for apartments and/or smaller units is soaring at a relatively higher pace mainly due to affordability, an influx of expatriates, and increasing market acceptance for these types of units, particularly among Saudi households.

Retail

As the largest market in the GCC – and characterized by a strong consumer base with high disposable income – Saudi Arabia’s retail market has managed to bounce back from the effects of the pandemic. Retail sales are expected to grow at a CAGR of ~5% between 2022 and 2025, which is likely to have a positive impact on the intake of retail space in the Kingdom.

After witnessing a subdued performance in 2020-21 due to the pandemic, the retail market has shown signs of stability in the first half of 2022. However, it will take some time to be back on the growing pace mainly due to increasing competitiveness in the market which is exerting pressure on rental rates.

“Mixing up retail with other complementing real estate components such as entertainment, hotel, office or residential could be a commendable idea to generate a certain footfall. As Riyadh is positioning itself as a prime tourism destination, an influx of inbound and domestic tourists can be expected. Hence, future developments should focus on the needs of both residents and tourists,” Eng. Majzoub added.

Hospitality

Riyadh’s hospitality sector continues to show signs of improvement owing to a robust increase in demand generated by tourists during post-COVID

RANI MAJZOUB, Head of Real Estate

recovery period. Despite the dwindling performance in 2020-21 due to the closure of borders and tourist attractions, the market is witnessing an upsurge in occupancy rates. The long-term market outlook is likely to be positive, backed by the government’s initiatives to increase the industry’s contribution to the economy.

KPMG expects healthy performance of budget hotels (3 and 4 star) in the upcoming years, owing to the current market dynamics. Hence, it is an investment opportunity that can be explored further with gradual recovery and an expected increase in the number of tourists.

Office

Riyadh as the capital and commercial hub benefits from overall commercial activities in the region. The primary demand drivers including macroeconomic indicators, population, and workforce are expected to remain

affirmative, hence a positive outlook for office space demand is anticipated.

Contrary to its historical performance, Riyadh office market has witnessed a healthy upsurge of in the rental rates of both Grade A & B segments in the first half of 2022. The market is anticipated to witness the same positive trend, particularly in the Grade A segment, during the medium term as international companies working in the Saudi Arabia

would move their headquarters in the Kingdom by 2024 under Regional Headquarters Program (RHQ), hence, additional uptake of office space is foreseen.

“The ongoing economic recovery coupled with improving demand drivers of various sectors is likely to have a positive impact on the overall real estate market of the capital city” Eng Majzoub concluded.

“Mixing up retail with other complementing real estate components such as entertainment, hotel, office or residential could be a commendable idea to generate a certain footfall. As Riyadh is positioning itself as a prime tourism destination, an influx of inbound and domestic tourists can be expected.”

THE GRAND MOSQUE RESIDENCES

DUBAI’S AYANA HOLDING AND NAD AL SHIBA HOLDING FORMS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH GOVERNMENT OF KAZAKHSTAN FOR DEVELOPMENT OF US$2 BILLION REAL ESTATE PROJECT IN CAPITAL CITY IN HIS RECENT VISIT TO THE UAE, THE KAZAKH PRIME MINISTER SIGNED US$900M WORTH OF AGREEMENTS TO BETTER COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES, HIGHLIGHTING VARIOUS INDUSTRY PROJECTS, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION

As part of a government meeting between Alikhan Smailov, Kazakhstan Prime Minister and H.E. Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy in UAE the Prime Minister presented Emirati investors with a list of new investment projects worth over $6.5bn in multiple industries including construction, with a bid to better economic cooperation with the UAE.

As an integral part of this agreement, Dubai-based Ayana Holding has announced that it will be joining hands with Nad Al Shiba Holding LLC and Kazakh Invest National Company for the construction of a multifunctional residential and commercial complex, The Grand Mosque Residences, in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan. The cost of the first phase of the project is estimated at US$576 million, and the total cost of the project is US$2 billion.

Prime Minister Smailov stated that the Government of Kazakhstan is ready to provide the necessary assistance in the implementation and maintenance of the construction of the complex. Both parties have agreed to continue work on the transition and practical implementation of the project.

Ayana Holding & Nad Al Shiba Holding will be the lead developers of this project and manage the design, development and construction of

the multifunctional, commercial and residential complexes, including crafting a master plan, the architectural design and the infrastructure planning. The complex will feature residential apartments, commercial space for restaurants, shopping centres and retail showrooms, boutique hotels, as well as office space for organizations to rent.

Kazakh Invest National Company is on board to support on-ground operations and liaise with the Kazakhstan government for approvals and land allocation.

Post its pandemic-driven slump, Kazakhstan’s economy is ripe as reports reveal that between January and July 2022 alone, the republic’s economy grew by 3.4 per cent. The foreign trade turnover increased by 39.4 per cent to $63.7 billion in the same period. The growth was driven by a surge in many sectors — primarily by a rise in construction, information and communication and trade, among others.

Abdulla Lahej, Chairman of Ayana Holding commented on the project: “Almost 58 per cent of the Kazakhstan population live in urban areas like Astana and there is an increasing shift from rural communities too. As the demand for residential property grows, this project comes at the ideal time. At Ayana Holding, we are not limited to one location. We are expanding and reaching out to international cities and across continents to showcase our brand and discover where we have the potential to grow. The partnership

between the countries will contribute to the promotion of a favourable investment reputation for Kazakhstan and increase the competitiveness of the company’s business in both regions. We are proud to contribute to Kazhakstan’s progress with The Grand Mosque Residences complex in Astana in collaboration with our partners and the Government of Kazakhstan.”

Mohammad Helal Salem, Chairman of Nad Al Shiba Holding said: “Kazakhstan is a rapidly developing country with great infrastructure and investment potential so we are keen to establish business with the country and create more opportunities in the longterm. The Grand Mosque Residences will be a regional attraction point for many investors and is designed to serve increasing local demand and to attract local and international markets. It

uses a mixed-use approach, where the complex consists of residences for the end users, offices for large corporations and retail showrooms for international brands. We are excited to partner with knowledgeable players like Ayana Holding and Kazakh Invest National Company for this project.”

Ruslan Ibraimov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, Kazakh Invest National Company, stated: “Kazakhstan is experiencing a wave of urbanization. As the population in these areas increases, the demand for residential property is also growing. Consequently, there is a significant rise in the number of aspiring homeowners as real estate investment is a traditional investment methodology for domestic buyers. We look forward to utilizing our expertise, collaborating with our partners in the market to create a great landmark to attract tourists as well as bring in foreign direct investment into the country.”

The first five months of 2022 had a record number of real estate transactions in Kazakhstan, with primary and secondary housing in the country gaining momentum. In March alone, there were a recordbreaking 67,800 real estate purchase agreements. This highlights that the market is rapidly progressing and The Grand Mosque Residences project is being developed at an opportune time.

THE

ACQUIRES A-HAK SAUDI ARABIA Al Bawani

Al Bawani Water & Power Company (AWP) signed an acquisition agreement for the entire shares of A-Hak Saudi Arabia at the Dutch Embassy in Riyadh on the 14th of September 2022. The agreement was signed by the Group CEO of Al Bawani, Eng. Fakher Al Shawaf, and the CEO of Dutch A-Hak, Mr. Henk Herremans, in the presence of H.E., the Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ms. Janet Alberda.

Representatives of various entities within the Ministry of Environment Water & Agriculture (MEWA), of PIF’s giga projects and of the Saudi and Dutch business community were present at the signing ceremony.

Eng. Fakher Al Shawaf pointed out that “the acquisition of «A-Hak» by «Al Bawani» represents a valuable addition to the construction and infrastructure sector and it will support Al Bawani’s growth plans in the water & environment, energy and oil & gas sectors.”

Eng. Fakher Al Shawaf added that “A-Hak has a proven track record of great success and achievements with Aramco, Saline Water Conversion Corporation (SWCC), and the National Water Company (NWC).”

Mr. Henk Herremans, the CEO of A-Hak, said, “In our 45 years in the Kingdom, we successfully completed a large number of bigger and smaller projects together with our partners”. Mr. Herremans added, “Because of the Energy transition in the Netherlands, the rest of Europe, and the

United Kingdom, there is a tremendous amount of work to be realized relatively close to where we are. So, we redefined our home market accordingly. For that reason, we started to look for a potential new owner at the beginning of 2021, and after some selections, we entered negotiations with Al Bawani Water and Power Limited. And in this period, we experienced the real interest of Al Bawani in becoming the successor for A.Hak Pijpleidingen Saudi Company Limited. We are pleased that our activities in Saudi Arabia will continue through a trusted organization and that the employment for all our people involved is secured.”

Al Bawani will continue working with the existing clients and expand into new ventures through the Public Investment Fund (PIF) companies, such as NEOM, Amaala, Roshn, Diriyah Gate, and many more, as well as exploring ways to cooperate with the National Infrastructure Fund, leveraging its experience in the development, investment and operations of large infrastructure projects to the likes of National Centre for Privatization (NCP) and Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC).

“In our 45 years in the Kingdom, we successfully completed a large number of bigger and smaller projects together with our partners.”

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KSA’S BOLD VISION IS PAYING OFF

THE CROWN PRINCE OF KSA HAS SET HIS SIGHTS

ON MAKING THE KINGDOM ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT OUT DESTINATIONS FOR BOTH TOURISM AND EXPATRIATES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. PROJECTS SUCH AS THE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT, NEOM, THE LINE, AND NOW THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SAUDI DOWNTOWN COMPANY ARE JUST A FEW AMBITIOUS PROJECTS THAT ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY TO MAKE THIS VISION COME THROUGH.

AS SUCH KSA’S VISION 2030, ALONG WITH A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE

DEVELOPMENT PROMOTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES, IS REVITALIZING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND GENERATING INTEREST IN A GROWING NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS.DEVELOPERS, CONTRACTORS, AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRIES ARE FLOCKING TO KSA TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY. THE ROI COMING OUT OF THE KSA’S VISION 2030 IS TOO TEMPTING TO RESIST AND WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE MORE DEVELOPMENTS IN 2023.

WE TAKE A LOOK SOME OF THE TOP CONSTRUCTION, ARCHITECTS, CONSULTANTS, THAT ARE IN KSA

Eng. Fakher Alshawaf, Group CEO, Al Bawani Group

Al Bawani Group

Eng. Fakher has been at the helm of Al Bawani Group for over two decades. and has strived for growth and brand recognition in the company.

Al Bawani is a diversified group of Saudi companies.

Established in 1991, the past three decades have seen their business grow from a modest civil-works firm into a fully-fledged general contracting corporation with a sizeable portfolio, strong financial position, and a significant presence in a broad range of industries. Al Bawani’s construction division is now among the five largest operators in KSA.

The company specialises in coreand-shell work, renovation work, fit-outs, architectural facades, MEP work, turnkey design & build, and project management contracting. Furthermore, the group has strong capabilities across the EPC project lifecycle, and we deliver innovationdriven solutions for their clients.

To date, the company has completed over 250 projects, building long term partnerships, and earning the trust and loyalty of their clients in the process. Furthermore, Al Bawani currently have SAR 9bn (USD 2.4bn) worth of projects.

The group has bolstered its reputation by adhering to international standards and developing rigorous quality management systems in its business sectors. The group has also established rigorous procedures to ensure the safety of their personnel which has resulted in minimal errors and getting projects delivered on time and within budget.

KSA’S BOLD VISION IS PAYING OFF

Aramco

The Saudi Arabian Oil Company (“Aramco” or “the Company”) announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2022, posting a 90% year-on-year (YoY) increase in net income and declaring a dividend of $18.8 billion to be paid in the third quarter.

The Company’s gas expansion program is progress ing towards increasing production with initial construc tion and design of the Jafurah Gas Plant ongoing. The facility has a planned processing capacity of 3.1 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd) of raw gas, expected to be completed in two phases by 2027. The Jafurah field is expected to commence production in 2025 and will gradually increase natural gas deliveries to reach a sustainable rate of 2.0 bscfd by 2030, which will provide feedstock for hydrogen and ammonia

production and will help meet expected growing local energy demand.

The Jafurah gas field is believed to be the biggest unconventional gas field in Saudi Arabia. Estimated to contain approximately 200 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of wet gas resources, it is also claimed to be the world’s biggest shale gas field outside the US.

Meanwhile, construction of the Hawiyah Unayzah Gas Reservoir Storage has reached an advanced stage, with the injection phase nearing completion. This is expected to provide up to 2.0 bscfd of natural gas to be injected into the Master Gas System by 2024. It is the first underground natural gas storage project in the Kingdom, which helps to manage seasonal changes in demand and in turn improves asset utilization and cost efficiency.

ALEC Engineering & Contracting

Leading ALEC to the top of the list is Kez Taylor, with more than thirty-five years’ experience in the industry, twenty of which spent with ALEC Engineering & Contracting, Kez Taylor is the Chief Executive Officer, one of the Middle East’s largest main contractors.

An honours degree graduate from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, Kez’s career has overseen the delivery of more than 100 challenging projects in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, Zambia, and Ethiopia including airports, retail, hospitality, and high-rise, while leading a community of over 11,000 highly skilled personnel.

With revenues in 2021 exceeding USD 1bn, ALEC is one of the Middle East’s most influential construction companies. Last year alone, the company successfully delivered several iconic projects including 23 pavilions at Expo 2020 Dubai, and was awarded its first megaproject in Saudi Arabia, the Qiddiya Waterpark project. It also established its Strategic Projects and Developments division and established two new subsidiaries, LINQ Modular and ALEC Data Centre Solutions.

ALEC consistently expands into new markets and bring disruptive innovation to segments including construction, MEP, renewable energy, fitout, data centres and more.

The company is pioneering the digitalisation of the sector and has achieved both the ISO 19650 and the Kitemark (BIM) certifications. ALEC is also deeply committed to championing sustainability in the sector and this year unveiled its first ever sustainability report which is publicly available and conforms to GRI standards.

To maintain this leadership, ALEC actively develops new internal learning and development programs to foster new skillsets within its workforce. Through these efforts and the strategic reinvestment into the business, ALEC continues to set new industry benchmarks.

ALEC has developed and grown the business to include a series of successful subsidiaries, such as ALEC

Kez Taylor, CEO, ALEC

Energy, ALEC FITOUT and LINQ Modular, and work on several of the UAE’s most ambitious projects including twenty-three Expo 2020 pavilions and One Za’abeel, the world’s largest cantilevered building.

Pivotal Projects

ALEC was one of the most active and important contractors at the EXPO site, having delivered a staggering 23 pavilions. This included the flagship Mobility, Opportunity (fitout work) and Vision Pavilions and the Dubai Exhibition Centre, and the country pavilions for the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and many others. The works done by ALEC at pavilions ensured they were the highlights of visitors’ experiences at the EXPO.

Dubai Hills Mall was another largescale retail designation delivered by ALEC and especially noteworthy aspects of this project included our delivery of Storm, the mall’s thrilling indoor rollercoaster, and the solar panelling which greatly aids reduction of the Mall’s energy consumption footprint.

Innovation in Expansion of the Business

Far from resting on its laurels, ALEC looks to consistently expand into new markets and bring disruptive innovation to these segments – helping advance the transformation of their verticals.

> Last year, ALEC launched LINQ, a specialist modular home manufacturer. This also entailed the establishment of a brand-new production factory in Jebel Ali, Dubai which employs a highly skilled and specially trained workforce, and world-class processes to minimise material and energy consumption.

> Building on our strengths in construction, MEP, logistics, fit-out, and technology integration, and looking to cater to growing demand for regional data centres, we announced the establishment of ALEC Data Centre Solutions. ALEC Data Centre Solutions focuses across three primary lines of business — traditional data centre construction solutions, prefabricated solutions, and modernisation & retrofit solutions.

> We are also set to launching a new division focused on strategic projects and developments. This division will specialise in preconstruction services (Design and build, Construction Management, and Turnkey Developments) with the aim of delivering comprehensive value from the design stage onwards

> ALEC also entered joint venture with BUTEC, a leading contractor in the fields of construction, engineering, logistics and related businesses. This partnership enables our clients to benefit from unparalleled economies of scale, construction excellence, sectorial expertise, and availability of resources.

> In line with our focus on advancing digitalisation, both within ALEC and for the project we work on, we invested time and resources to achieve both the ISO 19650 certification and the Kitemark certification for BIM process.

> This year, ALEC will also unveil its first ever Sustainability report. This report which will be made publicly available conforms to GRI standards and comprehensively details our ESG goals and the measures we have been taking to achieve them.

Commitment to Employees and Highest Quality Standards

To maintain our market leadership, we actively develop new internal learning and development programs to develop and enhance new skillsets within its workforce. An example is the ongoing development of employees through the ALEC EVOLVE program. In its first variant - EVOLVE C – the program is aimed at the company’s entry and more junior level staff. This program combines various learning initiatives including mentor support, classroom training, book reviews, PDPs and project delivery. This is rounded out by THRIVE, our Leadership Development program that aims to support employees at the mid-management level on their journey to become senior leaders. With the ultimate goal of nurturing their emotional intelligence in order to refine their ability to manage people, this program covers topics such as “Leadership as Coach”, “Hiring and Firing Effectively”, “Data Storytelling” and “Improvisation”.

The works done by ALEC at pavilions ensured they were the highlights of visitors’ experiences at the EXPO.

KSA’S BOLD VISION IS PAYING OFF

The Red Sea Development Company

John Pagano, Group CEO, The Red Sea Development Company

John Pagano is the Group Chief Executive Officer of The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind some of the world’s most ambitious development ventures, including luxury regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA.

John is leveraging his 38 years of international experience in delivering large scale multi-billion-dollar developments covering every facet of the real estate value chain, including site acquisition, master planning, project structuring, financing, construction and asset management.

The Red Sea has demonstrated significant progress over the last 12 months, with phase one now more than 50 percent complete. Work is on track to welcome the first guests in 2023, when the first hotels will open, with the balance of phase one set to complete by early 2024. Several key assets are already fully operational, including a four-star management hotel, on-site offices, and the largest landscape nursery in the region.

Earlier this year TRSDC established its first joint-venture agreement for the destination with Almutlaq Real Estate Investment Co., a subsidiary of the Al Mutlaq Group, worth SR 1.5 billion. This partnership demonstrates the belief the investment community has in its projects, as well as the wider tourism opportunity in the Kingdom.

At AMAALA, TRSDC recently revealed the iconic designs for its stunning Triple Bay Yacht Club, which it expects will ensure the evolution of the Red Sea coast become an international hub for luxury yachting.

Across both destinations, over 1,250 contracts worth in excess of 30 billion riyals have been awarded – critically, over 70 percent of the total value of these contracts has been awarded to Saudi firms. Various new programs have been launched to upskill and prepare young Saudi talent for jobs of the future, including the 4th annual edition of the Elite Graduate Program.

The Red Sea destination and AMAALA are set to cement Saudi Arabia as a leader in luxury, sustainable tourism.

Diriyah Gate Development Authority

Jerry Inzerillo is one of the hospitality industry’s most influential figures, acting as a champion for the sector and its people for more than five decades.

From CEO of Forbes Travel Guide to CEO of Morgans Hotel Group, Inzerillo is now leading the transformation of the world’s most iconic tourism destination, Diriyah, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In June 2018, he was appointed by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the first Group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA). The Authority will turn the historic city of Diriyah into a centre of arts, culture, commerce and science. With the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif at its heart, it is set to become Saudi Arabia’s most iconic lifestyle and tourism destinations.

Upon completion, the USD 50.6 billion development will add 27 billion Saudi Riyals to Saudi Arabia’s GDP and provide 55,000 job opportunities. The development will be home to 100,000 people and will aim to attract 27 million visitors annually.

In 2021, Inzerillo was named Corporate Hotelier of the World by HOTELS magazine during their prestigious annual awards,

DGDA’S FUTURE PLANS

DGDA is building a world-class destination, from restaurants and hotels to cultural centres and residential areas: In the entertainment sector, Diriyah is opening its premium

GERARD J. INZERILLO, CEO, Diriyah Gate Development Authority

dining district, Bujairi Terrace, hosting Michelin-starred restaurants and leading Saudi brands. Diriyah has also been host to the Formula E races, major boxing matches and the Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale.

In terms of tourism, Diriyah is a global player. DGDA has announced 14 global brands will join their 38-hotel-strong

hospitality offering, including the Four Seasons, Armani, RitzCarlton, Rosewood, Six Senses, and many others. Diriyah is also preparing to open the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif to the public permanently for the very first time later this year.

Diriyah’s uniqueness lies in its ability to tangibly connect the destination to its deep-

rooted history and cultural past while driving innovation to bring it into the future. Its buildings will be constructed using handmade mud bricks in the traditional Najdi style that is native to the region.

Diriyah’s first assets are slated to open this year, including the historic At-Turaif which will welcome guests permanently for the first time.

KSA’S BOLD VISION IS PAYING OFF

Sultan Sobhi Batterjee, Chairman & CEO, IHCC

Sultan Sobhi Batterjee is the Chairman & CEO of IHCC as well as a leading Executive and Board Member in Bait Al Batterjee Holding and the Saudi German Hospitals Group. He is also the founding Board Member of Batterjee Foundation, and a founder of multiple companies and organizations including Lifestyle Developers and The Innovation House.

His leadership of IHCC plays a vital role in positioning the company as a world-renowned design and build company and turnkey solution provider specializing in healthcare, education, and mixed-use development projects in the Middle East and North Africa.

As a prominent Saudi Class (A) company, IHCC is firmly aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, through the creation of various business units in key disciplines. The in-house capabilities of IHCC encompass the prime components of the successful delivery of megaprojects and reflect the company’s strength

in leading on the provisions of high-performance buildings solutions. IHCC acts as a single source for integrated turnkey solutions that cover design & engineering, construction, MEP, finishing & fit-out, energy efficiency, building sustainability solutions, facilities management, and investments. The company’s experience and offering are provided through various channels including Design & Build, EPC contracts, Public-Private Partnerships (PPP’s), and EPC Financing solutions.

IHCC has a proven track record that highlights its steady growth and its major role in Vision 2030 giga-project developments. At present the company is delivering on numerous large-scale contracts in the KSA, UAE, Egypt and Morocco, including advanced medical cities in Makkah, Dammam, and Alexandria. Each medical city is comprised of hospital buildings, specialty centers, educational and residential facilities, mixed-use and commercial buildings, recreational facilities, and landscaping.

KSA’S BOLD VISION

NEOM

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EOM is an attempt to do something that’s never been done before and it’s coming at a time when the world needs fresh thinking and new solutions.

Simply put, NEOM will be a destination, a home for people who dream big and want to be part of building a new model for sustainable living, working and prospering.

NEOM and the The Crown Prince and Chairman of the NEOM Board of Directors, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman have announced several futuristic projects such as the OXAGON and THE LINE.

NEOM’s OXAGON, home to advanced and clean industries

with industrial innovation at its core.

OXAGON is building an infrastructure designed to develop a collaborative innovation ecosystem where ideas are accelerated from lab to market. The coastal city will be home to a dedicated Research and Innovation District, housing a campus equipped with state-ofthe-art facilities, from open working spaces to the latest in technologies, all powered by clean energy – ultimately providing a live-lab for industrial innovation.

In addition to applicants from Saudi universities, homegrown innovators from across the country are also invited to participate in the Hackathon and Accelerator with a chance to turn their innovative solutions into viable startup businesses.

THE LINE, a civilizational revolution that puts humans first, providing an unprecedented urban living experience while preserving the surrounding nature. In January last year, His Royal Highness launched the initial idea and vision of the city that redefines the concept of urban development and what cities of the future should look like.

The designs of THE LINE embody how urban communities will be in the future in an environment free from roads, cars and emissions. It will run on 100% renewable energy and prioritize people’s health and well-being over transportation and infrastructure as in traditional cities. It puts nature ahead of development and will contribute to preserving 95% of NEOM’s land.

The announcement reveals the most important characteristics of THE LINE, which is only 200 meters wide, 170 kilometers long and 500 meters above sea level. THE LINE will eventually accommodate 9 million residents and will be built on a footprint of 34 square kilometers, which is unheard of when compared to other cities of similar capacity. This in turn will reduce the infrastructure footprint and create never-before-seen efficiencies in city functions. Its ideal climate all year round will ensure that residents can enjoy surrounding nature when traveling on foot. Residents will also have access to all facilities in THE LINE within a five-minute walk, in addition to a high-speed rail with an end-to-end transit of 20 minutes.

DRIVE THE NEW WAY

NEW IVECO T-WAY: HIGH PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY ON OFF-ROAD TERRAINS

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NEW IVECO S-WAY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY AND EFFICIENCY FOR ON-ROAD MISSIONS

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Joe Tabet, Managing Director and

STORY

JT+Partners

n the span of seven years, despite economic slumps and pandemic challenges, Joe persevered, formulated vision/ mission, planned everything around the future, from business strategy to financial situation and started exploring for work in different geographies and other sectors like healthcare. Subsequently,

JT&Partners grew to more than twice its original size.

His initial staff rose to +70, its Dubai office increased to +300sqm and the company expanded its practice to Abu Dhabi and Beirut.

Taking advantage of multi-skilled resources availability in the region, Joe employed people from multicultural backgrounds, of +15 different

nationalities with diverse professional experiences. Thus, JT&Partners has an energetic, collaborative, creative team of innovative individuals with their fingers on the pulse of global architecture and construction, from latest technologies and trends, to oldest traditions, producing bespoke designs that reflect diversity in culture, experience and understanding.

Joe is a firm believer of applying innovation at different levels: design, business, client approach, project approach and good support team. He uses “unconventional” management strategies for JT&Partners to sustain its reputation as a worldrenown consultant, delivering iconic, environmental and socially sustainable projects world-wide as well as retaining and expanding his clientele and contacts.

A talented, insightful and creative architect, he has the gift of being able to understand, interpret local cultural requirements/ aspirations and reflecting all these into cost-effective building design solutions.

He creates buildings and communities that transcend Proactive in his commitments to CSR, Joe is heavily involved in raising awareness on sociable/sustainable communities, giving his team good health/financial benefits, fostering future generation, conducting business ethically/fairly, supporting worthy causes. Outside of the practice, he attends international industry related exhibits, actively participates in university lectures/ panel discussions and grants interviews to share his knowledge, experiences, viewpoints. Joe is an inspiration to designers and architects. He achieved success through his innovative ideas in design and management, creativity to “think outside of the box” and being a flexible and adaptable visionary. To be ranked amongst the most powerful architects and influencers in the Region is an honour for Joe.

Hamed Zaghw, Chief Executive, AECOM

East

AECOM Middle East & Africa

As Chief Executive of the Middle East and Africa, Hamed is focused on advancing a culture of technical excellence and innovation with an emphasis on quality and responsiveness to client needs. His extensive industry knowledge and strong client insight ensure that AECOM delivers solutions that solve its clients’ most complex challenges.

He remains engaged in the technical delivery of projects by serving as a project executive sponsor for major programs across the region. Notable high-profile projects in which Hamed is involved include:

> Hamad International Airport, Qatar

> Midfield Terminal Complex, Abu Dhabi, UAE

> Saudi Customs PMO

> The Line, NEOM, Saudi Arabia

> NEOM Bay, Saudi Arabia

Highlights over the past 12 months

In Saudi Araba, Hamed has played a leading role in AECOM’s ongoing expansion and market dominance. His strong leadership and relentless focus on flawless project delivery were key to AECOM securing significant contract extensions on Vision 2030 projects, such as NEOM Bay, for which we provide program management consultancy services and NEOM Spine Infrastructure, for which we provide design services.

In addition, we were awarded the role of Executive Program Management by the Royal Commission of AlUla and Majid Al Futtaim appointed us as the lead design consultant for its mixed-use development in north Riyadh.

In Qatar, Hamed continued to forge delivery relationships with Ashghal, adding the management of their local roads and drainage program to our portfolio. We also secured a six-year contract with Hamad International

Airport to provide PMC services for a new cargo terminal and Amiri Flight Facilities.

In the UAE, Hamed is a trusted advisor to clients. We continue to deliver transformative projects for the public and private sector, and secured contracts for large-scale projects with Aldar and Miral.

Since launching Sustainable Legacies, our ESG strategy and services, in April 2021, we have secured work through frameworks providing net zero advisory services to clients. By embracing services that are being valued differently by clients we have embedded this new revenue stream in our regional business and boast the largest market share of voice on net zero.

Key projects we’ve worked on and completed over the past 12 months

The flagship projects we have completed across the Middle East & Africa include:

> Dubai Expo Public Realm, UAE –masterplanning & public realm

> Dubai Expo Roads, UAE – design and construction supervision

> Museum of the Future, UAE – cost consultancy

> ICD Brookfield Place, UAE – project management

> Doha Oasis, Qatar – project management

> Diyar Al Muharraq infrastructure, Bahrain – design and construction supervision

> Habitas Hotel, AlUla – program management

> Mall of Oman, Oman - lead design and construction supervision

> Tema Port Phase 1, Ghana –construction supervision

> Transformational projects we continue to work on include:

> Saudi Customs PMO

> MOMRA PMO

> Midfield Terminal Complex, Abu Dhabi Airport

> Diriyah Square

> King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh

> Red Sea International Airport

> Jeddah Stormwater Master Plan

KSA’S

Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company

Yousef Al-Shelash, Chairman of the Board and one of the founders of Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company, has spearheaded the company’s 28-year journey as one of the largest listed real estate companies in KSA and the region with a total of 32 billion Saudi Riyals in assets.

As a pioneer in the real estate sector, Al-Shelash has been instrumental in shaping the concept of space in Saudi Arabia and beyond. For Dar Al Arkan, he has not only set a benchmark for residential, commercial, and mix-use projects in KSA but also expanded its footprint

to other markets like Qatar, UAE, Oman, and Bosnia to build its international success, with iconic projects.

An advocate of innovation, he has been diversifying the company’s offerings in the digital arena by buy building a world-class digitized real estate hub coupled with curating limited edition projects with globally renowned luxury brands such as Roberto Cavalli, Elie Saab, Missoni, and Pagani Auto mobili.

Al-Shelash brings years of invaluable knowledge in real estate development, financial, and investment banking sectors and is currently on the board of several leading financial institutions.

Yousef Al-Shelash, chairman, Dar Al Arkan Real Estate Development Company

Qiddiya Investment Company

Q

iddiya will be a disruptive destination recognized on the world stage as the home of the most innovative and immersive experiences. Our wide range of offerings will be based on five cornerstones: Sports & Wellness; Nature & Environment; Parks & Attractions; Motion & Mobility; and Arts & Culture, making Qiddiya the capital of Entertainment, Sports and the Arts, not just in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but of the world.

Family-friendly theme parks, sports arenas suitable for international com petitions, academies for sports and the arts, concert and entertainment venues, racetracks for motorsport enthusiasts as well as outdoor and ad venture activities alongside nature and environment experiences are just some of the fun attractions being developed. Qiddiya will also include a variety of real estate options and community services.

In short, Qiddiya will be a place that enables the youth of Saudi Arabia to fulfill their ambitions. It will be a place where they enjoy, appreciate, aspire, advance and nurture their potential; a place that unlocks opportunities and new professional pathways to help build a more prosperous and progres sive society.

COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE

IN CONVERSATION WITH ENG. MOHAMMAD ABDUL KARIM KHAMIS, GM AT EMIRATES NATIONAL FACILITIES MANAGEMENT (ENFM)

Tell us what ENFM goals and objectives are for 2022?

Emirates National Facilities Management has undergone a huge transformation over the past 10 years. We currently manage over 800 sites across the UAE with an average of 3000 dedicated staff. Our journey has enabled us to work with different organizations across multiple sectors in UAE. As of this year, we have recently launched our B2C Division which will now enable us to provide our services to end-users directly, we have also won new tenders which have had a huge impact in our financial benefits. We are also delivering the services on time anywhere within UAE. We assure to bring new technology into EnFM.

Entertainment sector and National Security Sectors are being targeted in this year.

To promote and excel the brand image of EnFM to reflect in the UAE market.

Tell us about the latest projects/contracts that ENFM have delivered/won and are there any other upcoming projects in the pipeline? EnFM’s strategy in catering the customers’ requirements to meet and exceed their expectations has resulted in successful renewal of 98% contracts which is being managed by EnFM.

Our unique selling preposition and customer retention strategy incubated with end to end FM solution makes our customers comfortable and up hails their trust on us.

WON Projects – DEWA, Abu Dhabi Monitoring control center, NOVO Cinemas. WAM (Emirates News Agency)…ETC. Can you tell us how your services provide a unique value to your buyers? How has ENFM customer service helped in keeping clients satisfied?

We do not sell services to our clients only, we provide solutions to their requirement.

This is what sets us apart from other service providers. Our approaches are based on having a long-term relationship rather than looking for quick sales approach.

Our FM solution covers 2 major aspects which are FM Engineering services and Customer Happiness Center apart from other regular aspects of FM.

These two aspects take care of complete customer journey with EnFM providing cost effective and durable solutions for our clients. Which make us to offer unique value to our customers.

Our customer happiness center along with the Operations teams proactively approaches the clients in understanding their requirements at regular intervals to up-keep the customer satisfaction and their journey with EnFM.

How has ENFM differentiated itself from other companies in the FM Industry? We are unique in providing FM solutions to our clients.

Our FM team come with innovative ideas and practices while designing FM solution for clients, we believe each contract requires unique solution considering nature of the property, quality and cost effectiveness. With this approach EnFM has increased experience in customer trust in delivering our projects with desired level of customer satisfaction.

In further elaboration, our agility in managing the changes/amendments to the contract within the timelines differentiates us among our competitors which has been witnessed during the contract awarding stage.

In addition, Major mobilization and any high number of resources doesn’t matter to us. For an instance, EnFM has mobilized 450+ resources over the short span of 30 days period for scattered locations within UAE.

COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE | ENG. MOHAMMAD ABDUL KARIM KHAMIS

Can you give us a market overview of the FM industry in Dubai and what are the positive signs you see in 2022?

The past two years have brought immense challenges, especially managing the pandemic in the service industry and more also growth opportunities for some organizations. FM companies found new ways to serve customers by adopting the latest technology, created new services, and discovered ways to save by consolidating space management and rethinking traditional approaches to facilities management. Just to mention some of the common challenges might be.

It has been witnessed that Dubai has attracted major investment based on the wisely devised regulations to have a diversified economy. Which has heavily contributed to the FM market.

The major corporate players are shifting their base in Dubai as their operating hub, 2022 will see rising demand across the corporate institutions with domination of private sectors.

What are the key trends (technology wise) you see going forward into 2022 that would be innovative in the FM industry?

Technology is the key driver for FM and its continuous evolution year on year ease the FM operations and helps us in delivering FM services precisely.

Moving forward in 2022, the shift in technology will be from Internet of Things (IOT) to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The AI will be devised to achieve the higher accuracy in predictive maintenance and in faster decision making. This will eliminate major manual

interference of human, eliminating errors with an ample of cost savings.

Describe to us your leadership style and how it matches EnFM vision

As a leader, I align each one our team towards our mission, built confident in them by empowering to take lead in achieving the organizational goals.

I inspire them to figure out the best possible innovative ways to achieve the goals by providing high level of direction.

We at EnFM believe in encouraging the team members to use their strengths and emerge as leaders themselves.

The culture built around by this way of working, has yielded the results in overall achieving the vision.

The innovative way of working by the team helped us in exceeding their expectations in terms of quality, continuous

improvement, and sustainability. Thus, matches with our Vision.

Vision “To be the SMART FM service provider of choice by understanding the needs of our valuable clients and exceeding their expectations in terms of quality, continuous improvement, and sustainability.’’

Tell us why collaboration with key stakeholders is becoming more prevalent and important for FM companies?

Collaboration with the stakeholders is the key factor for success to provide cost effect FM solution to the clients. It plays major role to cater mega project requirements.

The three-essential collaboration apart form many others are required for FM companies to be competitive edge in the Market and to acquire major FM market share Technology Collaboration – Technology grows in the

very faster pace, without technology collaboration we will behind in the market. Technology is the key towards the success.

Suppliers and subcontractors’ collaboration – It is not feasible to perform all the FM services by Inhouse team, Absence of the strong suppliers and sub-contractors can result is higher cost of service delivery and even fails in meeting the contract requirements.

Support Services

Collaboration – The key support functions for operations such as Transportation, Logistics and Accommodation plays vital role in backing up operations to deliver the services at site. It requires to be managed in an efficient manner in terms of both cost and timelines.

The collaboration with good service provider to manage the support services will lead to control cost overruns and further to improve the bottom line margins of the contract.

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H E U A E F O R T O T A L F M S E R V

C E S

MASAAR DISCOVERY CENTER

HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah inaugurated today the Masaar Discovery Center and its surrounding precinct, accompanied by HH Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada and

HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of Arada, to view the amenities now open at Masaar, Arada’s latest residential project which enjoys an impressive series of familyfriendly attractions in the first part of the AED8 billion forested megaproject to be opened to the public.

The tour has also covered a children’s adventure playground, an outdoor amphitheatre, a children’s waterplay area, and a skate park, alongside the second location of the popular Zad food truck park, all of which are set in lush green landscaping. Also open to the public is the community’s first completed home, the Masaar Show Villa, which can be reached via a forested walkway.

An architectural statement in itself, the Masaar Discovery Center is characterised by open space, abundant natural light and different experiences showcasing the features of the upcoming community. Thanks to a double-height glass façade, visitors can see impressive vistas of the woodland at any point within the building.

HH Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada, said: “This is a landmark moment for Masaar that marks the first phase of delivery at Sharjah’s exceptional woodland community. From today, we look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy the amenities, which we are confident will enable Masaar to become an entertainment hotspot for families in Sharjah.”

HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of Arada, said: “When we launched Masaar, we made a promise to our buyers that we would deliver a lifestyle that is unmatched anywhere else not just in Sharjah but

the wider UAE. Today we are starting to deliver on that promise and giving members of the public an opportunity to see first-hand what the experience of living in this transformational community will be like in the very near future.”

The next milestone for delivery in December will be the completion of the Masaar buffer zone, the border that runs around the outside of the community. This zone will contain thousands of trees and feature two professional looped cycling and jogging tracks, each 6.6 kilometres in length. The entertainment district at the heart of Masaar will also contain a retail centre with a gym and a variety of dining options.

With eight gated districts containing 4,000 villas and townhouses, Masaar’s signature feature is a ‘green spine’ containing 50,000 trees. Construction work is under way to build Sendian, Masaar’s first residential district, which is scheduled to be completed in summer 2023. The construction contracts for both the second residential district, Kaya, and the third, Robinia, will be awarded before the end of the year. The opening of the Masaar Discovery Center coincides with another milestone, as Arada has just reached 1,000 home sales in the community.

Masaar, or ‘path’ in Arabic, has been carefully designed to enable its residents to transform their lives by encouraging healthy living in harmony with nature. Featuring over 50,000 trees, Masaar’s signature feature is a lushly landscaped and walkable ‘green spine’ that will be activated by footpaths, cycle tracks, passive zones and a range of different sporting facilities.

Masaar is ideally located in the upand-coming Suyoh district, close to Tilal City, the Sharjah Mosque and Arada’s first project, Nasma Residences. The community has easy access to Emirates Road and Mleiha Road, and is 15 minutes’ drive from Sharjah International Airport, and 20 minutes’ drive from Dubai International Airport. The location is ideal for a convenient and traffic-free commute from Sharjah to Dubai or the Northern Emirates.

HH Crown Prince of Sharjah, HH Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Arada, and HRH Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal, Vice Chairman of Arada, in the Masaar Show Villa

Tell us why auctions are important for construction companies?

Liquidity is always a key consideration for construction companies since surplus heavy equipment, machinery and vehicle inventory can unnecessarily weigh down a company’s balance sheet. Increasing liquidity, removing surplus assets from the books, and improving the bottom line are often key objectives for many business managers

Timing is critical. Choosing the right time to sell can have a big impact on the selling price.

An increasing number of construction companies are seeking more efficient ways to improve the procurement, management and disposition of heavy equipment, vehicles and trucks. The main reasons in the current market continue to be the high shipping rates and long delivery times for machinery.

However, as is common with asset lifecycle decisions, timing is critical. The challenge is to release surplus assets onto the market at the right time, considering seasonality factors and fluctuating demand for specific assets. Choosing the right time to sell can have a big impact on the selling price.

Why is Ritchie Bros. adding a new November auction?

Responding to the need for more asset disposition options, Ritchie Bros. Middle East, Dubai is adding another online Timed Auction event in the year starting this November. This decision follows strong results at the company’s June auction, when over 1,800 items were sold to online buyers worldwide, recording the highest number of buyers and sellers in the past five years for May/ June auctions.

With Ritchie Bros.’ addition of a fifth unreserved online auction in Dubai in November, consigners do not need to wait long and can achieve faster results.

Are these auctions in-person or online?

Following the transition to entirely online auctions and marketplaces, Ritchie Bros.’ advanced digital equipment disposition infrastructure enables the company to increase the number of online auctions held annually. The decision to grow from four to five

online auctions annually is evidence of this digital transformation strategy working in practice.

How can construction companies use data insights to set pricing?

Equipment value is difficult to establish without access to proper expertise and in-depth knowledge of the industry. Every year, hundreds of thousands of transactions go through Ritchie Bros. around the world, providing valuable information on where and when to

sell machinery for the best market value. Ritchie Bros. uses historical and predictive data sets, develops analytical tools, and provides intelligence that allows its customers to make better decisions.

What selling opportunities are available?

Companies that have a surplus of assets need frequent access to the market and different asset disposition models. However, as is common

MASAAR

with asset life cycle decisions, timing is critical. Choosing where, how, and when to sell, will have an impact on the

selling price. With Ritchie Bros.’ addition of a fifth unreserved online auction in Dubai in November, consigners do not

need to wait long and can achieve faster results. In addition, consignors can also opt for the online Marketplace-E, where consignors receive full assistance in finding the right buyer and at the right price.

Demand for used equipment amid global supply chain disruptions remains relatively strong.

How does the new November auction help flatten the aftermarket supply and demand curve for buyers?

Demand for used equipment amid global supply chain disruptions remains relatively strong. An additional auction event ‘evens out’ the flow of equipment categories onto the market, meaning buyers can access vital equipment more quickly, alleviating short-term shortages and keeping their businesses trading at full capacity.

Why is low-hour used equipment in greater demand at this time?

Increased buying activity is being observed in the construction sector due to supply chain delays in new equipment. Even construction companies that generally might not consider buying used machines are now looking through Ritchie Bros.’ equipment inventories for low-hour, ready-for-work machines.

An additional auction event ‘evens out’ the flow of equipment categories onto the market, meaning buyers can access vital equipment more quickly.

What are the upcoming auctions dates?

For 2022 the Dubai auction calendar has online auctions in March, June, September, November (newly added) and December. Sellers have already started consigning items for the new Ritchie Bros. online Timed Auction in Dubai, which will be held on November 1 and 2, 2022, with bidding open from mid-October. Besides auctions, there are several other disposition formats available for equipment sellers, depending entirely on their needs and preferences.

Where is more information available?

To find out more about selling with Ritchie Bros. or to view current inventory highlights, go to: rbauction.com/Dubai

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NAKHEEL RE-BRAND SUPPORTS DUBAI 2040

URBAN MASTER PLAN

Focus on ‘building happiness and prosperity’ to enhance the wellbeing of citizens, residents and visitors

Nakheel, the Dubai-based world-leading master developer, has unveiled a compelling positioning and new brand promise for its next phase of growth. Supporting the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to enhance people’s happiness and quality of life, Nakheel will focus on ‘building happiness and prosperity’’. Reinforcing Dubai as a global destination of choice and positioning the emirate as the best city to live in the world, Nakheel will further support the

Plan’s goals of providing the highest standards of urban infrastructure and facilities, developing vibrant and inclusive communities, fostering greater economic activity and positioning Dubai as an aspirational city to visit, live and thrive in.

Nakheel is synonymous with Dubai’s journey of growth, developing landmarks including Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Tower and Palm West Beach. By focusing on ‘building happiness and prosperity’, the Nakheel re-brand reflects its focus on the wellbeing and quality of life for citizens, residents

and visitors, enhancing communities and building for Dubai’s future, whilst curating meaningful and rewarding experiences.

Naaman Atallah, Chief Executive Officer at Nakheel, said: “This is an exciting transformational phase for Nakheel. As experts in waterfront living, we have delivered and continue to deliver on the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.”

“Nakheel is a pioneer in innovative developments, such as Palm Jumeirah, now a destination within a destination. The re-brand is a natural evolution, whereby we will focus even more on our customers, offering exceptional brand value and creating stronger, more engaging relationships by becoming partners in their experiences. At the same time, we will continue to transform land and water into vibrant, sustainable cities through our internationally recognised developments and unrivalled experiences for all. We are building today for a better tomorrow.”

Nakheel will continue to provide its citizens, residents and visitors with the highest standards of living through safe and secure communities with a wealth of amenities, access to waterfront experiences and open green spaces. Nakheel’s beautifully designed developments serve to reflect enhanced lifestyles and enable residents to call Dubai home.

The Nakheel re-brand campaign will be visible across multiple communication channels including digital, outdoor and social. This multi-format is designed to resonate with residents and visitors, reflecting their own experiences in Dubai, or aspirational experiences they would like to embark upon.

With a strong portfolio of developments as well as an exciting pipeline, Nakheel will continue to provide experiential living, ‘build happiness and prosperity’, and attract best-in-class global brands to enhance the quality of life of those visiting and living in Nakheel’s developments, and in Dubai.

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