The big picture

01 UNITED STATES Siemens Smart Infrastructure acquires digital twins software from EcoDomus

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has signed an agreement to acquire digital twin software for buildings from EcoDomus, a US-based company.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure explained that the move will help expand its digital building portfolio.

The EcoDomus software creates, maintains and visualises BIM-based digital building twins, making design and construction data available for building operations and maintenance.

04 REPUBLIC OF CONGO DP World and DRC to develop deep-sea port in Banana

An agreement between DP World and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will see construction of the country’s first deep-sea port begin within 12 months. The port will be located in Banana, along the country’s 37km coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.

The development of Banana Port will bring significant cost and time savings for the country’s trade, as it will attract more direct calls from larger vessels from Asia and Europe. It will also directly benefit the Congo Central province in terms of economic development.

02 ITALY IVECO launches heavy duty truck line-up for Middle East

IVECO announced its much-anticipated heavy duty truck line-up for the Middle East at a live at Dubai Autodrome.

The new off-road truck IVECO T-WAY and the on-road truck IVECO S-WAY were both revealed at a live European virtual launch at the beginning of June, but a series of dedicated days at the Dubai Autodrome was the region’s first chance to see and test the new IVECO WAY range.

The launch event included a dedicated test drive on an on-road and off-road track.

05 EGYPT Egypt building 17 smart cities across the country

The Egyptian Minister of Communication and IT has revealed that the North African country is building 17 smart cities that will be completely reliant on technology, a project that is part of an ambitious target to provide internet access to more than 58 million people over the next three years.

Amr Talaat said that the Egyptian government aims for to reach 25,000 villages across the country.

He added that Egypt is working on several projects to increase broadband coverage to remote and far-flung regions of the country.

03 TURKEY Turkey’s Folkart opens first international office in Dubai

Folkart, the Izmir-based construction company and a reputable Turkish brand, has announced the opening of its first international office in Dubai.

In a statement, the firm said that its Dubai office precedes the launch of offices in Berlin and Cologne, where it has been working with partner companies to target the German market. The Dubai office opening was celebrated with an event that took place at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira Hotel in Dubai.

06 SAUDI ARABIA Saudi PIF to invest $266bn into new projects by 2025

Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, has revealed plans to invest up to $266 billion into new projects by 2025.

PIF Governor Yasir Al Rumayyan, during a speech at the Saudi Budget Forum said that the PIF has been instrumental in creating more than 400,000 direct and indirect job opportunities between 2017 and Q2 2021.

“The fund continues to achieve its goals for 2025, which are to pump $266.5 billion into new projects, and the volume of assets under management to reach $1 trillion.”

02

03

05 06

07 08

09

07 SAUDI ARABIA Compass signs strategic partnership with Dar Al Arkan

Compass Project Consulting has announced a strategic partnership with Dar Al Arkan, which will see the establishment of what’s billed as the Kingdom’s first integrated real estate development consultancy.

For the first time, a Saudi developer will be bolstering a regional project management consultancy, enhancing property acquisition, development and supervision offerings, a statement from Compass said.

The partnership will allow both parties to work together across the region, end-to-end, bringing in high return on equity and attracting top line projects.

08 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES First phase of $598m UAQ desalination plant complete

Construction of the first phase of the Umm Al Quwain Water Desalination Plant has been completed. The project is being developed over an area of 250,000sqm area and will produce 50m imperial gallons per day (MIGD), while the total production capacity of the plant will reach 150 MIGD, once commissioned.

Based on Reverse Osmosis Technology, the project is expected to be commercially operational in Q3 2022. The project is being developed at a cost of $598m and has been implemented with high efficiency in delivering an environmental footprint.

04

09 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Masdar to develop 200MW solar PV plant in Armenia

Masdar, the renewable energy company and subsidiary of Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Investment Company, has announced the signing of an agreement with the Government of Armenia to develop a 200MW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant.

In a statement, Masdar said that the Ayg-1 project will be Armenia’s largest utility-scale solar plant. It will be developed on a design, finance, build, own, and operate basis and the project company will be 85% owned by Masdar, with the Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF), a governmentowned investment vehicle, holding 15%.

10 14

11 13

15

12 16 17

10 EGYPT Aldar and ADQ consortium acquires 85.5% of Egypt’s SODIC

A consortium comprising of Aldar Properties and ADQ has announced that it will acquire approximately 85.52% of the outstanding share capital of The Sixth of October for Development and Investment (SODIC), following a successful mandatory tender offer.

The Abu Dhabi-based consortium, which is controlled 70% by Aldar and 30% by ADQ, will focus on identifying growth opportunities and guiding the company’s long-term strategy. The consortium’s objective is to advance SODIC’s position as a leading national developer.

11 BAHRAIN Bids called for demolition of old terminal at Bahrain International Airport

Bids were opened on December 13 for a tender related to demolition works of the old terminal building at Bahrain International Airport (BIA). The move is part of the ongoing modernisation programme of BIA.

The scope of works includes demolishing the remaining portion of the existing terminal building along with all associated facilities. The request for proposals, issued by Bahrain Airport Company, was open to approved building contractors for construction projects graded AA, A, and B.

12 SAUDI ARABIA Masterplan for $20bn Jeddah Central Project unveiled

The masterplan and main features of the Jeddah Central Project have been unveiled by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Public Investment Fund and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jeddah Central Development Company.

The launch of the masterplan and main features envisions the creation of a world-class destination overlooking the Red Sea in the heart of Jeddah and will further strengthen the city’s economy.

13 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES EGA appoints new supply chain and business development head

Emirates Global Aluminium has appointed Simon Storesund to the newly-created position of Chief Supply Chain & Business Development Officer.

The move is line with an increased focus on strategic procurement and responsible sourcing. Storesund joins EGA from Norsk Hydro where he currently holds the position of SVP and head of commercial and business development in the Bauxite & Alumina business area. He will be a member of the company’s executive committee.

16 OMAN SEZAD launches artificial Artificial Coral Reef Project in Oman

In a bid to create an attractive habitat for fish and to provide a quality diving experiences for tourists and residents, the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD) has launched the Artificial Coral Reefs Park project.

A 250m long pipe with artificial concrete blocks every other 10m has been deployed near Hamar Rock in the sea of Duqm. Another similar pipe will be deployed as well in the coming days. The project aims to sustain the marine environment in the Zone and enhance its biodiversity.

14 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Dar Al Arkan and Pagani unveil $217.8m luxury residential tower in Dubai

Dar Al Arkan, a leading real estate company in Saudi Arabia and the GCC, has unveiled the DaVinci Residential Tower in Dubai in partnership with Italian hypercar manufacturer Pagani Automobili, known for its handcrafted production of ultra-limited-edition cars.

The launch of the $217.8 million development marks a significant milestone for both companies: Dar Al Arkan’s continued regional expansion by partnering with the world’s top luxury brands, and the world’s first ever Pagani-inspired spaces.

17 JAPAN Japan’s Mitsubishi Power ships three M701JAC gas turbines to Fujairah F3 power plant

Mitsubishi Power has shipped a total of three M701JAC gas turbines to the Fujairah F3 power plant in the UAE from its Takasago Machinery Works in Hyogo Prefecture.

The plant will use an efficient combined cycle technology in the region and will be the largest natural gas fired gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) facility in the UAE, playing a crucial role in the country’s power generation sector, while also contributing to the GCC’s power grid.

Mitsubishi Power is also dispatching engineers to provide support.

15 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Laith Haboubi appointed as COO of Dubai’s MCT Group

Laith Haboubi has been announced as the chief operating officer for the MCT Group, a Dubai-based leading conglomerate operating in the construction and oil and gas industry in the GCC.

Haboubi has joined the organisation with a mandate of strategically reviewing and managing the group to ensure its products and services are in line with the requirements of the market, while still maintaining the highest applicable international and regional standards.

He adds that the group will continue to focus on sustainability and efficiency.

18 AUSTRALIA Marr Contracting appoints Craig Goltz as operations director for global ops

Marr Contracting has appointed Craig Goltz as Operations Director of its global operations, it has announced.

Based in Sydney, Goltz will assume responsibility for leading Marr’s Operations Team including the construction, works and yards, engineering, transport and logistics functions for the business.

Returning to Australia after more than six years working internationally in locations such as the Middle East, UK and North America; Goltz brings almost 40 years’ experience to the role.