The Big Picture

01 UNITED STATES Global construction equipment sales hit new record in 2021

Global construction equipment sales rose 10% in 2021 to a new record of 1.196 million units, according to Off-Highway Research.

The newly updated Global Volume & Value Service report revealed that all major world markets, apart from China, experienced growth last year.

The most robust growth was seen in North America (up 25%) and Western Europe (up 22%), while emerging markets, excluding India and China, were up 24%. It said a 5% drop in demand is expected this year, yet 2022 would still show the second highest sales volume on record.

04 FRANCE Egis acquires Waagner Biro Bridge Services Group

Egis, the France-based international company active in the consulting, construction engineering and mobility service sectors, has announced a major expansion in its capabilities in the Middle East, with the acquisition of the Waagner Biro Bridge Services group of companies.

The strategic buy includes Waagner Biro Bridge Gulf and Waagner Biro Bridge Fabrication in Dubai., Waagner Biro Bridge Contracting and General Maintenance in Abu Dhabi and Waagner Biro Bridge Qatar. The group has been in operation in the GCC for more than 50 years.

02 UNITED STATES Radisson Hotel Group eyes net-zero by 2050

The Radisson Hotel Group has committed to decarbonising its business by setting aggressive emission reduction targets to be net zero by 2050, in line with the SBTi NetZero Standard. The ‘Radisson Hotel Group’s 2021 Responsible Business Report’ referenced the goal and outlined its latest sustainability targets in line with a strategic five-year plan.

The plan is said to include accelerating the implementation of the crossindustry Pathway to Net Positive Hospitality and Hotel Sustainability Basics initiative, and to reaffirming the group’s commitment to people, community, and planet as an employer.

05 SPAIN ACCIONA develops new software for concrete manufacturing

ACCIONA, through a collaboration of its R&D+i Department with its Roads and Bridges specialised business unit, has announced the development of new geometric control software for the manufacturing of concrete segments used for bridges constructed using the Match Cast method.

The methodology involves manufacturing concrete segments using the previous segment as a mould and a geometric reference to ensure a perfect fit when the segments are assembled.

03 UNITED KINGDOM GFH’s UK subsidiary sells Tesco Distribution Centre for $35m

Bahrain-based GFH Financial Group has announced that its UK subsidiary, Roebuck Asset Management has concluded an off-market sale of a Tesco Distribution Centre for more than $135 million.

The 540,000sqft temperature-controlled centre was originally developed by Tesco in 2010. It serves in excess of 400 supermarkets and convenience stores.

The sale marks the conclusion of an extremely successful hold period of Roebuck, who acquired the asset for $94 million in October 2017, for a Korean consortium.

06 NETHERLANDS Netherlands Pavilion commences deconstruction as part of its circular concept

Following Expo 2020 Dubai, the Netherlands Pavilion has commenced the deconstruction, continuing its circular concept.

Designed by V8 Architects as a temporary circular climate system, a biotope in the desert where visitors can experience natural phenomena a such as condensation, solar energy, photosynthesis, fungus production and temperature transmission. It is the physical representation of the Netherlands’ core message: connecting sustainable solutions in the areas of water, energy and food.

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07 SWITZERLAND FIDIC launches new Digital Transformation Committee

A Digital Transformation Committee has been launched by FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers), as part of its ongoing push to boost its structure and global external affairs and stakeholder relations capabilities.

The committee will monitor and identify changes in digital technology and techniques to help futureproof FIDIC’s products and services delivery, such as for FIDIC contracts, and will also Identify issues or trends in the digital space that could be potential disruptors.

08 SAUDI ARABIA SWPC announces shortlist of prequalified firms for 1,392km RiyadhQassim IWTP project

Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has announced that 20 developer/ developer consortiums have been prequalified for the Riyadh-Qassim Independent Water Transmission Pipeline (IWTP) project, which will have a transmission capacity of 685,000 cu m per day once complete.

A total of 31 companies have expressed their interest in the project, of which, 19 were Saudi firms.

09 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES DCV MENA celebrates first female employees to attain heavy truck licence in UAE

Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA (DCV MENA) believes the achievement of its first two female employees to obtain a Heavy Truck (HT) license in the UAE will have long-lasting ripple effects across the commercial vehicles industry.

Mandy Chan and Meliza Gilroy obtained their Heavy Truck (HT) license after completing a rigorous training course at Belhasa Driving School. DCV MENA added that its dedication to pushing change in the sector is reflected in its approach to workplace diversity and accountability.

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10 SAUDI ARABIA SAMA amends articles implementing Regulations of finance laws

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has amended several articles of the Implementing Regulations of the Finance Laws in Saudi Arabia.

The amendments include the decision of the Minister of Finance to revoke Article 4 of the Implementing Regulation of Real Estate Finance Law. The change means real estate finance companies are now allowed to practice financing activities without stipulating the prohibition of combining Real Estate financing and other forms of financing activities.

11 BAHRAIN Diyar Al Muharraq completes infrastructure works

Diyar Al Muharraq has completed infrastructure works for the main roads on the Southern Island within its integrated residential city in Bahrain. Concluded construction works included the extension of electricity, water, sewage, rainwater, telecommunications and irrigation networks.

The infrastructure development work was implemented in two phases. In phase two, the work included paving and road lighting works which were delivered in six months. The junction was upgraded from a three-way to a four-way traffic light and four roundabouts were added.

12 QATAR Refurbishment of Somerset West Bay Doha completed

The Somerset West Bay Doha hotel has reopened following a full renovation according to Ascott Limited. The revamp is said to be in line with the group’s expansion plans for the region.

Owned by Katara Hospitality, Somerset West Bay Doha opened in 2008 with a total of 200 units comprising two- and threebedroom apartments and was primarily focused to cater to long-stay guests.

To align with traveller needs, the revamped property offers 228 units in one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for solo, leisure and business travellers.

13 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Mahmoud Abougabal joins HKA’s Expert Services Team in Dubai

HKA has recruited Mahmoud Abougabal to its Expert Services team based in the Dubai office.

Mahmoud has 15 years’ regional experience working in the construction industry.

He also has a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering, a master’s degree in project management, construction and infrastructure and a master’s degree in construction law and dispute resolution. Mahmoud is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

16 OMAN Maysan Properties awards contract for Phase One of Khimji Ramdas in Oman

Maysan Properties has awarded a major contract to business conglomerate Khimji Ramdas for the construction of the first phase of Maysan Square. The mixed-use project is taking shape in the Duqm region of Oman.

A part of an Integrated Tourism Complex Project (ITC), Maysan Square comprises 20 buildings to be constructed across five phases within Oman’s first Lifestyle Business District located within the Special Economic Zone of Duqm.

14 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ADNOC awards SNC-Lavalin fouryear advisory and engineering services contract

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has awarded a four-year advisory and engineering services contract for its offshore operations power project to SNC-Lavalin.

The scope of work includes the design review of the converter stations, the submarine cables, integration with the onshore and offshore grid, as well as reviewing the implementation plans for HSE, Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) of contractors.

17 MALAYSIA NPCC-led consortium awarded major FEED contract in Malaysia

Petronas Carigali has awarded National Petroleum Construction Company (NPCC)’s consortium with Technip Energies a major FEED contract, for what is billed as one of the world’s largest carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects.

Abu Dhabi-based NPCC said its work on the Kasawari gas field off the coast of Sarawak in Malaysia marks its entry into Southeast Asian market. Technip Energies is a leading engineering and technology company for energy transition, with leadership positions in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), hydrogen and ethylene.

15 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES RTA unveils five-year sustainability plan

A five-year sustainability plan for 20212025 has been endorsed by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The move is part of the authority’s strategic goals and objectives and are based on environmental, societal, and economic drivers of sustainability.

The step is taken as part of RTA’s efforts to improve maturity levels of sustainability and become one of the most sustainable government entities in the field of roads and transport worldwide. The plan is compatible with Dubai’s local policies, highlighted by Dubai Plan 2030 and Dubai Urban Plan 2040, as well as global policies.

18 JAPAN Japan’s Tadano to launch world’s first electric rough-terrain crane by end of 2023

Japanese manufacturer, Tadano has announced its plans to launch the world’s first electric roughterrain crane by the end of 2023.

Currently in development, the crane will be able to drive to the jobsite and complete all lifting operations using battery rather than diesel power to deliver zero-emissions operations.

Those expected to benefit most are workers operating in congested and noisy urban areas, completing lift projects at night and operating indoors.