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The Department of Public Works (DPW) and Dar Alwd Construction (DAW) reaffirmed their shared commitment to sustainable, high-performance infrastructure solutions during a strategic visit to the PRC manufacturing facility in Qatar. The visit provided key insights into material innovation, quality assurance, and advancements in sustainable packaging and deployment strategies.

DPW, a logistics company headquartered in Dubai, specialises in cargo logistics, port terminal operations, maritime services, and free trade zones. DPW’s participation highlighted the significance of efficient supply chain integration within the construction sector. This ensures that materials are aligned with evolving regulatory and environmental standards.

Tarek Musbah Abdulrahman, General Manager of DAW said, “At DAW, we share a commitment to driving the future of infrastructure through sustainable, efficient, and high-performance solutions. This visit reflects our collective focus on enhancing resilience, optimising material efficiency, and advancing environmentally responsible construction practices.”

“By gaining deeper technical insights into PRC’s manufacturing excellence, we reinforce our confidence in its durability and suitability for the UAE’s ambitious infrastructure landscape. Through this engagement, we continue to refine our approach to delivering reliable, sustainable, and future-ready construction solutions that meet the highest global standards,” Tarek added.

The visit provided an opportunity to examine the latest developments in PRC’s production processes, ensuring that its manufacturing, packaging, and application continue to align with UAE regulations and global industry benchmarks. The delegation also explored how advanced logistics and material deployment strategies can further enhance PRC’s role in sustainable infrastructure development.

By integrating technical expertise, regulatory insights, and supply chain optimisation, DPW and DAW remain committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable solutions that drive the future of infrastructure across the UAE and beyond. With DAW at the forefront of construction solutions, the visit provided a better understanding of PRC’s durability, material integrity, and suitability for large-scale infrastructure projects across the UAE.

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Developer Palma Development has said that its Serenia Living project has reached 70% completion and is expected to be compete by the end of 2025. The ultra-premium beachfront development is being built on the crescent of the Palm Jumeirah at a cost of US $817mn.

The major milestone is said to exemplify the substantial progress toward delivering one of Dubai’s most coveted projects, further reinforcing Palma’s dedication to timely project delivery, said a statement from the company.

“Serenia Living is progressing smoothly and remains on track for the expected completion by the end of 2025, while maintaining the exceptional quality that defines all our projects. As we move into the final phase of construction anticipation continues to build among our discerning clientele, who will soon experience a new standard of upscale beachfront living,” said Omar Derbas, Executive Director, Development and Engineering at Palma Development.

The project features 226 exclusive residences, including two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments, full-floor and half-floor penthouses, and one of Dubai’s most exclusive Sky Mansions, according to the developer.

The project’s high-end amenities include one of the largest residential swimming pools in the city, a state-of-the-art gym with a dedicated personal training area, multiple indoor and outdoor children’s play areas, and direct beach access. With its ultra-prime location, best-in-class amenities, and unwavering focus on delivering bespoke residential experiences, the project is set to become a landmark of opulence on Palm Jumeirah, it added.

As construction continues at a steady pace, Palma Development looks forward to achieving further milestones, bringing Serenia Living closer to completion and setting a new standard for ultra-premium beachfront residences in Dubai.

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NMDC Group said that it has delivered solid results for FY 2024, achieving an exceptional 57% year-on-year growth, with its revenues hitting US $7.2bn.

Announcing its full year financial results for 2024, NMDC Group said its net profit after tax rose 44% compared to 2023. Earnings per share rose by 36% and up by 59% compared to year-end 2023. 2024 was marked by the expansion of the NMDC family, as the Group launched a new entity, NMDC LTS, to focus on the regional demand for logistics and services.

This was closely followed by the strategic announcement of the acquisition of a controlling stake in Emdad, marking NMDC Group’s first entry into oilfield services. Furthermore, NMDC Group grew its net profits in 4Q24, reflecting a 43% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

On the solid performance, Chairman Mohamed Thani Murshed Ghannam Al Rumaithi said, “2024 was a landmark year for NMDC Group where we delivered a series of historic initiatives that have brought depth and diversification to our business and created immense value for our shareholders. As a continuously evolving integrated energy and marine provider, our growth mindset and leading capabilities position us to leverage new opportunities in 2025 and beyond. We look forward to continuing to support our leadership’s ambitions in driving meaningful economic growth and diversification within our sectors.”

“What’s been impressive is that our growth has been horizontal and vertical, bringing short term impact as well as long term value for our stakeholders with benefits felt across the energy and marine landscape. As we look ahead, we will continue to explore diversification strategies aimed at advancing high-growth opportunities to ensure NMDC Group remains leader in an ever-evolving landscape,” Al Rumaithi commented.

Moreover, following the group’s performance during the year, the board of directors proposed a final cash dividend for the financial year ending 31 December 2024, representing a cash dividend per share of 83 fils. This would take the group’s dividend yield to 12.9% and dividend payout ratio to 91% The robust financial performance was underpinned by increased global presence both vertically and horizontally, said a statement from the firm.

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Facilities management (FM) company Farnek has achieved record sales revenue in 2024, securing a host of new and retained contracts, valued at more than US $18.63mn. In total during 2024, Farnek was awarded more than 460 contracts, with over 1,500 additional members of staff, mobilised to sites across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, bringing their total headcount to over 9,000.

According to Markus Oberlin, Group CEO at Farnek, “2024 was an outstanding year for new business development and contract retention. We managed to increase our market share in the UAE and in Saudi Arabia, through sectors such as energy, healthcare, aviation, hospitality, retail, commercial and residential property. Given the rapid growth in real estate development, demand for innovative AI-driven smart and green solutions will continue to drive the FM market throughout the GCC, as companies strive for automation, sustainability and cost efficiency.”

Farnek has steadily increased its share of the Abu Dhabi FM market with new business wins totalling $64.8mn, which includes Khalifa Sport City, Etihad Airways Engineering and the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. The firm also made considerable gains in the hospitality sector by winning multiple hospitality contracts valued at $19.4mn mobilising 450 staff.

Security was another sector where Farnek gained multiple contracts valued at over $6.75mn, from major companies such as GMG, Aramex, MAG EYE, AZADEA, NAS 2 and MIZA Investments.

Farnek’s home maintenance company Hitches & Glitches, secured a significant contract with Emaar Hospitality to manage back of door services, for 14 Emaar Residence Towers featuring more than 7,000 apartments, as well as the contract for King’s College Hospital and its clinics.

Farnek’s smart FM solutions company HITEK, has implemented its digital solutions at Sports Boulevard in Riyadh, with an additional contract for the mining company Maaden and has successfully developed and activated a community app for the MAG City development in Dubai plus a waste management agreement with du.

“HITEK also launched its Housekeeping Plus solution last year, a smart mobile application for the hospitality sector and its MEDTEK solution has been set up successfully and is already supporting more than 10,000 patients,” added Oberlin.

Another achievement in 2024 was Farnek’s support for the Burj Khalifa’s successful LEED O+M Platinum Certification. Farnek has been providing MEP hard services for the world’s tallest building since 2010. Farnek services a wide range of industry sectors and its scope of work includes a considerable number of contracts for total facilities management (TFM), as well as dedicated hard and soft services such as MEP, cleaning, maintenance, security and housekeeping, amongst others.

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There has been a marginal rise in the number of announced greenfield projects across the GCC in 2024, up 1% to 1,830 from 1,813 the previous year. The growth is being spearheaded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

As the primary destination market for greenfield foreign direct investments (FDI) within the GCC, Saudi Arabia walked away with the lion’s share in 2024, accounting for 54% of the total value of projects in the region followed by UAE with 36% share.

There does, however, appear to have been a decline in the average project value across the GCC, with the total value of projects having fallen by 26% year-on-year in 2024. The Kingdom has set an explicit target for FDI in its Vision 2030 plans, hoping to attract $100bn annually by 2030, with greenfield FDI projects playing an important role in reaching that figure.

The primary sources of FDI into GCC economies in 2024, on a value basis, included the US (25%), China (17%), the UK (9%) and India (9%). The UAE also made a material contribution to greenfield FDI in the rest of the GCC, accounting for 5% of announced projects in 2024. Sectors seeing the highest value of greenfield projects include communications (18%), renewables (14%), metals (8%), electronic components (8%), as well as coal, oil and gas (8%).

Notwithstanding, the value of greenfield project announcements across Saudi Arabia declined 28% y/y in 2024 to almost US$22bn, but remains a strong showing, being the third highest annual value on record.

Scaling up to achieve the required levels of inflow will be facilitated by a series of reforms. These include allowing 100% foreign ownership of companies, a bankruptcy law, and more recently a new law unifying the treatment of foreign and local firms to ensure a level playing field.

The US, China, the UK and the UAE were the top source countries for Saudi greenfield projects last year. The value of projects stemming from the US saw a sharp rise in 2024, driven by a $5.3bn investment by Amazon Web Services in data and innovation centres.

Meanwhile, Dubai remained the largest recipient of greenfield FDI in the UAE, accounting for around 58% of the total value of announced projects, followed by Sharjah with almost 12% in 2024, it stated.

Industries that saw the largest value of announced greenfield projects in the UAE in 2024 include real estate, software & IT, renewables, coal, oil and gas, business services, and automotive OEMs.

The UAE features as the source country for two of the top 10 projects by value of investment, including a real estate investment into Ras El-Hekma in Egypt by ADQ and an investment by Mubadala in semiconductor manufacturing in the US.

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The GCC construction sector continues to experience a remarkable boom, with iconic projects redefining skylines and ambitious visions transforming urban landscapes. From its impressive US $177bn value in 2025, it is projected to growth at a remarkably healthy CAGR of 5% over the next five years, exceeding $226bn by the end of the decade.

Yet, even in this era of growth, budgets are not infinite. In fact, the need for disciplined cost control is more critical than ever to ensure that the sector’s exuberance translates into tangible, sustainable outcomes.

Therefore, at this, the start of 2025, cost management is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the success of construction projects across the Middle East. Here are five trends that will significantly impact this domain:

Digital Transformation and Automation

Digitalisation is already revolutionising how projects are planned, managed, and executed in the region. Building Information Modelling (BIM), for instance, has seen widespread adoption, enabling stakeholders to visualise projects in their entirety before a single brick is laid.

As BIM technology evolves, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) could soon allow teams to predict cost overruns by analysing historical data and real-time conditions. Cloud-based BIM platforms are further enhancing collaboration among architects, contractors, and project managers by providing instant updates on the cost implications of design decisions.

Beyond BIM, digital twins are steadily gaining traction, offering real-time monitoring of construction projects. These virtual replicas allow stakeholders to track performance metrics and costs, enabling timely interventions to prevent budget overruns. Machine learning is also poised to modernise budgeting, with algorithms forecasting requirements based on historical data. Automated reconciliation tools, in turn, could seamlessly track expenditures against planned budgets, reducing manual errors and saving valuable time.

Sustainability and Green Building

Equally transformative is the region’s increasing focus on sustainability. Yes, incorporating green building practices often involves higher upfront costs, as seen in the use of low-carbon concrete or the installation of renewable energy systems. However, as demand for eco-friendly materials grows, economies of scale and technological advancements are starting to drive prices down.

Additionally, in hosting two of the last three COP editions, the MENA region has signaled its strong commitment to sustainability. Governments are increasingly offering incentives such as tax breaks and renewable energy subsidies to offset the initial costs of sustainable construction.

Simultaneously, investments in green certifications like LEED and BREEAM are also becoming more common. These certifications not only enhance a building’s market value but also reduce operational costs, making them an attractive proposition for developers. For example, Dubai’s push toward Net Zero buildings by 2050 reflects a broader regional shift towards sustainability, and cost management strategies will have to evolve to align with these goals.

Modular and Prefabricated Construction

Modular methods are rapidly coming of age in the Middle East. These techniques shift much of the construction process to controlled factory environments, significantly reducing on-site labour costs and inefficiencies. Faster project completion times also mean lower indirect costs, such as reduced site overheads and financing expenses.

However, modular construction isn’t without its challenges. To fully realise its cost benefits, meticulous planning is required to manage logistics and upfront investments effectively. In fact, if the sprawling factories required to effectively build modular units hope to get the green light, teams of cost management professionals would first have to conduct comprehensive feasibility studies, evaluate long-term return on investment, and ensure alignment with both project budgets and regulatory requirements. These analyses would need to account for site selection, transportation logistics, supply chain reliability, and environmental compliance to justify the substantial initial capital outlay.

Collaborative Contracting and Risk Sharing

While in the region, contracts have traditionally been characterised by rigid, hierarchical structures, we are starting to see this rapidly change, replaced instead by collaborative contracting models. Of these, approaches such as Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) are helping align the interests of all stakeholders by linking incentives to performance metrics such as budget, schedule, and quality.

The transition, however, requires more than just updated contract terms- it demands a cultural shift. The adoption of digital tools like BIM, cloud-based project management platforms, and real-time data-sharing systems is helping to facilitate this change. Contracts are increasingly focusing on outcomes, distributing risks based on measurable results such as project milestones or quality benchmarks.

Blockchain technology could further revolutionise this space. Smart contracts offer a level of transparency and automation that reduces disputes and ensures accountability. With the UAE having launched its Blockchain Strategy as far back as 2018, there is already talent available in the market to develop the blockchain-based based solutions that could offer effective risk-sharing mechanisms, creating a more equitable framework for all parties involved.

Enhanced Focus on Lifecycle Costing

Traditionally, cost management has focused primarily on initial construction expenses. But as the function matures, there is growing recognition of the need to consider the total cost of ownership, including operating, maintenance, and end-of-life expenses. It helps of course that policies and certifications increasingly mandate Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) to ensure that projects align with sustainability and efficiency goals. Here too, BIM has a role to play as the effective implementation of LCCA relies on advanced digital tools, such as BIM and simulation software, to model and predict lifecycle performance accurately.

But software alone isn’t sufficient – a mindset shift is also crucial. Developers and clients must move beyond prioritising immediate cost savings to embrace the long-term benefits of higher upfront investments.

With careful planning and strategic adoption of these trends, organisations can not only manage costs effectively, but also position themselves as leaders in one of the world’s most vibrant construction markets.

Through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to long-term value, the Middle East is set to redefine what’s possible in construction. And in this transformative journey, cost management will remain at the heart of turning ambitious visions into enduring realities.

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Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group), one of the largest operators of integrated and purpose-built economic zones in the region, has announced the opening of AquaChemie Global Chemicals’ new facility.

A UAE-based chemical manufacturing group, AquaChemie said its 25,800sqm facility in KEZAD Area A (KEZAD Al Ma’mourah) is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure built to adhere to global safety and environmental standards. Through its strategic location, KEZAD provides AquaChemie with direct access to its multi-modal logistics network, including proximity to Khalifa Port, ensuring seamless regional and global connectivity.

AquaChemie, which has invested US $24mn in the facility, will use the site to manufacture, store, and blend a diverse range of industrial chemicals in liquid and solids shape, primarily serving ADNOC and other major clients.

Mansoor Al Marar, VP – Industrial Business Development, KEZAD Group said, “The opening of AquaChemie’s facility highlights KEZAD Group’s commitment to providing world-class infrastructure and a thriving ecosystem that fosters innovation, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth. By supporting projects like AquaChemie, KEZAD continues to play a critical role in advancing the UAE’s industrial diversification goals and driving regional economic competitiveness.”

Anand Kumar, Managing Director, AquaChemie, commented, “Our facility at KEZAD represents a significant milestone in AquaChemie’s strategic growth. KEZAD’s robust infrastructure, strategic connectivity, and business-friendly environment provide us with the tools to deliver high-quality chemical solutions, meet the needs of our clients, and contribute meaningfully to the UAE’s industrial ambitions.”

This milestone development strengthens the UAE’s local manufacturing capabilities and aligns with the nation’s ‘Make it in the Emirates’ programme, said KEZAD. This development thereby enhances supply chain resilience, reduces reliance on imports, and supports sustainable industrial practices in the region.

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