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July 14, 2023 valueeng0

Construction specialist Mota-Engil has been awarded a US $920.05mn contract to provide and finance railway rolling stock in Nigeria.

The contract is said to be a significant part of a larger rail project valued at $2bn that aims to connect Nigeria with Niger. The 284km railway track will run between Kano, the capital of the northern state of Kano, and Maradi, the second largest city in Niger, and the centre of the country’s developing oil industry. It will also run east from Kano to Dutse, the capital of Jigawa State.

The contract win is said to strengthen Mota-Engil’s presence in Africa and contributes to its order book in the region.

In a statement, Mota-Engil said the contract underscores the Nigerian government’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity and promoting economic development in the northern part of the country. It also highlights the capacity of the Mota-Engil Group to support these development efforts in Africa.

In addition to this railway project, Mota-Engil along with two Chinese organisations were previously shortlisted by the Lagos state government in Nigeria for a $2.5bn bridge project in November.

The rail construction initiative is said to be part of the government’s broader plan to build an extensive railway network across Nigeria. This is in response to a longstanding issue of inadequate transport infrastructure that has hindered economic growth.

The post Mota-Engil wins US $920.05mn rail project contract in Nigeria appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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July 13, 2023 valueeng0

Following its successful in-country showing last year, the 2023 edition of the Construction Intel Summit KSA is returning to Riyadh on 17 October. This year, the event will jointly be organised and presented by Big Project Middle East (BPME) and Middle East Consultant (MEC).

The day-long event will combine high-level panel discussions, keynote speeches and expert presentations and will focus on four key themes: Saudisation and the transmission of knowledge within the built environment; the multi-disciplinary engineering and delivery of giga-projects; the impact of AI and other disruptive technologies on the future of the built environment, and the requirements and challenges associated with owning and operating giga-projects.

Speakers will comprise respected figures from government, developers, operators, consultants, contractors, specialist firms, technology companies and other suppliers. Through focused discussions and presentations, the speakers will shine a light on the opportunities and challenges associated with construction in the Kingdom. Registration is complementary but mandatory for built environment professionals across the Middle East.

“The construction market in Saudi Arabia is being driven by several incredible projects that aim to support the diversification of the country’s economy away from hydrocarbons, in line with Vision 2030. This year, in particular, is quite exciting as segments of the various transformative projects are due to come online, which then takes project stakeholders away from being purely delivery focused to delivery and operations. In line with all that’s going on in the Kingdom, we are planning an expanded agenda which will share crucial insights into what is unquestionably the world’s most vibrant construction market,” said Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at BPME.

The 2023 Construction Intel Summit KSA is supported by:

Silver sponsor: KEO
Supporting partner: JLL, Omnium, Polypipe, TBH Consultancy

To discuss participating at the event as a speaker, contact conference producers Jason Saundalkar on Jason.s@cpitrademedia.com or Paul Godfrey on paul.godfrey@cpitrademedia.com. Sponsorship inquires can be addressed to Raz Islam (raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com), Andy (andy.pitois@cpitrademedia.com), and Madeleine Martin (madeleine.martin@cpitrademedia.com).

To learn more about the 2023 Construction Intel Summit KSA, please click here.

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Source: MEConstructionNews



July 13, 2023 valueeng0

Damac Properties has announced the launch of its premium residential project – Golf Greens – designed to be a key element within the company’s master development community, Damac Hills.

Unveiling the project, Damac explained that Golf Greens will feature luxury apartments and townhouses, giving residents a unique lifestyle combining the tranquility of nature with an unparalleled golfing experience.

Set against the backdrop of the renowned Trump International Golf Club Dubai, the development boasts an expansive parkland spanning nearly four million sq. ft., planned to create an oasis of leisure and recreational opportunities.

Niall McLoughlin, Senior Vice President at Damac, commented: “We are thrilled to introduce Golf Greens, a haven for discerning individuals seeking the perfect balance between natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and luxurious living. With its breathtaking views, world-class amenities, and proximity to a prestigious golf club, Golf Greens will offer an unmatched opportunity to experience a life of elegance and leisure in the heart of a thriving community. The development boasts an impressive array of attractions, including sports fields for active pursuits, a state-of-the-art skate park, a refreshing wave pool, a charming petting farm, a dedicated dog park, and a plethora of other engaging facilities.”

Golf Greens will offer one- and two- bedroom apartments as well as two- to three-bedroom townhouses, with an array of amenities including infinity pools, lounge areas and mini golf courses within the apartment complex.

The post Damac announces Golf Greens appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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July 13, 2023 valueeng0

Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) is looking for a multidisciplinary consultant for its proposed mixed-use urban development, Madinat Al Irfan East.

The consultant will create a concept masterplan of the overall site and deliver a benchmark set of architectural design guidelines.

Spread over a 175,000 sqm area, Madinat Al Irfan East will host a range of modern, mixed-use developments, which together will help position Oman as a leading MICE and business tourism hub.

Central to these efforts is the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), which is very much the apex offer of the development and will comprise a hub effectively connecting the range of businesses, hospitality assets, and allied multi-service components.

Madinat Al Irfan East will also include the Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC Hotel, (the first JW Marriot Hotel in Muscat), and an extensive Business Park set to offer a diverse range of commercial land plots. The Business Park will also provide the site for the Omantel headquarters building, already celebrated for its award-winning design.

The post Master consultant needed for Madinat Al Irfan East appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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July 12, 2023 valueeng0

Amwaj International, the leading real estate developer in Iraq, will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for ‘Karbala Gate’, a residential-led mixed-use development situated in Iraq’s holy city of Karbala this week.

The USD $420 million residential project, which comprises 796 state-of-the art villas, will span a total area of 517,806sqm and aims to redefine urban living for residents
of the holy city.

The Governor of Karbala, Mr Nssaif Jassim Al-Khattabi will be in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony, which will formally unveil Amwaj’s newest project and celebrate the start of construction with the ceremonial laying of the project cornerstone. Prominent members of the Karbala parliament and pillars of the local community will also join Amwaj International’s leadership at the event to mark the occasion.

The ceremony will be held at 07.00pm on Friday 14th July and take place at the site of the development. Located in central Karbala, 1 kilometer from Karbala International Stadium and approximately 4 kilometers
from The Holy Shrine of Imam Hussain, ‘Karbala Gate’ aims to celebrate its culturally rich surroundings, while also generating opportunities for urban renewal amid a period of significant investment in Karbala, a
city which lies at the heart of Iraq’s religious tourism industry, said the developer.0

The city has developed major infrastructure work to accommodate the millions of foreign pilgrims who flock to the holy city annually. ‘Karbala Gate’ will benefit from this tourism boom, with recent reports estimating that 21.2 million pilgrims arrived in the city for the annual Arbaeen commemorations in September 2022 alone. Furthermore, earlier this year the Governor of Karbala pledged his ongoing commitment to empowering the city through its tourism trade announcing the construction of a new 120-kilometer-long motorway connecting Baghdad to Karbala to facilitate religious tourism. Furthermore,

The ‘Karbala Gate’ development is said to offer contemporary architecture, expansive green spaces and a vibrant boulevard, creating a thriving community hub for the city’s residents. The residential-led project will also host Iraq’s second Cadmus International School, and the first internationally accredited Cadmus School in Karbala. Cadmus International Schools are a concept by Sabis, the global education network, and have been created to provide children with a top-quality, international education.

Once completed, ‘Karbala Gate’ will provide 796 villas of two, three and four bedrooms, for up to 4,700 residents, catering to the needs of Karbala’s dynamic population. The project is scheduled to reach its full completion in 2027. Following the completion of initial phase project development and residential construction that is expected to conclude by 2023, ‘Karbala Gate’ will welcome its first residents from next year.

The ‘Karbala Gate’ development is designed with sustainability in mind, the project features several notable highlights, including a solar-powered centralised gas system, a state-of-the-art smart air-conditioning system. Social benefits of the project also include that it is expected to generate more than 2,000 skilled jobs, creating viable employment opportunities for the citizens of Karbala.

Namir El Akabi, Founder and Chairman of Amwaj International, commented: “Amwaj International is ever-growing, and we are proud to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for our new Iraqi development Karbala Gate, an innovative project that seeks to put community at its heart and will be host to Iraq’s second Cadmus School via a purpose-built campus. This development project is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing Iraq with a built environment that fits the needs of its modern citizens via vibrant residential communities.

“We are honored to welcome the Governor of Karbala to this ceremony, who shares our commitment to urban renewal in Iraq. This project represents a significant investment in Karbala’s future, and we hope it will encourage similar developments across the country as well as catering to the growing demand for top quality housing by boosting supply in the areas it is needed most.”

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Source: MEConstructionNews


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July 12, 2023 valueeng0

Japanese group Toyota Tsusho Corporation has announced that its joint venture (JV) with French energy firm TotalEnergies Renewables has secured a contract from Saudi Power Procurement Company for a leading-edge, 119MW solar power plant. Also involved in the JV is a unit of the Saudi-based Zahid Group.

The $100 million project is being set up by Toyota Tsusho through a joint venture company, Noor Alwadi Renewable Energy Company, in which both the Japanese group and TotalEnergies Renewables each have a 40% stake, while Altaaqa Renewable Energy has the remaining 20%.

The solar plant, which is the first renewable project in Saudi Arabia for Toyota Tsusho group, will be implemented on a complete build, own, operate model and is set to be located in Wadi Ad Dawasir.

The work on the plant has already begun and it is due for commercial operations in March 2025.

According to Toyota Tsusho, this project was selected for the ‘Financing Programme for Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) Model Projects’, an initiative of Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, in 2022. The purpose of this initiative is to financially support the implementation of projects which reduce GHG emissions by using leading decarbonisation technologies in developing countries, and in return, to acquire JCM credits for Japan in achieving its GHG emission reduction targets.

The post Toyota set to fund and operate Saudi solar plant appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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July 12, 2023 valueeng0

Dubai Municipality has allocated a total of 3,200 land plots to Emirati citizens in a move that supports its ambitious 2040 Urban Master Plan, and aligns with the comprehensive programme proposed by the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs.

The allocated plots will be fully serviced and will comprise not only a range of basic and essential amenities, but will also create entertainment facilities and leisure opportunities, including landscaped parks and exercise tracks for pedestrians and cyclists alike. Moreover, these will all be built and implemented according to the highest global standards. The designated locations of these land plots are designed to create a series of new regional, community-led hubs, further linking to the emirate’s expanding infrastructure.

During its first year, the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs approved the allocation of 11,500 land plots for citizens, as well as housing loans worth AED7bn ($1.9bn), benefiting around 7,000 people.

These moves further support the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, which aims to boost the quality of life in Dubai and further accelerate its global competitiveness via the creation of sustainable communities offering a high quality of living compatible with leading-edge global benchmarking.

The post 3,200 land plots allocated to Emirati citizens appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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July 10, 2023 valueeng0

Bahraini transport officials have met with senior officials from the GCC Railways Authority to discuss the next stage of developments on the major railway project that is set to connect Bahrain and Saudi Arabia via the King Hamad Causeway. As a key part of the Gulf Railway Network, it will then link to the wider GCC network.

On arrival, Hussein Ali Yaqoub, Assistant Undersecretary of Land Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation & Telecommunications, received the GCC Railways Authority delegation led by Nasser Hamad Al Qahtani and Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Samaani.

The assistant undersecretary commended the authority’s role in the development of the railway sector in the GCC and for co-ordinating among the member states regarding the railway project.

The meeting reviewed the developments of the transitional phase of the King Hamad Causeway project, developments in preparing the railway track on the Bahraini side and the King Hamad International Station in Al Ramli.

The meeting with the high-level GCC delegation also discussed details of engineering designs and meeting points between the two Kingdoms.

The GCC Railways Authority, established in 2022, is mandated with shaping the general policy for the Gulf Railway Network and co-ordinating among the member states to follow up on the implementation and operation of the complete project.

The post Talks underway to finalise Bahrain/Saudi railway link appeared first on Middle East Construction News.

Source: MEConstructionNews


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July 10, 2023 valueeng0

Acwa Power has announced that work is currently underway on a green hydrogen facility at Oxagon – a site located within Saudi’s futuristic city Neom and is due for completion by December 2026.

The mega project, being developed by NEOM Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) – a joint venture between Acwa Power, US industrial gases leader Air Products and NEOM – at a total investment value of $8.4bn, is set to become the largest green hydrogen production facility in the world.

NGHC has issued a full notice to proceed (NTP) to the EPC contractor, Air Products, which has now been approved, and filing to the Saudi bourse Tadawul is complete.

Following this development, Acwa Power’s $300mn contribution in the Limited Notice To Proceed (LNTP) will now be considered as part of its equity contribution in the project. In May, NGHC had previously announced the signing of financial deals with 23 local, regional, and international banks and investment firms.

According to NEOM, the NGHC plant will start producing green hydrogen from 100% renewable energy sources in 2026, with production of up to 1.2m tonnes of green ammonia annually – a figure equivalent to 600 tonnes of green hydrogen per day.

This green ammonia will be exported to global markets, supporting the decarbonisation of the heavy-duty transport sector and aimed at reducing carbon dioxide emissions. It is estimated that as a direct impact of the plant, up to five million tonnes of CO2 will be saved per year.

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Source: MEConstructionNews