Saudi Arabia’s Real Estate Development Fund (REDF) has announced the signing of a US $3.64bn finance agreement, to help 21,000 citizens get housing benefits. In addition, the REDF deposited more than $719mn in the account of beneficiaries of Sakani, a real estate initiative of the Saudi Ministry of Housing, during the first quarter of 2023.

The real estate advisory service of REDF recorded about 53,000 new beneficiaries during the last quarter and issued more than 36,000 financing and housing recommendations, according to the kingdom’s National Development Fund (NDF) in its quarterly report.

NDF and its supervised development funds and banks concluded the first quarter with various agreements and new development initiatives, all focusing on achieving the economic, social, and cultural objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and maximising the developmental impact on the Saudi economy. These achievements included signing cooperation agreements and financing beneficiaries from various economic sectors and segments of society, with over $7.99bn approved financing and support in the last quarter.

According to the report, the Saudi Industrial Development Fund (SIDF) had approved over $233mn in financing for 24 businesses. Also, the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) approved over $69.3mn in financing for 11 businesses in the tourism sector and served 57 beneficiaries through its pre-financing counselling and logistical support programmes.

During the first three months of 2023, TDF had signed MoUs with various local and international companies, including one with Ezdihar Real Estate Development Company – to establish the Jeddah Cove project – and the other with Ashraq Development Company to develop a tourist resort on the Half Moon Bay in the eastern region, operated by leading hotel and hospitality company Accor.

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The Big Project Middle East (BPME) editorial team has unveiled an expanded agenda and a new date for its inaugural Future of Water Summit. The event will now take place on 6 September 2023 at the Habtoor Grand Resort in JBR, Dubai.

The event will discuss crucial topics relating to water via panel discussions and presentations including: regional water security threats and opportunities; COP28’s focus on water and its potential impact on legislation; managing water consumption in the building and operational phases of structures; desalination; wastewater treatment; the importance of greywater reuse; smart water management systems and technology; the challenges associated with water distribution networks and how they can be improved with technology, and more. The event’s agenda can be seen by clicking here.

Speakers will comprise regional experts from several groups including government, operators, construction consultants and contractors, water and wastewater specialists, technology firms and other suppliers.

“The BPME editorial team has been hard at work engaging with industry stakeholders, which is why we now have an expanded agenda for our Future of Water event. When it takes place on 6 September, we’ll be looking to shine a light on a number of key issues including the use of water in the pre- and post-construction phases of assets in the region. I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made thus far and look forward to hearing from regional thought leaders on the day,” said Jason Saundalkar, Head of Content at BPME.

Attendance to the event is complementary but mandatory via registration here.

To discuss participating at the event as a speaker, contact conference producer Jason Saundalkar on Jason.s@cpitrademedia.com. Sponsorship inquires can be addressed to Raed Kaedbey (raed.kaedbey@cpitrademedia.com) and Madeleine Martin (madeleine.martin@cpitrademedia.com).

Read more about the Future of Water Summit by clicking here.

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The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has collaborated with ADNOC Distribution to launch its Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) initiative, which will see the rollout of recycling facilities across ADNOC’s retail service stations.

Developed in partnership, the RVM launch coincides with World Environment Day and supports the UAE’s broader sustainability objectives. The collaboration also supports the implementation of Abu Dhabi’s Single Use Plastic Policy which was launched by EAD in 2020.

“Recently, we announced the remarkable success of the first year of our single-use plastic bag ban. To complement this success, we are always introducing similar initiatives to reduce single-use plastic in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. This bottle recovery initiative aims to dramatically recover single-use plastic bottles that harm our environment. This is because it takes 450 years for a single-use plastic bottle to degrade, which means that our terrestrial and marine environments will be filled with microplastic, affecting biodiversity, our ecosystems, and most importantly, human health,” said EAD Secretary General Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri.

In addition to collaboration with ADNOC Distribution, other major retailers support the initiative including Carrefour, Lulu, Abu Dhabi Coops, Choithrams, Spinneys, Waitrose and Spar. Through this partnership with the private sector, a substantial reduction of up to 95% in the number of plastic bags consumed has been achieved, a statement noted.

In addition to eliminating single-use plastic bags, the policy targets the recovery of 50% of single-use plastic water bottles consumed in Abu Dhabi, which amounts to 7,500t. This will be achieved by an incentive-based plastic bottles recovery scheme and the installation of smart recovery infrastructure, including Return Vending Machines (RVMs), smart bins and other door-to-door collection applications across Abu Dhabi.

To support the success of the bottle recovery initiative, EAD said that it has engaged key stakeholders such as large retailers, major attraction sites, and real estate developers, among others. The agency has also invited private sector packaging firms to participate in the project.

In addition, the EAD said it has been working with Veolia through its RECAPP initiative to deploy RVMs in prime locations with high footfall, including malls, academic institutions, the Abu Dhabi Corniche and other visitor attraction sites.

The initiative also comes under the umbrella of EAD’s ‘Mission to Zero’ outreach campaign that aspires to zero plastic, zero waste, zero emissions and zero harm to biodiversity.

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A $272.2mn contract has been awarded to Ginco General contracting by Dubai South Properties. The contract is for the development of the initial phases of the South Bay master development.

The project is taking shape in the heart of The Residential District within Dubai South alongside the Expo Road. Once complete, it will boast over 800 villas and townhouses, as well as more than 200 luxurious waterfront mansions, a 1km-long crystal lagoon, and more than 3km of a waterfront promenades, in addition to multiple beaches, clubhouse, fitness centres and lush parks, the developer said in a statement.

“We are delighted by the remarkable response we have received since announcing the project last year, with the first two phases fully sold-out. The real estate industry in Dubai is experiencing unprecedented growth, fueled by various factors that Dubai has to offer, thanks to the visionary initiatives of our wise leadership, which we wholeheartedly align with,” stated Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South.

He added, “At Dubai South, our mandate is to deliver premium developments that exceed the expectations of our customers. We strive to provide residents with modern amenities and enriched lifestyles, creating an environment that promotes comfort, convenience, and a sense of luxury.”

The townhouses and semi-detached villas span built-up areas ranging from 2,900 to 5,500sqft, in a mix of three, four, and five en-suite bedrooms. The waterfront mansions will comprise five- six- and seven- bedroom units, with built-up areas ranging from approximately 9,000 to 14,000sqft.

Dubai South Properties said the project is scheduled for completion by Q1 2026.

“We are confident that the expertise of the appointed contractor’s will help us realise this project, which will be an ideal option for those seeking quality living with world-class amenities,” added Al Zaffin.

Located at The Residential District, South Bay will provide residents access to a variety of amenities including a shopping mall, fitness centres, spas, kids’ clubs and waterparks, as well as waterfront cafés, a lake park and private beaches, the statement concluded.

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During the United Nations Environment Program’s Second Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC-2) in Paris, BEEAH Group, the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), and the management consultancy Roland Berger signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on a ground-breaking global standard for waste recycling that has been endorsed by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCaE).

Developed using blockchain technology, the platform aims to facilitate collaboration between jurisdictions and enable transparency across the waste management value chain.

The platform will create a global market-based incentive scheme and standard measure for recycling recognition and rewards, which will bridge the gap between the global sustainability agenda and the private sector and push the transition towards a global circular economy, said the parties in a statement.

The dedicated marketplace, to be revealed during the upcoming 28^th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), will connect waste producers and waste management providers to create a virtuous loop.

The partnership is currently developing the standard’s framework and technology. The platform will be revealed at COP28 in Dubai between November 30 and December 12, 2023.

Organisations which recycle waste with verified sustainable waste management providers receive Voluntary Recycling Credits (VRC). The use of the platform enables them to track the recycling activities in a transparent and standardized process and helps to realise their sustainability targets.

The MoU was signed by Firas Wahbeh, chief marketing officer, BEEAH Group, Carlos RV Silva, president, ISWA, and Hani Tohme, managing partner at Roland Berger Dubai.

The signing took place in the presence of His Excellency Essa Abdulrahman Al Hashmi, Assistant Undersecretary, Sustainable Communities Sector, UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and Rahma Alshamsi, Lead – Hard-to-Abate, Energy Transition Team, COP28 Committee, UAE Climate Envoy.

“BEEAH Group has been working relentlessly towards a zero-waste to landfill future, which we see as closely linked to fulfilling the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative and broader sustainability agenda,” said Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of BEEAH Group.

“We are proud to work with MoCCaE, ISWA and Roland Berger to develop the VRC platform, which will enable us to create new, sustainable efficiencies across businesses and industries when it comes to waste management. This new recycling standard will make positive impact for sustainability targets within the UAE and globally. While incentivising recycling and making large scale impact on creating a circular economy, we are also innovating to add new value to organisations that are managing their waste sustainably, enabling them to offset emissions and track their contributions to the national sustainability agenda.”

Known for its zero-waste strategies and sustainability-driven technologies, BEEAH Group’s integrated waste-management and clean energy strategies have set records for waste collection and landfill waste diversion in the Middle East.

Recently, BEEAH Group increased landfill waste diversion rate in the emirate of Sharjah from 76% – through sustainable waste management and material recovery – to over 90% through the Sharjah waste-to-energy plant, a project of its joint venture with Masdar.

During COP26 in Glasgow, the UAE became the first nation in the Middle East to announce its Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative. The following year, during COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, the UAE also unveiled its pathway to achieve Net Zero by 2050. The VRC standard is being developed ahead of COP28 in Dubai to help drive the UAE’s climate ambitions and serve as a new global model to accelerate towards net-zero targets while creating a circular economy.

In March 2023, the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlighted that contributions from the waste management sector could result in the mitigation of 1.8 Gt (gigatonnes) of CO₂ emissions every year. This is possible through innovations across the waste management value chain and limiting the usage of resources to manufacture virgin materials such as plastic.

“There is a need to integrate action and to provide consistent solutions. Today, I am very happy to announce the launch of a new global initiative, promoted by the UAE and our partners, BEEAH and Roland Berger, linking the topics that are currently being discussed at INC-2 in Paris on plastics pollution with the climate change negotiations that will happen during COP28 in Dubai”, said Carlos RV Silva, President, ISWA.

Driven by MoCCaE’s strategies and vision for the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative, the standard will bring together BEEAH Group’s expertise in waste management, sustainability and digitalisation, ISWA’s competencies and large-scale impact on the circular economy globally and Roland Berger’s leadership in developing circular economy solutions to mitigate climate change, enabling innovative technology and coalition.

“For the first time in history, the waste management sector is offering a scalable solution to reduce carbon emissions, track material flows, and create a self-sustaining financing system to upgrade recycling infrastructure globally,” said Hani Tohme, Managing Partner at Roland Berger Dubai.

“This ambition is being promoted by an innovative coalition formed under the leadership of the UAE, bringing together all the necessary expertise to make a massive contribution to the Paris agreement. We look forward to putting waste management on the radar this year at COP28 and demonstrating the sector’s untapped potential to reduce emissions.”

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A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Hefei-based Gotion High-Tech and Moroccan officials has been inked. The MoU opens the door for the Chinese electromotive group to invest US $6.4bn into the development of a battery manufacturing complex in the country.

According to a report, Gotion High-Tech specialises in energy storage products and has operations in China, Singapore, Germany, and California. It last year achieved 122% revenue growth to reach $3.2bn and said it intends to enter Africa with a gigafactory in Rabat, with an annual production capacity of 100GWh, creating around 25,000 jobs.

Moroccan Investment Minister Mohcine Jazouli said the agreement was a “necessary first step before signing the investment agreement, which will allow the launch of the gigafactory to strengthen the country’s position in the automotive industry”. He also noted that Morocco was aiming to collaborate with companies in the renewable energies and electric transport sector, citing Volkswagen Group as an example.

The MoU was signed by Gotion High-Tech’s President, Li Zhen. He said his group was looking forward to contributing to the global development of green mobility and praised Morocco’s “enchanting landscapes and inclusive culture”.

The Moroccan automotive sector is said to be one of the strongest in Africa. In 2018, it passed South Africa as the continent’s biggest exporter of passenger cars and last year experienced a 10% growth in production. The government has put in place many measures to attract foreign investors, such as high-quality infrastructure, engineering training, and tax benefits, the report noted.

Morocco has several pertinent raw materials including cobalt and phosphates, and free trade agreements with the EU and the US. In the past year alone, Morocco exported 480,000 vehicles worth $11.1bn to 75 countries, a 33% increase on the previous year, the report concluded.

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A 50:50 joint venture (JV) between Balfour Beatty and Gammon Construction has been appointed to build a 10-storey building at Hong Kong’s Cyberport business park. The contract is said to be worth US $473mn.

According to a report, the structure will contain office space, a data services platform, multi-functional hall, ancillary facilities and waterfront enhancements.

Main construction works are scheduled to begin on the project in 2025. At the height of building work, over 1,000 staff will be employed at the development.

“The contract follows on from our design and construction of the foundation and excavation works, and this latest award will see us deliver a complete end-to-end construction partnership. We look forward to participating in this important initiative that seeks to attract more quality innovation and technology companies and start-ups to establish their businesses at Cyberport,” said Kevin O’Brien, Gammon’s Chief Executive.

Gammon said that it would use its ‘G-Twin technology’ to monitor progress, streamline workflows and analyse data to allow faster decision making.

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Big Project Middle East speaks to Mohamed Karam, Senior Business Development Manager – MEA at Emerson Commercial & Residential Solutions about his firm’s business over the last 12 months and their plans for the future.

• Talk to us about your business in 2022, how did your company fare and what do you anticipate in terms of business in 2023?

We had a good year in 2022 despite the challenges of inflation and supply chain – we managed to grow by single digits in this tough environment. We had a strong takeoff in Q1 in 2023, especially within the Gulf area. We saw some softening of demand in Q2 due to economic instability in some markets in the region, but we are confident about the second half the year, in terms of the demand going back on the right track.

• What are some of the trends driving the growth of your business in 2023? Which verticals will be the most important to your business in 2023?

Home improvement which was raised during the outbreak of the pandemic is still leading the trend, as well as recent projects that were launched in the Gulf region, specifically in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Plus, there is a growing environmental trend where several commercial and residential buildings are keen to have the right solutions and technology to reduce their carbon footprint and to be environmentally responsible.

• Outside of the UAE, which other GCC markets are of interest to Insinkerator and what is your strategy to expand into those markets?

Saudi Arabia is one of the oldest and most promising market in the GCC. In the past years, they have announced several megaprojects like NEOM, the Red Sea, and the Line. The country is being driven by Saudi Vision 2030 under the guidance of His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, and this gives a lot of priority for new technology and Greentech solutions.

Mohamed Karam, Senior Business Development Manager – MEA at Emerson Commercial & Residential Solutions

• InSinkErator has a raft of different products – which is the most successful in the UAE, and what differentiates your product compared to competitors in the market?

We invented food waste disposers in 1927 and since then we have continued to design, develop and produce all of our disposers. Today, we are the biggest producer of cutting edge products in this specific product category.

• The hospitality market is booming in several GCC countries including the UAE. What are some of the key client requirements Insinkerator hears from its clients in the hospitality space for new builds and/or refurbishments?

The foodservice and hospitality sectors are two of the fast-growing sectors in the region. Waste management and cost reduction are one of their main challenges in both sectors, especially with new laws and standards which been applied recently to maintain healthy and clean operations, in addition to efficiency with regards to the use of resources and utilities. These are some of the key requirements which we are hearing about and Insinkerator’s various product are the right solutions to address these issues.

• Many countries are trying to divert waste away from landfills and processing plants; what impact can deploying state of the art garbage disposal systems within hotels make in terms of enabling countries to achieve their goals?

They can have a great impact actually. First, garbage disposal systems treat waste in the same place it is being created, so there’s no need to transport or store it, which immediately reduces the cost and carbon footprint of the hospitality institutions. Second, these solution can help to reuse or recycle organic waste to biogas or even bio fertiliser, which helps to achieve environmental goals and carbon neutrality agendas for the institution in question and the whole country.

• Apart from garbage disposals, what innovations/products does Insinkerator offer that can positively impact a client’s sustainable goals?

Our Instant Hot Water Dispensers & Hot Water Heaters which add convenience to your kitchen and instantly upgrades your ability to get things done. Whether cooking, cleaning without harsh chemicals, entertaining, or simply relaxing with a hot beverage, InSinkErator instant hot water helps you save time, reduce the wastage during heating water, and improves overall efficiency.

WasteXpress efficiently processes food waste without the need to use cardboard. Our systems can process up to 320kg per hour and can be installed under any standard dish table. All liquid and solid waste in the food waste disposer is first ground and then reduced by up to 85% of its original volume in the dewatering section. With this solution, ten bags of waste can actually be turned into less than two! WasteXpress can handle virtually all kitchen waste, including food scraps, placemats, napkins, jelly packets and straws.

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SSH will collaborate with Ahmadiah Contracting and Trading to deliver  a new waterfront development in Kuwait.

Spanning 9.7 kilometres from the Yacht Club to Diyafa Village near Kuwait Towers, the Waterfront Development aims to captivate locals and visitors alike with year-round leisure activities and events.

The project will offer essential amenities for visitors, including sports activities, swimming areas, a bicycle path, a jogging path, and a recreational area for children. It will also bring more than 60 commercial and investment opportunities for Kuwaiti companies.

“We are thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking project that merges leisure, culture, and sustainability,” said Omran Hayat, SSH Chairman.

“Our collaboration with Ahmadiah Contracting and Trading brings together expertise and innovation, enabling us to deliver distinct active spaces that truly showcase the essence of Kuwait.”

Over the course of one year, the project will unfold in phases, offering visitors an immersive experience that beautifully represents the cultural and heritage essence of the State of Kuwait, said SSH.

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