UAE set to award Dh96bn infrastructure contracts

Infrastructure project awards across the GCC are forecast to exceed $86 billion (Dh315.62 billion) in 2014, an increase of 77.8 per cent over 2013.

New figures released by construction intelligence firm Ventures Onsite show a dramatic increase in contract awards across the region, in every country except Saudi Arabia.

Qatar will award projects worth $26.2 billion compared with just $9.4 billion last year while Kuwait is expected to award $3.45 billion, almost 10 times the previous year.

In the UAE, $15.18 billion (Dh96.154 billion) will be awarded, almost five times the 2013 contracts, while in Oman infrastructure awards are expected to reach $7.4 billion (Dh27.158 billion) - up $5.5 billion (Dh20.185 billion) on 2013.

Meanwhile Bahrain, which awarded $382 million (Dh1.4 billion) last year, is expected to award $3.4 billion (Dh12.478 billion).

Saudi Arabia’s forecast award of $29.34 billion - the highest in the region - represents a decrease year on year, however last year’s total awards of $33.6 billion included the $22.5 billion Riyadh Metro project.

Infrastructure projects make up 16 per cent of the total construction value of GCC projects, and rail projects like the Riyadh Metro are the main beneficiary. According to Ventures, it is estimated the rail sector is worth $200 billion as the six countries aim for an integrated GCC-wide network by 2018.

Infrastructure is a key focus for seminar sessions at this year’s Middle East Concrete and PMV Live exhibitions. During the first day there will be a panel session entitled ‘Market update and future forecast of the Middle East’s infrastructure sector’ which will look at the key issues the region has to overcome.

Panellist Paul Groves, Head of Tunnelling & Ground Engineering with Atkins, will also present a case study on a metro project. Atkins is among the leading rail sector consultancies in the Middle East, has recently set up a centre of rail excellence and is involved in major rail and metro projects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Atkins first developed its team to provide multidisciplinary design and management of the civil works on Dubai Metro seven years ago.

“Existing roads are already over capacity, to the point where congestion is having an impact on the local economy and quality of life for residents,” said Dr. Ghassan Ziadat, director of planning and infrastructure for Atkins.

But, it is not simply about cutting congestion and improving freight transport links. The railway network will create new jobs and bring environmental benefits to the region according to Feras Shadid, a rail assurance and asset management consultant who will also be a panellist at the infrastructure seminar on the first day of the exhibitions.

“Rail networks create a more sustainable society that is not dependent on one mode of transport for passengers and goods. Also the environmental advantages of using railways have been documented extensively, and the rail projects will create a range of employment opportunities including high-tech engineering positions,” Shadid said.

PMV Live and Middle East Concrete will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre running from 17 - 20 November.

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