JEDDAH: Atkins, one of the world's leading engineering and design consultancies, and Saudi architect Mohamed Harasani announced the commercial registration of their new company W.S. Atkins & Partners Overseas Engineering Consultants on Sunday at a reception held at the British Consulate-General. Members of the business community in Jeddah attended the reception. Chris Innes-Hopkins, the director of UK Trade and Investment in Riyadh, was also present at the function to introduce Richard Barrett, Atkins' regional managing director in the Middle East, and Mohamed Harasani. The new partnership in Saudi Arabia unites Atkins' full breadth of technical expertise and multinational experience with Mohamed Harasani's profound professional knowledge of the local market. Following its registration, the partnership is licensed to deliver its complete range of design services across the Kingdom, including construction supervision work. The company, which will trade as Atkins, is now looking to build on its successful registration by undertaking a recruitment campaign for skilled engineers and architects who can help deliver its growing portfolio of major projects in the Kingdom from offices in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al-Khobar. Barrett said "our registration heralds an exciting new era for Atkins. Not only is Saudi Arabia the GCC's largest economy, its infrastructure investment programme is unparalleled anywhere in the world. We're now in the best possible position to provide expertise in support of King Abdullah's vision for robust long-term growth, a diversified economy and high living standards throughout the Kingdom. We have already developed a fantastic working relationship with Mohamed Harasani and feel incredibly fortunate to have a partner with whom we share the same ambitions and professional values." Harasani added: "The sheer diversity of skills and expertise we're able to offer is unrivalled in the marketplace, which gives us a tremendous opportunity to support the vibrant and sustainable development of Saudi Arabia's social infrastructure. Furthermore, our partnership can play an important role in improving skills and nurturing home-grown talent." Atkins has been working in Saudi Arabia since the 1970s, ranging from strategic investment studies for Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) to key defence-related projects. More recently, the company's work has included: transport infrastructure projects such as Makkah Metro; building design such as the Riyadh Tower; high-profile master planning exercises such as Oasis City, Sub-Center East in Riyadh; and front-end engineering design for the proposed minerals industry city at Ras Al Zawr in the Eastern Province.
