RIYADH – A three-day “Saudi Mega Infrastructure Projects Summit” will kick off on Sept. 16, 2012 at Riyadh Marriott Hotel, that will highlight opportunities in the Saudi non-energy infrastructure projects market sector. The summit will provide participants unprecedented insight and access into the biggest projects market in the MENA region. Many contractors, suppliers and vendors believe that Saudi Arabia has become the number one opportunity in the region as MEED forecasts that over $80 billion worth of major contracts will be awarded in 2013. The figure indicates an approximate 36 percent increase from 2011. Moreover, with a gigantic projects industry still creating business opportunities, the summit will become a platform for those who are willing to enter the Saudi market and those who wish to strengthen their profile in the Kingdom. Due to strong demographic growth, high oil prices and a capital investment program backed by strong political support, Saudi Arabia today is the largest projects market in the region, overtaking the UAE in 2010 and maintains its position as a top leader in the market since then. The summit focuses on the development of mega-projects in the Kingdom, the region's largest construction sector. The core sectors that are driving the massive growth in construction activity – transport infrastructure (road, rail, aviation), social infrastructure (education, healthcare) & utilities infrastructure (power & water, desalination, renewable, waste management) will be discussed. The summit activities are divided into the Saudi Rail Focus Day and the two days dedicated to conference that is coincides with the World Green Building Week on Sept.17-24. The Saudi Rail Focus Day will offer a profound vision into the rail sector in Saudi Arabia and the opportunities attached to it for both local and international contractors, consultants and specialist rail service providers. World Green Building Week aims and its importance to Saudi Arabia's project portfolio will be highlighted by Faisal S. Alfadl, founder of Saudi Green Building Council and a perspective member of World Green Building Council, who's effort is aligned to facilitate the global transformation of the building industry and its mega projects towards sustainability through market driven mechanisms. He aims to bring to light the key role of buildings in conserving resources, saving money and creating jobs while providing healthier places to live and work. “Participation in the summit is an effort to put forward another quintessential step to raise awareness about energy-efficient infrastructure by receiving and sharing related knowledge. Our support to World Green Building Week is very crucial as it will further enhance the outcome of Saudi Mega Infrastructure Projects Summit as combining the mega projects with green building or energy-efficient infrastructure technologies will very advantageous, both economically and socially.” said Edmund O' Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Events, organizer of the forum. – SG
