RIYADH — The Qiddiya Investment Company (QIC) has kickstarted 2020 by awarding the first construction contract of the year to a major Saudi company, as building continues at the Qiddiya site. "As Qiddiya strives ahead with its construction execution we are delighted to begin the mass grading and site preparation of our two anchor development nodes: the Resort Core & the City Center," said Michael Reininger, Chief Executive Officer of QIC. "This is the first of many announcements for 2020 and we are proud to partner with a long-standing Saudi firm, the Abdul Ali Al Ajmi Company, for this significant milestone," he said. The start of the 12-month project will include the landscaping of 7 million cubic meters of earth to ensure the site preparation of a combined area of more than 4 million square meters. This will require upwards of 500 pieces of major earthmoving equipment to grade and develop the plots, in addition to 4,000 ton of steel and 30,000 cubic meters of concrete for storm water management so that the area is ready for the next stage of development. Ali Abdul Ali Al-Ajmi, chairman of the Abdul Ali Al Ajmi Company, added: ‘As a Saudi company, it is an honor to be part of this unique project as Qiddiya's partner. Over the last 40 years we have a demonstrated history of providing our clients with superior excavation, material transport, site preparation and development and so we look forward to using these skills to help Qiddiya achieve their vision." Since its establishment in 1980, Abdul Ali Al-Ajmi has been recognized as a major road construction company throughout the Kingdom. The company has specialized in the construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, infrastructure, site preparation works, real estate development and road transport services. Set to become the Kingdom's capital of entertainment, sports and the arts, Qiddiya is located on the doorstep of Riyadh and as one of Saudi Arabia's giga projects will directly employ approximately 17,000 people by 2023.
