JEDDAH — Seven of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's most important projects of recent years have scooped major national awards for their achievements and are now in the running for regional recognition. KSA's national winners of the MEED Quality Awards for Projects, in association with Mashreq, include: The 95 MW Temporary Power Plant in Al Kharj Project by Saudi Electric Company (nominated by Zahid Group of Companies); Aramco Psychiatric Facility Project by Johns Hopkins Aramco Hospital/SAMSO (nominated by Shade Corporation Ltd.); Qurayyah Independent Power Plant Project by Hajr Electricity Production Co.; Jabal Omar Project Phase 1 Project by Jabal Omar Development Company (nominated by Schneider Electric); Siemens Energy Hub Project by Siemens Energy (nominated by Hyder Consulting); Extension of Roads under Arriyadh Old Airport (ERAOA) Project by the High Commission for the Development of Arriyadh; and Jeddah Storm Water Drainage Program (JSDP) - Eastern Channel - Package 9 Project by Emarat of Makah Province/Saudi Aramco (nominated by Saudi Pan Kingdom for Trading, Industry & Contracting). An esteemed judging panel assessed the entries against a rigorous criteria that included engineering and construction challenges, as well as economic, social and environmental impact. “Complying with the highest quality standards in the projects market is critical not just to the success of individual projects, but also for their invariable impact on the society at large, in terms of the economic, social and environmental benefits they provide,'' said John Iossifidis, Executive Vice President, Group Head – Corporate & Investment Banking, Mashreq Bank, psc. who went on to say, ‘'we salute all the national winners in Saudi Arabia for delivering projects that conform to the highest international standards for quality and for their long-term impact on the future success of the country.” Saudi Arabia's national winners will now compete with the other GCC markets for the regional honors. Two national winners emerged in the Small Project of the Year category, these include the 95 MW Temporary Power Plant in Al Kharj Project and the Aramco Psychiatric Facility Project. The Qurayyah Independent Power Plant Project was named national winner in the Power and Water Project of the Year category, while Jabal Omar Project Phase 1 Project earned national honors in the Building Project of the Year category. The Industrial Project of the Year national winner award was given to the Siemens Energy Hub Project; while the two remaining projects - Extension of Roads under Arriyadh Old Airport (ERAOA) and Jeddah Storm Water Drainage Program (JSDP) - Eastern Channel - Package 9 – were adjudged national winners in the Hyder Consulting Transport Project of the Year category. ‘'These awards recognize the best achievements in project delivery in the region and I'm delighted these Saudi projects have received the recognition they deserve,'' says Richard Thompson, Editorial Director at MEED. ‘'All stand a very good chance of wider recognition at the GCC level in May. The projects that are being built today are laying the foundation for the future and MEED is honored to be able to recognize and celebrate the very best project achievements the region has to offer.'' National winners were also selected from projects completed in Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and UAE. The GCC winners of the annual MEED Quality Awards for Projects 2015, in association with Mashreq will be announced on May 27, 2015 at The Address Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE during the MEED Construction Leadership Summit, a premier meeting place for the Gulf's construction leaders and provides a much needed platform to promote open dialogue between the leading contractors, consultants and clients that examines the strategic direction of the region's construction industry, the challenges threatening it's performance and those leading it's change. — SG
