Saudi Projects - Issue 48

With news brought to you by The Red Sea Development Company

ISSUE 44

FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 48

WHITESPACE ARCHITECTS

BEAUTY IN FORM VALUE IN FUNCTION HKA CRUX REPORT A REGIONAL ANALYSIS OF CLAIMS AND DISPUTE CAUSATION

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Editors Foreword

SAUDI ECONOMY REMAINS BUOYANT AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2022, THE GLOBAL ECONOMY CONTINUES TO FACE OBSTACLES, INCLUDING DISRUPTED SUPPLY CHAINS, INFLATIONARY PRESSURES, AND NEW COVID-19 VARIANTS, ALL OF WHICH HAVE POSED A DANGER TO ECONOMIC RECOVERY. SAUDI ARABIA'S ECONOMY, THOUGH, HAS BEEN ABLE TO REMAIN BUOYANT THANKS TO A SUCCESSFUL VACCINATION DEPLOYMENT AND OTHER CONTAINMENT MEASURES, WHILE RISING INTERNATIONAL OIL PRICES HAVE AIDED A WIDER RECOVERY. Indeed, there is a genuinely positive feel across the Kingdom, and in this issue of Saudi Projects, we reflect that with a broad array of features and news. These include an interview with Tim Martin, Managing Director of Gensler, an integrated architecture, design, planning, and consulting firm with 5,500+ professionals networked across 49 offices. He tells us about the firm’s philosophy of making the world a better place

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through the power of design, focusing on its ever-growing business in Saudi Arabia.

With news brought to you by The Red Sea Development Company

ISSUE 44

We also speak to Raed Al Basseet, Group Chief Environmental and Sustainability Officer for TRSDC and AMAALA, about the challenges and often radical responses to sustainability and the environment on these groundbreaking giga-projects.

FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 48

Talking of giga-projects, we see how the Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) has officially unveiled its vision for Diriyah Square, the commercial heart of its SAR 190 billion project on the edge of Riyadh. We also pop into AMAALA and discover its hardworking, creative team, focusing on the mini-video series, #IamAMAALA, which conveys the attributes and aspirations of the ‘believers’ working together to deliver on its promise.

King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) is also on our radar, and we learn how the Affordable House Co., a subsidiary of Abdullah Bin Saedan & Sons Real Estate Group, a leading real estate developer, has signed an agreement for the development of a state-of-the-art staff residential complex at SPARK. Defining what a ‘smart city’ is and how it has

WHITESPACE ARCHITECTS

BEAUTY IN FORM VALUE IN FUNCTION HKA CRUX REPORT A REGIONAL ANALYSIS OF CLAIMS AND DISPUTE CAUSATION

BPD SUPPLY SOLUTIONS MAKING COMPLEX LOGISTICAL PROBLEMS SIMPLE

QIDDIYA SAR 3.75 BILLION CONTRACT AWARDED FOR SIX FLAGS

reached its apex in NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s new vision of what the future could be, we look at both local developments and the wider global picture, including the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona.

So, while businesses are set for a tough start to 2022 as they grapple with the spread of Omicron and rising inflation, it is clear that Saudi Arabia is in an excellent position to move forwards, as it

05

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continues to take its rightful place at the centre of international trade, commerce and tourism.

Rod Millington EDITOR

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BECAUSE WE CARE

06

Contents

COVER STORY

20

WHITESPACE ARCHITECTS

BEAUTY IN FORM, VALUE IN FUNCTION FEATURES

28

54

MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE

A CARBON NEUTRAL LUXURY DESTINATION

56

68

DARING TO BE A FORCE OF NATURE

GIGA PROJECTS - QIDDIYA

Contents

38

BPD SUPPLY SOLUTIONS

MAKING THE COMPLEX SIMPLE ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

17 NEW APPOINTMENTS

48 AFFORDABLE HOUSING CO. AND BIN SAEDAN TO BUILD STAFF RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX IN SPARK

46 SAAS ELEVATES HOW BUSINESSES INTERACT WITH THEIR CLIENTS

60 GIGA PROJECTS - AMAALA

07

08

News

KINGDOM TO AUCTION UP TO THREE MINING LICENCES IN 2022 AS PART OF VISION 2030, THE GOVERNMENT HAS SAID IT AIMS TO CREATE MORE THAN 200,000 DIRECT AND INDIRECT JOBS IN THE MINING SECTOR OVER THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS. WITH THIS IN MIND, IT PLANS TO AUCTION UP TO THREE MINING LICENCES, INCLUDING THE KHNAIGUIYAH MINES, WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE ZINC AND COPPER DEPOSITS OF ROUGHLY 26 MILLION TONNES.

T

he licences will be issued under a new

power programme, the Kingdom's energy

mining law that took effect in January

minister said at the same conference.

2021, which aims to boost foreign investment

There will be a designed legal framework

in the industry as part of the country's efforts to

for those licences, the minister said.

diversify its economy away from hydrocarbons.

"So there will be certain activities that

"Khnaiguiyah will be first," Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi Arabia's Mining and Industry Minister said, adding that the bidding process

will be offered by the bidder and that's how we will evaluate the bids."

Bidders can choose between focusing

would start by the end of this quarter, or

on technology, making a contribution to

the beginning of the second quarter.

the local community, or other criteria, he

The minister, speaking to Reuters on

said. He said the formula is complicated,

the sidelines of an international mining

but it allows the government to analyse

conference in Riyadh, said the bidding

alternative offers based on multiple elements

process would take about six months,

and KPIs (key performance indicators).

including the pre-qualification phase.

He also stated that two additional locations would be auctioned pending technical validation, stating that they were aiming for "three... more or less, but yes, this requires some technical validation."

Riyadh's efforts to diversify its economy away from oil and government subsidies include exploring massive undiscovered

The bidding process will take about six months, including the pre-qualification phase

amounts of bauxite, the primary source of aluminium, as well as phosphate, gold, copper, and uranium. The government estimates the Kingdom's unused mineral resources to be valued at SAR 5 trillion ($1.33 trillion).

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest supplier of crude oil, plans to exploit its massive uranium resources to establish a nuclear

Riyadh has said it aims to create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in the mining sector by 2030

News

09

10

News

AL YAMAMAH STEEL AWARDED $47.6 MILLION CONTRACT

Al Gihaz Awarded $137.4 Million NEOM Contract Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has awarded the construction of the NIC Circle 380/132kV substation project in NEOM to the Al Gihaz Contracting Company. The value of the contract is SAR 515 million ($137.4 million).

The scope of works includes the construction of a new indoor 380/132kV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) to be known as NIC Circle BSP. Major equipment includes 380kV GIS, 132kV GIS, 502MVA power transformers, reactors, protection and control system, substation automation system, telecommunication system, security system, cyber security, civil

Al Yamamah Steel Industries Co. has

Electrical Transmission Line Construction Co

and electro-mechanical works. The scope

announced that a contract for the delivery

Ltd (AETCON), and as part of the contract,

of works of this project also includes the

of steel towers for 380 kV transmission

the company will supply the steel towers

expansion of the Dhuba Green Substation.

lines has been awarded. The contract is

for constructing a 380 kV link between

worth SAR 178.6 million ($47.6 million).

Buhirah Station and Tabarjal Station.

The project was awarded by the Arabian

The contract will last for 12 months.

The scope of works includes the construction of a new indoor 380/132kV Gas Insulated Substation

THE COMPANY WILL SUPPLY THE STEEL TOWERS FOR CONSTRUCTING A 380 KV LINK BETWEEN BUHIRAH STATION AND TABARJAL STATION

News

DAR AL ARKAN ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH COMPASS PROJECT CONSULTING

Dur Hospitality Awards $22 Million Residential Compound THE FIRST PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND SUPERVISION CONSULTANCY IN SAUDI ARABIA BACKED BY ONE OF THE REGION’S LARGEST REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS

Dur Hospitality has

electromechanical work.

awarded the contract

The project is distinguished

related to the construction

by its proximity to the

of a luxurious residential

northern gate of Riyadh's

compound on King

diplomatic quarter, as

Khalid Road in Riyadh to

well as the offices of some

Al Murshid Contracting

of the country's most

Group Co. The value of

powerful government

the contract is SAR 82.5

agencies and ministries.

Dar Al Arkan and Compass

Ziad El Chaar, Vice Chairman

million and the total

Project Consulting have

of Dar Al Arkan, said: “We

area to be developed is

established a partnership

are extremely proud of this

approximately 30,000m2.

to build one of the most

progressive partnership which

progressive real estate

brings together two industry

the building of 75 luxury and

development consultancies

leaders who are best in their

distinctive residential villas

in Saudi Arabia and the GCC.

field. This will allow Dar Al

of various sizes, as well as

For the first time, a leading

Arkan to power Compass with

landscape works, and will be

Saudi developer will be

expert development insight and

built according to the most

bolstering a regional Project

the opportunity to reach new

up-to-date specifications

Management Consultancy,

heights. Dar Al Arkan will provide

and requirements for smart

enhancing property

development, procurement,

villas. The contract includes

acquisition, development

business development services

the completion of all

and supervision offerings.

for the new partnership.”

construction, finishing, and

The project will consist of

The project will consist of the building of 75 luxury and distinctive residential villas of various sizes

11

12

News

AGREEMENT TO OPEN RITZ-CARLTON AND LUXURY COLLECTION HOTELS IN NEW CULTURAL HUB Marriott International, Inc. has signed an agreement with Diriyah Gate Development Authority to open two luxury hotels as part of the Diriyah Project. Situated around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, the properties will bring modern and distinct views on luxury to the historic town of Diriyah, set to become one of the world’s most admired cultural and heritage cities.

“We are delighted to be working with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority and look forward to elevating the luxury experience of the Diriyah Project with these two iconic and celebrated brands,” said Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.

THE LUXURY HOTELS WILL MARK A NEW ERA OF UNRIVALLED ELEGANCE

ROSHN SELECTS RETAL TO ESTABLISH RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD

NWC and UAQ Sign SR 495 Million Agreement

ROSHN has announced the signing

edge housing options for modern,

of a partnership with Retal Urban

upmarket urban neighbourhoods.

The National Water Company (NWC) and Umm Dl-

villas and townhouses within

“At ROSHN we have a firm

Qura for Development and Construction (UAQ), the

the first phase of SEDRA, the

commitment to work closely with

owner and master developer of the Masar Destination

company’s first living community

private sector developers, and I am

'Pathway Destination' project in Makkah, have signed

project in Riyadh.

a strategic agreement to build and supply drinking

Development for a new residential neighborhood consisting of 103

Commenting on the partnership, ROSHN Group CEO David Grover said:

very happy to see Retal joining us as our first

Retal was chosen for

water, provide sanitation services, and interconnect

the project for its

the internal networks for the 'Masar Destination'

track record of

projects in Makkah at a cost of SR 495 million.

creating fantastic

working closely Retal and all our

The general plan of Masar, according to UAQ, aims

homes, as well

to raise the level of urban and service development to

as for technical

become one of the best models of global development,

and commercial

and this agreement fits into that framework by providing

reasons. The

water and sanitation services that meet environmental,

company is

social, and corporate governance standards.

dedicated to developing cutting-

such partner. I look forward to

ROSHN and Retal share a vision of housing that is both environmentally friendly and technologically advanced

future partners in our journey of delivering great communities across Saudi Arabia.”

News

13

YORK SIGNS MOU WITH KING ABDULLAH PORT In line with Saudi Arabia's

of local content and

Vision 2030 goal to

the National Industrial

develop the capabilities

Development and Logistics

of the marine sector

Program (NIDLP) and

in the Kingdom, the

provide technical support for

Ports Development

establishing a marine office

Company (PDC), the

and the required facilities

owner and developer

to offer vessel maintenance

of King Abdullah Port,

and repair services at

signed a Memorandum of

King Abdullah Port.

Understanding (MoU) with

The agreement also

Al Salem Johnson Controls

includes the provision to

(YORK), the leading

strengthen the cooperation

provider of integrated

between both parties to

solutions in HVAC-R, fire,

provide the necessary

safety, security systems

solutions to facilitate

and building management

the comprehensive

systems and controls.

diversification of the services

“The main objectives of the memorandum are to support the development

The agreement aims to improve the Kingdom’s marine services by providing marine vessel maintenance and repair services

at King Abdullah Port.

14

News

SNC-LAVALIN AWARDED CONTRACT

BY THE ROYAL COMMISSION FOR RIYADH CITY SNC-LAVALIN WILL PROVIDE PROGRAM AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SERVICES INTEGRATED WITH DIGITAL SOLUTIONS

SNC-Lavalin has been awarded a program

for Riyadh City on this significant project that will

management office (PMO) consultancy

transform the art and culture scene in Riyadh

services contract by The Royal Commission

and enhance the life of its citizens as part of

for Riyadh City (RCRC) to support its

Saudi Vision 2030 goals,” said Mohamed Youssef,

Architectural Projects Program (APP)

Senior Vice-President, Middle East and North

Department. The program will play a key role

Africa, Infrastructure, SNC-Lavalin. “By providing

in the transformation of iconic architectural,

our program and project management expertise

landscape and urban planning projects that

combined with digital solutions, The Architectural

will benefit the wider society and help position

Projects Program will feature state-of-the-art

Riyadh as one of the top 100 cities in the world.

innovative applications that will accelerate

“We are proud to support The Royal Commission

Saudi Re Maintains A3 Rating from Moody’s

efficiency and elevate quality in project delivery.”

VALARIS Announces Jackup Contract

Saudi Reinsurance Company (Saudi Re) has announced that Moody’s has maintained its Insurance Financial Strength Rating (IFSR) at A3 with a stable outlook.

Based on Moody’s report, Saudi Re’s A3 IFSR rating reflects its strong market position and brand in Saudi Arabia as the sole professional reinsurer in the Kingdom, combined with its asset quality

Valaris Limited has announced that it

heavy-duty modern jackup VALARIS 116, and

strength as manifested in its conservative

has been awarded new bareboat charter

standard-duty modern jackups VALARIS 143

investment portfolio, along with its

agreements with ARO Drilling for several

and 146 will each begin three-year extensions

growing presence in the target markets

jackups. ARO Drilling has signed contracts

to their bareboat charter agreements.

of Asia, Africa, and Lloyd’s in the UK.

with Aramco for the same period.

The stable outlook rating is expected to

Following the completion of their existing

Aramco has also given ARO Drilling's rigs ARO 3003 and ARO 3004 five-year contract

further strengthen Saudi Re’s competitive

bareboat charter agreements with ARO

extensions, which began after their current

position and increase business growth

Drilling in December 2021, the heavy-duty

contracts expired in December 2021.

opportunities in the global markets.

harsh environment jackup VALARIS 250,

PIF News

AIRPORT OPERATORS TO TRANSFER TO THE PIF

KKR INVITES PIF TO BACK TELECOM ITALIA BID

fund is still in talks and hasn't decided whether or not to join the KKR partnership.

KKR made a preliminary

According to reports, KKR &

takeover proposal for Telecom

Co. has reached out to Saudi

Italia in November valued

Arabia's national wealth

at around $12.2 billion. The

fund in search of co-investors

private equity firm said that

for its proposed acquisition

it’s pursuing a friendly bid

of Telecom Italia SpA.

and wants to work to gain the

According to the head of Saudi

also indicated that airports

Arabia's General Authority of

in Taif and Qassim are being

Civil Aviation, the country aims

considered for privatization

PIF to gauge its interest in

to turn its airport operators

and that requests to invest

providing capital for the

into holding companies and

in the Kingdom's aviation

bid. It has also held talks

transfer them to its Public

sector are being considered.

with other sovereign wealth

Investment Fund (PIF), with

The Kingdom's 22 airports will

funds and infrastructure

the goal of privatizing some

be reorganized into airport

investors about teaming up.

of them in the future.

holding companies that will

According to sources, the

Abdulaziz al-Duailej said that

15

KKR approached the

be in charge of construction,

PIF would play a minor part

Abha International Airport is

operation, and management.

in any transaction. The Saudi

currently being put on “the

They'll then be transferred to

privatization path” and is

the Public Investment Fund

going through final technical

(PIF), where they'll be placed

and economic studies. He

on the market at a later date.

board’s support for its offer.

KKR made a preliminary takeover proposal for Telecom Italia in November valued at about $12.2 billion PIF ANNOUNCES OIL PLATFORM THEMED TOURISM PROJECT, ‘THE RIG’ The Public Investment Fund

including extreme sports. In

(PIF) has developed a new

addition, steps will be taken

tourism concept inspired by

to ensure the long-term

‘offshore oil platforms’.

preservation of the ecosystem

The project, dubbed 'The Rig,'

in the project's proximity.

SAUDI PIF RANKS EIGHTH AMONG WORLD’S TOP SWFS

will cover more than 150,000m2

The Rig is part of the

and offer accommodation and

PIF's 2021-2025 strategy

aquatic sporting experiences.

to push innovation in

It will be the first tourism

Saudi Arabia's tourism and

According to current data from the SWF Institute, Saudi Arabia's

destination on offshore

entertainment industries, as

Public Investment Fund (PIF) remained in eighth place among the

platforms in the world.

well as provide development

world's largest sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) at the end of 2021.

Located in the Arabian Gulf,

prospects to foster economic

The assets of the Kingdom's sovereign wealth fund increased by $30

it will include three hotels,

diversification in line with

billion to $480 billion in October 2021, up from $450 billion.

restaurants, helipads, and a

Saudi Vision 2030 goals.

By 2025, the PIF wants to have a total asset volume of more than SAR 4 trillion, or $1,066 trillion. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced that the fund wants to reach SAR 10 trillion ($2.7 trillion) in assets by 2030.

By 2025, the PIF wants to have a total asset volume of more than SAR 4 trillion

variety of exciting activities,

16

PIF News

PIF Subsidiary JADA Backs Saudi Energy Technologies and Services Private Equity Group

SAUDI CROWN PRINCE UNVEILS $20 BILLION PLAN TO TRANSFORM JEDDAH The master plan for the SR75 billion Jeddah Central Project, formerly known as New Jeddah Downtown, has been unveiled

by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The massive project will be erected over 5.7 million square metres of land facing the Red Sea and will be financed by the Public Investment Fund, as well as local and international investors. The launch of the master plan comes as part of the Crown Prince’s efforts to develop all regions and cities of the Kingdom.

The initiative aims to create a world-class attraction in the centre of Jeddah,

JADA Fund of Funds, wholly owned by the Public

overlooking the Red Sea, and will boost the city's economy, the Crown Prince

Investment Fund (PIF), has become the anchor

explained.

investor of Saudi Arabia-based Energy Capital Group’s

The massive project will be erected over 5.7 million square metres

(ECG) new fund.

The new fund has been

the creation of National

formed with a merger

Champions in energy

between ECG and

and energy-related

Cayan Holdings. ECG

technologies.

SECONDARY PUBLIC OFFERING REACHES SAR 12 BILLION

and Cayan Holdings led

Ali Abdulaziz Alturki

multiple private equity

commented that the

funds, which invested

fund’s strategy is aligned

in regional and global

with Saudi’s Vision 2030

A secondary public offering has been completed successfully by the Public

energy and technology

and Aramco’s IKTVA

Investment Fund (PIF) and Saudi Telecom Company (stc), Saudi Arabia's premier

companies. From 2008,

program. The main goal

ICT provider, whose ordinary shares are listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange.

the previous private

is to acquire leading

120 million shares representing 6.0%

equity funds, launched

local companies to

and exited, achieved

develop local content

impressive multiples

and bolt-on cutting-

and provide a proven

edge technologies

track record of growing

for transfer to Saudi.

portfolio companies,

The fund will focus on

primarily within Saudi

establishing a solutions

of stc’s share capital were offered to local and international institutional investors as well as retail investors through a secondary public offering, the first of its kind in the Saudi Capital Market.

The total offering size reached SAR

The successful offering was oversubscribed by retail and institutional investors

Arabia and the GCC.

and technology-oriented

12 billion ($3.2 billion), which makes

The new fund between

National Champion

it the largest equity capital markets

both groups will target

across the energy sector.

transaction in Saudi Arabia since the IPO of Saudi Aramco, the largest secondary follow-on transaction in EMEA in the last three years, and the largest secondary follow-on transaction in Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa in nearly 10 years.

The main goal is to acquire leading local companies to develop local content and bolton cutting-edge technologies for transfer to Saudi

Appointments

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HKA Continues to Expand its Global Footprint with New Appointment HKA has announced Ahmad Chit has joined

From North America to Europe, Africa, Asia

the firm as Director, based in Dubai, as it

and the Middle East, Ahmad has extensive and

continues to expand its Forensic Accounting

diverse investigation and dispute experience.

and Commercial Damages (FACD) practice

As a forensic expert, Ahmad has worked on a

worldwide, which now includes over

variety of engagements for regulatory bodies,

55 FACD Experts and Consultants.

law enforcement agencies, courts and tribunals,

Ahmad will play a critical role in the further development and growth of the firm’s FACD

legal counsel, and large financial institutions.

Commenting on his move, Ahmad said:

service offering in the Middle East across a wide

“I’m excited to join HKA at a key time for

variety of industries, jurisdictions and forums.

the forensic field in the MENA Region.

Haroon Niazi, Partner and Head of the Middle

Sentiments about fraudulent activity are

East said: “We are delighted to welcome

rapidly shifting from being viewed as “just

Ahmad to HKA and look forward to working

the cost of doing business” to a much more

with him to help grow our FACD offering

urgent and nuanced understanding of the

throughout the Middle East. With many of our

need to manage and combat such risks. HKA

clients requesting assistance in dealing with

has the track record and established experts

forensic accounting, fraud and investigation

across the region and beyond to assist clients

matters, we are pleased that with the growth

with this critical risk mitigation” he added.

of our team, we are now in a stronger position to advise and to grow this practice.”

Ahmad is a qualified Chartered Accountant from Canada with over 13 years of experience in the forensic, assurance, and compliance fields. He is experienced

BAHMAD IS A QUALIFIED CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT FROM CANADA WITH OVER 13 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE FORENSIC, ASSURANCE, AND COMPLIANCE FIELDS

in providing forensic accounting, fraud analysis, quantification of damages and accountants’ negligence assessments.

Serco Middle East Welcomes Growth Director International public services company, Serco, has welcomed Natasha Bothma as Growth Director as it eyes significant growth across the region.

As Growth Director, Natasha will join Serco Middle East’s Executive Leadership team and work to deliver an effective business growth strategy for each of the company’s key sectors; transport, citizen and government services, defence, healthcare and justice & immigration.

Natasha will work alongside the business development team and operation directors as well as lead Serco’s ExperienceLab, with particular focus on strategy execution, key account management, external communications and proactive stakeholder engagement.

Natasha joins the business from NATS services in Asia Pacific where she most recently held the title of Operations Director.

A previous Serco employee, her Middle East experience spans over 10 years.

NATASHA WILL WORK ALONGSIDE THE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT TEAM AND OPERATION DIRECTORS

WE ANTICIPATE. WE INVESTIGATE. WE RESOLVE.

MAKING THE BEST POSSIBLE OUTCOMES A REALITY, EVERY TIME

HKA.COM

HKA decodes complexity to manage risk, uncertainty and disputes so as to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients, every time.

40+

offices

HKA is the leading global consultancy in risk mitigation and dispute resolution, using multi-disciplinary expertise to provide a comprehensive set of specialist services.

• • •

Expert, Claims and Advisory services for the capital projects and infrastructure sector.

Forensic Accounting and Commercial Damages services for all types of contracts, including commercial and investment treaty disputes, fraud and financial investigations.

17

countries

Consulting services to support companies in relation to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) matters.

HKA brings a proud record of excellent service and high achievement to bear on today’s challenges. As trusted independent consultants, experts and advisors, we help clients manage disputes, risk and uncertainty on complex contracts.

Our KSA direct experience proudly expands over 20 years.

We have a permanent in-Kingdom team with offices strategically located to ensure that we can better serve our clients and anticipate their needs.

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languages

Our clients HKA has long-standing, established relationships with government agencies, blue-chip clients, contractors, legal firms and other professional service providers, as well as owners and operators, financial institutions and insurers.

Clients have access to leaders and problem-solvers who decode complexity through collaborative working and innovative thinking.

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KSA projects analysed for CRUX 2021*

Our industries HKA’s global portfolio includes some of the world’s largest and most prestigious projects. We have vast first-hand experience spanning all major industries and covering the world’s most complex mega projects, as well as an international track record of achieving successful outcomes. *Visit hka.com/crux-interactive-dashboard to find out the main causes of claims and disputes on engineering and construction projects in KSA.

HKASAUDI@HKA.COM

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experts in the WWL ranking

DECODING COMPLEXITY

20

Cover story - Whitespace Architects

WHITESPACE ARCHITECTS:

BEAUTY IN FORM, VALUE IN FUNCTION

WHITESPACE ARCHITECTS IS AN INTERNATIONAL TEAM OF ARCHITECTS, DESIGNERS, ENGINEERS AND CREATIVE THINKERS OPERATING WITHIN THE FIELDS OF ARCHITECTURE, URBAN DESIGN, ENGINEERING, AUGMENTED REALITY, VISUAL REALITY, AND DEVELOPMENT. THIS BROAD ARRAY OF EXPERTIZE ALLOWS IT TO PROVIDE EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURE, URBANISM AND ENGINEERING SERVICES.

T

he firm’s multicultural team, with its collective experience, supports a mature stance for projects that look to heritage and

culture, as well as the contemporary world. From its regional offices in the UAE, Netherlands and Egypt, Whitespace has managed to complete a diverse and sizable number of successful projects with the most reputable developers and individuals in the Middle East and Europe.

Whitespace Architect's global footprint provides staff with immense local knowledge and understanding, supplemented by access to a wealth of well-connected worldwide experts in many areas of design. This means that the firm can provide hands-on experience when delivering robust architecture and buildings in the region, bringing remarkable value to projects. This global and local understanding is a key factor in not only designing the buildings, but also knowing how to progress the design through collaborative partnering with local authorities and achieving the pre-requisite quality during the construction phase to ensure sustainability.

RETHINKING TRADITION FOR A CONTEMPORARY LIFESTYLE Whitespace Architect's philosophy is based on the careful analysis of how contemporary life constantly evolves and changes. As a result, the architecture it seeks is a reflection of the many influences that society encounters through multicultural exchange, global economic flows and communication technologies, all of which come together to promote new ways of architectural and urban organization.

At Whitespace Architect's, they believe that in order to deal with today’s challenges, architecture should move into new unexplored arenas, where it can blossom and become once again the true manifestation of man’s modern needs. The primary mission of the firm’s projects, then, is to achieve a balance between the effects of size and programmatic fusion on the triple bottom line of social, economic, and ecological outcomes.

Cover story - Whitespace Architects

WHY WHITESPACE ARCHITECTS?

WHITESPACE ARCHITECT'S APPROACH TO PROJECT AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT GENERATES PERFORMANCE AND INNOVATION BEYOND THE QUANTITATIVE MEASURES OF TIME, COST, QUALITY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND SAFETY, AND THE FIRM BRINGS EXCEPTIONAL BENEFITS AND ADDS RECOGNIZABLE VALUE BY:

21

 Designing state-of-the-art projects

These key features are hallmarks of

 Robust expertise, globally and locally

Whitespace’s distinctive culture and will be

 Time and budget security

ever-present throughout its appointment on

 Quality Optimization

a project. The firm’s goal is to blend these

 Technology-driven methodology

features with the key project stakeholders’

 Effective communications and briefings,

requirements, to form one homogeneous

cultivating a two-way understanding

project team that is set up to succeed.

throughout the project lifecycle  Win-win teams that work collectively with each other and put the project first

UNIQUE SOLUTIONS FOR LIFE MASDAR CITY will be a symbol of Abu Dhabi's exploration of, and commitment to, sustainable development. With the intent of becoming the physical manifestation of the Masdar initiative within Abu Dhabi, it is important to create a coordinated plan, and one which meets the vision for sustainability. The creation of two development squares means that the best design practices in different design situations can be demonstrated, with the large square including the higher density central business district and the small square achieving low-density residential communities.

As an integral part of the GREEK HARBOUR COMMUNITY, the mosque aspires to be a model of openness, reflective of contemporary Islamic aspirations in the region. The idea of openness extended beyond the formal manifestation of visual porosity, accessibility and climatic openness, to the embracing of different needs within the Muslim community. At the urban scale, the massing strategy seeks to create more porosity and human scale. This physical porosity allows a visual connection to the neighborhood and extends its spatial field beyond its boundary, but also imparts the sanctity and threshold expected of a mosque.

Nestled along Egypt's coast with a pristine location 50 metres from the beach lies AL ALAMEIN HOTEL. A prime location for summer homes, El Alamein features distinctively designed houses, from beachfront villas to apartments and chalets. Set to be a retro-themed destination, Al Alamein hopes to attract a lively audience and provide entertainment activities.

With 11 years of operating in the GCC and over 150 successfully completed projects, Whitespace invests heavily in proactive research and development ideas. Working closely with the client and end-users, the firm experiments and innovates to identify the optimum program, site, and context of a project. The result is architecture that enhances the human experience and meets clients’ goals, priorities, lifestyles and tastes.

11

AMSTERDAM

YEARS OPERATING IN GCC

140+

CAIRO DUBAI ABU DHABI

COLLECTIVE EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE YEARS

150+ PROJECTS SUCCESSFULLY DELIVERED

8+

4

INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGES SPOKEN

OFFICES IN 3 CONTINENTS

TEAM CAPABILITIES

Architecture

Interiors

Master Planning

Engineering

Renovation

Sustainability

Project Management

WHITESPACE ARCHITECTS Whitespace Architects

wsa.architects

Whitespace Architects

www.whitespace.ae

+971 (0) 4451 6868 +31 (0) 61927 9288

24

Smart Cities

A ROADMAP TO THE FUTURE SMART CITIES ARE MORE THAN SIMPLY AN IDEA OR A PIPE DREAM. MANY ARE ALREADY OPERATIONAL AND MORE ARE COMING ONLINE THANKS TO REVOLUTIONARY SOLUTIONS PROVIDED BY THE INTERNET OF THINGS. IT’S NOT A NEW CONCEPT EITHER; AMSTERDAM WAS RANKED AS THE FIRST SMART CITY IN 1994.

So, what is a smart city? A smart

a single virtual platform to better manage

city is a framework for developing,

city operations, often collaborating with

deploying, and promoting sustainable

technology companies to take advantage of

development strategies to solve

already developed products or software.

growing urbanisation concerns. It is predominantly made up of information

This approach can be seen in new cities,

and communication technologies (ICT).

such as NEOM in Saudi Arabia, Songdo in South Korea and Masdar in the United Arab

Smart cities are associated with top-down or

Emirates, which have all used a top-down

technology-centric methods. Cities that take

approach, building from the ground up

this approach become smart by combining

utilising technology-enabled infrastructures.

data from various types of sensors (such

However, older cities all over the world are now

as water meters and CCTV cameras) into

becoming ‘smart’ to address the requirements

Smart Cities

and desires of its citizens. They do this by

NEOM

expanding on the capabilities of IoT-enabled

This vision of the smart city probably

devices, so instead of just marvelling at the

reaches its apex in NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s

possibilities of your laptop communicating

new vision of what the future could be.

with your doorbell, smart city designers and developers make sure that all of those

Saudi Arabia aspires to provide a high-

networked products and systems get along.

quality lifestyle to its residents through the development of NEOM, which includes

Smart cities demonstrate that technology

modern architecture, a smart mobility system,

and success extend beyond infrastructure

appropriate water and energy, public systems,

innovation and data management. Cities are

and lush green spaces. The city is also being

responsive. Companies and residents can

envisioned by the Kingdom as a future

examine how they are operating, discover

center for nine industries: energy and water,

methods to increase their desire to live

mobility, technology and digital sciences,

sustainably, and implement their feedback to

food, biotech, advanced manufacturing, media

improve their living and working conditions.

and media production, entertainment, and living (education, housing and healthcare).

The Kingdom's temperature and wind velocity are ideal for powering NEOM with 100% renewable energy

25

26

Smart Cities

NEOM will be a place where technology will

SMART CITY INDEX 2021

For the first time, Smart City Expo World

replace a lot of mundane jobs, while sensors

For the second year in a row, Abu Dhabi and

Congress and Tomorrow Mobility were

will enable the data-gathering process, allowing

Dubai have been ranked as the smartest

jointly held with PUZZLE X, the latter a

the city to constantly monitor how people live

cities in the Middle East and North Africa

new event aimed at grasping the potential

and consume in a smart city environment.

region, as per the Smart City Index 2021.

of Frontier materials to solve some of the challenges that society is facing

The Kingdom's temperature and wind velocity

While Abu Dhabi is ranked 28, Dubai

are ideal for powering NEOM with 100%

is close behind at 29, out of 118 cities.

On their first hybrid edition, SCEWC and

renewable energy. The average wind speeds

Compared to 2020, both the emirates

TMWC also registered 16,000 digital attendees

are 10.3 meters per second, which is more than

climbed up 14 places globally.

who followed the three days of content and

enough because wind power plants require

interviews broadcasted through Tomorrow.

wind speeds of around six meters per second

The top three smart cities are:

City, the event’s digital platform. Over 50% of

to generate electricity. Of course, Saudi Arabia

1. Singapore

in-person attendees came from overseas.

possesses a lot of solar power potential too.

2. Zurich 3. Oslo

Furthermore, the transportation system will be

WORLD SMART CITY AWARDS The city of Buenos Aires received the City award

fully automated and environmentally friendly,

The annual IMD-SUTD Smart City Index,

of 2021 at the Smart City Expo World Congress.

and will effectively reduce traffic congestion.

now in its third edition, was produced

The recognition for the Argentinian capital

by the International Institute for

was announced during the 2021 World Smart

NEOM will be a smart city created from the

Management Development and Singapore

City Awards ceremony hosted in Barcelona.

ground up. It will be a utopia for people who

University of Technology and Design.

Eight more awards were given to the most

wish to innovate and bring fresh creations into the world - something truly unique.

outstanding initiatives and projects in the urban In July 2021, 15,000 people from 118 cities around the world were polled. They were

SAUDI VISION

asked how their cities fared in terms of health

Saudi Arabia has been working towards

and safety, mobility, activities, employment

creating more interconnected, smart

and educational prospects, and governance

cities for several years now.

- the results created the rankings. One of the most notable points to come out of the

The Kingdom published its Vision 2030 strategy

survey was the fact that people’s attitudes had

in 2016 and has made significant progress in

sharpened regarding digital transformation

the technology sector since then. Indeed, it has

and smart cities due to the pandemic.

been actively working on smart city projects in 10 cities as part of the plan and was ranked

SMART CITY EXPO

second among G20 countries in the Digital

The progress of the smart city concept

Competitiveness Report for the year 2021.

was recently witnessed at the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC), the leading

There are many initiatives currently underway

international summit for cities and smart

that aim to enhance digital infrastructures, such

urban solutions organized by Fira de

as the National Industrial Development and

Barcelona, and the Tomorrow Mobility

Logistics Program (NIDLP), which will develop

World Congress (TMWC), which came

advanced infrastructure for 35 cities globally.

together to reconnect the urban innovation ecosystem for three days in Barcelona.

THE ASIAN INFRASTRUCTURE Investment Bank (AIIB), which began operations in

With over 14,000 attendees from 120

2016, has the Kingdom as a founding

countries, 400 cities and 350 experts, the

member, too. The AIIB was established

events spurred again the global debate

to promote economic development and

on urban transformation with resiliency,

infrastructure connectivity in Asia and

sustainability and liveability as the key

beyond by investing in environmentally clean,

topics in a post-pandemic landscape.

sustainable, and innovative infrastructure.

innovation and transformation industry.

Smart Cities

27

The city of Buenos Aires received the City award of 2021 at the Smart City Expo World Congress

Saudi Arabia was ranked second among G20 countries in the Digital Competitiveness Report for the year 2021

Carlos Moreno, was recognized for “his 15-minute cities vision and also for bringing new perspectives to urban challenges.”

Buenos Aires was awarded

The remaining awards - Enabling

for its Municipal Solid Waste

Technologies, Governance and

Management Plan. Since 2012,

Economy, Living and Inclusion,

it has been implementing an

Energy and Environment, Safety

Integrated Municipal Solid

and Security, Mobility and

Waste Management Plan that

Innovation Recovery - were

promotes waste reduction,

presented to the Digital Urban

encourages waste segregation

European Twins by the Digital

and is consistently reducing waste

Flanders Agency (Belgium), the

disposition in local landfills.

G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance on Technology Governance at

Benedetta Tagliabue and Carlos

the World Economic Forum, the

Moreno jointly received the

innovative implementation of

Leadership award for their

online governance in Chengdu

significant contributions to

(China), Living Lab Scheveningen

advancing smart city projects

in The Hague (Netherlands),

worldwide during the last 10 years.

Cisco’ deployment of a secure

According to the jury, the Italian

infrastructure for the Albuquerque

architect Benedetta Tagliabue

Bernalillo County Water Utility

received the award for “bringing

Authority (USA), the Smart Mobility

beauty and liveability to cities

Analytics developed by the Port

through the redesign of public

of Barcelona (Spain), Wuhan

spaces and urban buildings.”

City’s (China) use of Big Data

The scientist and Mayor of Paris’

Intelligence to promote recovery

special envoy for Smart Cities,

after the pandemic, respectively.

28

GETTING TO KNOW Tim Martin, Gensler

MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE S

 TIM MARTIN, MANAGING DIRECTOR, GENSLER

erving more than 3,500 active

Saudi Projects: How long has Gensler

TM: Yes, it is. There’s a lot of investment,

clients in virtually every

been operating in Saudi Arabia?

research and diversification, so it’s a very

industry across the world, Gensler

Tim Martin: The firm started back in 1965

key part of our overall growth. We like

has shown itself to be a positive force

and we’ve now got 50 offices globally,

to say we’re the leaders in shaping the

for change in the architecture, design

but we’ve been present, with a physical

iconic structures and skylines and defining

and planning arena. The firm puts

base, in the Middle East since 2007,

the cities and communities, so it’s a very

tremendous effort into promoting

although we completed projects in the

pivotal market for Gensler at present.

greater sustainability in the built

Kingdom and the wider region before

environment and is committed

that. Our drive for opening up Dubai

SP: Why do you think Gensler is such

to promoting the best design for

when we first started was the Dubai

a good fit for the Kingdom, because

every building – environmentally,

International Finance Centre (DIFC)

it is a very different market isn’t it?

aesthetically and functionally.

project, which is now one of the world’s

TM: It is a different market, but I think it

Moreover, over the past 18 months,

most advanced financial centers; we did

goes back to the whole Gensler mission of

Gensler has sharpened its climate

the building and the master planning.

making the world a better place through

action focus with fresh research and

the power of design. We’re incredibly

new design capabilities, and has

We’re very much a practice area driven

committed to shaping the future of world

updated its priorities to meet the

firm, and currently, here in the Middle

cities. A really important aspect, and I

firm’s goal of achieving a net zero

East we’re working in quite a few of

think this is where we really help in the

carbon portfolio by 2030. We speak to

those practice areas – I would say

Middle East, is climate change, and how

Managing Director, Tim Martin, to find

primarily hospitality, workplace, mixed-

we can design and ultimately build in

out more about Gensler’s philosophy

use and retail are our biggest spheres

a highly sustainable and reliant way.

of making the world a better place

of continued growth at the moment.

through the power of design, focusing

At the moment we’re looking at the

on its ever-growing business in

SP: And is this an increasingly

future of mobility in cities, along with

Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

important market for the company?

technology and smart cities. I believe we

GETTING TO KNOW Tim Martin, Gensler

29

SP: What is Gensler working on

THROUGHOUT OUR WHOLE PORTFOLIO, WE’RE DOING A LOT OF REALLY EXCITING MASTER PLANS AND URBAN PLANS

in KSA at the present time?

TM: We’re working on multiple projects, not just in Riyadh but across the whole Kingdom. It’s very hard to talk about specifics, but we’re working on numerous giga-projects on the Red Sea as well as being active in the capital. Throughout our whole portfolio, we’re working on many exciting master plans and urban plans, all the way through to workplace projects. It’s not about size or scale for us; we’re very much a client-focused business and we do whatever projects our clients require.

One of the key projects and one I can talk about is the new 1364 development. This is in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh with our friends at Unified Real Estate. It’s opening up next year and will be a unique lifestyle center. We are working closely with His Highness and the Unified team to try and reflect the unprecedented change that is taking place in Saudi society. I believe they call it an ‘oasis of luxury in a bustling part of the Diplomatic Quarter’ – so that’s something that’s really exciting for us. It’s great to see this thing being

have a very unique viewpoint, fuelled by

TM: People were just talking about it

built. So, we’re working on large schemes,

our own research institute and around

a lot in the past, but Gensler is already

obviously in KAFD, and the majority of the

50 researchers with really diverse

forging ahead into the new era of smart

giga-projects in some way, shape or form.

backgrounds, everyone from architects

sustainability, using technology to solve

to lawyers. It’s about how we lead the

design issues. We’ve also introduced

SP: There does seem a healthy

conversation. Again, our group globally

a new practice area focused solely on

pipeline of projects?

is very diverse, and we think that’s

sustainability and net zero energy.

TM: Yes, it’s a really bright future in the

particularly important in Saudi Arabia.

Looking globally, our 2020 portfolio

pipeline. And I think that comes back to

is already designed to save over 17

Gensler leading the conversation. I have

In terms of practice areas – we have 28

million metric tonnes of CO2 from being

10 or 12 of my global offices working

now – we’re focusing on specific expertise

emitted on an annual basis. Net zero

alongside me in the Kingdom, and

for those various fields of knowledge.

energy buildings are a real pillar of our

we’ve got 70+ people based in the UAE.

And that helps us to understand what’s

approach at the moment; we’re trying

We’re looking at how we can grow that

going on globally, but just as important,

to leverage renewable energy sources

throughout the region, too. Collaborating

what’s happening locally as well. One

and efficient design choices, so the next

with so many global offices allows us to

of our 10 key mission statements is that

generation of buildings can achieve

have a deep pool of expertise, and we

you can’t be global unless you’re local.

net-zero energy status. We’ve been

promote this ‘borderless design firm’

doing this for some time. We’re part

approach. It’s not just about where the

SP: You mentioned building in

of the net zero global campaign, and

project is located, it’s about what’s the

a sustainable manner, and the

ultimately every building we produce

best expertise we can bring to the table

desire for sustainability has really

will be net zero and free of all the fossil

that’s right for the client and right for the

moved on in the last few years – it

fuels, and that will compensate for a

setting and social setting of the project.

used to be more of a buzzword?

structure’s annual energy consumption.

30

GETTING TO KNOW Tim Martin, Gensler

 EMAAR DHE

 HIPSI VIETTEL HQ

 EMAAR DHE

 HIPSI VIETTEL HQ

SP: Looking back, what are you most proud of?

TM: We’ve been very fortunate. We’ve had the opportunity to work with the biggest names, as well as some start-up companies in many different industries.

By combining our design knowledge with the rich history and philosophies of the Middle East, we’ve been lucky enough to

 EMAAR DHE

WE’RE WORKING IN SEVEN OR EIGHT COUNTRIES AROUND THE MIDDLE EAST AT THE MOMENT AND WE’RE SEEING A VERY STRONG MARKET DEMAND

projects. Going back to our ethos, we have the global knowledge but we are genuinely local and understand the nuances of the region and society.

SP: I guess you win projects through word-of-mouth, too?

TM: A lot of our projects are recommendations from existing clients,

create some of the region’s best works.

We’re concentrating at the moment on

and that’s a testament to what the

The DIFC I think has to stand out there;

creating some new technologies that

team has done here for many years

it’s a multi-award winning project and

will focus on enhancing the wellbeing of

now. It’s good to be busy, but it’s even

set the stage for a lot of design across

communities – obviously concern for the

better when a client comes through a

the region. The Avenues in Kuwait was

environment is key to everything we do.

recommendation. It’s a reconfirmation

another very significant project, and I

that what we’re doing is the right path

think changed the landscape of those

Probably the biggest thing we are proud

forward. We’re here to challenge our

particular countries and developments.

of is having so many repeat clients.

clients, not just to take a brief and

But what we’re most proud of is how we

They have that trust in Gensler and

design it. We want to make it the best

continue to grow and evolve our practice

the incredible team we have here, and

for the client, the economy, for return

areas, our people and our knowledge.

we keep delivering these world-class

investments and the environment.

GETTING TO KNOW Tim Martin, Gensler

WE’RE INCREDIBLY COMMITTED TO SHAPING THE FUTURE OF WORLD CITIES SP: How has the Covid-19

31

SP: So there have been some positives

Gensler is incredibly committed to the

to come out of Covid for Gensler?

Middle East; we see it as a very long term

TM: It hit everyone, but yes, overall

and key part of our business, and in the

it goes back to what a great firm

region, we only see positive growth. We’re

Gensler is, to be honest; how we

extraordinarily fortunate to be part of the

can adapt, grow and learn.

Middle East right now. I think it’s a really

pandemic affected Gensler,

important time to be here, with the region

and how has it changed the

SP: What is the company doing

continuing to rise on the global scene.

company philosophy, if at all?

well at the moment, and where is

We’re growing our team and expanding

TM: It was a fascinating time in a business

there an opportunity for growth?

our practice areas, which is basically

sense, as it was for the rest of the world.

TM: We’ve seen a lot of our practice areas

enabling us to be future-ready. And we’re

The whole firm went from working in the

evolve and transform into proprietary

excited to continue to partner with our

office to working at home overnight. To be

computational design tools. I think it’s all

friends and clients, and I think there’s

honest, it worked incredibly well. We’re a

about the process and process innovation,

going to be continued growth and success

very connected group anyway, globally,

and how we look at that moving into

for everyone for quite some years to come.

and I think in this part of the world we’re

the future. Another part of that, going

used to jumping on calls with other parts

back to the Gensler research institute, is

SP: Finally, going for net zero, is the

of the firm. But we took time to digest

our data-driven insight, which helps to

region a good place to be at the moment

everything and, from day two, look at

predict what’s coming up and what the

compared to other places in the world?

what the post-Covid world would look like.

trends are. This has allowed us to stay

TM: The Middle East has a real chance

Going back to climate change, we then

one step ahead, providing counsel to

to make some significant gestures and

started to look at how the Middle East

our clients and extending our analysis.

significant changes, and a lot of the

has started to be remarkably proactive

projects we are working on are in the

in developing smart cities. How the

early concept stage. It’s not necessarily

technology was taking an increasingly important role within everything we’re doing in the region. We’re always a company that adapts and learns, and Covid gave us that pause, that moment to focus the firm on the direction that we are taking and reaffirming that direction,

WE CAME OUT OF COVID STRONGER, WITH LOTS OF NEW INITIATIVES AND GOALS AND SOME GREAT NEW TECHNOLOGIES

and how we can enhance what we are

the regeneration of an existing city; that will be more complex to do. But a lot of the projects that are coming out of the ground, if you are in early enough, sustainability becomes part of that project ethos. So, yes, I think the Middle East is truly committed to growing and I think it is a good place to be for that reason.

doing. We’ve found some great new

Our teams focus on designing

ways to collaborate with clients – having

sustainability, and by using fewer

meetings on the screen instead of face-

resources that do less or no more

to-face, for instance, gave us the ability

damage to the environment, it’s really

to get decisions made quite quickly.

progressing the whole concept into

Putting things on the screen made it

the future. Our goal is to have net zero

a more collaborative process, and we

design in everything we do by 2030.

saw that people who are usually a little quieter face-to-face had more robust

I think the construction and engineering

viewpoints on an interactive forum.

sectors here are set for a great recovery.

The government stimulus will help that

And with six thousand Gensler people

and it’s an exciting place to be. Gensler

GENSLER

around the world being able to draw

has grown consistently since it started

 +971 (0)4 356 1300

from our pool even deeper was a great

and we continue to increase that global

facebook @GenslerDesign

experience. We came out of Covid

footprint. Furthermore, we’re working

Instagram @gensler_design

stronger, with lots of new initiatives and

in seven or eight countries around the

Linkedin @Gensler

goals and some great new technologies

Middle East at the moment and we’re

twitter @gensler_design

that we’re beginning to implement now.

seeing a very strong market demand. www.gensler.com

32

Getting to know Iryna Akulenka, HKA

WHAT MAKES A GREAT CONSULTANT CONSULTANTS ARE EMPLOYED FOR TWO REASONS: THEIR EXPERTISE AND THEIR ADVICE. BUT WHAT DISTINGUISHES AN EXCELLENT CONSULTANT FROM A MEDIOCRE ONE? WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS A LOT OF EXPERTISE AROUND, WITH NEARLY EVERYONE KNOWING SOMETHING THAT OTHERS VALUE. HOWEVER, GIVING GOOD ADVICE IS MORE DIFFICULT, SINCE IT REQUIRES THE DELICATE SKILL OF CONNECTING YOUR EXPERTISE TO A CLIENT'S CONCERNS AND OFFERING REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS. AN AVERAGE CONSULTANT OFFERS ADVICE, WHILE A GREAT CONSULTANT OFFERS PRECISION, PERCEPTION, AND ENCOURAGES ACTION. IRYNA AKULENKA IS JUST SUCH A CONSULTANT, WITH A TRACK RECORD THAT PLACES HER AT THE TOP OF HER PROFESSION.

I

ryna’s aspirations, intelligence

requires. We've been successful by taking

For instance, there is clear evidence that

and accomplishments make her

into consideration our clients' perspectives

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) impacts

and soliciting feedback," Iryna explains.

bottom line profits, and as a member of the

stand out in a fiercely competitive industry.

Over the past 12 months alone, she has

EDI committee at HKA, Iryna is one of the key

been promoted to the position of Senior

Besides being a Senior Consultant at HKA, Iryna

movers behind launching the HKA Internship

Consultant, HKA, undertaking six projects

takes on several external roles, underlining the

Program. Working on internship programs

worth billions of dollars in total value across

fact that she is a lifelong learner committed to

and the moot competitions has seen her build

six different countries in the MENA region,

staying on top of the best current and emerging

and develop mutually beneficial relationships

Gulf, and Europe. In addition, Iryna has been

business practices and wants to pass on this

with the British University in Dubai (BUiD)

elected to the Chair of the UAE Branch of the

knowledge to her colleagues and peers.

and the Middlesex University Dubai.

Talking about Iryna taking the Chair in the

Iryna is also one of the ambassadors/

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

An effective communicator and motivator

UAE Branch of the CIArb, Kate Blotskaya,

leadership board members of the HKA Africa

who identifies and leverages assets to reach

Senior Consultant at FTI Consulting, said:

Training Academy initiative, which operates

organizational goals, Iryna is a potent decision-

"She keeps inspiring me, and I believe all

as an extension to HKA's global claims and

maker and outstanding client relationship

members, to further develop, and provides

dispute business. Her expertise and passion

builder. She has extraordinary skills in planning

motivation for undertaking new challenges.

have helped support the launch of the

and thinking laterally too, and has a formidable

In addition, she promotes diversity and the

Academy, which includes various course

sense of curiosity, which helps her seek out

empowerment of women in the industry."

offerings, webinars and masterclasses.

for the status quo, Iryna asks challenging

BROAD EXPERTISE

In addition, Iryna is one of the champions

questions and explores different avenues.

Iryna has a long track record of

and regional representatives of the CRUX

new opportunities. Rather than settling

achievements, including many in the past

report, which provides valuable insight into

"We develop a lot of our services through

year that have fuelled not only the success

claims and dispute causation from major

identifying what the market is missing or what

of HKA but also that of many individuals

capital projects around the world. Iryna co-

isn't being done correctly. Then, we look at

and organizations throughout the world.

authored the Middle East chapter of this year’s

what our customers want and what the industry

CRUX report ‘Operating in Uncertain Times:

Getting to know Iryna Akulenka, HKA

33

 IRYNA AKULENKA, SENIOR CONSULTANT, HKA

Iryna asks challenging questions and explores different avenues

Iryna is also one of the ambassadors/leadership board members of the HKA Africa Training Academy initiative

ATTENTION TO DETAIL

claim in the right time and manner. It helped

Over the past year alone, Iryna has taken on

us to save more than SAR 80 million".

a number of commissions for HKA, including: a major oil refinery, a five star resort, a major

Other clients have been equally effusive about

power plant, airport facilities, a mix-use

Iryna's abilities, with external counsel on a

project, and a potable water supply project.

5-star project in Dubai commenting: "Iryna is a great technical expert who can digest complex

A Regional Analysis of Claims and Dispute

The latter project was of significant importance

technical information and distil it into simple

Resolution'. On 23 February, Iryna is taking

to the client and crucial for the supply of

written evidence. She is excellent, responsive,

part in a panel discussion on the topic of ‘How

drinking water to the airport facilities in a

capable of getting to grips of technical issues,

can the Middle East construction industry

sustainable way. This was the first project

and pays careful attention to detail."

adapt to a ‘new normal?‘ organized by RICS

built for the client based on a PPP structure

World Built Environment Forum, HKA and

between the airport authorities and the

If you want a succinct description of a

moderated by Heriot-Watt University Dubai.

private sector. Iryna was able to prepare

great consultant, that’s probably it!

several persuasive claims advanced under Away from HKA, Iryna undertakes several

a very complex concession contract.

external roles, including Chair of the CIArb UAE Branch, and a member of the Global Advisory

These included an extension of time and

Board, ICDR Young & International (Y&I). In this

associated costs, other financial claims, and a

latter role, Iryna primarily organizes events/

claim for deemed completion on a specific date.

webinars on the salient topics in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). She has prepared

Mr Majeb Alodayani, CEO of the client's

a number of events, and in November 2021

organization, said: "Ms Iryna, being the right

co-organized and co-moderated a panel

person who understands the construction

on 'Delay, Disruption and Acceleration'.

phase very well in all project stages, did great help in achieving to complete the project

“It helped us to save more than SAR 80 million"

34

GETTING TO KNOW NICHOLAS BYRNE, VMI STUDIO

VMI STUDIO: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ORDINARY AND THE EXTRAORDINARY WHEN WE MEET SOMEONE IN PERSON, WE ASK QUESTIONS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM. WE PAY ATTENTION TO THEIR STORIES, THOUGHTS, OPINIONS, AND CONVICTIONS. WE STRIVE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM AND TELL OUR OWN TALE. THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO MAKE A CONNECTION. THE RULES OF BUSINESS ARE THE SAME. BUILDING A BRAND OR MARKETING A PRODUCT REQUIRES YOU TO TELL YOUR STORY. IT AIDS IN THE SHAPING OF PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS OF YOU AND ALLOWS CUSTOMERS TO BEGIN TO FORM A BOND WITH YOU AND YOUR ORGANISATION.

T

hat is why VMI Studio, which produces

slightly more focused on architecture and

This project illustrates perfectly VMI Studio’s

stunning visual imagery, animations

engineering. We’re more experientially focused,

point-of-difference: it is a creatively driven

and virtual reality experiences, is pushing the

so we do a lot of virtual reality, augmented

firm where each project is non-diagnostic,

boundaries of creativity in a broad array of

reality and installations, quite a few of the

with the team looking closely at each task

sectors, from property development through

latter in art galleries and museums.”

and deciding upon the best approach

to the art world and entertainment – creating stories that attract, enthral and engage viewers.

and technology to apply to it. There is no THERE IS NO ‘COOKIE-CUTTER’

‘cookie-cutter’ and nothing is off the table.

AND NOTHING IS OFF THE TABLE Working with groundbreaking tech, VMI Studio

For instance, VMI Studio worked on an

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE

likes to do things differently, too, and isn’t afraid

exhibition at Somerset House in London with a

Nicholas began his working life studying the

to try new ideas. And because Saudi Arabia

renowned artist by the name of Matt Collishaw.

past as an archaeologist, working on many sites

has such an amazing vision of the future, it is

When in an art gallery, of course, visitors can

in Europe and the Caribbean, including Ostia

looking to quickly develop its presence in the

lose themselves in the Parisian nightlife of Henri

Antica, an archaeological site and harbour of

Kingdom, taking on ever more challenging

Toulouse-Lautrac or the mesmersing polka

ancient Rome, and St Kitts and Nevis sugar

projects and opening a new office in Riyadh. So

dots of Yayoi Kusama, all within the confines

plantations. “I took an interest in the 3D

if you’re ready to collaborate with other great

of four walls. However, a new dimension is

reconstruction of those sites, and myself and

minds and have your voice heard, read on!

emerging, one that expands physical space into

my professor at the time carved out a bit of a

an experimental virtual environment, and in the

speciality reconstructing scenes from the past.”

GOING BACK IN TIME

case of Somerset House recreate William Henry

Led by co-founder and director Nicholas

Fox Talbot’s first photography show, which took

Soon, though, Nicholas very much had his

Byrne, VMI Studio is a mission-driven,

place in Birmingham in 1839. Visitors were able

eye on the future, opening up an office in

culture-first company, where its people are

to put on their VR goggles and go into a virtual

Little Russell Street, opposite the British

its number one resource. Indeed, this is a

room where they could observe the artwork on

Museum, in London, leading to work with

business whose success is not only measured

the walls, as well as the glass display cabinets

some of the biggest names in the world,

by economic returns, but by executing

and equipment, exactly as they would have

including Foster + Partners. Nicholas

brilliant, successful projects that drive their

been presented approximately 180 years ago.

explains: “Today, we’re visualising the future

clients’ businesses forward, and that’s what the VMI Studio team really care about.

and crafting captivating storylines for new “We were visualising a scene from the 19th

developments all over the world, working

century, and we ended up having 60,000

with some amazing clients and providing

VMI Studio differentiates itself in a number

visitors attend; that’s the sort of traction you

a service that we believe is simply hard to

of important ways, with Nicholas explaining:

can gain from building more experiential

beat in terms of creativity and execution.”

“In our industry, we have, for want of a better

installations around a subject,” Nicholas said.

term, more straightforward firms that are

GETTING TO KNOW NICHOLAS BYRNE, VMI STUDIO

35

Those storylines have been seen in locations

“We were tasked with visualising this project

That is why VMI Studio, which produces

as diverse as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the

using computer graphics, film, VR applications,

stunning visual imagery, animations and virtual

UK, the US, Australia and Europe, with

and worked really closely with the artist to

reality experiences, is pushing the boundaries

around 70% of its work being for high-end

show how this amazing artwork would look.

of creativity in a broad array of sectors, from

property developers, and the remainder

It was an astonishing project to work on

property development through to the art

for the arts and entertainment sectors.

because we had to visualise the Thames at

world and entertainment – creating stories

night, create the whole river in a 3D model,

that attract, enthral and engage viewers.

“The typical kind of project we work on is high-

get the animation working, the lighting

end residential in somewhere like Manhattan,”

accurate. It was a very technical, complex

Working with groundbreaking tech, VMI Studio

says Nicholas. “Just recently, we worked on

project, but also very artistically driven.”

likes to do things differently, too, and isn’t afraid

visualising a major tower in Times Square,

to try new ideas. And because Saudi Arabia

and the intention was to make the largest

It is little surprise, therefore, to discover

has such an amazing vision of the future, it is

experiential retail building in the world. There

that VMI Studio is very busy at present, with

looking to quickly develop its presence in the

are many large players looking to move into

most of its projects being in super-prime

Kingdom, taking on ever more challenging

that building, and our job was to visualise what

residential, as well as a number of large

projects and opening a new office in Riyadh. So

it would be like to be inside it, to visualise all of

retail projects in Manhattan, including a

if you’re ready to collaborate with other great

the activations and how the retail floor would

development on one of the world’s most

minds and have your voice heard, read on!

appear, what the hotel would look like, all

prestigious streets, Fifth Avenue.

the technology that would be applied. It was bringing to life something that didn’t exist, and

When we meet someone in person, we ask

also elevating that scheme to make it more

questions to learn more about them. We pay

impressive than other projects in Times Square.”

attention to their stories, thoughts, opinions, and convictions. We strive to learn more about

On the artistic front, VMI Studio worked on

them and tell our own tale. The ultimate goal

the ‘Illuminated River’ project in London,

is to make a connection. The rules of business

which transforms the capital at night,

are the same. Building a brand or marketing

bathing the bridges that cross the River

a product requires you to tell your story. It

Thames in environmentally-friendly LED

aids in the shaping of people’s perceptions

light. “We worked with an artist by the name

of you and allows customers to begin to form

of Leo Villareal to create this permanent art

a bond with you and your organisation.

installation – the longest geographical art installation in Europe,” Nicholas explains.

There is no ‘cookiecutter’ and nothing is off the table

36

GETTING TO KNOW NICHOLAS BYRNE, VMI STUDIO

GOING BACK IN TIME

and deciding upon the best approach

experiential retail building in the world. There

Led by co-founder and director Nicholas

and technology to apply to it. There is no

are many large players looking to move into

Byrne, VMI Studio is a mission-driven,

‘cookie-cutter’ and nothing is off the table.

that building, and our job was to visualise what

culture-first company, where its people are

it would be like to be inside it, to visualise all of

its number one resource. Indeed, this is a

the activations and how the retail floor would

business whose success is not only measured by economic returns, but by executing brilliant, successful projects that drive their clients’ businesses forward, and that’s what the VMI Studio team really care about.

VMI Studio differentiates itself in a number of important ways, with Nicholas explaining:

Around 70% of its work is for high-end property developers, and the remainder for the arts and entertainment sectors

“In our industry, we have, for want of a better

appear, what the hotel would look like, all the technology that would be applied. It was bringing to life something that didn’t exist, and also elevating that scheme to make it more impressive than other projects in Times Square.”

On the artistic front, VMI Studio worked on the ‘Illuminated River’ project in London, which transforms the capital at night, bathing

term, more straightforward firms that are

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE

the bridges that cross the River Thames in

slightly more focused on architecture and

Nicholas began his working life studying the

environmentally-friendly LED light. “We worked

engineering. We’re more experientially focused,

past as an archaeologist, working on many sites

with an artist by the name of Leo Villareal

so we do a lot of virtual reality, augmented

in Europe and the Caribbean, including Ostia

to create this permanent art installation

reality and installations, quite a few of the

Antica, an archaeological site and harbour of

– the longest geographical art installation

latter in art galleries and museums.”

ancient Rome, and St Kitts and Nevis sugar

in Europe,” Nicholas explains. “We were

plantations. “I took an interest in the 3D

tasked with visualising this project using

For instance, VMI Studio worked on an

reconstruction of those sites, and myself and

computer graphics, film, VR applications,

exhibition at Somerset House in London with a

my professor at the time carved out a bit of a

and worked really closely with the artist to

renowned artist by the name of Matt Collishaw.

speciality reconstructing scenes from the past.”

show how this amazing artwork would look.

When in an art gallery, of course, visitors can

It was an astonishing project to work on

lose themselves in the Parisian nightlife of Henri

Soon, though, Nicholas very much had his

because we had to visualise the Thames at

Toulouse-Lautrac or the mesmersing polka

eye on the future, opening up an office in

night, create the whole river in a 3D model,

dots of Yayoi Kusama, all within the confines

Little Russell Street, opposite the British

get the animation working, the lighting

of four walls. However, a new dimension is

Museum, in London, leading to work with

accurate. It was a very technical, complex

emerging, one that expands physical space into

some of the biggest names in the world,

project, but also very artistically driven.”

an experimental virtual environment, and in the

including Foster + Partners. Nicholas

case of Somerset House recreate William Henry

explains: “Today, we’re visualising the future

It is little surprise, therefore, to discover

Fox Talbot’s first photography show, which took

and crafting captivating storylines for new

that VMI Studio is very busy at present, with

place in Birmingham in 1839. Visitors were able

developments all over the world, working

most of its projects being in super-prime

to put on their VR goggles and go into a virtual

with some amazing clients and providing

residential, as well as a number of large

room where they could observe the artwork on

a service that we believe is simply hard to

retail projects in Manhattan, including a

the walls, as well as the glass display cabinets

beat in terms of creativity and execution.”

development on one of the world’s most

and equipment, exactly as they would have been presented approximately 180 years ago.

prestigious streets, Fifth Avenue.

Those storylines have been seen in locations as diverse as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the

“We were visualising a scene from the 19th

UK, the US, Australia and Europe, with

century, and we ended up having 60,000

around 70% of its work being for high-end

visitors attend; that’s the sort of traction you

property developers, and the remainder

can gain from building more experiential

for the arts and entertainment sectors.

installations around a subject,” Nicholas said.

“The typical kind of project we work on is highThis project illustrates perfectly VMI Studio’s

end residential in somewhere like Manhattan,”

point-of-difference: it is a creatively driven

says Nicholas. “Just recently, we worked on

firm where each project is non-diagnostic,

visualising a major tower in Times Square,

with the team looking closely at each task

and the intention was to make the largest

“Working with us is a completely different experience from working with other firms”

GETTING TO KNOW NICHOLAS BYRNE, VMI STUDIO

37

Two of the projects undertaken by VMI Studio in Saudi Arabia have been quite groundbreaking: the first sees people don VR headsets and fly around one of the Kingdom’s giga-projects, while the second is a large real-time installation that features the apartment of the future.

Visitors can walk through the space and turn on a holographic AV system, allowing them to start to buy different assets and even design their apartment digitally first, own the 3D model rights, and then get the project created.

This is one of the primary benefits of working with such things as CGI, film and animation – it’s possible to market and sell off-plan before construction has begun. But whether the client is a property developer or an art gallery, VMI Studio is visualising something that does not yet exist. Moreover, all of the images it produces are hyper-real, you really can’t tell the difference between them and the real thing.

A UNIQUE CULTURE VMI Studio’s culture is very creative, but at the

“I do feel our approach is very suited to Saudi

same time, it is extremely disciplined. “When

Arabia – the Saudis seem to be a little more

we receive a brief, we spend several hours just

open to creating something quite powerful and

sketching out ideas and hypothesising how

a bit disruptor. There’s the opportunity to do

we can approach it. We have a questionnaire

stuff a little bit more unusual. That’s why we

that we ask ourselves: Is the client, for

will be opening up an office in the Kingdom in

example, really assessing this opportunity;

the next couple of months, building up a team

are they assessing what they can do with it?

Then we go back to the client, usually with hand-drawn illustrations, illustrating what

PLAY VIDEO

of project managers that will allow us to utilise our phenomenal technology to visualise the past, present and future in many different ways

we think the project journey can be like.

for great clients that are looking to go beyond

We endeavour to understand the project

the norm. It just feels like the right place at

from an architect’s viewpoint, the client’s

other firms. You’re going to get something

the right team, with Vision 2030, alongside

viewpoint, and the end user’s standpoint. We

more creative, a little bit left of field, but

the tremendous foresight and entrepreneurial

consider all stakeholders,” Nicholas says.

still maintaining a high degree of quality.”

spirit in the Kingdom, dictating that this is the place to be,” Nicholas concludes

“I’m very proud of the team we have built

GOING BEYOND THE NORM

and I feel that our approach to projects is

VMI Studio has already successfully carried

quite unique, especially in the earlier phases,

out a few projects in Saudi Arabia, and it’s

“he continues. “We never just say we’ll do

already beginning to feel like home in a creative

great animation and Computer Generated

sense. “Effectively, our work is visualising

Images (CGI); that would make life rather

the future, and the 2030 Vision really piqued

dull. We always look to reinvent the wheel

our interest,” says Nicholas. “We visualise

VMI STUDIO

in each project. I think what I’m most proud

the future, and in some instances visualise

 +44 (0) 208 8773 287

of is our approach to projects, the creativity,

the past. So, I think we are very much on the

 info@vmistudio.com

and a lot of the technological IP we’ve built

same page as Saudi Arabia, a country that

Instagram @vmistudio

in-house. Working with us is a completely

is setting entirely new standards in large

Linkedin @VMI Studio

different experience from working with

high-end projects and sustainability.” www.vmistudio.com

38

BPD Supply Solutions

BPD SUPPLY SOLUTIONS: MAKING THE COMPLEX SIMPLE

BPD Supply Solutions

B

PD Supply Solutions has

GOING BEYOND LOGISTICS

financial advisor,” Sam says. “The

adopted the term ‘We make

Sam discovered through his vast

client is limited by the product range a

the complex simple’ because it

experience in the industry, including

freight forwarder sells, so the solution

encapsulates what the company

delivering world events such as the

offered may not be what’s wanted or

does. So, while it’s true that logistics

Winter Olympics in Korea, creating

needed. I act as an independent entity

planning operations are rarely, if

temporary power stations across some

on behalf of the client. I look to provide

ever, straightforward, BPD has the

very remote locations, and being able

clarity where clarity is lacking. So I work

skill-set and expertise required to

to respond immediately to support

with the client - consulting, training,

be able to help businesses enhance

humanitarian aid in crisis hit areas, that

mentoring, to help them build the

their operational efficiency and

there is a misunderstanding about the

capabilities within their organisation.”

gain a competitive advantage.

relationship between the shipper and the freight forwarder, and what can and

BIG OR SMALL, BPD CAN HANDLE IT ALL

Founded by Sam Hardwick, who has

cannot be done. “My job is to act as the

Often, clients turn to BPD when they

been in the logistics industry for 25+

‘translator’. I know what services both

have hit a bit of a brick wall, and the

years, BPD, a new, dynamic company

the shipper and the freight forwarder can

company then has the resources,

created to provide balance in an

offer, and it’s not quite as simple as 1+1 =

skills and knowledge to ‘get people

increasingly convoluted and multifaceted

2. It can often be quite confusing. Indeed,

out of jail’. However, it is preferable if

world, has risen to the challenge of

I’ve found that when I’ve built various

the client calls before the wall is hit,

turning the complex into a simple,

projects over the past few years that

because planning is an evolutionary

streamlined and affordable service.

I’ve had to take on more responsibility

process, and once costs start to spiral

from both sides to ensure what has been

it can become aggressive. BPD’s ability

committed to is delivered,” he explains.

to create value and solve problems,

This is especially relevant for small/ medium companies that do not have an

39

though, can help clients in any situation.

established supply chain themselves,

Companies that want to optimise their

but they have a good product and

business know that making complex

want to compete in a new and different

logistics processes as simple as possible

marketplace. BPD’s strength is that it can

is one of the best ways to accomplish

help the client without them having to

this goal. “It’s like the difference between

take on more people or long-term costs.

a financial advisor and independent

BPD’S STRENGTH IS THAT IT CAN HELP THE CLIENT WITHOUT THEM HAVING TO TAKE ON MORE PEOPLE OR LONG-TERM COSTS

40

BPD Supply Solutions

BPD’S FOCUS IS TO CONTINUALLY IMPROVE THE LOGISTICS PROCESS AND ADD VALUE

BPD Supply Solutions

41

FRUSTRATION AND COMPLEXITY ARE REPLACED BY EASE AND SIMPLICITY

 SAM HARDWICK, FOUNDER, BPD SUPPLY SOLUTIONS

needs, and at BPD we are always delighted to arrange a personal consultation to discuss these needs in more detail.”

As companies compete in an ever-changing and challenging world the ability to have responsive and effective supply chains that continue to meet clients’ demands has never been more critical. There is a spotlight on logistics that has raised a global awareness and has created an opportunity for companies to elevate their thinking of what is possible.

The logistics sector has a chequered history of value creation, but as the world continues to change, BPD is taking the opportunity to challenge companies to look into whether their strategies will meet and outperform market expectations. There is no doubt that performed correctly, effective logistics can drive part of a company’s strategy and value proposition, allowing for a new and more confident outlook that allows businesses to outperform the market. Simply put, BPD’s focus To achieve this, a broad skill-

COMPLETELY IN TUNE WITH THE CLIENT

is to continually improve the logistics process

set is utilised, including:

As jazz great Charles Mingus once said:

and add value… with the client in mind.

 Planning and traditional

“Creativity is more than just being different.

consultation services

Anybody can plan weird; that’s easy. What’s

Execution: taking the plan devised by

hard is to be as simple as Bach. Making the

BPD, or someone else’s plan, and utilising

simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”



BPD’s own people to act as the supply chain department of the client, and

This quote serves as a good reminder that just

therefore acting directly on their behalf

adding ideas or people to a project does not guarantee that it will run smoothly. Breaking



Support: looking to serve clients who

something down to its base components and

have a question but don’t have the

expressing it clearly and concisely is the best

answers, empowering them to use

way to achieve success. And this is exactly

the resources they already have to

what BPD does, no matter what the cargo or

achieve excellence more quickly!

where in the world it has to be transported.

To find out how BPD can help your business to improve efficiency and gain a genuine cost-effective and competitive advantage with a quality, customised solution, telephone Sam Hardwick direct on +971 56 162 8299 or email sam.h@bpdsupplysolutions.com.

BPD SUPPLY SOLUTIONS Frustration and complexity are replaced

“Our client-base is anyone who is looking

 +971 56 162 8299

by ease and simplicity. People, processes,

to create value from their products – it

 ask.us@bpdsupplysolutions.com

and systems seamlessly link to ensure

could be freight forwarders, but most of

 @BPD Supply Solutions

cargo is delivered on time, every time, and

the time it is the owners of the cargo,”

revenues and profits rise as a result of this.

Sam says. “But every client has different

www.bpdsupplysolutions.com

42

VMI STUDIO - VISION 2030

BRINGING VISION 2030 TO LIFE THROUGH THE LATEST IN VISUAL INNOVATION WITH OVER 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE HIGHEST QUALITY ARCHITECTURAL VISUALISATIONS, ART INSTALLATIONS AND PHOTO-REALISTIC COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGES (CGI), VMI STUDIO HAS EVOLVED INTO ONE OF THE INDUSTRY’S MOST SOUGHT AFTER AND CREATIVE FIRMS.

 CANARY WHARF, LONDON

VMI STUDIO - VISION 2030

V

43

MI Studio’s approach sets it apart from the competition by combining

a thorough understanding of architecture and construction with cutting-edge CGI techniques to create realistic and engaging visuals. CGIs are a wonderful method to keep potential customers involved, and the studio has worked on projects all around the world, including the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.

And VMI Studio is now swiftly establishing a reputation for itself in the Saudi Arabian market, where it has already completed a few pioneering projects, producing worldclass CGIs and artist impressions that bring property developments to life and assist potential buyers in visualising the end result.

 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

EXPERIENTIALLY FOCUSED

HYPER-REALITY

Known for its high standards, scrupulous

One of the primary benefits of working with CGI,

attention to detail, and exceptional customer

film and animation is that it’s possible to market

service, VMI Studio is a mission-driven,

and sell off-plan before construction has begun.

culture-first company, where its people are its number one resource. Indeed, this is a

CGI and related imagery help property

firm whose success is assessed not only in

companies thrive in a competitive and

terms of financial returns but also in terms of

very cyclical industry, with an animation

completing dazzling, successful projects that

walkthrough being a great way to showcase

propel their clients’ businesses forward, which

a new building, so clients can envision

is what the team is most passionate about.

the property before its construction.

VMI Studio stands out in many ways, not the

Designers can also employ precisely scaled

least of which is that it is more experientially

images and virtual reality to undertake

focused than the industry as a whole, creating

walkthroughs to understand the ramifications

a lot of virtual reality, augmented reality

of various solutions or choices, such as how

and installations for clients as diverse as

natural light appears at different times of the

property developers and art galleries.

day or whether a room would feel too confined.

The firm never just says it will create great

It can also be used as a training tool, allowing

animation and CGI, either – it looks to reinvent

personnel to practise doing tasks before

the wheel every single time. And with the VMI

entering potentially hazardous environments.

Studio’s creativity and technological IP, much of which has been built in-house, it offers clients a

Away from the world of development and

completely different experience to working with

construction, visualisations can also be utilised

other firms: more creative, a little bit left of field,

in art galleries, museums, and historical sites,

but still maintaining a high degree of quality.

where installations can transform artwork or

VMI is now swiftly establishing a reputation for itself in the Saudi Arabian market

44

VMI STUDIO - VISION 2030

An animation walkthrough being a great way to showcase a new building

 MIDTOWN, NEW YORK

VMI is now swiftly establishing a reputation for itself in the Saudi Arabian market

 SRI LANKA

a location into something truly mesmerising

designers and artists, each of whom is

and unique. VMI Studio, for instance, worked

dedicated to creating visualisations that

on the ‘Illuminated River’ project in London,

attract, engage and often surprise.

which transforms the capital at night, bathing the bridges that cross the River Thames

The firm’s design philosophy requires

in environmentally-friendly LED light.

collaboration and communication, and the most important thing that it builds is relationships.

Whatever the project, VMI Studio starts with an

VMI Studio’s team are the people who build

exploration of client needs, and evolves from

those relationships, and many of its clients

the budget, location and context without the

come back to engage with it again and again.

imposition of preconceived styles or solutions.

These long-term relationships are a source of

Moreover, all of the images it produces

pride for the firm – a clear indication that it

are hyper-real, you genuinely can’t tell the

has earned the trust of the people it serves.

difference between them and the real thing.

In a collaborative studio setting, all members THE TEAM

of the team offer project ideas and inspiration.

With offices in London, New York and

Each person’s ingenuity and commitment

soon Riyadh, VMI Studio has assembled

are critical to the success of projects.

a team of over 40 extremely talented

VMI STUDIO - VISION 2030

45

In a collaborative studio setting, all members of the team offer project ideas and inspiration

 MIDTOWN, NEW YORK

such blue-chip names as Foster + Partners,

There are no ‘cookie-cutter’ solutions,

Berkeley, Galliard Homes, Toll Brothers, TFC,

and nothing is off-limits.

British Land, and Battersea Power Station.

Property developers are increasingly relying on CGI to accurately portray their concepts to customers, planners and the general public

Property developers are increasingly MULTI-SENSORY EXPERIENCES

relying on CGI to accurately portray their

In a firm where the culture is very creative,

concepts to customers, planners and the

but also extremely disciplined, VMI Studio

general public so that they may visualise

creates visualisations that encourage

how the designs will look when completed.

multi-sensory experiences that shape

They are crucial in many elements of the

light, create texture and layer colour.

process, including concept design, planning applications, marketing imagery, and the sale

Its main point of differentiation is that it

or acquisition of financing for a project.

is a creatively driven firm, with the team examining each task carefully and deciding

WITH VMI STUDIO, SUDDENLY,

on the best method and technology to use.

YOU STAND OUT!

CLIENTS The typical kind of project that VMI Studio work on is high-end residential in major cities such as London, New York, San Francisco and Melbourne.

The firm approach each job with a new perspective and a sincere commitment to providing the best product possible for its client. It works hard to make the process enjoyable for everyone involved. Many of its clients become lifelong friends.

VMI STUDIO VMI Studio listen to understand specific goals

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and approach each project as collaborators

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and translators, agents of a vision, carefully

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evolving it from concept to fully-fledged

Linkedin @VMI Studio

visualisation.That is why the firm has attracted such a wide array of clients, including

 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

www.vmistudio.com

46

SaaS

SaaS Elevates How Businesses Interact with their Clients  VILDANA KARALIĆ-AVDIĆ, HEAD OF MARKETING MENA, INFOBIP

VILDANA KARALIĆ-AVDIĆ, INFOBIP’S HEAD OF MARKETING MENA, DISCUSSES HOW THE COMPANY’S BUSINESS HAS ADAPTED TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY, THE ACCELERATION OF DX SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC, AND THE CURRENT CYBERSECURITY CLIMATE.

C

an you outline to us

how they engage with their clients.

This is where we help businesses

how your company has

After all, the digital economy is

meet those demands, by ensuring

demonstrated its ability to leverage

about connecting individuals

their end users get the most

its technological expertise to

and companies. By empowering

value in real-time and through

help business transform their

businesses and making them

their preferred channels.

day-to-day operations to adapt,

more accessible to their client

evolve, and meet the demands

base through our SaaS and CPaaS

Digital Transformation has

of the digital economy?

solutions, we are enabling them to

accelerated rapidly since the onset

adapt to shifting trends in customer

of the pandemic in 2020, but as

We are particularly proud of how

engagement and evolving business

an IT leader and expert, what are

our full stack of SaaS solutions

operations. Customers today want

the key principles and processes

built around the AI segment has

to communicate with brands and

businesses need to define and

played a pivotal role in pushing

businesses over platforms that

determine before embarking on their

businesses forward by elevating

are familiar, fast, and reliable.

digital transformation journey?

SaaS

CUSTOMERS TODAY WANT TO COMMUNICATE WITH BRANDS AND BUSINESSES OVER PLATFORMS THAT ARE FAMILIAR, FAST, AND RELIABLE

47

I would say that it will all revolve around

When looking for an omnichannel solutions

effortless experiences and communication.

provider, one of the essential determining

It will come down to creating solutions

factors that need to be evaluated is the

and technologies that are making

service provider’s security. Infobip is putting

people’s lives easier in a nutshell. We

a lot of focus on the security, protection, and

are incredibly excited about what’s next

privacy of data. We have very strict security

on Infobip’s horizon in that sphere.

and privacy policies and standards in place.

For us, it’s all about frictionless omnichannel

This makes it possible for us to provide a

solutions that aim to elevate the customer

truly frictionless experience for the end-user.

journey and overall experience.

Therefore, it is important for businesses to look for solutions that are agile and

Data-driven solutions are part of the

adaptable in terms of growth strategy and

way forward where SaaS and CPaaS play

meeting security requirements. Technical

an integral role with the overall aim of

competency, or lack thereof, is another

Let me start with an important step, in

further product optimization to enhance

challenge. Businesses must invest in providing

my opinion. That is ensuring you have

the customer experience at every step.

regular training to empower their staff and

top management buy-in, vision, and willingness to make the switch.

ensure security measures are being followed.

of mindset and in terms of operations.

MAINTAINING STRINGENT AND EVOLVING SECURITY MEASURES PLAY AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN AN ORGANIZATION’S STRATEGY

The next step is to observe your current

Lastly, we project that more businesses will

growth strategy and evaluate what tweaks are

make the necessary shift to cloud-based

needed to accommodate the transformation.

contact centers to ensure that clients receive

For example, if you want to integrate cloud-

the support they need when they need it,

based communication solutions, do you have

and over the channels they use daily.

Before embarking on this journey, you need to invest in a growth mindset, an internal culture ready to make the shift. The next step is to assess your internal readiness in terms

a solid communication strategy? Have you embraced a customer-centric approach?

We know that cybersecurity is a major challenge in the current IT ecosystem,

Lastly, when it is time to make the

and we have seen the damage done by

change, it is crucial to invest in a platform

a series of ransomware attacks over the

that is easy to manage and seamless to

last number of months. In your expert

integrate with different channels.

opinion, what are the biggest challenges facing businesses in today’s climate?

At Infobip, we were also pushed to diversify our portfolio of products and solutions and tailor

Maintaining stringent and evolving security

them further to help businesses and customers

measures play an integral role in an

stay afloat and thrive during the challenging

organization’s strategy. IT decision-makers

pandemic times. It all boils down to being

need to double their efforts to identify

agile and ready to embrace the change.

solutions that address their changing business needs and keep ongoing security threats at bay.

INFOBIP

We know that technology is advancing more now than it has ever done so in the past, but what is your vision for the future in terms of the tech trends that are going to drive change and foster further innovation in the next 3-5 years?

IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO BEING AGILE AND READY TO EMBRACE THE CHANGE

facebook Instagram Linkedin twitter youtube @infobip www.infobip.com

48

Spark

AFFORDABLE HOUSING CO. AND BIN SAEDAN TO BUILD STAFF RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX IN SPARK with SPARK to help put in place the infrastructure needed for a dynamic community where residents can lead a healthy and happy lifestyle.

Our experience in the Kingdom spans nearly a century and has lasted over many innovative projects. The signature of this agreement is a cornerstone achievement for our company with the aim of accelerating the expansion of our presence in the Eastern Province.

We are also committed toward SPARK

K

ing Salman Energy Park (SPARK), a global energy hub in

Saudi Arabia and Affordable House Co., a subsidiary of Abdullah Bin Saedan & Sons Real Estate Group, a leading real estate developer, have announced the signing of an agreement for the

The facility has a capacity of 8,000 beds and spreads over an area of more than 110,000m2

development of a state-of-the-art

and the Kingdom and look forward to successfully making this project a first of its kind while setting a new standard.”

Founded in 2018, industry experts see SPARK, which spans an area of 50 square kilometres, as a catalyst for Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to diversify its economy beyond oil and place it as a global energy, industrial and technology

staff residential complex at SPARK.

that attracts international investors and

Saudi Projects: How long has Gensler

supports the success of Saudi society

been operating in Saudi Arabia?

depends not just on our strategic location

will be divided into five regions, catering

hub with a thriving private sector.

When the project is completed, SPARK

but on the fact that the city is built around

for electricity and equipment, general

the unique design of the SPARK staff

the concept that all people working here,

manufacturing, liquids and chemicals,

residential complex seamlessly integrates

no matter the function they perform,

metal formation and industrial services.

green technologies while setting a new

can access spaces where they can live,

It is not only meant to become a

sustainability standard. It will offer first-

work and play. Bin Saedan’s design is

prime destination for manufacturing,

rate, safe and competitive amenities for

future-facing and sustainable while being

petrochemicals and energy, but is

the wellbeing of SPARK tenants and its

competitive. It will enable our tenants

also going to host residential, hotel

occupiers. Planned to be developed in

to safely lodge their employees while

and leisure facilities, as well as a dry

phases starting in 2022, the facility has

offering first-class amenities, which is

port with an annual storage capacity

a capacity of 8,000 beds and spreads

paramount for their sustainable growth

of 8 million metric tonnes of cargo.

over an area of more than 110,000m .

and localisation value creation. We are

In line with the Saudi Green Initiatives,

2

According to a statement, the project is

SPARK is the first and only industrial

also pleased to highlight Affordable

city in the world to achieve Silver LEED

the first step in SPARK’s mega residential

House Co. / Bin Saedan’s commitment to

certification. Expected to be completed

and commercial program that aims

incorporating advanced systems within

by 2035, it will create 100,000 direct

to accommodate more than 50,000

the design, construction and operation

and indirect jobs in addition to an

residents on project completion.

to make the facility the first of its kind.”

annual increase in GDP by $6 billion.

Saif S Al Qahtani, President and CEO

Mohammed Abdullah Bin Saedan,

at SPARK, said: “The success of SPARK

Managing Director of Affordable House

in becoming a sustainable ecosystem

Co., added: “We are proud to partner

50

THE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY - NEWS

THE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PARTNERS WITH RED SEA FARMS

T

HE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY (TRSDC) HAS PARTNERED WITH RED SEA FARMS, A SAUDI ARABIAN AGTECH BUSINESS, TO DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE FOOD SUPPLY FOR THE RED SEA’S FLAGSHIP DESTINATION USING SUNLIGHT AND SALTWATER.

groundwater, or desalinated water. This saves up to 300 litres of fresh water per kilogram of produce – a 95% saving compared with other AgTech systems. The technology has been

Red Sea Farms will build and operate the

designed and developed in Saudi Arabia for use

indoor farm, growing crops to sustainably

in often challenging environmental conditions.

feed guests and residents at The Red Sea

This means a reduced impact on the

Project. It will become a main supplier to the

environment and a significant cost

luxury destination’s resorts and restaurants.

saving for growers. It also results in more

"At TRSDC we believe in embracing new innovations to solve the challenges we face as

nutritious crops, while also providing a richer taste, flavor and texture.

we attempt to improve our relationship with

This is the first time an agreement has

the environment. Red Sea Farms’ technology

been reached to roll out the technology

is novel, exciting and has the possibility of

on such a large scale in Saudi Arabia and

helping to tackle food scarcity globally. This

makes TRSDC the first organization to

partnership means we’re meeting our own

recognize its commercial potential.

sustainable and regenerative ambitions, and once again demonstrating to the wider industry that tourism development can be done in a more considerate and responsible way," said John Pagano, CEO of TRSDC. The innovative technology uses sunlight and saltwater to cool greenhouses and grow crops, instead of relying on rainfall, fresh

TRSDC HAS SET ASIDE A 50 SQUARE HECTARE FOOD DEVELOPMENT AREA AND IS INVITING LEADING COMPANIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO SET UP PRODUCTION FACILITIES

THE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY - NEWS

51

By 2023, The Red Sea Project will welcome 300,000 guests annually and upwards of 14,000 employees and once fully operational in 2030, up to one million guests per year and home to around 35,000 employees. Feeding this many people in a remote, largely desert environment presents huge logistical challenges.

By working with Red Sea Farms, TRSDC is developing a self-sustaining and ecologically friendly food supply, which will be built within TRSDC’s wider sustainable food park zone.

TRSDC has set aside a 50 square hectare food development area and is inviting leading companies from around the world to set up production facilities as well as pilots of cutting-edge food technologies that can someday be used on a commercial scale.

The Red Sea Farms indoor farm will produce a diverse range of fresh leafy greens, herbs, vine crops, fruit including berries; and vegetables.

Following the pilot, Red Sea Farms will have

RED SEA FARMS WILL BUILD AND OPERATE AN INDOOR FARM, GROWING CROPS TO SUSTAINABLY FEED GUESTS AND RESIDENTS AT THE RED SEA PROJECT

the option of expanding the farm to up to 100

TRSDC not only shares our sustainability

sustainably produced seafood. The first phase

hectares in the future, which would make it the

ethos, it also understands the great challenge

of the project will be implemented as a 3,500m2

largest sustainable farm of its kind in the world.

diminishing resources will play in the future.

pilot, to assess whether conditions at The

Our ambition is to use Red Sea Farms’

Red Sea Project are suitable for the solution

said: “We are committed to tackling one

technology to feed the world sustainably

to work effectively and efficiently. This will be

of the world’s greatest challenges: food

and this partnership moves us to the next

the first land-based Automated Recirculating

security. That challenge can only be

stage of making that a genuine possibility.”

Aquaculture (LARA) system pilot in the

Ryan Lefers, CEO at Red Sea Farms,

overcome through collaborative efforts between like-minded companies.

TRSDC also partnered with Blue Planet Ecosystems in a regional first to deliver

Middle East to undergo a commercial trial.

52

THE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY - NEWS

SAUDI’S FIRST UNDERWATER EXCAVATION ON RED SEA COAST

Partnering with the Ministry of Culture in the fields of archaeology, heritage, history and sustainable tourism along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, TRSDC has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Heritage Commission and the Museums Commission.

The coastal waters of the Red Sea

Indian Ocean trade. The preserved

contain significant points of historical

wooden structure represents unique

interest and the partnership facilitates

evidence of massive and expensive

an expedition led by the University

boatbuilding construction, previously

of Napoli L’Orientale to deliver the

unknown in the region," explained Dr

Kingdom’s first underwater excavation

Chiara Zazzaro, Director of Red Sea

on an 18th-century shipwreck.

Shipwreck Excavation and Associate

"The shipwreck is currently the most

Professor of Maritime Archaeology at the

intact and best-preserved wooden

University of Napoli ‘L'Orientale’, Italy.

shipwreck in the Red Sea. With its

The shipwreck is located in Al

spectacular cargo of jars, porcelain and

Wajh lagoon. All artefacts will be

spices, this 18th-century merchantman

preserved, catalogued, and stored

testifies the intense trading activities

in the Red Sea Museum in Jeddah,

going on in the Red Sea before the

while some pieces will be displayed

opening of the Suez Canal, and its

for visitors of The Red Sea Project.

articulated connection with the wider

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL SIGN AGREEMENT WITH TRSDC

“These milestone signings illustrate Marriott International’s commitment to the growth of the tourism sector in the Kingdom”

Marriott International, Inc. has

footprint across the Kingdom

Chief Development Officer, Europe, Middle

announced it has signed an agreement

where it currently has a portfolio of

East & Africa, Marriott International.

with The Red Sea Development

over 30 properties with more than

“These milestone signings illustrate

Company to develop two luxury hotels

9,000 rooms across ten brands.

Marriott International’s commitment

as part of the highly-anticipated Red

“We are excited to be working with

to the growth of the tourism sector in

Sea Project in Saudi Arabia. The St.

The Red Sea Development Company to

the Kingdom and highlight increased

Regis Red Sea Resort and The Red

introduce St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and

demand for lifestyle and luxury

Sea EDITION are expected to further

EDITION to one of Saudi Arabia’s most-

accommodations and experiences.”

enhance Marriott International’s

anticipated projects,” said Jerome Briet,

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54

THE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY - NEWS

A CARBON NEUTRAL LUXURY DESTINATION By

ROBA Aljohani

T

HE RED SEA PROJECT IS BLESSED WITH THRIVING CORAL REEFS, BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, DESERT CANYONS, DORMANT VOLCANOES, OVER 90 PRISTINE ISLANDS, AND MORE THAN 200 KILOMETERS OF COASTLINE. THE DEVELOPMENT IS BEING ESTABLISHED IN A SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE THAT IS BEING CREATED FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT AND NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PURPOSES. IT ENSURES THAT OUR VERY AMBITIOUS STANDARDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND, IN OUR CASE, ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT, WILL BE MONITORED AND WELL MET.

“Our two biggest sustainable goals are the 30% increase in biodiversity over two decades and the zero net carbon emissions during development and operation” The foundation of this luxury regenerative

We are taking a fundamentally different

tourism destination is its environmental

approach because the real draw for

setting. The draw for our visitors and

our tourism is the spectacularly rich

our residents is a natural beauty and the

abundance of biodiversity at our

wildlife, so we must ensure those not

destinations – bound to attract many

only remain intact but improve. We are

visitors from all over the world to come to

trying to build our destination with world-

visit. As a result, we have very significant

leading science and technology so that the

and ambitious standards in regenerative

environment is enhanced throughout the

tourism, and we are trying to enhance our

development.

natural environment in a way that makes economic sense as well.

Development carried out all over the world has typically had very significant

Dr Rusty Brainard, the Chief Environmental

negative impacts on the environment and

and Sustainability Officer for the Red Sea

biodiversity. Science dictates a negative

Project and AMAALA, reiterates the key

impact. But we are twisting that concept

goal of regeneration, saying: “Our two

around to say that the development won’t

biggest sustainable goals are the 30%

cause negative environmental impacts and

increase in biodiversity over two decades

will leave the area better than it would be

and the zero net carbon emissions during

in a ‘business as usual’ scenario.

development and operation.

THE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY - NEWS

55

We are 100% reliant on renewable energy - using solar only

Everything designed at The Red Sea Project and AMAALA is essentially recycled to some other form

food needed to be imported from other places. And we are 100% reliant

For us, as a tourism business, the latter is extremely ambitious because

our manufacturing offsite to minimize the environmental footprint. In

our business relies on people flying in from all over the world.

addition, we are planning a clean and zero-carbon mobility fleet. We are

on renewable energy - using solar only. Moreover, since solar is available during the day, it will be used to charge our very large battery banks, which are planned to become the largest battery sourced system in the world, powering our entire community, even during the night.

We are adapting sustainable construction techniques as we do much of

shifting towards electric and hydrogen vehicles - not exclusively for our “We are looking and experimenting with numerous technologies and

cars and land vehicles but also for our boats and short-distance aircraft.

approaches that help with sequestering the carbon associated with all the visitors and everything that they consume and use at the site - we

With regards to carbon sequestration, Dr Rusty explains how we are

need to sequester about two and a half million tons of carbon. How are

currently in discussion with numerous companies and institutions

we going to sequester all that carbon? By embracing the principle of a

around the world for pioneering the use of microalgae. “It is the most

circular carbon economy or cartel de cartel economy.”

efficient way to capture and sequester carbon,” he says. “We are really in the conceptual phase of how we make this the most cost-effective way to

Everything designed at The Red Sea Project and AMAAA is essentially

sequester carbon while producing other useful microalgae products such

recycled to some other form. The destinations are also considering

as food products, pharmaceutical products, bio plastics, bio fuels, and

producing a third of their food sustainably at the site to minimize the

even sustainable aviation fuels for our longer-distance aircraft.”

56

Amaala Company Interview - Raed Al basseet

R AED AL BASSEET GROUP HEAD OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY AT THE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY & AMAALA

DARING TO BE A FORCE OF NATURE

Amaala Company Interview - Raed Al basseet

THE RED SEA PROJECT IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST AMBITIOUS REGENERATIVE PROJECTS, COVERING 28,000 SQ. KM. ON SAUDI'S WEST COAST, THE DESTINATION WILL OFFER A NEW TYPE OF BAREFOOT LUXURY EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

T

Highness the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia to develop immersive luxury hospitality experiences on the Red Sea. They will deliver new levels of service excellence, using technology to enable a seamless personalized experience that will position Saudi Arabia on the global tourism map.

We speak to Raed Al Basseet, Group Chief Environmental and Sustainability Officer for TRSDC and AMAALA, about the

he AMAALA Project is located in

challenges and often radical responses

the northwest of Saudi Arabia on

to sustainability and the environment on

the coast of the Red Sea, covering an area of 2,800sq.km and will include a wide

57

From the point of view of a real estate developer, TRSDC has embedded Environment and Sustainability into every phase, as well as into our corporate governance

these groundbreaking giga-projects.

Saudi Projects: You operate a pioneering

Development Company and AMAALA, I am

range of infrastructure components to

bespoke environmental governance

responsible for every aspect of the environment

support relevant Masterplan Development

and management system designed to

of some 32,000km2 of the projects’ area.

Zones. One of the main masterplan zones

integrate environmentally sustainable

Our Environment and Sustainability

to be developed across the AMAALA

content into TRSDC’s world-class

commitment is paramount to everything we

region is in an area called Triple Bay.

development agenda. Can you tell us

do as a company. From the point of view of a

about this ambitious endeavour?

real estate developer, TRSDC has embedded

Both projects are financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and have been mandated by His Royal

Raed Al Basseet: As Group Chief Environment and Sustainability Officer at The Red Sea

Environment and Sustainability into every phase, as well as into our corporate governance.

58

Amaala Company Interview - Raed Al basseet

Consider the many layers incorporated into

and Projects. This SPMS is tracking our

such a large-scale destination: pre-concept,

performance across a range of Environmental,

master planning, design, delivery, and

Social and Economic KPIs and metrics.

operations. The level of integration is not a

During 2021, we achieved ISO14001

usual one for a real estate developer; we go

certification for our environmental

above and beyond to protect and enhance

management system, across our corporate

our environment and ensure a sustainable

offices and development projects. In doing

positive impact on it and the surrounding

so, we became the first of Saudi’s giga-

local communities and economy. We are

projects to achieve such an accreditation.

striving with our regenerative ambitions to

We also received the results of our second

have a ripple effect here in the Kingdom, on

year of participating in the ‘Green Real Estate

the real estate development sector, and the

Sustainability Benchmark’ (GRESB). Our 2021

global travel and luxury tourism industries.

GRESB assessment achieved an overall score

To fulfil this huge scope, we built a team

of 91 out of 100 in this year’s ESG-assessment

of environment and sustainability experts

and benchmark exercise by Global Real Estate

to deliver on the promise and ensure the

Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) – exceeding

delivery of the world’s most ambitious

the score of 84 it accomplished last year,

regenerative tourism project. Our team has

making us the first ‘Five Star’ rated entity.

a huge mix of specialities, nationalities, ages, and personalities, and we have a multitude of niche expertise across all areas. The members of our team span from freshly graduated juniors to directors who have 15 years plus experience in managing environmental and sustainability across all business disciplines. We are all environmental and sustainability leaders, advocates, and ambassadors. We are inspired by nature and are implementing regenerative development techniques to protect it, not only for ourselves

As of today, the project has surpassed significant milestones, with over 700 contracts signed to date, worth over SAR 19bn ($5.06bn)

today but for future generations to come.

SP: Are you tracking, reporting

Becoming a five-star rated entity is

and reducing your energy,

particularly important to us because it

waste and water usage?

recognizes that we are paving the way for

RAB: Our progress is aligned with the UN SDGs

sustainable tourism in Saudi Arabia. By

and IFCs to ensure that the development that

pioneering a new approach to regenerative

we are keen to deliver has a positive impact

tourism, our hope is that our work will set an

and blends with its thriving ecosystem. Last

example for the rest of the world to follow.

year, we issued our first Sustainability Report, which is publicly available on our website.

This 2020 Sustainability Report has been

SP: What are your key sustainability measures?

RAB: As a company, we recognize that

sustainable district energy systems across our TRSP destination, a system powered fully by

prepared in accordance with Global Reporting

developing within a pristine natural setting

renewable power, including district cooling

Initiative (GRI) standards. Subsequent annual

brings huge responsibility. In response, we

and battery energy storage systems with no

Sustainability Reports that we issue will include

have made a groundbreaking commitment

connection to the KSA National Grid. The

increasing disclosures on our Environmental

to go beyond sustainability at TRSP and

avoided CO2 emissions to the atmosphere are

and Social performance, as we progress with

to have a regenerative impact on the local

equivalent to nearly half a million tons each

implementing our Sustainability Performance

environment, society and economy. Here is a

year and the destination will be the first tourism

Management System. In 2021, we launched

brief outline of how this is being achieved:

project of its size, to be powered solely by

our Sustainability Performance Management

- A pledge to be carbon neutral once fully

renewable energy. This system will include the

System, which is now tracking Sustainability

operational. As part of this, we signed a

largest battery energy storage system in the

KPI/metrics across both our Corporate

contract with ACWA Power in 2021 to provide

world that is procured under a PPP agreement.

Amaala Company Interview - Raed Al basseet

We are now in the process of establishing similar PPP agreements across AMAALA.  A ban on single-use plastics

 Less than 1% of the destination’s

RAB: Our aim is to set new standards in

total 28,000km will be developed.

sustainable development, respecting the

 Capping the yearly number of visitors

natural world, creating opportunities for

2

59

once fully operational.

to The Red Sea Project at one million

the local communities and protecting the

 A 30% net conservation

based on the environmental carrying

destination for the future. Where the technology

capacity of the destination.

does not yet exist to realize our ambitions, we

benefit by 2040 target.  Completing a Marine Spatial Planning

SP: Are you using ‘leading indicators’

will work with innovators to develop them.

(MSP) exercise, which led TRSDC to

(i.e., from a formal operational excellence

leave 75% of the island archipelago

program) to drive your sustainability

have in place an ambitious sustainability

untouched and for nine islands to be

efforts instead of relying on the lagging

strategy. At the heart of this strategy, is

designated as special conversation zones

indicators found in the Global Reporting

our Sustainability Vision, where we aim to

ahead of construction beginning.

Initiative and other sustainability indices?

create a positive impact by conserving and

In terms of ‘leading indicators’, we

60

Amaala Company Interview - Raed Al basseet

Amaala Company Interview - Raed Al basseet

other destinations and supporting the conservation

to grow together with TRSDC and our projects.

SP: How are you addressing social equity?

RAB: We are committed to creating

of multiple coral

opportunities for local communities too.

reef eco-systems.

Our year-round destination will offer a real

In October, Saudi

61

opportunity to the people and businesses

Arabia announced

in local communities in the form of jobs

ambitious goals

and growth for businesses in the area. This

such as net zero

is coupled with our ongoing contribution

emissions by 2060

to creating growth and employment

and the Kingdom is

opportunities within the Saudi Arabian

aiming to plant 10

construction sector and partnering with a

billion trees under

company that will help us realize these goals.

the Saudi Green

The projects are expected to create up to

Initiative. In the next

70,000 new direct and indirect job roles.

few years, 50 million

SP: On a personal note, how are you

hectares of Saudi

enjoying working on these giga-projects?

enhancing natural capital, delivering a carbon-

Arabia will be rehabilitated and redeveloped

neutral contribution to climate change and

to prevent land degradation. The Kingdom will

opportunity for anyone within my field to have

building a prosperous local economy.

plant 1% of the global tree plantation target

the chance to join such a world-class initiative.

RAB: This is a rare, once in a lifetime

So we are being led by this strategy, which

and TRSDC is a major contributor to this, with

We are a development company, developing

includes leading indicators across all divisions

25 million plants and trees set to be grown in

our destinations so they fit into their natural

of the company. This strategy sets the

our onsite landscape nursery, the largest in the

surroundings, as well as raise living standards

sustainability priorities, programs, initiatives

region and fully operational since early 2020.

for our local communities. As one of the earliest

and targets, which guide all our activities

SP: How do you engage your supply

environmental staff engaged on the projects,

across development, operations and services.

chain in your sustainability efforts?

I have had the free rein to build a strong

Our projects are grounded in sustainability

Do you require your contractors and

team, who are truly committed to achieving

and regenerative tourism in their fullest

suppliers to adhere to a ‘Code of

our sustainability vision. I feel honored to

sense. We will showcase these results in

Conduct’ that helps them operationalize

be leading this team and it is enjoyable to

transformative experiences that reimagine the

sustainability in their businesses?

work within such a highly knowledgeable

future of sustainable luxury - where our guests

RAB: At all stages of the developments,

and residents take care of themselves and the

we seek partners with an uncompromising

planet, safe in the knowledge that their stay

commitment to sustainability. All partnerships

is our leadership. From HRH Mohammed bin

with us is an investment in a sustainable future.

embarked upon must ensure that the

Salman, through to John Pagano, our CEO,

Our masterplans are being informed by the

and professional bunch of people.

What motivates me and encourages me daily,

pristine environment of our destinations,

for these projects, the sky is the limit. I am

largest marine spatial planning simulation

with their clear turquoise waters, white sand

so proud that I can bring something to the

ever undertaken, modelling the environmental

and abundance of coral reefs, will remain

table. People working for this initiative are not

impact of developing and operating the

immaculate. Sustainability commitments

joined in minds alone, but in their hearts.

destination. This includes protecting the

are of utmost importance when choosing

environment and the species that call it home,

the right supplier for one of our projects. A

as well as supporting the local communities

potential contractor must be willing to engage

living in close proximity to the destination.

at the same level of commitment we do.

We are committed to aligning the project with

Sustainability is non-negotiable, a deal-breaker

all 17 of the UN Sustainable Development

at any stage of the project. As of today, the

Goals. Tourism, properly harnessed, can and

project has surpassed significant milestones,

must serve the needs of the environment

with over 700 contracts signed to date, worth

THE RED SEA DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

if it is to be sustainable in the long term.

over SAR 19bn ($5.06bn). We want potential

facebook @TheRedSeaDevelopmentCompany

Technology can be a huge asset, monitoring

partners to think outside of the box but also

linkedin @The Red Sea Development Company

and thus protecting the environment.

share the same values as us. Be innovative,

twitter @theredseaSA

Knowledge gained and lessons learned will

pioneer new ways of doing things, and most of

Youtube @The Red Sea Development Company

be shared with the rest of the world, inspiring

all, believe they can be part of this opportunity

www.theredsea.sa/en

62

Giga Projects - AMAALA

I AM AMAALA I transform, I enrich and I inspire

PLAY VIDEO

O

UR PEOPLE ARE THE ESSENCE OF MOVING AMAALA FORWARD, GOING BEYOND A VISION AND A CONCEPT. OUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSET, OUR TEAM, IS WORKING IN HARMONY TO TRANSFORM A BEAUTIFUL DREAM

INTO A STUNNING REALITY. AT AMAALA, WE USE OUR DIVERSITY AS POWER, AND IT IS THIS STRENGTH THAT IS SOWING THE SEEDS FOR A DESTINATION UNDERPINNED BY AMAALA’S BRAND AND PILLARS (WELLNESS & SPORTS, SUSTAINABILITY, ARTS & CULTURE, AND SEA, SUN & LIFESTYLE). THE MINI-VIDEO SERIES, #IAMAMAALA, CONVEYS THE ATTRIBUTES AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE BELIEVERS WORKING TOGETHER TO DELIVER ON OUR PROMISE.

Giga Projects - AMAALA

SHURUQ ALGHAMDI

BASMA SENDI

Wellness Specialist

Governance Manager

I have always been passionate about the

One of the many reasons why I chose to

tourism sector but found a career difficult

work for AMAALA was the chance to be

to pursue as people around me voiced

part of a globally recognized giga-project

their beliefs that there was no future for

directly connected to Vision 2030. AMAALA

women in the Kingdom’s tourism sector.

focuses on wellness and natural experiences,

 SALEM BINRABBA SUSTAINABILITY SPECIALIST

which is something I am passionate about.

But then Vision 2030 and the giga-projects

I aim to pursue this passion by becoming a

were announced, changing the whole

governance specialist in these sectors.

perspective and allowing my dream to become a reality. I then pursued my master’s

AMAALA’s dramatic landscapes, pristine eco-

degree in Tourism, Hospitality and Events

systems, rich biodiversity and dedication to

Management at The University of Queensland,

protecting marine life inspired me to take

Australia, and immediately joined the Misk/

diving lessons. My urge to explore allowed

AMAALA Corporate Internship Program.

me to discover one of the few thriving coral reefs left in the world and one of the

AMAALA is a fully integrative family wellness

world’s largest barrier reef systems.

SALEM BINRABBA Sustainability Specialist

destination and it is where I found my passion for wellness tourism. I am now working with

Diving had a big impact on me as it enabled me

Given my background in architectural

experts in tourism, hospitality and above

to deal with work pressures and stress more

engineering, designing sustainable

all wellness. To support this new path of

effectively. It helps reduce my stress levels

projects was of interest to me and

mine, I enrolled in five courses specializing

and boost my creativity during work. It has

I was keen to explore further.

in spa management, knowing this would

contributed to building my trust, confidence

take me to the next level and help me deliver

and self-esteem. Diving in AMAALA provided

Knowing that this is a new sector in the

AMAALA as a global wellness destination.

me with the opportunity to discover the world

Kingdom and realizing the potential it has to set new standards in how sustainable

S HURUQ ALGHAMDI WELLNESS SPECIALIST

destinations are built, I decided to pursue my career in this field, especially given that sustainability plays a major role in shaping the Kingdom in its next phase.

At AMAALA, I was given the opportunity to pursue this passion and be part of developing an ultra-luxury regenerative tourism destination that implements international sustainable best practices in design, construction, and development.

B ASMA SENDI GOVERNANCE MANAGER

Gratefully today, after a year working for AMAALA, I am a MOSTADAM Accredited Professional, which is the equivalent to LEED in Saudi Arabia.

My goal is to have a role in introducing an innovative Saudi sustainable solution or model to the world. I hope to achieve this with AMAALA and become one of the top national sustainability experts and have my own distinct impact on helping the Kingdom achieve its Saudi Vision 2030.

63

64

Giga Projects - AMAALA

Working for AMAALA has opened my eyes to infinite creative possibilities SARA BIN SAEED

Interior Design Manager

S ARA BIN SAEED INTERIOR DESIGN MANAGER

N OURA KILABI HEALTH AND SAFETY PROJECT MANAGER

Giga Projects - AMAALA

You almost never get the chance to be part of an ultra-luxury sustainable destination that is inspired by wellness FAHAD ALMANSOURI Project Delivery Specialist

65

One of the many reasons why I chose to work for AMAALA was the chance to be part of a globally recognized gigaproject directly connected to Vision 2030 BASMA SENDI

Governance Manager

 F AHAD ALMANSOURI PROJECT DELIVERY SPECIALIST

SARA BIN SAEED

NOURA KILABI

project that contributes directly

Interior Design Manager

Health and Safety Project Manager

to delivering Vision 2030.

AMAALA was a dream for me as it is

I joined AMAALA because it is a source

not just any luxury destination. It

of Saudi pride and I wanted to be

Working at AMAALA has rapidly elevated

is a luxury sustainable destination

part of the team and people who

my skills and experience curve. It put

inspired by wellness; how often do

contribute to delivering Vision 2030. I

me on the right track and actualized

you get to see one of those? I would

didn’t want to just have a job; I wanted

my career path in the tourism, luxury

have to say the answer is never.

a job that will make a change.

real-estate and mixed-use development industry. You almost never get the chance

Working for AMAALA has opened my eyes

I now work with the project delivery’s

to be part of an ultra-luxury sustainable

to infinite creative possibilities, where

Health and Safety team at AMAALA, which

destination that is inspired by wellness.

you get inspired by wellness while using

makes me one of the few Saudi women

The combination itself is mind-blowing.

sustainable textile, fabrics, and materials.

working in this field. This was made

The level of professional and experienced

possible after I received my 30 Hour OSHA

It is my absolute pleasure to be

and completed numerous related courses.

part of the AMAALA team. My goal

people here at AMAALA has enriched my

is to deliver as many high-quality

knowledge and expanded my horizons.

My goal is to become the first female

masterplans inspired by wellness and

I learned how to use concepts like

Saudi national Project Manager

sustainability within the stipulated given

biophilia that guides the destination’s

and I know that with my drive and

timeframe, to continue contributing

natural design principles to bring the

determination, and guidance from

to our country’s development.

outside world in, whilst positively

my mentor, I will achieve this goal.

influencing guest wellbeing.

FAHAD ALMANSOURI I am excited to be part of the design

Project Delivery Specialist

AMAALA

team that is working towards achieving

I joined AMAALA because it was an

Instagram @amaala_sa

Vision 2030 and looking forward to when

opportunity to be part of a forward-

Linkedin @AMAALA

I will get to transfer my knowledge and

thinking project and deliver high

Twitter @AMAALA

learning to newcomers in this field.

substantial masterplans. This is

Youtube @AMAALA

not just a giga-project; this is a

www.amaala.com

66

Giga Projects - Neom

80 CLIMBERS JOIN THE FIRST EDITION OF NEOM’S ‘RISE 100’ CHALLENGE D

EVELOPING 100 SPORT AND TRADITIONAL ROCK-CLIMBING ROUTES ON THE SANDSTONE PILLARS OF JABAL HISMA, NEOM IS SET TO EMERGE AS THE LATEST WORLD-CLASS CLIMBING DESTINATION. CREATING A NEW HOME FOR ADVENTURE SPORTS IN THE ARABIAN PENINSULA, NEOM HOSTED OVER 80 CLIMBERS FROM SAUDI ARABIA AND THE REGION TO TRIAL THE NEW ROUTES AND DISCOVER THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF NEOM.

Jan Paterson, Managing Director of Sport

Harrington was also joined by fellow female

at NEOM, explained: “NEOM is a diverse

climber and pioneer, Yasmin Yousef Gahtani,

and expansive region with unlimited

the executive director of the Saudi Climbing

opportunities for adventure sport for

and Hiking Federation (SCHF) and the first

everyone. With the establishment of

Saudi-certified Climbing Wall Instructor.

these rock-climbing routes, we are more

Yasmin Yousef Gahtani, Managing Director

Rise 100 sets the stage for NEOM’s diverse adventure sport offerings rooted in its wider regenerative philosophy, educating adventure seekers beyond just the sport

dedicated than ever to creating an adventure

of the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation,

playground where people can become

said: “Rock climbing is a fast-growing sport

completely immersed in the incredible

in Saudi Arabia and the region, and we are

natural beauty of NEOM, while engaging in

happy to work with NEOM to develop this

activities that promote physical activity and

incredible new destination for both local and

wellbeing. We aim to be a fully adaptive and

international climbers. As a Saudi climber

completely sustainable adventure sports

who’s climbed across Europe and the US since

meters, with numerous climbing options for

environment for everyone. Rise 100 is an

2013, I am excited to be a part of this journey

all seasons. With its soft sand base and iconic

incredibly exciting kick-off for us, and we are

to create a new rock-climbing destination in

rock structures, this picturesque canyon is

so pleased that we are delivering this with

the Kingdom and share the wonders of my

especially appealing in the winter months.

the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation.”

own country with the rest of the world.”

The crag features desert sandstone that offers

The Hisma crag sits at an altitude of 1,000

unique features and phenomenal texture,

Participating at the pilot rock climbing event, renowned international climber Emily Harrington delivered an exclusive inspirational speech, while scaling several of the new Grade 8a routes

while catering to diverse climbing styles.

The pilot sport climbs in the Hisma crag were equipped in June 2021 by NEOM following the guidelines established by the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation. The area is being developed by a team, including project leader and author Read Macadam, as well as

The 100 world-class routes, range in difficulty

NEOM has prioritized sustainability in the

accomplished climbers and route developers

from French Grades 5 to 8a, and will attract

new climbing area, or ‘crag’, ensuring that care

Carlo Giuliberti, Piergiorgio Lotito and Alex

both beginners and experienced climbers alike,

for the local environment takes precedence

Ruscior. Once the trials are complete, it is

with multiple areas developed specifically

over development in the area. It has also

expected that the crag will be open to climbers

to support the training of new climbers and

involved local communities in the planning

from around the world towards the end of 2022.

discover the natural beauty of NEOM.

and maintenance of the crag. Both natural

NEOM has committed 95% of its land area for

Joining the line-up of participating global

and historical heritage of the surrounding

natural preservation and regeneration, and its

athletes was five-time US national champion

areas will be clearly marked, and visitors in

new climbing destinations are located within

climber, Emily Harrington, completing

the future will be asked to maintain strict

the NEOM Nature Reserve, which is dedicated

multiple routes over the three days,

adherence to guidelines for their preservation.

to the protection and restoration of nature to

including a grade 7b+ challenging route.

showcase the best of Arabian biodiversity.

Giga Projects - Neom

NEOM Facebook @neom

Twitter @NEOM

Instagram @discoverneom

Youtube @NEOM

Linkedin @discoverneom

www.neom.com

67

68

Giga Projects - Qiddiya

QIC ANNOUNCES SAR 3.75 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TO BUILD SIX FLAGS QIDDIYA

Giga Projects - Qiddiya

69

T

HE QIDDIYA INVESTMENT COMPANY (QIC) HAS ANNOUNCED THE AWARD OF A SAR 3.75 BILLION CONTRACT, TO BUILD SIX FLAGS QIDDIYA, TO BOUYGUES BÂTIMENT INTERNATIONAL (BBI) - A SUBSIDIARY OF BOUYGUES CONSTRUCTION - AND SAUDI ALMABANI GENERAL CONTRACTORS, IN A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE TWO CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES. The agreement was signed during a

the city of Riyadh. The theme park will

ceremony attended by officials from both

cover an area of 320,000m2 and will feature

companies at the Qiddiya Experience

28 rides and attractions of which 10 will

Center and was followed by a ground-

be thrill rides, with 18 rides designed

breaking inauguration to simultaneously

for families and young children.

mark the official start of construction.

As the Kingdom’s future capital of

Abdullah Aldawood, Board Member and Managing Director, Qiddiya Investment

Entertainment, Sports and the Arts, visitors to

Company, explained: “With this signing,

Qiddiya will enjoy a wide spectrum of offerings

we are embarking on major steps towards

that include Sports and Wellness; Nature and

building the Kingdom’s future destination

Environment; Parks and Attractions; Motion

for Entertainment, Sports and the Arts. We

and Mobility; and Arts and Culture. Situated

are pleased to collaborate with leading

on the outskirts of the Saudi capital, Qiddiya

construction companies, like Bouygues

is a destination city that is currently under

Bâtiment International, and we look forward to

development and, when open, will become a

building Six Flags Qiddiya together, delivering

disruptive destination that offers innovative

a world-class theme park with several exciting

experiences in entertainment, sports and arts.

new ride concepts. Six Flags Qiddiya will be

Six Flags Qiddiya will serve to be a key entertainment attraction for Qiddiya and

a key entertainment attraction for Riyadh, the Kingdom and the world at large.”

70

Giga Projects - Qiddiya

RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS All rides and attractions have been designed exclusively for Qiddiya and embody the rich cultural heritage of the location as well as Saudi Arabia. The theme park will be home

The central hub of the park will be the Citadel which will be covered by a billowing canopy form inspired by traditional Bedouin tents

to five signature rides that will break ten

lands: The City of Thrills, Discovery Springs,

The City of Thrills is the embodiment of

world records, including Falcons Flight, the

Steam Town, Twilight Gardens, Valley

Vision 2030: a forward-looking, boundary-

world’s tallest, fastest and longest coaster;

of Fortune and Grand Exposition.

pushing, future city anchored in Arabic

Sirocco Tower, the world’s tallest, free-

The central hub of the park will be the Citadel

design motifs. Here, visitors will find Six Flags

standing shot tower ride; Gyrospin, the

which will be covered by a billowing canopy

Qiddiya’s most recognizable and anticipated

world’s tallest pendulum ride; Spitfire, the

form inspired by traditional Bedouin tents.

thrill rides including the record-breaking

world’s tallest inverted top hat coaster; and

Home to a wide range of cafes and shops, the

Falcons Flight, inspired by the Kingdom’s

Iron Rattler, the world’s tallest tilt coaster.

venue will transform into an interactive show

iconic raptor and the Sirocco Tower.

The rides and attractions at the theme

space throughout the day. From here, visitors

park will be spread across six immersive

will find gateways to each of the themed lands.

Giga Projects - Qiddiya

71

designed for younger visitors and their families. This enchanted land’s key features include the Twilight Express Coaster, which takes passengers through a majestic garden, the Critter Chase, an interactive dark ride set in a 3D environment, and the Kaleidoscope hot air balloon ride.

Valley of Fortune is an exciting land of adventure that takes place amidst timeworn architectural ruins of old Arabian masonry, enlivened by the activity and trade of fortune seekers from around the world.

This land’s signature attraction is Spitfire, a triple-launch coaster, which will take guests into a sky roll before an acrobatic stall and a breathtaking dive back to the valley floor.

Other attractions include Skywatch, a hydraulic boom ride where riders are lifted into the sky, the auto-themed Treasure Trail, and the

All rides and attractions have been designed exclusively for Qiddiya

Canyon Charters, a family plane ride that swings and rotates freely above the park.

Grand Exposition is a celebration of innovation combining the nostalgia of traditional World Expos with the greatest feats of science and technology such as the Gyrospin Pendulum,

Discovery Springs is an aquatic wonderland of

which swings riders to record heights. It is

waterfalls, aqueducts and geysers as well as

also home to Six Flags’ classic and most loved

exotic plants and trees. This oasis offers visitors

coaster Colossus, a gravity-driven wood-

relief from the summer heat by creating the feel

steel hybrid coaster that stretches over an

of a dense rainforest in the middle of the desert.

800-meter track. The land also features the

It will be home to an interactive ride called the

Arabian Carousel, where Arabian horses march

Sea Stallion, where riders are propelled over

in a circular parade, the Expo Flyer swinging

rivers, behind waterfalls, and through trees

ride and the Roundabout featuring a bumper

along a custom-designed course, as they control

car attraction themed as London cabs.

the speed and acceleration of their vehicle.

Steam Town is themed around mechanical marvels and a collection of dynamic

Six Flags Qiddiya’s master plan has been carefully designed to ensure the guest experience is unparalleled and memorable.

contraptions. Its signature ride is the Iron Rattler Mine Train which features a hydraulic lift that releases passengers into a freefall plunge through a narrow, steam-filled mineshaft.

Other key attractions include the Steam Town Falls Water Coaster which combines a roller coaster track with a splashing boat ride, a spinning mechanical ride called the Bull Rider and a custom-themed climbing structure called the Treehouse Trek.

Twilight Gardens is an oversized landscape

QIDDIYA

of the imagination filled with colorful

Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube

flowers and friendly creatures, all exclusively

@qiddiya www.qiddiya.com

72

Giga Projects - ALUla

MYSTERIOUS ANCIENT TOMBS REVEAL 4,500-YEAROLD HIGHWAY NETWORK A

RCHAEOLOGISTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (UWA) HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN ANCIENT NORTH-WEST ARABIA BUILT LONG-DISTANCE ‘FUNERARY AVENUES’ – MAJOR PATHWAYS FLANKED BY THOUSANDS OF BURIAL MONUMENTS THAT LINKED OASES AND PASTURES – SUGGESTING A HIGH DEGREE OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONNECTION BETWEEN THE REGION’S POPULATIONS IN THE 3RD MILLENNIUM BCE.

Publication of the findings in the journal

inspired by the way our mission reflects

The new article is the UWA team’s

The Holocene caps a year of tremendous

their mindset: they lived in harmony with

fourth publication in less than a year

progress by the UWA team, working

nature, honoured their predecessors, and

in a peer-reviewed scientific journal

under the Royal Commission for AlUla

reached out to the wider world. The work

on research at AlUla and Khaybar:

(RCU), in shedding light on the lives of

done by our archaeological teams in 2021

 In August in the journal Arabian Archaeology

the ancient inhabitants of Arabia.

demonstrates that Saudi Arabia is a home

and Epigraphy the team dated the pendant-

for top-flight science – and we look forward

shaped tombs of the Khaybar Oasis to the

to hosting more research teams in 2022.”

3rd millennium BCE – the first published

The existence of the funerary avenues suggests that complex social horizons existed 4,500 years ago across a huge swathe of the

Dr Rebecca Foote, Director of Archaeology

radiocarbon evidence dating the tombs.

Arabian Peninsula. The finding adds to the

and Cultural Heritage Research for RCU,

This was also the first article in a peer-

steady progress by archaeologists working

said: “Projects that have been conducting

reviewed journal regarding the Bronze Age

under the auspices of RCU in understanding

fieldwork in AlUla and Khaybar for over three

in Khaybar. Archaeological exploration of

the hidden story of the ancient kingdoms

years, such as the UWA team, have started

and earlier societies of north Arabia.

publishing their results, and it is terrific to

The UWA team’s work is part of a wider

the mysteries of Khaybar is still in its infancy.  In April the team wrote in the journal

see how analyses of the data are elucidating

Antiquity that the monumental

effort that includes 13 archaeological

so many aspects of life from the Neolithic to

structures known as mustatils are

and conservation project teams from

the Bronze Age in north-west Arabia. These

much older than previously believed,

around the world collaborating with

articles are just the beginning of the many

dating as far back as 5,200 BCE, and

Saudi experts in AlUla and neighbouring

publications that will advance our knowledge

Khaybar counties in Saudi Arabia.

of prehistoric to modern times and have

Amr Al Madani, CEO of RCU, said: “The

significant implications for the wider region.”

appear to have had a ritual function.  In March the team reported in the Journal of Field Archaeology that they

more we learn about the ancient inhabitants

had discovered the remains of the oldest

of north-west Arabia, the more we are

known domesticated dog in Arabia.

Giga Projects - ALUla

73

THE UWA TEAM’S WORK IS PART OF A WIDER EFFORT THAT INCLUDES 13 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CONSERVATION PROJECT TEAMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD The UWA team’s latest research, with Dr Matthew Dalton as lead author, used satellite imagery analysis, aerial photography, ground survey and excavation to locate and analyse funerary avenues over an area of

They recorded more than 17,800 ‘pendant’ tombs in their primary study areas of AlUla and Khaybar counties

and abroad is deepening and nuancing The Journey Through Time narrative of the region and providing a foundation for the Kingdoms Institute, a world-class centre for archaeological and conservation research with a focus on

at least 160,000km2 in north-west Arabia.

working across AlUla and Khaybar shows

They recorded more than 17,800 ‘pendant’

how important the archaeology of this region

tombs in their primary study areas of AlUla

is for our understanding of the Neolithic

research organisation, will open its doors to

and Khaybar counties, of which around

and Bronze Age across the Middle East. Our

the public as a permanent physical presence

11,000 formed part of funerary avenues.

findings demonstrate that these structures

at AlUla by 2030. Its most prominent buildings

Whether on basalt plains or mountain

AlUla’s 200,000 years of human history.

This flagship institution, now active as a

linked various populated oases, situated

will be established at the red sandstone

passes, the densest concentrations of

across a vast area, and that the funerary

mountains opposite the archaeological site of

funerary structures on these avenues are

avenues were established around 4,500

Dadan, with design inspired by the Dadanite

located near permanent water sources. The

years ago. They are especially dense around

civilisation that prospered during the heyday

direction of the avenues suggests that many

Khaybar, which is one of the densest visible

of the incense trade in the 1st millennium BCE.

were used to travel between major oases,

funerary landscapes anywhere in the world.”

including those of Khaybar, AlUla and Tayma.

The RCU has embarked on a 15-year

José Ignacio Gallego Revilla, RCU’s Archaeology, Heritage Research and

Other avenues fade into the landscapes

masterplan, The Journey Through

Conservation Executive Director, said: “There is

surrounding oases, suggesting they were

Time, to regenerate AlUla and parts of

much more to come in 2022 and the years ahead

used to move herds of domestic animals into

Khaybar as a leading global destination

as we reveal the depth and breadth of the area’s

nearby pastures during periods of rain.

for cultural and natural heritage.

archaeological heritage, which for decades was

Dr Hugh Thomas, project director, said: “The research by the UWA team and our colleagues

The archaeological research in AlUla and Khaybar counties by teams from Saudi Arabia

underrepresented but which will finally have the showcase it deserves in the Kingdoms Institute.”

74

Podcasts

LISTEN UP: PODCAST CONSUMPTION IN SAUDI ARABIA 2021 THE FOLLOWING REPORT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY RISING GIANTS NETWORK, A PODCAST COMPANY DEDICATED TO ‘MOVING PODCASTS FORWARD’ IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND BEYOND. TO UNDERSTAND THE PLAYING FIELD IN SAUDI ARABIA, IT CONDUCTED A WIDE-RANGING STUDY, AND THE MOMENTUM IS CLEAR; PODCASTS ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH AND CONTINUE TO GROW WITH IMMENSE SPEED YEAR ON YEAR.

30% of survey respondents said

once a week or more, however, over half

to podcasts once a week or more,

that they listen to podcasts on daily

of both male and female podcast listeners

followed by those who live in the Eastern

basis, while 22% said they listen to

say their consumption has increased in

region and then those living in the

podcasts around three times a week.

2021 compared to 2020, showing that

Western region. Across the regions, the

there is no particular skew across genders.

increase in podcast consumption for

Overall, 67% of podcast listeners

Notably, just 17% of female consumers

podcast listeners this year compared

tune in at least once a week.

surveyed say they never listen to podcasts.

to last year remains similar (52%-56%), suggesting this is a truth across the

Demonstrating the increasing demand

Age Trends

for podcasts is that over half (54%) of

Consumers aged 25-34 are the most

podcast listeners surveyed say their

likely to listen to podcasts once a week

consumption has increased in 2021

or more (72%), closely followed by those

compared to 2020, compared to less than

aged 45-54 (71%). Similarly, podcast

Although Apple remains the biggest

a fifth (17%) who say it has decreased.

listeners aged 25-34 are the most likely

podcasting platform with over 80% of

Just over a quarter (26%) of podcast

to say their podcast consumption

podcast listeners getting their podcasts

listeners say their consumption has

has increased in 2021 compared to

from the platform, Anghami is up-and-

remained the same this year as last year.

2020. Given the age demographic,

coming in KSA and changing perceptions.

this could indicate popularity among

This could be due to Anghami’s investment

young working professionals.

in exclusive shows, namely the show

PODCAST PREFERENCES

whole of KSA, regardless of location.

CONSUMPTION PREFERENCES

they did with Arab pop sensation Elissa.

Gender Trends

Regional Trends

Male consumers are more likely than

Consumers who live in the Central

These come over platforms such as

female consumers to listen to podcasts

region are the most likely to listen

Google Podcasts, Castbox, Deezer,

Podcasts

75

76

Podcasts

Podeo and Audioboom. Furthermore,

content while 20% tune in due to the

most podcast listeners engage with

host and 17% due to interesting guests.

audio podcasts, over video who use video or both audio and video (35%).

Female podcast listeners are more likely than their male counterparts to say the

A higher percentage of those who

main language of their favourite podcast

consume podcasts via audio than

is in Arabic (85% versus 70%), albeit both

those who use video say their ideal

genders are more likely to say Arabic than

length would be 20 minutes or less.

English. Female podcast listeners are

Furthermore, for those that actively listen

most likely to listen to a podcast while

to podcasts, the average ideal length

doing housework or chores (51%) while

of a podcast episode is 27 minutes.

male podcast listeners are most likely to listen to a podcast while driving (41%).

Gender Trends Female podcast listeners are more

Age Trends

likely than male podcast listeners to use

Podcast listeners aged 25-34 are the most

Anghami, while male podcast listeners

likely to say the main language of their

are more likely than female podcast

favourite podcast is Arabic, followed by

listeners to use Spotify. When it comes

35-44-year-olds and 16-24-year-olds.

to format, male podcast listeners are

Podcast listeners aged 25-34 and 16-24

more likely than female podcast listeners

are most likely to listen to a podcast

to consume their podcasts via video.

while doing housework or chores while podcast listeners aged 35-44 are most

Age Trends

likely to listen to a podcast while driving.

It’s worth noting here, that 25–34-year-olds are the age group consuming the most

Regional Trends

podcasts and the most frequently. Younger

Podcast listeners in the Western region are

audiences (16–24) are more likely to

the most likely to say the main language of

respond to video formats of the podcasts.

their favourite podcast is Arabic, followed by the Central region and then the Eastern

Language Preferences and

region. Podcast listeners who live in the

Listening Habits

Central or Western regions are more

Podcast listeners surveyed overwhelmingly

likely to say they listen to podcasts while

say that the main language of their

driving than those in the Eastern region.

favourite podcast is Arabic. For context, a fifth say the main language of their

PERSONAL PREFERENCES

favourite podcast is English.

For podcast listeners, entertainment, Exploring when podcasts are

with all of its subgenres, came in the

listened to, the top times podcast

lead in terms of preferred content,

listeners tend to tune in are:

followed by art, sports, religion, news,



41% while doing housework/chores

wellbeing, current affairs, education,



36% while driving

comedy and finally technology.



31% on the way to work



28% getting ready in the morning

54% of podcast listeners said they preferred narrative-driven shows, 31%

59% of podcast listeners tune into

of which preferred a storytelling format,

the show for the theme or the topics

and 23% enjoyed documentary

covered in the podcast, showing that

series. About 39% enjoyed

people are more attracted to valuable

conversations and interviews.

Podcasts

77

The main thing that attracts podcast

Regional Trends

listeners to a podcast is the specific

The most favoured genre is entertainment

episode topic, followed by the overall

across all three regions, however, looking

theme/genre of the series, the hosts and

at the second most favoured genre, these

the guests. When considering this data

differ. For example, for podcast listeners

point alongside the fact that entertainment

who live in the Central region, the second

(a broad genre) is the favourite genre, it

most favoured genre is religion, whereas

could suggest that podcast listeners look

for the Eastern region it’s sports and

more specifically for episodes they want to

for the Western region it’s art. While

listen to, over loyalty to particular hosts.

podcast listeners across the three regions agree that the specific episode topic is

Gender Trends

what attracted them most to a podcast,

Male podcast listeners equally favour

respondents living in the Central region

entertainment and sports genres the

are most likely than those in the Western

most, whereas female podcast listeners

and Eastern regions to say the hosts are

favour self-help, mental health and

what most attracts them to a podcast.

wellbeing as well as entertainment.

While female podcast listeners selected

Conclusion

storytelling as their favourite format, male

Some overall trends do not differ much

podcast listeners selected documentary

when exploring demographics – such as

series formats as their favourite.

length preference (around 26 minutes), language preference (Arabic), and genre

Age Trends

preference (entertainment). However,

For podcast listeners aged 16-24, the

there are some variables that the research

top three most favoured genres are

has shown across the demographics,

entertainment, art and true crime. For

which should be considered for successful

podcast listeners aged 25-34, while the

audience targeting. For example, the

most favoured is also entertainment, the

youngest generation preferring video

second favourite is news and the third

formats and Spotify as a platform, as

is current affairs. Bucking the trend, the

well as differences between male and

most favoured genre for podcast listeners

female consumers when it comes to

aged 35-44 is art, and this is followed by

when they listen. Overall, what’s clear

sports and then entertainment. While

from the research is the continued and

all age groups of podcast listeners say

growing popularity of podcasts in KSA.

that the specific episode topic is what attracted them most to a podcast, respondents aged 25-34 and 35-44 are more likely than those aged 16-24 to say the overall theme/genre of the series most attracts them to a podcast.

Report and data provided by Rising Giants Network

CONSTRUCTION 78

CRUX Report HKA

ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION

OPERATING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES A REGIONAL ANALYSIS OF CLAIMS AND DISPUTE CAUSATION

2021

CRUX Report HKA

REBOUNDING CONSTRUCTION RISKS RISING TOLL OF LOST TIME AND CASH CRUX INSIGHT 2021 WARNS OF LONG COVID LEGACY OF CLAIMS AND DISPUTES

79

The construction and engineering industry may also learn from other changes in ways of working – often involving closer collaboration – to be more agile and productive in future.

UNCERTAIN TIMES

The astounding scale of cash and time lost on

CAUSES & COVID EFFECTS

Ominously, however, COVID has compounded

construction and engineering projects around

These hugely damaging impacts arise from a

underlying industry weaknesses, intensifying

the globe is revealed in a new analysis of claims

web of underlying causes that is recurrent and

the risk of claims and disputes as the industry is

and disputes, which heralds a long COVID

global. The most dominant drivers of claims

rebounding and governments across the world

legacy of heightened uncertainty and risks for

and disputes are: changes in scope, conflicting

press ahead with ambitious infrastructure and

capital projects.

interpretation of contracts, design failures, and

development plans.

mismanagement of subcontractors.

CRUX Insight 2021 distils real-world intelligence

The fourth annual CRUX Insight – themed

on more than 1,400 projects across 94 countries

CRUX Insight 2021 also explores the market

Operating in Uncertain Times – reports how

to show how they faced overruns approaching

and cultural factors in different regions

skills shortages, supply chain disruption, cost

half their capital value and three quarters of

determining their patterns of causation.

inflation, increased market volatility, and the

their scheduled programmes.

These has been distorted by COVID-19 as

climate crisis are impinging on projects and

the pandemic restricted access to sites and

increasing the potential for conflict in the

Consultants at HKA – the leading global

labour, constricted cashflow, and exposed

claims and disputes environment.

specialist in consulting, expert and advisory

the limitations of contract provisions on force

services – investigated these claims and

majeure and changes in law. By August 21 – the

Skills: More than one in three projects

disputes first-hand. The fourth annual CRUX

CRUX data cut-off – only one in six projects

(35.6%) were hindered by gaps in the skills

report combines a regional analysis of this

(16%), begun since the pandemic, generated

and experience of their management and

unique empirical knowledge bank with insights

COVID-related claims, though many more are in

delivery teams, and associated deficiencies in

from industry-leading consultants in the field,

the pipeline.

workmanship. These shortcomings inflated

who also propose actionable measures to secure better project outcomes.

CRUX 2021 FACTS AND FINDINGS

the costs claimed on 499 projects, to $95 Benign effects are revealed too. Enhanced

million on average – 47.8% of planned outturn

levels of reporting have helped curb spurious

expenditure.

claims and deficient workmanship in some areas. Advanced technologies such as drones

Headline statistics from this year’s report include:  1,401 projects analysed  $2 trillion – combined capital expenditure  $73 billion – total value of claims  $100 million – the average disputed costs per project  46.3% – the value of claims as a proportion of planned cost  17 months – the average time extension claimed  71.4% – the typical prolongation for programmes  750 years – the cumulative overruns faced by all projects

and digital modelling gained new advocates.

80

CRUX Report HKA

Supplies: Late delivery of materials and equipment impacted one in nine projects (11.3%), and proportionally more in Africa, the Middle East and the Americas (even before the report’s August 2021 cut-off). Sharp hikes in prices and delivery lags now being reported across all regions are eroding margins and budgets, with increased risk of time and cost overruns.

Climate: A tenth of projects too (10.3%) were blown off course by exceptionally adverse weather. But that proportion varies both by region – rising to 12.3% in Oceania, and 15.8% in the Americas – and by sector: 17.6% for resource extraction projects globally. Like the other global uncertainties, the climate emergency requires recalibration of capital project delivery risks.

“Capital projects are haemorrhaging billions of dollars each year to recurrent, predictable and often avoidable claims and disputes,” said Renny Borhan, CEO of HKA. “CRUX Insight 2021 not only diagnoses these failings and quantifies the impacts, but also identifies corrective actions to stem these losses.

“The stakes are rising for all involved in delivering capital projects as global pressures increase in parallel with construction activity. Individually and collectively, project stakeholders and the industry can learn lessons from CRUX Insight to operate more effectively amid this heightened uncertainty and deliver better project outcomes. I encourage them to make good use of our analysis and insight along with the CRUX Interactive Dashboard.”

Americas: The push to design and build is

resolution mechanisms, but there is a cost-

having unintended consequences. A more

effective alternative for avoiding escalation.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS AND ACTION

proactive approach to risk assessment and

CRUX Insight 2021 maps out the most pressing

allocation, with checks on design progress

Europe: Claimed costs, averaging 58.3% of

challenges in each region and practical

and constructability and designer price

project values, are the highest of all regions.

measures to address them.

adjustments, can limit scope creep and design

Design errors have overtaken change in scope

clashes.

atop the region’s causation ranking. More of

Africa: A maturing of the claims culture is

these conflicts are being defused by earlier

overdue. Adopting best-practice protocols for

Asia: At every stage of the project lifecycle,

recourse to independent technical expertise.

delay and disruption and forensic schedule

risk registers rarely used in the region can

Well-defined handling processes would also

analysis is a priority, alongside upskilling of

mitigate impacts that are not being anticipated.

facilitate earlier settlement.

employers’ and contractors’ teams.

The culture is also resistant to formal dispute

CRUX Report HKA

ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION

OPERATING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES A REGIONAL ANALYSIS OF CLAIMS AND DISPUTE CAUSATION

2021

Middle East: Projects face the longest time

The latter’s unprecedented A$110 billion

overruns, equivalent to an average 84.7% of

pipeline demands a paradigm shift, involving

schedules. Early contractor involvement – in

collaborative working and an integrated

design development, aligned with robust

infrastructure strategy, to deal with the looming

scheduling, and employer stress-tests of

challenges in contracting capacity, skills and

buildability – can pave the way for more

the supply chain.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT:

 DOWNLOAD HERE

systemic change and investment in people and project governance.

HKA  hkasaudi@hka.com

Oceania: Booming construction is stressing the

facebook @HKAGlobal

projects ecosystem of the two major economies

linkedin @ hka-global

– New Zealand and Australia.

twitter @ HKAGlobal www.hka.com

81

Work Panda

82

WORKPANDA SETS EYES ON SAUDI ARABIA HIRING SPREE WORKPANDA, A LEADING CONSTRUCTION HEADHUNTING FIRM, SEEKS TO SUPPORT THE KINGDOM’S PUBLIC DEVELOPERS, INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY FIRMS AND LOCAL CONTRACTING COMPANIES IN SOURCING WORLDLEADING TALENT.

T

he Dubai-based recruitment firm

on expats to fill such skills gaps. Furthermore,

(58%), followed by ‘contracts ending’ and ‘lack

specializes in technical roles across

there is a mismatch between the outputs of

of career opportunities’ (both 10%); ‘insufficient

construction, design, and engineering. It offers

higher education and the requirements of

pay/rewards’ (8%); and ‘lack of job security’

clients and candidates alike a more insightful,

the job market, said 82% of respondents.

(3%). Other reasons were cited by 13% of survey

When it comes to the nationalities of

participants. Additional comments highlighted

knowledgeable, and mature approach to their niche chosen sectors. WorkPanda’s

expatriate talent, 68% of employers said they

founding team are former technical delivery

recruited most of their staff from India; 49%

professionals, which gives it an unparalleled

from the UK/Europe; 34% from Pakistan;

(and attract) staff include reward and

advantage over its regional competitors.

32% from the US; 29% from Egypt; 20% from

recognition schemes, cultural and wellbeing

A spokesman for WorkPanda said: “Our

Jordan; 17% from the Philippines; 12% from

programs (some involving flexible working)

Australasia; and the same from Turkey.

and positive use of social media.

team have over 10 years’ experience on the front line delivering complex construction

Sudan, 7% from Bangladesh, 5% from Sri

positions at Saudi development companies

Lanka, and the same number from both

and international consultancies and have

Syria and Palestine. A total of 2% of recruits

been involved in building and scaling project

came from Yemen and the same number

teams. We understand first-hand what it

from Indonesia, while 12% of employers

takes to resource projects in the region

mostly recruited from other countries.

Unsurprisingly, given the strong emphasis on Saudization in government policy and

BENEFITS MENTIONED THAT HELP RETAIN STAFF INCLUDE REWARD AND RECOGNITION SCHEMES According to a recent study, over half of Saudi employers (53%) struggle to recruit and retain

Benefits mentioned that help retain

In addition, 10% were recruited from the

projects across the region. We’ve held senior

– this gives us first move advantage.”

‘high competition’ as a contributory factor.

related incentives and penalties, 81% of

WorkPanda is aligned to Vision 2030 and is committed to developing the national workforce. If you’re interested in a new role or looking for a niche recruitment firm to support your hiring efforts, please contact hiring@workpanda.io or visit www.workpanda.io

respondents would like to increase the number of nationals employed in their business.

OVER HALF OF SAUDI EMPLOYERS (53%) STRUGGLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN STAFF

staff. Technical and job-specific skills were the

WORKPANDA  hiring@workpanda.io facebook instagram twitter @WorkPandaHQ Linkedin youtube

hardest to find (65%), followed by leadership

WHY DO PEOPLE CURRENTLY LEAVE JOBS?

skills (62%). 80% of businesses recruit a mixture

The most common reason for staff to leave

of national and expatriate workers, often relying

their jobs is that they are ‘moving elsewhere’

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