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Visit ramboll.com/Lets-close-the-gap/ #LetsCloseTheGap Learn moreCONTENTS APRIL 2024 • ISSUE 810 8 22 12 8 STAT OF THE MONTH Bahrain’s golden license attracts $2.4 billion in invesment 12 DAY IN THE LIFE OF Sankari Properties’ CEO Mark Phoenix share insights into his daily morning routine, wellness practices, and effective work strategies 30 KINGDOM BUILDERS Shedding light on the largest, most in uential construction companies in Saudi Arabia 60 EVENTS Sustainability, ef ciency, and safety emerged as key themes at the CW Technology Summit 2024 APRIL 2024 3 3060 COVER Omnium Resolve’s Director Daniel Hughes and Branch Director Philip Cronin on how the dispute resolution arm of Omnium International is shifting the focus from reactive solutions to preventative strategies 4 APRIL 2024 After wrapping up the 2023 event line-up, Construction Week Middle East is gearing up for more exciting events in 2024. As we step into the fi rst quarter, we are excited to host industry leading events once again. These include the Leaders in Construction Conference series across the UAE and KSA, as well as Infrastructure Summits and Annual Awards. EVENTS CALENDAR For more information on conferences, contact Priyadarshini Rampuria, Conference Producer (priyadarshini.r@itp.com). For all award-related inquiries, contact Dmitry Lazarenko, Marketing and Events Manager (dmitry.lazarenko@itp.com). If you would like to be one of our partners and take advantage of our sponsorship opportunities, contact Anup Nagpurkar, Group Commercial Director (anup.nagpurkar@itp.com) or Moutaz Gadelhak, Commercial Director (moutaz.gadelhak@itp.com). *Dates are subject to change at the editorial team’s discretion* CONFERENCECONFERENCE AWARDSAWARDS SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER JUNE NOVEMBER Leaders in Construction KSA Summit Leaders in Construction UAE Summit Construction Week KSA Awards Construction Week Middle East Awards EVENTS 2024 CALENDARAPRIL 2024 5 | EDITOR’S LETTER | THE CONSTRUCTION CRUSADERS Julianne Tolentino Digital Editor Looking at the Middle East’s construction industry from an editorial lens made me realise many things. For one, change is imminent, but more so that this is the promising stance of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as it assertively places itself at the very centre of that change. With only six years left to 2030, Saudi Arabia is creating waves faster and bigger than the industry can surf. Economic diversi cation is a priority and with this comes a particular focus on ourishing its tourism industry. That being said, it is no secret that the kingdom’s best players lie in the construction space, and without its homegrown contractors, gigaprojects such as NEOM, Diriyah, ROSHN, and The Red Sea Project would still be stuck in its initial phases. To commemorate the tireless work being done by these Saudi-based contractors, we’ve put together the fourth edition of the Top 30 KSA Construction Firms (pg 32), a ranked list that aims to shed light on the largest and most in uential rms in the kingdom. On this note, our cover story this month (pg 22) features a topic that is frequently being spoken about with regard to the kingdom’s gigaprojects; how can deadlines be met and how can project disputes be avoided? Told from Omnium International’s dispute resolution arm, Omnium Resolve, the company details the importance of shifting dispute resolution from being reactive to proactive, ensuring that projects not only stay on track but also embody the collaborative spirit fundamental to the industry’s success. Flipping through the pages, you will also come across exclusive interviews with Ariston Group (pg 18) as well as thought leadership pieces from JLL MENA (pg 28), TBH (pg 48), and Ankura (pg 46). As we enter the second quarter of the year, the unfolding growth trajectory of the Middle East in 2024 is becoming more and more apparent, and we look forward to sharing more insights and stories with you. Signing off! PO Box 500024, Dubai, United Arab Emirates TEL +971 4 444 3000 WEB: WWW.ITP.COM Offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, London, Mumbai, Riyadh & Geneva ITP MEDIA GROUP CEO Ali Akawi Managing Director Alex Reeve EDITORIAL Group Editor Kate-Lynne Wolmarans +971 4 444 3541; kate.wolmarans@itp.com Digital Editor Julianne Tolentino +971 4 444 3855; julianne.tolentino@itp.com Commercial Editor Angitha Pradeep +971 4 444 3278; angitha.pradeep@itp.com Deputy Editor Muhammed Alharari +966 11 512 2570; muhammed.alharari@itp.com Digital Reporter Mahnoor Bari +971 4 444 3238; mahnoor.bari@itp.com ART Art Director Amjad Ayche amjad.ayche@itp.com Art Editor Tofiq Memon tofiq.memon@itp.com Contributing Designer Muhammed Nahas ADVERTISING Group Commercial Director Anup Nagpurkar +971 4 444 3573; anup.nagpurkar@itp.com Commercial Director Moutaz Gadelhak +971 4 444 3177; moutaz.gadelhak@itp.com Senior Commercial Manager Robert Cole +971 4 444 3417; robert.cole@itp.com Senior Sales Manager Ahmad Amer +966 11 512 2570; ahmad.amer@itp.com PHOTOGRAPHY Videographer Muhammad Kaleem Senior Video Editor Liju Cheruvathur Social Media & Production Manager Andy Ruedas PRODUCTION Production Manager Denny Kollannoor Production Coordinator Mahendra Pawar Senior Image Editor Emmalyn Robles DISTRIBUTION Circulation Executive Rajesh Pillai Distribution Coordinator Avinash Pereira ITP GROUP CEO Ali Akawi CFO Toby Jay Spencer-Davies Website www.constructionweekonline.com NOTICE: The publishers regret that they cannot accept liability for errors or omissions contained in this publication, however caused. 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Scan to learn more and register for our events!“[3D-printing] empowers architects to explore intricate designs while maintaining structural integrity” 6 APRIL 2024 | QUOTE OF THE MONTH | “THE FREEDOM AND EFFICIENCY OF DESIGN OFFERED BY 3D PRINTING ARE UNPARALLELED” As Dubai’s 3D Printing Strategy 2030 is in full swing, the construction side of the campaign—to ensure that 25% of the emirate’s buildings are based on 3D printing technology by 2030—is taking shape too. 3DXB Group, a UAE-based innovator in 3D printing solutions, clinched the Guinness World Record in January for constructing the world’s largest 3D-printed villa. The four-metre-high private home, situated in Dubai’s Al Awir 1 neighbourhood, has a built-up area of 303 square metres and is a taste of what’s possible with the technology. The house was built in a single session in record time: 190 hours—or around 20 days—using locally sourced concrete. Dubai Municipality and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment oversaw regulatory compliance of building materials and processes. In an interview with Construction Week Middle East, 3DXB’s Chairman Badar Rashid AlBlooshi shared insights into the key technological innovations used in the 3D printing process for the villa. At the core of this achievement is the MaxiPrinter, a mobile compact robotic arm-type printer designed for on-site construction. Its rapid deployment and single-operator functionality signifi cantly reduces setup time and labour costs. An accompanying automated pumping system and silo continuously supply the concrete mixture. This printer can be transported to the construction site and is ready for operation upon arrival. Installation takes a mere 15 minutes and requires only one person to operate; both are aspects that reduce setup time, logistical complexity, and labour costs while streamlining the construction process. “This setup eliminates the need for frequent material replenishment, ensuring a continuous and effi cient supply of the concrete mixture used in the printing process,” says AlBlooshi. Layer-by-layer construction via 3D printing also does away with traditional methods such as formwork and scaff olding in favour of digitally guided layering. “This approach drastically reduces both time and resource expenditure. [It] enables the realisation of complex geometries, empowering Architects to explore intricate designs while maintaining structural integrity,” AlBlooshi explains. “Material optimisation further enhances effi ciency, as 3D printing deposits concrete precisely where needed, minimising waste—a notable departure from the excesses of traditional construction.” 3DXB’s Badar Rashid AlBlooshi shares insights on the printing process of the world’s largest 3D-printed villa in Dubai The MaxiPrinter is a compact robotic arm-type printer designed for on-site construction16 - 18 April 2024 Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai, UAE Scan me to register Critical & Back-up Power Energy Consumption & Management Smart SolutionsRenewable & Clean Energy Transmission & Distribution Product Sectors at Middle East Energy 2024NUMBER OF MAJOR INVESTMENTS 9 BAHRAIN’S ECONOMIC SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION DATA NON-OIL FINANCIAL SERVICES NUMBER OF JOBS TO BE CREATED 3,000 83.6% 18.1% NOMINAL GDP IN 2022 $44.4BN AVG ANNUAL GDP GROWTH RATE 8% 8 APRIL 2024 | STAT OF THE MONTH | BAHRAIN’S GOLDEN LICENSE ATTRACTS $2.4BN IN INVESTMENT Following its commitment to fostering economic growth and attracting impactful businesses, Bahrain has reported a signifi cant infl ux of investment totalling $2.4 billion from nine major projects. These initiatives, spurred by the introduction of the Golden License in April 2023, are expected to generate over 3,000 job opportunities in the island nation. The Golden License initiative, designed to provide premium treatment and priority access to key project milestones such as land allocation, underscores Bahrain’s reputation as a prime destination for business investment across various industries. By off ering streamlined processes and attractive incentives, Bahrain aims to sustain its positive economic trajectory and further enhance its competitiveness on the global stage. Central to Bahrain’s economic strategy is its ongoing commitment to digital transformation and sectoral development. With a highly-skilled, bilingual, and future-ready workforce, supported by government-backed training initiatives, the country continues to secure success stories across diverse economic sectors. Bahrain’s impressive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock relative to GDP, exceeding the global average at over 81%, refl ects the trust that international investors place in its competitive value proposition. This solidifi es the country’s strategic economic signifi cance within the region and underscores its reputation as a preferred destination for foreign investment. These ambitious projects represent signifi cant milestones in Bahrain’s journey towards sustainable economic development, highlighting the nation’s resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to fostering a dynamic business environment. The latest investments span across diversi ed sectors, namely nancial services, manufacturing, ICT, and tourismJoin the global leader: difc.ae/make-enquiry Join the #1 financial centre to access more wealth When you join the number one global financial centre in the region, you can access the highest concentration of wealth in any Middle Eastern city. Nearly 70,000 millionaires live in Dubai. USD 3trn of private wealth is within an hour’s flight and USD 8trn available across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. No wonder more than 340 hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, private banking and asset management firms have chosen DIFC, the leading global financial centre in Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, as a catalyst for growth.Next >