Neom has announced the formal operational opening of Neom Media Village and Bajdah Desert Studios, which together make up Saudi Arabia’s largest sound stages and film production support facilities.

In a statement, Neom said the Media Village currently features one 2,400sqm soundstage, complete with back-of-house facilities such as make-up rooms, green rooms and production offices. There are three further stages under construction, it added.

The facilities are said to have supported approximately 25 productions over the last 18 months and have been built to accommodate the immediate and growing demand from regional and international producers for quality TV and film facilities.

In June 2022, Neom awarded the contract for one of the largest transportation and utility infrastructure projects in the world.

The first three sound stages across the two locations are already operational. A further seven, including a high-tech volumetric production stage, are set to open by Q1 2023, it added.

“Clearly production incentives play a vital role in terms of attracting productions but are best leveraged when the entire package is in place: infrastructure, on-the-ground international production expertise, crew depth and ease of doing business,” remarked Wayne Borg, Managing Director for Media Industries, Entertainment and Culture at Neom.

The Bajdah Desert Studios feature two 3,000sqm sound stages, with a further four scheduled to come online by the end of 2022. All the studios will have world-class production facilities including set production offices, construction warehouses, prop shops, wardrobe, and SFX facilities. There will also be backlot space available to accommodate complex set builds.

Late in June 2022, Keller said that it had secured a major piling contract for The Line in Neom.

Film and ancillary equipment including cameras; grip and lighting; shotover; heavy-lift drones, telehandlers, boom lifts, scissor lifts and trackway are available on both sites, while a total of 350 dedicated accommodation units for cast and crew, supported by lifestyle facilities, will be available, the statement noted.

“Neom is now in the position to offer this competitive package. This is an important milestone in realising our aim of becoming the epicentre of the regional media industry,” Borg added.

In July 2022, His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Neom Board of Directors unveiled images of The Line.

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Delegates at this week’s Fleet and Mobility Summit will get the chance to go up against each other in a test of their driving skills on an AI Driving Hub simulator, and have their trials posted on social media, the editorial team at Truck & Fleet Middle East magazine have confirmed. The event is scheduled to take place on 21 September at the Radisson Red hotel in Dubai Silicon Oasis.

During a special session, The Fleet and Mobility Summit will look at how Continental, AV Living Lab and Location Solutions are using state-of-the-art technology to improve road safety through assessment of driver behaviour via the AI Driving Hub, a creation by AV Living Lab and Location Solutions. Registration is complementary but mandatory for industry professionals.

Delegates will be able to find out for themselves how the AI Driving Hub uses artificial intelligence to analyse incidents linked to tyre failure and keep road users safe and ensure accidents are avoided on the road. Read more about the 2022 Fleet & Mobility Summit on its dedicated website.

The AI Driving Hub will be moved to a special exhibition at the Museum of the Future in Dubai after its appearance at the summit.

“It is exciting to offer professionals a chance to sample a potential game changer to their businesses before it goes out to the public. Advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are already finding practical uses in the automotive industry but we are only at the beginning of a revolution which will see technology reshape the way that vehicles are being designed and used,” said Truck and Fleet Middle East’s Head of Content Stephen White.

The Fleet and Mobility Summit will asses the readiness in the market for new forms of mobility and smart infrastructure. Sessions will also look at the viability of electric vehicles and other alternatives in the market, as well as how digitalisation is the changing fleet and automotive businesses. Read about the event’s full agenda here.

It was also confirmed last week that Anton Bawab, Head of Operations, The Red Sea Development Company will be interviewed on-stage, in a special look at the challenges of delivering fully sustainable transportation and logistics for a resort project the size of Belgium. Bawab joins a line-up of stakeholders at the Dubai event from across the mobility sector and at the forefront of the automotive and logistics industries.

The Fleet & Mobility Summit is sponsored by Gold Sponsor: Continental; Transport Partner: UD Trucks; Technology Partner: IntelliSoft; Support Partner: TotalEnergies and Support Partner: NAZ Industries.

Read more about the 2022 Fleet & Mobility Summit on its dedicated website.

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Big Project Middle East will hold its first summit outside the UAE on 23 November 2022, with the Construction Intel Summit – KSA. The landmark event, which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia highlights the importance of the Kingdom in the regional construction landscape.

Initially launched as a virtual event in 2021, the Construction Intel Summit – KSA will offer attendees an in-depth look at the challenges and realities facing the country during an unprecedented period of growth and development.

Focusing on the construction, real estate, infrastructure and energy sectors, the Construction Intel Summit – KSA will bring together leading experts, decision-makers and innovators from the contracting, consultancy, developer, and government segments of those industries. Registration is complementary but mandatory for construction professionals wishing to attend.

In September 2022, Knight Frank estimated over $1.1tn in real estate and infrastructure projects are currently underway in Saudi Arabia.

The day-long event will comprise panel discussions, presentations and will offer delegates in-person networking with regional movers and shakers. The event will focus on four key themes:

• Visionary Designs: Design considerations and procurement strategies to achieve Vision 2030
• Project Interfaces: Integrating multiple contract packages and sequencing workflows on the Kingdom’s gigaprojects
• Energy Transition: Providing direction and unification while driving Saudi Arabia’s Energy Transition process
• Enabling Saudisation: Providing pathways of growth and development to Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning talent pool of Saudi construction professionals

Following on from two successful virtual events, the Big Project ME editorial team felt that the time was right to launch a live, in-person event at the heart of the Kingdom, especially given the massive surge in construction activity within the country over the last few years, the team noted.

“Saudi Arabia is a magnet for the regional construction industry, with every major consultant and contractor eyeing a piece of the pie in the Kingdom. However, there also exists a robust and self-sufficient construction sector within the country, so competition for work is going to be fierce and sustained. Furthermore, there is going to be a serious demand for resources and labour – the question about whether the Kingdom’s supply chain can cope with the demands being placed upon it by the many gigaprojects is one that needs to be answered,” said Gavin Davids, Head of Editorial and Content at Big Project Middle East.

He added, “The Construction Intel Summit – KSA is an opportunity for industry professionals to hear from experts about how these concerns are being addressed, and how the sector needs to adapt and challenge itself to overcome these obstacles. Work is already well underway on a number of large-scale, iconic projects – but we need to be mindful of the impact these projects will have and what the rapid transition that is taking place will have on Saudi Arabia’s people, culture and environment.”

Speaking at the first Construction Intel Summit – KSA, which was held in June 2021, Sachin Kerur, Head of Middle East Region at Reed Smith, said at the time that Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 would be a driving force for the diversification of the Kingdom’s economy, as well as it’s transition from traditional energy sources and towards renewable energy.

“Given KSA’s plan to build several gigaprojects and new cities, there is a huge opportunity to ramp up the renewables sector in the region and implement some new and innovative approaches to energy production,” he commented.

In September 2022, Saudi officials said the country would build iron and steel projects worth $9.31bn.

“There needs to be a number of economic and commercial incentives for energy producers and consumers that will create a macro-level shift. However, there needs to be buy in from the people on a granular level. We need to change behaviours around energy consumption and savings. Forums such as the Construction Intel Summit are crucial to stoking the hydrogen-fuelled fire when it comes to maintaining the momentum around renewable energy and working through the challenges which KSA may face in the future,” he continued.

Registration is free for construction professionals wishing to attend. Industry professionals interested in attending or participating in the event can visit: https://2022.constructionintelsummit.com for more information and to stay up to date with the latest announcements and developments with regards to the Summit.

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ATAA Real Estate Investment Company W.L.L. has appointed CBRE to exclusively manage and lease its new 11,000sqm ‘Once Mall’ in Bahrain. Developed by Haj Gulf, the retail development is located on Shaikh Salman Highway in Isa Town’s educational area to serve the local area.

The mall is expected to feature international retail and F&B brands and aims to offer unique concepts to attract visitors from other areas. The four-storey shopping centre offers a range of units and zoning for retail, F&B, offices, and entertainment, the statement from CBRE noted.

“I’m pleased to announce our official appointment of CBRE as the property managers of our prime development – Once Mall. Through our pursuit of innovation and application of creativity throughout the design, we have established a new meaning to commercial letting, which will in turn augment the surrounding context of the educational area’s aesthetics,” says Abdulrahman Alrayyes, Associate Director at ATAA Real Estate Investment Company W.L.L.

In August 2022, CBRE advised Aldar Properties on a $221mn RAK hospitality deal and, later in the month, the firm said that Bahrain’s real estate transaction volumes were on a positive trajectory.

The property is said to boast an architecturally pleasing design, with a quality look and feel. There are ample parking spaces and access from the main road is straightforward. With construction in full swing, completion is scheduled for Q4 2022.

CBRE has been exclusively appointed to provide property management and leasing services throughout the pre-leasing campaign and once operational, the company said.

Richard Botham, Senior Director & General Manager at CBRE Bahrain concluded, “We are delighted to have signed an agreement with ATAA Real Estate to manage and lease Once Mall in Isa Town. The property is a significant landmark of scale in the area and will easily compete with other go-to retail and F&B destinations. Unique in design, with a great outlook and visibility on to the main road, CBRE anticipate that the property will attract a great mix of retailers and restaurants, as well as entertainment options, to serve the needs of the local community and beyond.”

Late in August 2022, CBRE said it was continuing its focus on Middle East strategic development with a new country head in KSA.

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Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has added a host of upgrades to its zero-emissions L25 Electric wheel loader, increasing versatility, operator comfort and uptime, the company has announced.

Among the new enhancements, a parallel linkage, especially suited for medium-duty cycles and pallet-handling applications, will serve as a compliment to the existing Z-type, delivering high breakout torque with the maximum speed of the L25 Electric increasing up to 20kph.

According to Volvo, noise emissions have been reduced inside and outside the cab due a new hydraulic pump and the relocation of the main control valve from the cab to the front frame. Further increasing cab comfort, operators working in more chilly climates can now choose the time and days of the week that they would like to arrive in a pre-warmed and defrosted cab with the new programmable cab heater option.

In August 2019, Volvo said it had sent its first electric compact excavator to a customer site.

A new electric parking brake with hill-hold functionality for operators working on inclines or rough terrain is expected to increase uptime, while the disc-brake that was present in the former model has now been replaced by a spring-applied and hydraulic-released wet-disk brake. This removes related maintenance requirements, helping to further cut costs and machine downtime, the company says.

The time it takes to achieve a full charge from zero has been halved to only six hours with the improved 6kW on-board charger – if used with a 400V 16A CEE socket or public charging station. Speedier charging is still available with faster off-board chargers 9.6 kW and 17.3 kW, Volvo CE explained.

Paolo Mannesi, Global Product Manager for Volvo Compact Wheel Loaders said in a statement: “Thanks to the results of a close collaboration with our dealers and customers, we are proud to reveal the next level in outstanding electric performance. With all these upgrades, the L25 Electric now boasts even greater comfort, productivity and uptime, making it a truly unique product on the market. Our electrification journey continues, and I cannot wait so see the next models reaching our customers.”

In November 2020, Volvo CE unveiled its mid-size electric excavator prototype with a rear video screen, while in September 2021, Volvo CE said it had developed an electro-hydraulic system.

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Protection solutions and security systems provider PRÆSIDIAD has expanded its global footprint with its latest investment in Saudi Arabia, where it is launching PRÆSIDIAD Arabia. It will comprise a manufacturing facility and sales office that will produce and deliver high-security fencing to secure critical infrastructure in the GCC.

In a statement, the company said that products from its Betafence and Hesco brands will be manufactured in Dammam, forming a Middle Eastern Hub, which will supply anti-climb, anti-breach, and hostile vehicle mitigation perimeter security solutions.

Dino Koutrouki, Chief Executive Officer, PRÆSIDIAD commented: “These investments are incredibly significant steps towards Praesidiad further establishing the Betafence and Hesco brand in a high-growth market.

In July 2022, Verdantix urged building facility managers to secure building systems against cyber-attacks.

“Our new facilities will provide local recruitment opportunities and it will give us a platform for growth in this region, as well as the capability to export to GCC countries to ensure we can fulfill the increasing demand from our customers,” he explained.

In addition, PRÆSIDIAD recently announced that its perimeter security brand, Betafence, has further extended its HCIS compliant product portfolio by adding a single skin, high-security perimeter fencing solution that surpasses testing defined by HCIS Security and Safety Directives

The new HCIS high security fence has been engineered for critical infrastructure protection to provide a lightweight, advanced forced entry-resistant, high-security fence with desired visibility, even in the most extreme environments, the firm noted.

In August 2022, Farnek said that it was awarded $11.54mn in security contracts over last 12 months.

This newest addition to the company’s product portfolio complies with Class 1 and Class 2 as defined by HCIS Security and Safety Directives and provides end-user protection from forced entry, including hostile vehicle mitigation. This latest development is a prime example of a company understanding the local market, and evolving a solution to meet customer needs, the company said.

The patented fence offers a single panel design to reduce dust and debris build-up that restricts critical visibility. Designed with a single flexible cable, and no ceramic tubing, engineers at Betafence say that they have created a lightweight fence that is fast and easy to install with a local labour force requiring minimal training. It only requires shallow foundations, reducing the requirement for extensive and expensive groundwork, and can withstand an aggressive attack or breach attempts that exceeds HCIS requirements.

Koutrouki concluded, “We are investing in the region in many ways, starting with the new manufacturing facility, and, as HCIS compliant fences are critically important for this region, we are building a dedicated product portfolio for this market.”

Praesidiad’s investments are the first stages of a clearly defined investment roadmap for the Middle East, he concluded.

In September 2022, Knight Frank said that over $1.1tn in real estate and infrastructure projects are currently underway in Saudi Arabia.

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Middle East Consultant’s Women in Construction (WIC) Summit will be lobbying for real change with regards to diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the built environment on 25 October 2022 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai. The event, which has evolved since its introduction in 2018, has adopted a new name to reflect its broader ongoing advocacy for change: Women in Construction Summit – Diversity & Inclusion.

The latest edition of the annual event will bring together regional speakers to discuss and present on key topics including fair renumeration, removing unconscious bias, C-suite realities and challenges, and other key topics. Registration is complementary but mandatory for professionals from the built environment.

Commenting on the event’s new name and how it will differ from previous editions, Paul Godfrey, Head of Content, Middle East Consultant explains, “Our awareness that many companies wanted to address a wider span of issues, and the growing appetite in the Middle East for a broader debate around aspects of ethnicity, equality and inclusion prompted this. This also means we have some very exciting new areas of debate at the event including a diversity workshop with three team leaders, who will help companies resolve diversity challenges on the spot.”

Read more about the Women in Construction Summit’s agenda on the dedicated website.

Discussing whether the industry has progressed noticeably in the years following the magazine’s first WIC event in 2018, Godfrey responds, “There is greater awareness of the issue than there was a couple of years ago, and it is now more widely discussed. Where we have seen something of a shift is that major companies are now running focused recruitment programmes, targeting female graduates across the STET disciplines.”

He adds, “Unfortunately, while there is progress in the gender debate, there is very little shift in terms of the diversity debates – in fact, when it comes to unequal pay across ethnicities, for example, construction companies are some of the biggest offenders.”

Asked about what some of the key issues the industry must tackle with regards to D&I, Godfrey notes, “Firstly, in the gender arena, they must overcome the middle manager syndrome – where women are encouraged on a career path, buy rarely make it to the level of VP or SVP, let alone progress to the C-Suite. As mentioned earlier, many firms still seem to pay according to race and ethnicity – believing that Asian expats, for example, can be paid less because even low salaries seem a lot when they are translated into their local currencies. This is illegal and nefarious – but some of the region’s largest projects are costed on this very basis.”

In June 2022, in an exclusive interview with Middle East Construction News (MECN), Carole O’Neil, Cundall’s then newly appointed Global Managing Partner said the firm is committed to being the most inclusive employer in the industry.

Asked whether companies have made noticeable progress with bringing diversity to the C-Suite, Godfrey says, “Nothing like enough I’m afraid. The statistics speak for themselves: in the GCC women comprise only 4.8% of private sector boards – this is the lowest representation in the world. Construction companies are part of this and can definitely do better.”

Highlighting the summit’s key themes and the magazine’s plans for shining a light on D&I in the region, Godfrey announces, “We look forward to vibrant discussions around Middle East Consultant’s Diversity Report, which will be published in the second week of October. This will form the agenda for a CEO panel and promises to be a very lively debate. Another key theme is around ‘The Dynamics of Change’ – it will focus on how change and transformation can become just as much a habit as being stuck in the status quo.

Rounding up with his thoughts on what he hopes delegates will leave the conference with, Godfrey concludes, “It’s awareness that these issues can’t wait any longer. It’s not enough to talk – and all the key parties involved are ready to promote change, most of all, in fact, the regions’ governments. But where is action from the vast majority of construction businesses? It’s time to act now!”

To learn more about the Women in Construction Summit – Diversity & Inclusion click here.

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Developer DAMAC Properties has announced its new premium project, Gems Estates, an ultra-luxurious collection of high-end five- to seven-bedroom mansions in the DAMAC Hills community.

Unveiling the project, the developer said the villa exteriors will be branded by Swiss jeweller de Grisogono, while the home interiors will be branded by Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli – making Gems Estates the first co-branded real estate project in the world.

The artistic style of Gems Estates is inspired by the famous Austrian symbolist painter Gustav Klimt, and the colour theme is black diamonds mixed with heavily accented gold textures, the developer noted.

In June 2022, in an exclusive interview with Middle East Construction News (MECN), DAMAC said North America is a key target market.

According to DAMAC, Gems Estates – which will be spread across DAMAC Hills – will be the last villa additions to the community. The community is located on Umm Suqeim Road and Hessa Street, and is said to feature an array of entertainment and leisure amenities including a skate park, fishing lakes, horse stables, a petting farm and sports facilities for its residents.

DAMAC Senior Vice President Niall McLoughlin commented, “This is yet another premium addition to our DAMAC Hills community. We are continuously raising the bar when it comes to unique living experiences and our branded associations over the years with the likes of Versace, Cavalli and others have all been highly sought after by customers.”

International property consultant Savills, in its Branded Residences 2021 report, stated that the past decade had seen the number of branded residences increase by 230%, adding more than 500,000 units across 356 schemes across the world.

“DAMAC has carefully studied these market trends and capitalised on its existing relationships with premium global brands to bring unique products to market,” concluded McLoughlin.

In June 2022, DAMAC and de GRISOGONO launched the Safa Two tower while, in July 2022, the company announced the start of piling works at its Cavalli Tower project.

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