Saudi Arabia News and Analysis
News
Riyadh to turn to private sector to deliver housing programme
Housing Ministry was set up in 2011 to oversee development of 500,000 homes for local people
Saudi Aramco restarts Yanbu joint venture
Facility reopens after maintenance shutdown
Consultants compete for three Saudi rail projects
Bids submitted for project management contract
Contractors struggle to staff Saudi projects
Growth of projects market under threat from lack of available human resources
New $1bn-plus steel plant planned for Hail
Study under way that could result in major steel production in remote northern city in Saudi Arabia
Cristal Global to start Jizan operations in 2014
Local company will produce titanium dioxide and pig iron at new plant
Aramco tenders remaining Jizan gasification packages
Contractors have until mid-August to submit bids for $3bn-5bn project
Joint venture wins Riyadh airport Terminal 5
TAV and Al-Arrab were selected for SR1.5bn contract in January
Mobily agrees $400m refinancing
Mobily funding in place for Bayanat al-Oula
Sadara set for financial close in June
Biggest Middle East project finance deal in years entering final stages
Saudi banks told to replace expatriates
Local banks must draw up plan to be staffed entirely by Saudi nationals
Maaden to launch $7.5bn phosphates financing by July
Mining company considering bond issue to fund project in north of kingdom
Aramco to join forces with Sabic and Saudi Investment Authority
New joint venture will tackle megaprojects in the kingdom that are beyond the realm of private sector
Aramco changes scope for $300m Wasit power cable contract
Winning contractor to provide 230kV power cables for Hasbah non-associated gas field
Marafiq to launch $666m sukuk issue
Utility firm sets pricing at 85 basis points
Aramco releases tender for Jizan port dredging works
Dredging and reclamation package essential for success of $7bn Jizan refinery
Saudi airline Nasair urges fuel subsidies reform
Airline’s chief executive officer hopes government will make ‘wise decisions’
Saudi Arabia’s Bahri acquires new vessel
Delivery follows fall in first quarter profits for shipping firm
Riyadh changes fuel allocation for Rabigh 2 power plant
Fuel allocation move part of broader plan to cease burning oil for power production
Emaar awards next phase of Jeddah project
Local contractor will build three towers at Jeddah Gate development
Analysis
Mobily: MEED Assessment
The Saudi telecoms group is on a steady growth path
Etihad Etisalat Company (Mobily)
The Saudi mobile operator is looking to grow data and corporate revenues
Q&A Thamer al-Hosani, chief financial officer
Mobily’s huge investments in infrastructure aims to equip its network with the latest technology
Commodity super cycle on verge of downward trend
Analysts predicting 2013-14 could be the start of lower prices for commodities such as oil and gas
Bakr Binladin
Bakr Binladin is chairman, Saudi Binladin Group
Faisal al-Sugair
Faisal al-Sugair is vice-president, General Authority of Civil Aviation
Ahmed al-Rajhi
Ahmed al-Rajhi is vice-chairman, Al-Rajhi Holding Company
Sultan bin Jamal Shawli
Sultan bin Jamal Shawli is undersecretary, Petroleum & minerals ministry, Saudi Arabia
Saleh al-Rasheed
Saleh al-Rasheed is director-general, Modon
Abdulrahman al-Hamidy
Abdulrahman al-Hamidy is director, Sagia
Tawfig al-Rabiah
Tawfig al-Rabiah is commerce & industry minister, Saudi Arabia
Top 100 projects drops in value in first quarter
Value of projects in execution fell $10bn as $30bn-worth of contract awards are new to the top 100 table
Saudi Arabia industry
Six individuals leading the diversification of the kingdom’s industrial sector: Abdullatif al-Othman, Tawfig al-Rabiah, Abdulrahman al-Hamidy, Saleh al-Rasheed, Sultan bin Jamal Shawli and Ahmed al-Rajhi
National Water Company to invest $13bn on new projects
The Saudi firm will expand the kingdom’s water and wastewater infrastructure
Middle East steel demand set to surge in 2014
Uncertainty over major steel projects could leave region a significant importer over next decade
Khalid al-Falih
Khalid al-Falih is president and chief executive officer (CEO), Saudi Aramco
Abdulaziz aI-Khayyal
Abdulaziz aI-Khayyal is chairman, PetroRabigh
Khalid al-Buainain
Khalid al-Buainain is senior vice-president engineering, capital and operations support, Saudi Aramco
Comment
Sabic continues to grow at home
If there was ample feedstock demand in the kingdom, Sabic would be less inclined to look overseas
Saudi housing crisis deepens
The decision to hand over land to the private sector is likely to further delay Riyadh’s ambitious $70bn housing programme
Localisation raises concerns
Pressure increases for contractors to employ more locals than in the past
Bonds lead over foreign funding
Riyadh split on opening up share ownership to foreigners, so will focus on building debt market instead
Riyadh turns to its top firms
Saudi Aramco and Sabic have solid reputations and proven track records in completing world-scale schemes
Momentum builds for metro projects
A number of cities in the kingdom are pushing forward with plans to develop metro networks
Interior Ministry schemes progress
Retender on Saudi Arabia’s security network programme raises hopes that more work will be awarded this year
Jizan Economic City to go ahead
Now that Aramco is in charge, it can ensure the city is a success by building a power plant, along with a world-class deepwater port
Phosphates to test Maaden
The remote location will make it more difficult for Maaden to execute ambitious phosphates city
LNG terminal to offer flexibility
Liquefied natural gas imports will offer Riyadh a few years of breathing space to utilise its own resources
Shale gas boom forces rethink
Developments in the US are raising concerns in countries that produce large amounts of chemicals in the region, such as Saudi Arabia
Reform pressure builds in Riyadh
Relations with the Shia-dominated Eastern Province have become increasingly strained in recent years
Concerns rise over ethane price hike
If Riyadh raises feedstock prices, reduced growth and lower profits are likely to hit petrochemicals sector
Aramco moves on localisation
The oil firm’s plan to construct a shipyard will not only broaden its capabilities, but will also create jobs for local workers
Maaden hopes to set the standard
Maaden hopes its $6bn phosphates city at Waad al-Shamal will emulate the success of Ras al-Khair
Jizan scheme to spark opportunity
Pioneering project at Jizan a lure for gas specialists and could lead to European and Far East tie-ups
Riyadh serious on renewables
The publication of a white paper shows the kingdom is committed to delivering its ambitious renewable energy programme
Mortgage law is no panacea
After a decade in the making, Saudi Arabia’s mortgage law may be too late
Saudi Arabia causeway plan to foster close ties
Expansion of King Fahd Causeway will boost economic and political ties between Riyadh and Manama
Aramco pushes energy schemes
After a relatively quiet couple of months, the Saudi energy major has initiated two massive projects
