Under the original schedule, request for proposal (RFP) documents were due to be issued in early July, but tenders are now likely to be released in August, with contract signing scheduled for the end of the year.

The project covers a 10-year concession to run five duty-free shops at international departure lounges in Jeddah (two), Riyadh (two) and Dammam (one). Foreign shortlisted firms are required to form partnerships with local companies.

The contract will cover the financing, building and fitting out of the shops, and the operations of warehouses close to the shops and landside duty-free bonded warehouses. The UK's Concession Planning International is the consultant (MEED 16:6:06).