Saudi Arabia’s priorities have shifted over the past decade, with officials at February’s Private Sector Forum confirming a reprioritisation since 2016 that includes postponing the 2029 Asian Winter Games in Trojena and scaling back projects such as The Line in response to global economic uncertainty.

In 2026, the Public Investment Fund’s role as the main driver of development is shifting towards greater private sector involvement, a transition examined by MEED editor Colin Foreman in the latest issue of MEED Business Review.

March’s market focus is on Egypt, where the country’s crisis mode is giving way to a cautious revival. 

This edition also reports that the region’s downstream sector may face subdued project spending in 2026 due to flattening demand and weak margins.

In the latest issue, we disprove the Ramadan slowdown story, present exclusive leadership insight from Jacobs on delivering Saudi Arabia’s next phase of rail growth and outline some important lessons learnt from a power plant decommissioning. We also talk to senior executives at Enersol, Lamar Holding and Metito. 

We hope our valued subscribers enjoy the March 2026 issue of MEED Business Review. 

Must-read sections in the March 2026 issue of MEED Business Review include:

> AGENDA: Saudi Arabia’s private sector picks up the baton

> RAMADAN: Data disproves the Ramadan slowdown story

> LEADERSHIP: Delivering Saudi Arabia’s next phase of rail growth

> POWER: Lessons learnt from a power plant decommissioning

> INTERVIEW: Abu Dhabi’s Enersol charts acquisitions path

> INTERVIEW: Lina Noureddin, CEO of Lamar Holding, on the evolving PPP landscape

> INTERVIEW: Contract award marks Metito’s return to municipal projects

> MARKET FOCUS EGYPT: 
> COMMENT: Egypt’s crisis mode gives way to cautious revival
> GOVERNMENT: Egypt adapts its foreign policy approach
> ECONOMY & BANKING: Egypt nears return to economic stability
> OIL & GAS: Egypt’s oil and gas sector shows bright spots
> POWER & WATER: Egypt utility contracts hit $5bn decade peak
> CONSTRUCTION: Coastal destinations are a boon to Egyptian construction

> MEED COMMENTS: 
> Winter Games delay raises uncertainty for Saudi construction
> Duqm petrochemicals revival provides fillip to Gulf projects market
> Solar deals signal Saudi Arabia’s energy ambitions
> Hydrogen bridge awaits bankable contracts

> GULF PROJECTS INDEX: Gulf index leaps upward in 2026

> JANUARY 2025 CONTRACTS: Middle East contract awards

> ECONOMIC DATA: Data drives regional projects

> OPINION: The war that (almost) no one wants

> BUSINESS OUTLOOK: Finance, oil and gas, construction, power and water contracts