Under the guidance of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has undergone major transformational changes in recent years, both culturally and physically. In 2018 the country opened its first cinema in more than 35 years to show a screening of Black Panther. The following year, WWE wrestlers Lacey Evans and Natalya competed in the first-ever women’s wrestling match in Saudi Arabia.
In addition to cultural changes, Saudi Arabia has nearly $1 trillion committed to ambitious infrastructure projects over the next decade. These projects, designed to increase tourism and enrich the lives of Saudi citizens, include Qiddiya, a 334-square-kilometer entertainment district with a 20,000-seat stadium and Formula 1 racetrack, and the $550 billion high-tech city Neom, which will cover 26,500 square kilometers and span 450 kilometers of coastline.
Key stakeholders for these and other major projects convened at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Convention Center from September 6-8, 2022, for the first-ever Saudi Infrastructure Expo. The three-day conference was organized by dmg events and sponsored by industry giants like Orascom Construction, Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA), and SNC-Lavalin.
Muhammed Kazi, VP of construction with dmg events, said, “We have developed this event leveraging the expertise of our highly successful Big 5 construction exhibitions portfolio to deliver an unrivaled international platform where the infrastructure industry can come together to see and learn about burgeoning industry verticals such as urban planning and technology, transportation systems, communication networks, and utilities associated with developing a 21st-century building and construction sector.”
The following is a breakdown of the inaugural event.
Summit Chairperson and Speakers
Atkins Fellow Roger Cruickshank served as the chairperson and moderator for the first-ever Saudi Infrastructure Expo. An executive with more than three decades of experience leading transport and infrastructure projects, Cruickshank has worked out of the United Arab Emirates since 2006 and is the senior director of Middle East transport for SNC-Lavalin Group.
Cruickshank was joined by notable speakers including SCA governor Thabet Al-Sawyeed, who delivered the opening keynote address, Class of Your Own CEO Alison Watson, Qiddiya infrastructure development director Correy Connaway, and Diriyah Gate Development Authority senior director of infrastructure Paul Pring.
The Agenda
Following the opening keynotes and introduction, the 2022 Saudi Infrastructure Expo agenda began with a panel discussion focusing on how to create resilient teams for the efficient and on-time delivery of infrastructure projects. Topics included staff retention (with a focus on retaining expatriates for longer work terms), global talent recruitment, and remote site challenges, as well as how industry, academia, and the public sector can improve collaboration.
The second panel discussion covered Vision 2030 and the work that is needed to achieve its goals. Proceedings focused on the macro-schedule for project delivery, the challenges of attracting and retaining talent in the global construction boom, and how contract models can be improved to increase collaboration and expedite timelines.
The final panel discussion covered connectivity among Saudi Arabian cities as well as the preservation of natural habitats to ensure a sustainable future. Lu’ay Khdeir with SNC-Lavalin Group also led a keynote discussion on the need for water innovation in Saudi Arabia.
Strategic Partnerships Signed
The 2022 Saudi Infrastructure Expo was about more than just discussing opportunities for the future. There were several agreements signed between attending parties. The SCA, for instance, partnered with the Saudi Arabia Expenditure & Projects Efficiency Authority to integrate and optimize their infrastructure projects data management platforms. High Source, a multidisciplinary business support firm in Riyadh, signed more than $100 million worth of contracts with FlexxPay, Fodopay, and Jisr.
Supporting Vision 2030
More than anything, the goal of the Saudi Infrastructure Expo was to bring together stakeholders spanning the full spectrum of infrastructure to discuss how the country intends on meeting its ambitious targets outlined in Vision 2030. A roadmap developed by the Crown Prince, Vision 2030 involves dozens of strategic initiatives under the following three themes: vibrant society, thriving economy, and ambitious nation.
As part of these overarching themes, Saudi Arabia intends to grow and diversify its economy with an emphasis on shifting its economic reliance away from oil and gas. This is why it is developing entertainment and other tourism-related projects. It is also developing projects to provide its citizens with more fulfilling and healthier lifestyles. Green Riyadh is a major component of Vision 2030’s vibrant society theme. Announced in 2019, the project will see 7.5 million trees planted throughout Riyadh, increasing its total green coverage from 1.5 percent to 9 percent.
The 2023 Saudi Infrastructure Expo
Plans are already underway for the second annual Saudi Infrastructure Expo, which will again be held at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Convention Center from September 10-12, 2023. Those interested in attending can sign up for a mailing list covering the latest industry news and events on its website at saudiinfrastructureexpo.com.