Four firms win $10m contracts

Four Saudi firms have won contracts worth a total of SR39 million ($10.4 million) to build commercial training institutions in Tabuk, Buraidah, Al Raas and Dammam.

The contracts were signed by Dr Ali bin Nasser Al Ghafis, governor of the supervisory body General Organisation for Technical Education and Vocational Training (Gotevot).

The firms are Arabian Contractor Company (Tabuk), Muhammed bin Abdullah Al Mazurei from Al Raas (Qassim), Abdul Kareem Al Fahad of Arkal Establishment for Contracting (Dammam), Al Fardiniya Company for Trading and Contracting and Al Tarsheed Establishment for Technical Contracting.

Two more contracts for similar projects in Al Ahsa and Khamis Mushayt are currently under negotiation and are expected to be signed in the near future.

With these, the total value of projects will reach SR60 million.

Gotevot is also planning nine technical training centres - in Riyadh, Buraidah, Al Ahsa, Turba, Arar, Dawadmi, Sabia (Jizan), Qunfudah and Sarat Obaidah - at a total cost of SR88 million.

Plans have also been drawn up for seven technical colleges in Riyadh, Hail, Tabuk, Madinah, Al Baha, Jizan and Najran at a cost of SR500 million.

Company to invest in schools

Jeddah: A Swiss company will invest SR1.3 billion ($346.66 million) in the construction of 200 government school buildings in Saudi Arabia.

The total fund is likely to go up to SR3.75 billion, a report said.

The Swiss company has obtained a licence from Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority to invest in the project.

Building contracts awarded

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has awarded contracts worth SR220 million ($58.66 million) for the construction of buildings for various security agencies.

The contracts were signed by Interior Minister Prince Nayef. The building will be used, among others, by the passport and anti-narcotics departments.

Team draws up quake guidelines

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has allocated a SR25 million ($7 million) budget for a team that is working on guidelines for anti-earthquake buildings.

The team is drawing up an action plan for the guidelines, which should be implemented in five years.

Dr Khaled Al Khalaf, director general of the Saudi Arabian Standards Organisation (Saso), said the team included specialists and representatives of Saudi universities and the municipal and rural affairs ministry.