Saudi Arabia mulls mega road plan
Saudi Arabia is to build a network of highways that will connect major cities across the country, according to Transport Minister Dr Jabara Al Seraisry.

The project, set to cover a stretch of 866 km, will link the cities of Makkah, Madinah, Riyadh, Qassim, Jouf, Jizan, Tabuk and Asir. Al Seraisry signed agreements with 12 private sector companies in Riyadh for the construction of the highways. He added that the ministry has appointed a special committee to monitor the progress of the work undertaken by the contractors.
ActiveMania wins Jeddah project
Kinan International for Real Estate Development has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with ActiveMania under which the latter will provide latest digital technologies suited for a modern lifestyle for Kinan’s SR2.2-billion ($580 million) mega mixed-use project in Jeddah.
Slated to redefine the smart buildings concept in Saudi Arabia, the project will enhance the living experience with smart technology features such as fully automatic lighting, multimedia, cooling, home entertainment and communications systems and wi-fi access.
Under the MoU, ActiveMania will work on the infrastructure which will be built by Cisco, and supply all smart systems to create a unique lifestyle experience at Kinan’s mega project located at the intersection of King Abdullah Road and Al Andalus Street in Jeddah.
The project consists of residential apartments, a five-star hotel, high-end retail complexes for leading brands, and hanging gardens.
Kirby expands into Turkish market
Kuwait-headquartered Kirby Building Systems has opened its joint stock company Kirby Yapi Sistemleri, registered in Istanbul, Turkey.
“Expanding into Turkey was a logical choice for Kirby,” says group general manager Praveen Tandon. “Turkey is a dynamic emerging market with a boom in the construction and retail sectors.”
Kirby’s steel pre-engineered buildings (PEB) are designed and manufactured to international standards for a wide range of applications such as warehouses, factories, aircraft hangars, commercial centres, offices, recreation centres and showrooms.
Qatar plans biggest park in Rayyan
Qatar has announced plans to build the Middle East’s biggest park in Rayyan.
While the proposed project awaits approval from higher authorities, reports suggest that the park, spread over 20 hectares, would have a host of facilities including an amphitheatre, a jogging track, playgrounds, a mosque, a car park and staff accommodation.
Meanwhile, tenders are being invited for the renovation and extension of the Al Khor Park, which is more than three decades old.
ADIH launches $32m Al Areen Homes
Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH) has announced the launch of the $32 million Al Areen Homes project in the southern part of Bahrain.
The project, which will occupy an area of 20,000 sq m in the Al Areen development, comprises 40 luxurious two-storey deluxe villas designed to high international standards. Each villa will be built on an approximate area of 450 sq m – where it will offer three or four bedrooms as well as other standard facilities such as a private swimming pool and a garden.
Al Areen Homes will be in close vicinity with some other impressive developments such as the Lost Paradise of Dilmun, the Equestrian Club, Banyan Tree Hotel and Desert Spa, Al Areen Sanctuary, Bahrain International Circuit and Al Jazair Beach.
Bahrain cement shortage eases
A cement shortage that threatened to plunge Bahrain’s construction industry is said to have eased a bit with cement-laden trucks arriving from Saudi Arabia, after several days of hold-ups.
More than 3,000 tonnes of cement also arrived by sea to further ease the strain. However, industry representatives in Bahrain say that the supply must be “consistent and assured” for the long term and what is available at the moment is adequate to meet only 70 per cent of the industry’s daily need of 8,000 to 10,000 tonnes. Full supplies of cement had been disrupted early last month, creating a crisis in the country’s construction industry.
Oman imports cement from Pakistan
The first 17,500 tonnes of cement being shipped from Pakistan to Oman was set to arrive last month and expected to ease the gap between demand and supply.
According to Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the shipment was aimed at meeting the growing demand for cement in the local market.
Oman Cement Company, in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will distribute the shipment among dealers across the Sultanate.
Hochtief wins Barwa contract
Barwa Real Estate has awarded German construction firm Hochtief a contract for the construction of the Barwa Commercial Avenue project in Qatar.
The QR6.5 billion ($1.78 billion) mixed-use venture of commercial offices, apartment outlets and exhibition space is slated for completion in a 36-month period.
The pre-construction phase of the project, including preparation of the site and outside fences as well as infrastructure works has been completed, says a spokesman for the developer.
Barwa Commercial Avenue will offer about 600 commercial shops and showrooms, including 150,000 sq m of office spaces, apart from 800 residential units.