The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has opened an office in Riyadh, strengthening its support for its membership in the Kingdom, which has more than doubled to almost 2,500 in the past four years.
The office will support professional development, closer collaboration with local institutions, and the adoption of internationally recognised standards as the Kingdom advances its Vision 2030 ambitions, said RICS.
The opening builds on several years of RICS activity in Saudi Arabia, including five consecutive years delivering the PIF Real Estate Track, supporting almost 100 professionals through the Diriyah Accelerator Programme, and three years of membership accelerator programmes with Bechtel and Nesma.
Alongside skills development, RICS is helping organisations embed professional standards covering whole life carbon assessment, valuation, public sector asset management, responsible use of artificial intelligence and ethical conduct. These provide practical tools to strengthen consistency and confidence across major development programmes.
RICS is also supporting GEOSA, the Kingdom’s national authority responsible for surveying and geospatial information, to strengthen professional capability and frameworks for the sector. The work supports the development of standards, accreditation and professional oversight for practitioners whose expertise informs planning, infrastructure and land use.
The Riyadh office will provide a local base for RICS to deepen these relationships; support candidates working towards professional qualifications and expand opportunities for knowledge-sharing across the profession.
Justin Young, RICS Chief Executive, said: “Opening an RICS office in Riyadh gives our long-standing commitment to Saudi Arabia a stronger local presence. It means we can be closer to our members and partners, better understand their needs, and tailor our support locally for the professionals shaping the Kingdom’s built and natural environment.
“The scale of development under Vision 2030 brings enormous opportunity and responsibility. Major construction programmes need skilled people and clear standards that earn the confidence of government, investors and the public. RICS’s role is to help build that capability and confidence.”
The new RICS office is located at Diom Flex - Diriyah, Riyadh. -TradeArabia News Service