Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 25 September 2024:
His Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, Mayor of Riyadh Region and Chairman of the Board of Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Centre (RIPC) inaugurated Saudi Infrastructure Expo, co-located with Global Water Expo and the inaugural Smart Cities Saudi Expo, taking place until 26 September at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre (RICEC).
Eng. Fahad Al Badah, CEO of RIPC; Matt Denton, President, dmg events; and Muhammed Kazi, Senior Vice President - Construction, dmg events, also joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
During his opening speech at Saudi Infrastructure Summit, His Highness Prince Dr. Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf emphasized on the event’s role in supporting the growth of the sector. He said: "At the heart of improving the quality of life in cities lies the development and enhancement of infrastructure, which directly drives the growth of cities, and the success of all mega projects and initiatives depends on having the right infrastructure to support them. In this context, the Saudi Infrastructure Summit strengthens efforts and cooperation in city development and sustainable growth by facilitating the exchange of expertise with those who have successfully navigated infrastructure challenges."
For his part, Eng. Fahad Al Badah noted: "The Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Centre works to unify efforts and harness capabilities to reach the highest levels and standards in infrastructure projects. Through the Saudi Infrastructure Summit and the exhibition, we showcase best practices and innovative solutions, as well as exchange experiences and expertise in this vital sector, which plays an essential role in shaping the growth of the national economy."
Saudi Infrastructure Summit calls for resilience in infrastructure
Running alongside Saudi Infrastructure Expo, the summit was a high-level gathering of government leaders, infrastructure experts and policymakers focused on delivering the ambitious Vision 2030 and catalyzing a transformational shift in Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure landscape.
On one of the panel discussions highlighted the integration of sustainability measures into infrastructure projects to ensure long-term resilience featuring Amr Salah, CEO, Infrastructure & Utilities, Ajlan & Bros Holding; Robert Garner, Director – Infrastructure, Red Sea Global; Mohammed Ghanem Alsagoor, General Manager of Integrated Assets, RIPC; and Wakkas Ismail, Associate Director Strategy, Investment and Partnerships, SAJCO, and moderated by Johanna Staples, Regional Director Strategy and Advisory, AtkinsRéalis. The speakers collectively advocated for viewing infrastructure as a program rather than a single project, as it serves to connect multiple projects. Successful infrastructure requires effective coordination and integration.
One of the other key aspects of infrastructure development is the expansion of the road network. Commenting on the implementation of technology in such projects, Eng. Awad Alqahtany, General Manager of Road Quality Improvement Program, Operation & Maintenance Agency, Riyadh Region Municipality said: "Riyadh Region Municipality has digital scanning technologies for roads and their quality; contributing to improve the safe transportation experience in a prosperous and sustainable Riyadh."
Seven strategic MoUs drive business collaborations
At the Saudi Infrastructure Summit, the Riyadh Infrastructure Projects Center (RIPC) strengthened its collaborative efforts by formalizing key partnerships through the signing of seven Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). These agreements were made with prominent government entities and Public Investment Fund (PIF)-owned giga projects, marking a significant step towards enhancing infrastructure development across the Kingdom.
The organizations involved include the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), Expenditure Efficiency & Projects Authority (EXPRO), the National Center for Meteorology, the Saudi Accreditation Center, National Housing Company (NHC) and ROSHN.
Commenting on Day 1 of the event, Muhammed Kazi, Senior Vice President – Construction at dmg events said: “Day 1 of the Saudi Infrastructure Expo has been remarkable, with the bustling aisles filled with industry professionals and decision-makers engaging in meaningful conversations. The enthusiasm and activity, reflected the critical importance of these interactions, as they paved the way for collaboration, innovation and the development of sustainable infrastructure solutions that will shape the infrastructure industry.”
"On days 2 and 3, we will welcome experts from the water and smart cities sectors to discuss the opportunities and challenges in these projects. Exhibitors at the Global Water Expo and Smart Cities Saudi Expo, co-located with the Saudi Infrastructure Expo, will transform the event into a hub of live demonstrations, product launches and new partnerships," concluded Kazi.
The events are free to attend for trade and industry professionals. Visitors under the age of 18 will not be permitted. To register, visit: www.saudiinfrastructureexpo.com
