Setting up in Saudi has 'never been easier'

Setting up business in the KSA has “never been easier” say organisers of the Construction Week Saudi Arabia Conference, which takes place in the Kingdom this week.

Many firms across the Gulf are shifting their focus to Saudi as the construction sector dries up back home. Arabtec, the UAE's largest contractor by market value, recently announced the formation of a new joint venture to take advantage of Saudi’s continued growth.

“It is irrefutable that the business opportunities in the Kingdom are massive. Despite this consensus, many industry players looking to enter the Saudi market hold back,” said Oscar Wendel, organiser of the CW Saudi Arabia Conference held in Jeddah on Wednesday.

“The fact is that with consistent progress being made in opening up and liberalising the market, it has never been easier to set up operations here,” he said.

Saudi plans to spend US $129 billion for 2009 on construction projects and already has a number of high-profile developments underway, like the US $50 billion King Abdullah Economic City and the $3.5 billion North-South Railway.

The CW Saudi Arabia Conference, sponsored by Burt, Hill, will gather together leading decision-makers, industry professionals and legal and financial representatives.

The event takes place on Wednesday, May 13 at the Holiday Inn, Jeddah

Speakers include: Marco Vincenz, general manager, Pittsburgh Corning (Foamglas); Abdul Salam Al Jassmi, regional director GCC & Iran, Limitless; Dr Abdulgader Amir, vice president for strategic planning & management of land and property, Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Co; and Michael O'Reilly, partner, Trowers & Hamlins.

Other sponsors are; Pacific Control Systems LLC, Emcor Facilities Services, The View Group and InterfaceFLOR.

For more details visit: www.itp.net/events/cwksa/