Tallest tower in KAFD enters final design phase

Hyder Consulting Middle East regional MD Wael Allan.

The 400-m-high Capital Market Authority Tower in Riyadh, the tallest project in the US3.73 billion King Abdullah Financial District precinct, is finalising its design phase. “We are just nearing completion of that design,” says Hyder Consulting Middle East regional MD Wael Allan.

Gulf Technical Construction Company (GTCC), the civil contracting subsidiary of Drake & Scull International PJSC, is forming a joint venture with Saudi Oger to bid for construction of the CMA Tower. “We were approached by Saudi Oger to bring our technical expertise in high-rise construction to the table,” says GTCC executive director Saleh Muradweji.

Allan says Saudi Arabia is a promising market for the consultancy: “We are involved significantly with NWC (National Water Company) in a PPP-type engagement. We are bringing great value to Saudi Arabia; this project is on a national basis from Jeddah, Mecca and Taif in the Western region, to the central and eastern parts, looking at Dammam and Riyadh with regard to water.

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“Most companies operating in the region are anxious of going into Saudi Arabia. To them it is an unknown. However, I believe it is core to our strategy to be in Saudi Arabia. It is the largest country in the GCC, offering the most attractive opportunities for multinational companies in design and consulting.

“To be honest, I believe we should have been there much earlier, but it is never too late. Saudi Arabia is spending a huge amount on infrastructure and also on the private sector as well, so it offers both public and private sector opportunities,” says Allan.