Jotun wins key Saudi economic city contract

Kjell Gundersen, Managing Director, Jotun Saudia.

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Jotun Paints have won the contract to supply the paint and carry out all the necessary paint work on Saudi Arabia’s new ‘King Abdullah Financial District’ in Riyadh.

The high profile project, which requires Jotun to paint the new, three million square metre financial centre, aims to facilitate investment and enterprise currently under construction in the capital, and create a new context for business development.

Scheduled for completion in 2013 as part of the Kingdom’s overall economic diversification program, the new financial centre will be significant in moving forward Jotun’s aggressive growth strategy in Saudi Arabia, and represents one of the manufacturer’s biggest achievements to date.

Jotun Saudia’s managing director Kjell Gundersen said: “The ‘King Abdullah Financial District’ project stands to be one of our biggest achievements in terms of decorative projects we have undertaken in Riyadh till date, and we are very excited to complete this enormous task using our specially-formulated paints and coatings.”

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Alongside main contractor Hill International and project consultants Omrania & Associates and Gensler & Associates, Jotun will be working on a total built-up area of 1.6 million square metres.

In order to protect the structure from the elements and natural wear and tear, Jotun has recommended its ’Fenomastic’ range for the structure’s interiors, ‘Jotashield’ for the exteriors, and solvent-free ‘Jotafloor’ coatings for the floors.

Gundersen added: “Given the important role it will play in further strengthening the Kingdom’s position as the Middle East’s financial capital, we are committed to ensuring that the paint solutions we will deliver will provide maximum protection for this important icon of the Kingdom’s economic dominance.”

Upon its completion, KAFD will house the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and the Stock Exchange (Tadawul), as well as providing a setting for a number of other financial institutions and industry professionals such as accountants, auditors, lawyers, analysts, rating agencies, consultants, and IT providers.

In addition, the project will accommodate a financial academy for 5,000 students, offices, hotels, shops, recreational facilities, waterways, squares, parks, sports arenas, restaurants and six mosques.

A monorail system will serve as the main means of transportation within the development, with skywalks and bridges connecting the district’s 30 buildings.