Saudi Contractors Authority unveiled a new exhibition and conference dedicated to Saudi Arabia’s contracting sector in Riyadh, where government authorities, regulators, and key industry players will join forces to develop the Kingdom’s $1.4tn construction market.
The debut International Contracting Conference and Exhibition (ICCE) will take place from September 16-17, 2018, at the Riyadh International and Convention and Exhibition Centre, as achieving a sustainable contracting sector becomes top of the agenda for all stakeholders.
The two-day event is held under the patronage of HE Dr Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi, Saudi’s Minister of Commerce and Investment, and hosted by the Saudi Contractors Authority, a newly formed government authority responsible for regulating the Kingdom’s contractor industry and increasing mergers and acquisitions in a market where construction projects are expected to surge in the coming years.
Eng Thabet Mubarek Al-Sawyeed, the Governor of the Saudi Contractors Authority, said: “The 1st ICCE is formed under the guidance of the Saudi Vision 2030. As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia is going through immense change, and part of this change is to achieve a sustainable contracting sector for the Kingdom.
“In line with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman’s vision, the SCA’s mandate is to organise, develop, and regulate Saudi’s contracting industry, enabling it to build competent capabilities and to raise the standards produced by the sector, thereby establishing a safe and secure work environment.
“We’re therefore launching the ICCE under the theme of ‘Building the future with confidence’. Its aim is to not only create business opportunities, but to solve challenges in the contracting industry, encourage creativity, enhance communications, educate, facilitate and advocate not only SCA members, but the construction industry as a whole.”
The event is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, and Saudi-based ACE Exhibitions.
Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: “The Saudi Arabian construction sector is undergoing a massive transformation, with the likes of Neom Business City and The Red Sea Project just a couple of examples of major building projects being planned at the moment.
“These, along with other KSA projects already under tender and in the design phase, will offer plenty of opportunities for the contractors across the whole supply chain, and the ICCE will act as the focal point and catalyst of the sector’s future development and long-term success.”
“We are proud to align with the Saudi Vision 2030 in organising the 1st ICCE along with Saudi Contractors Authority and our partners Messe Frankfurt Middle East,” stated Hadi Al-Harith, CEO of ACE Exhibitions. “This event will serve the purpose of enhancing the building and construction industry and the regulating the contracting sector for better performance in the completion of major government initiatives like the Neom City, Red Sea Project, Abraj Kudai, Qiddiya, Riyadh Metro, King Abdullah Economic City, King Abdul Aziz International Airport, and Haramain
High-Speed Railway to name a few.
“The accompanying conference will enable knowledge exchange, discussing new ideas and technologies and provide networking opportunities in developing the contracting sector.”
The two-day summit features an expert panel of more than 35 speakers. Hot topics on the agenda include Saudi’s mega project updates and initiatives related to Vision 2030, innovations in contracting sector, and human development & capacity building.