RAK Ceramics of the UAE, a world-class ceramic manufacturer, is currently playing a major role in various landmark projects in Saudi Arabia like the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, the Sheraton Hotel, Jeddah and Najran University.

Saint-Gobain Weber, a worldwide leader in industrial mortars, has finalised the full integration of Sodamco Holding and its subsidiaries after acquiring a majority stake in Sodamco group in 2009.

Work on Marsa Village Retail Centre, the latest retail offering at The Wave, Muscat, has begun, enhancing the community appeal of Oman’s premier lifestyle destination.

The Saudi Arabian government is planning to construct two hi-tech medical cities in Riyadh and Jeddah that will provide specialised health services. The medical cities will be equipped with advanced facilities and specialist doctors.

Emaar Square ... luxury living. Emaar signs $500m deal with banks Emaar Properties, the global property developer, has signed a new financing facility amounting to $500 million to develop Emaar Square in Istanbul, Turkey.

A contract for the construction of a major gas pipeline that will supply natural gas from central Oman to a new industrial and maritime hub under development at Duqm is expected to be awarded by the end of 2013, according to the Oman Observer.

Investment in major projects remains positive despite challenging economic conditions both in the Middle East and globally, a survey revealed recently. PwC released its findings through its first survey for capital projects and infrastructure in the Middle East, titled ‘Delivering the Middle East’s Mega Projects’.

Atkins has been appointed to deliver detailed design and construction supervision services for the Sultan Qaboos Sports Academy in Muscat, Oman.

A joint venture between Arabian Construction Company Saudi Arabia and Drake & Scull Construction Saudi Arabia (DSC KSA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Drake & Scull International (DSI), has been awarded a SR2.7-billion ($720 million) contract to build Phase Three of the Jabal Omar development in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable developer, said has awarded the contract for the construction of the raft foundations of Phase Three of its flagship project Msheireb Downtown Doha to HBK Contracting Company.

Saudi Arabia is witnessing significant activity in real estate auction in a bid to attract more real estate developers, land dealers and investors. This is in line with recent industry reports that reveal positive market indicators underlining the increasing demand for full-service urban development projects in different cities across the country.

Drake & Scull International (DSI) has signed two MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) contracts for a Dh55-million ($15 million) hotel apartment project and a Dh40-million ($10.8 million) district cooling project in Qatar, in addition to a Dh54-million ($14.7 million) residential tower project in India.

JBT Corporation has been awarded a $20-million contract to supply passenger boarding bridges for the new terminals at Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport, both in Oman.