The first phase of the King Abdul Aziz Specialist Hospital has been opened at the resort city of Taif. The 500-bed hospital, the largest and most advanced in the city, was established at a cost of SR650 million ($173.31 million), a report said.

The expansion of Jizan regional airport in Saudi Arabia will be completed in two years at a cost of SR122.3 million ($32.6 million). The expansion plans for the airport in the south were reviewed at a meeting of the project management committee chaired by Jizan Governor Prince Muhammad bin Nasir.

A SR550 million ($148 million) commercial centre coming up in downtown Batha, one of the oldest districts of Riyadh, will be an architectural landmark when completed. The centre will have the Middle East's largest dome, having a radius of 31 m, said a report. The total built-up area of the project is 130,000 sq m with 319 commercial units.

Saudi Arabia is planning a major international expressway project linking the country with Jordan in the north and Yemen in the south, Communications Minister Nasir Al Salloum said.

$195m contracts for new highways Saudi Arabia has signed contracts worth SR732 million ($195 million) for the construction of new highways. Communications Minister Dr Nasir Al Salloum signed the contracts with several specialist national companies.

Chamber plans cost index The Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) is planning to publish a new construction cost index. The objective of the new cost index, the first of its kind in the Middle East, is to upgrade the performance of Riyadh's construction industry.

TCM of Japan has been setting new standards in forklifts technology for half a century, says its Saudi dealer.

Al Nasser Company is looking at boosting its international portfolio with the launch of two new systems. The Saudi trading firm, which markets a range of electrical and electronic products and security systems, is planning to launch new remote control and building management systems, says marketing manager Mohammed Al Nasser.

Jeddah-based Electro Industries of Saudi Arabia which is participating in SaudiBuild 2001, says some of the business it earned this year was possibly won thanks to its presence at a previous edition of the annual building and construction show.