The construction sector in Saudi Arabia is poised for solid growth, with over 4,700 active construction projects worth $852.3 billion and more than 700 projects set to begin work in the next few months, said a report released ahead of a major industry event to be held next year in Jeddah.

Saudi Arabia has awarded a major contract worth SR985 million ($262.3 million) to Turkey’s Mapa Construction and Trade Company for the development of the Arafat-Taif Water Transmission System project, said a report. Work on the strategic project, which will consist of a 45-km pipeline from Arafat to Taif as well as pumping stations and 12.

Saudi Arabia is set to build one of the world’s mega cultural, sports and entertainment cities in Al Qiddiya, southwest of the capital Riyadh, which will boast modern recreational facilities including a safari and a Six Flags-theme park.

The King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (Kapsarc), designed by the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) has been named the smartest building in Saudi Arabia at the Honeywell Smart Building Awards programme. Kapsarc has a modular design based on the hexagonal structure of a honeycomb, reported the Global Construction Review.

Saudi-based Al Kifah Readymix & Blocks has launched eco-friendly ‘green concrete’ in the Saudi market for the first time, thus setting a new benchmark in the construction market in general and the readymix industry in particular.

Russian nuclear group Rosatom has expressed its interest and sent its initial proposals to Saudi Arabia for its mega nuclear reactors projects in the kingdom and said it would bid once tenders are floated, said a report. Saudi Arabia is considering building 17.

King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) said it has signed a series of agreements worth SR2 billion ($533 million) with various companies on the sidelines of the Time Forum last month.