Blockchain Sports Ecosystem and Saudi Alpha Jossor Investments Partner for Innovative Sports Complex
Blockchain Sports Ecosystem, a worldwide tech company, and Saudi Alpha Jossor Investments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a groundbreaking sports complex in Saudi Arabia. The project, valued at $3.3 billion, aims to create one of the largest and most innovative sports complexes in the MENA region. The complex will feature an advanced football academy equipped with cutting-edge training solutions and real estate development aligned with the concept of a smart sports city. This project will contribute to the development of tourism and attract foreign investment in the region. Renowned football stars Kevin Kuranyi, Jay-Jay Okocha, Mikael Silvestre, and Jens Lehmann were present at the signing ceremony to endorse the strategic partnership. Blockchain Sports Ecosystem, with its team of 1200+ tech and sports experts and offices in 8 countries, is a pioneer in building the future of sports using advanced technologies like AI, XR, and blockchain. The company partners with over 30 football academies worldwide, training thousands of young players. Dmitry Saksonov, Founder of Blockchain Sports Ecosystem, said: “I believe the partnership marks a significant milestone and is beneficial for the whole MENA region. The Middle East has proved its ability to bring innovative projects of enormous…
OPDC Bolsters Leadership Team to Drive THE RIG. Project Forward
Oil Park Development Company (OPDC), the entity behind the ambitious THE RIG. project, has announced the appointment of three industry veterans to its executive leadership team. These strategic hires mark a significant milestone as OPDC continues to develop the world’s first adventure tourism destination inspired by offshore oil platforms. Adel Alshabeeb joins OPDC as Chief Commercial Officer, bringing a wealth of experience in business development and leadership. Maurits Stichter takes on the role of Chief Financial Officer, leveraging his expertise in finance and risk management within the construction sector. Mirko Gaudiosi joins as Chief Development Officer, bringing over two decades of project management experience in the oil and gas industry. Raed Bakhrji, CEO of OPDC, expressed: “We are thrilled to have Adel, Maurits, and Mirko, join our executive team at this crucial juncture for THE RIG. Their wealth of experience and leadership in their respective fields will be instrumental as we progress toward our ambitious vision for this unique project. With their expertise, we are confident in our capacity to redefine adventure tourism and contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.” THE RIG. is a groundbreaking project that aims to transform an offshore oil platform into a unique destination for adventure…
Dar Al-Handasah secures extended contract with Aramco for Engineering and Project Management Services
Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (Shair and Partners), a Sidara Company, has been awarded an extended contract by Saudi Aramco to provide engineering, design, project management, and multidisciplinary services for existing and new infrastructure projects. This five-year agreement, with an option for a further three-year extension, builds upon a longstanding partnership spanning over six decades. The contract solidifies Dar’s position as a trusted advisor to Aramco, enabling the company to continue supporting the energy giant’s strategic objectives. Dar’s comprehensive range of services and deep understanding of the Kingdom’s infrastructure landscape will be instrumental in delivering innovative and sustainable solutions. Commenting on the new framework agreement, Dar and Sidara’s Chairman and CEO Talal Shair said, “We are privileged to continue supporting Aramco in achieving its strategic objectives. We believe the new agreement validates and spotlights our contributions and provides us with an opportunity to continue to bring exceptional value to Aramco, leveraging the best of our expertise and capabilities, and that of all Sidara Companies.” With a strong presence in Saudi Arabia and a team of over 3,000 professionals, including more than 1,000 Saudi nationals, Dar has been instrumental in the successful delivery of numerous high-profile projects across the country. The company’s expertise…
UAE Ministry of Finance Unveils Transformational Projects to Boost National Competitiveness and Global Influence by 2031
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Finance announced the launch of a series of transformative projects designed to propel the nation towards a future-oriented, globally competitive economy. Aligned with the ambitious “We the UAE 2031” vision, these initiatives aim to solidify the UAE’s position as a global hub for the new economy within the next decade. The projects are specifically crafted to deliver rapid, impactful results across various sectors. They directly support the government’s foresight objectives and financial goals outlined in “We the UAE 2031,” with a focus on achieving key national indicators that positively influence society and the country’s industries. His Excellency Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, highlighted that the UAE, in its second 50-year journey, prioritises developing governmental work to be able to meet the future requirements of the nation by adopting new methodologies and ways of working through the digital transformation. He noted that these are pursued by the UAE to achieve a quantum leap in project implementation, budget preparation, and resource management. His Excellency emphasised the Ministry’s efforts to develop government services by focusing on areas that enhance the competitiveness of the economic environment and its ability to attract foreign investments….
KBR Awarded Contract to Support Iraq’s Sustainable Development Goals
Global engineering and construction leader KBR (NYSE: KBR) has secured a five-year contract with options to support the Iraqi government’s ambitious plans for infrastructure development and a more sustainable future. The $46 million contract will see KBR provide advisory and consultancy services to the Iraqi Ministry of Planning, focusing on creating an effective framework for delivering large-scale infrastructure projects. KBR’s expertise will encompass areas like economic planning, strategy development, feasibility studies, technical reviews, and project management. This comprehensive contract builds on KBR’s existing work in Iraq’s energy sector. The company has partnered with various ministries to identify, design, and implement critical projects to strengthen the country’s economy and social well-being. Notably, KBR’s focus on innovation and sustainability will be central to achieving these ambitious goals, aligning with Iraq’s long-term vision for environmentally responsible growth. Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, said, “This is a great example of KBR utilizing its growing global capabilities to support regeneration and sustainable growth of a nation. We are proud to further our partnerships in country, where we are already helping make our customers’ ambitious plans a reality. With our deep expertise in engineering and energy solutions, KBR is well positioned to help…
Procore Unveils AI-Powered Construction Tech Advancements at Innovation Summit 2024
Procore Technologies (NYSE: PCOR), a global leader in construction management software, kicked off its Innovation Summit 2024 today, showcasing a suite of new product advancements designed to revolutionise collaboration throughout the construction lifecycle. For the past two decades, Procore has built a construction platform, serving customers worldwide from pre-construction to project completion. Now, the company is doubling down on its commitment to guide the industry through rapid technological advancements. This year’s Innovation Summit unveils major updates to Procore’s core offerings in project management, quality control, safety, and construction financials. These advancements leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and data to empower users and drive business success. Here are some key highlights from the announced product updates: Find out more here
An interview with RLB’s Head of Project Management in UAE & Qatar
In an exclusive interview with Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB)’s Head of Project Management in the UAE and Qatar, Project Management Global explores Alyaa Salah Ali Alwahab‘s remarkable career journey to senior leadership in the field of project consultancy. A regular contributor at industry forums and a prolific content creator on the LinkedIn platform, Alyaa articulates many of the challenges facing those seeking to progress in a tough and often unforgiving industry. With her early upbringing split between London and the UAE, Alyaa has endeavored to balance her role as a wife and mother of two, with her ascent to the top of a male-dominated profession, embodying grace, determination and resilience. Alyaa’s affinity for project management emerged early in her academic career, where despite initially pursuing medicine in the UK, a series of unexpected circumstances led her to divert to civil engineering, taking up a one-in a lifetime opportunity to study at the American University in Sharjah. Graduating a full year ahead of her peers, Alyaa’s innate talent for engineering was evident from the outset. And not long after her graduation her first job, as a Structural Design Specialist led her into the male-dominated realm of construction. Recounting her formative years…
PractiTest unveils Milestones for streamlined test management
PractiTest, a frontrunner in innovative test management solutions, has launched Milestones, a powerful project management module designed to streamline collaboration between QA teams and business goals. This new offering empowers QA teams to define high-level testing objectives with set deadlines. This translates to clear roadmaps for sprint planning, major releases, or any other crucial project milestones. By establishing these objectives, QA teams gain a sharper understanding of how their efforts contribute to broader business goals and timelines. “Milestones have significantly improved how we organize our testing efforts,” says Tony, a system engineer at Battelle. “Traceability was helpful, but Milestones take planning to a whole new level of clarity and ease.” Milestones bridges the gap between QA initiatives and overarching business strategies. This ensures that testing efforts directly contribute to achieving company objectives. Defining clear testing goals and schedules for each project phase allows QA teams to maintain focus and optimize resource allocation. Additionally, the Milestones module enhances visibility by providing a high-level overview of the entire testing process, fostering seamless communication and collaboration across various teams. The launch of Milestones underscores PractiTest’s dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions that empower QA teams to excel. “In today’s competitive environment, ensuring QA aligns with…
Egis bolsters project management expertise in the Middle East with acquisition of Thomas & Adamson
Global engineering firm Egis has announced the strategic acquisition of Thomas & Adamson, a well-respected property and construction cost and project management consultancy headquartered in Edinburgh. This move signifies a significant enhancement of Egis’ project management and advisory capabilities for clients across both the United Kingdom and the Middle East. Founded in 1935, Thomas & Adamson boasts a distinguished legacy, with a dedicated team of 100 professionals spread across the UK and the United Arab Emirates. The firm has a proven track record of assisting leading organisations in navigating the intricacies of procuring, delivering, and operating assets within the built environment. Their service offerings encompass cost and project management, building surveying, and principal designer services, catering to all major sectors within the built environment, such as commercial, education, sports, and hospitality. For the past 14 years, Thomas & Adamson has established a strong presence in the Middle East, with a particular focus on cost management across various sectors. Through close integration with Egis’ existing Middle Eastern team, the combined entity will deliver exceptional value to clients. This will be achieved by strategically merging Thomas & Adamson’s strength in cost management with Egis’ comprehensive project management and engineering expertise. Alaa Abusiam,…
Hybrid project management key to project delivery in Mena, says expert
Organisations in the Midde East and North Africa (Mena) are anticipating a shift to hybrid project management approach to accelerate outcomes for project delivery, according to a flagship annual report by Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading authority for project professionals. Around 77% of organisations surveyed in Mena are expecting an increase in the flexible and adaptive hybrid management practices over the next 5 years, it revealed. The findings suggest that organisations should focus on empowering flexibility that optimizes team collaboration, innovation, agility and efficiency to gain and maintain competitive advantage. And they can do so without worrying about negative impacts on project performance. For many teams, that is a fit-for-purpose, hybrid management approach – one that blends both agile and predictive tools and methods. Organizations need to create an environment of continuous learning and support that makes this possible, it stated. Around 72% organisations in Mena currently use the linear-run or traditional project management methodologies, stated PMI in its 15th annual Pulse of the Profession report, which details key findings of its annual survey of project professionals and project leaders around the world, The annual report also shed light on another critical aspect fundamental to organisations’ ways of…