This year's International Contracting Conference (ICC), held as part of Big 5 Construct Saudi, put the spotlight on the transformative impact of Vision 2030 as well as innovative construction methods and digital tools for project management, said the organisers.

 

The two-day event, organised by dmg events in partnership with the Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA), kicked off on the opening day of Big 5 Construct Saudi bringing together senior government officials, industry leaders and experts to discuss the future of construction in Saudi Arabia.  

 

The 13th edition of Big 5 Construct Saudi was inaugurated by Mohammed Abdulaziz Alajlan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA) at the Riyadh Front Exhibition and Conference Center at Roshn Front unveiling its new two-week format designed to meet the increasing market demand and sector-specific growth opportunities within Saudi Arabia’s construction industry. 

 

It is co-located with key events including Heavy Saudi Arabia, Totally Concrete Saudi Arabia and HVAC R Saudi Arabia. 

 

Addressing the audience during his keynote speech at the ICC, Alajlan said: "Now in its 5th year and held alongside Big 5 Construct Saudi, ICC serves an important platform for thought leadership and strategic discussions that will shape the future of the construction industry as Saudi Arabia accelerates towards its Vision 2030 goals."

 

"As a testament to the Kingdom’s leadership in construction excellence, Big 5 Construct Saudi complements our mission at the Saudi Contractors Authority to empower stakeholders, drive sustainability and champion advancements that will propel the sector to new heights," he stated.  

 

Matt Denton, President at dmg events, said: "As we opened the doors to this year’s Big 5 Construct Saudi, construction industry professionals are gathering to explore key sectors such as heavy construction, concrete, HVAC, MEP technologies and building materials in the first week of the event."

 

The expanded two-week format not only enhances the attendee experience but also ensures that professionals can find the tools and technologies they need, representing every segment of the construction value chain. 

The first week specifically focuses on products and solutions for projects in the foundation to ground-up stages, aligning perfectly with the kingdom's growing construction demands, stated Denton. 

 

The opening panel discussion highlighting the transformative impact of Vision 2030 on the contracting sector featured David Watkins, Chief Projects Development Officer, Osool Real Estate; Khalid Al Othman, President, National Committee for Sustainability and Green Economy, Federation of Saudi Chambers; Tawfeeq Aljohani, VP of Supply Chain and Logistics, Al Bawani; Saleh Katheer, Managing Director, Alkifah Construction Contracting Company and Eng. Mohamed El Aasar, Managing Director, Hassan Allam Construction Saudi. 

 

The panelists collectively agreed on the need for strategic government-private sector alliances to shape the future of the kingdom’s construction sector.  

 

Another industry leader participated in discussions on advancing sustainability and ESG goals in Saudi Arabia, Sinan Rasheed, Director of Sustainability at New Murabba highlighted the critical role of transparency and accountability through robust ESG reporting and compliance frameworks.  

 

Day 2 of the International Contracting Conference will host discussions on strategic leadership in project management, contract management and risk mitigation for construction projects, innovations in health, safety and environmental standards as well as the importance of productization in transforming the construction sector. 

 

On the sidelines of Big 5 Construct Saudi, Masdar signed a partnership with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), where PIF acquired a 30% stake in Masdar by subscribing to new shares via a capital increase, a step that aligns with PIF’s overarching strategy. 

 

According to Masdar, the strategic partnership strengthens the company’s position in the sector and drives growth to contribute to Vision 2030.  

 

As part of the EcoTrail feature, on the opening day, one of the exhibitors, Dewalt showcased its battery-powered tools that reduce carbon emissions by up to 60%.

 

Another exhibitor, LumiCon by Brickeye presented real-time IoT-based concrete strength monitoring which eliminates excess material waste and improves efficiency.  

 

TechnoStream, an engineering service provider, showcased its expertise in prefabricated buildings, security, automation, power solutions, and advanced workspace integrations, offering seamless, efficient, and sustainable solutions. 

 

Another first-time exhibitor, Raimondi Cranes, introduced its latest tower crane model with enhanced lifting capacities, alongside its state-of-the-art Lumina crane control system.  

 

Over the coming days, Big 5 Construct Saudi will witness several more announcements and product launches that cater to the evolving market demands of the Kingdom’s construction sector.-TradeArabia News Service