Saudi Arabia Implements 3,088 Projects in Riyadh Province with $74 Billion in Investments

Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--In the Riyadh province of Saudi Arabia, there are 740 government projects being implemented in the utilities sector with a total investment of $18.4 billion. The High Commission for Riyadh Development (HCRD), which works to monitor projects in the province, says that it is currently implementing 3,088 projects across all sectors with a total investment of $74 billion.

The five largest projects are in the construction sector, reports the HCRD. The 12th power plant in the program is being set up under a $1.76 billion contract, and a $1.56 billion water project at Ras Akhair is being developed. A project to create a network of healthy potable water supplies will be implemented at a cost of just more than $1 billion.

The strategic plan for water in its first phase requires $496 million, and a project for developing power transmission networks will require $392 million.

The pressure driving Saudi Arabian infrastructure, construction and utility development is the presence of a growing, ever-younger population demanding increased standards of living, including housing and education that leads to a real job with career prospects. This pressure now includes meeting the aspirations of women to become full citizens in Saudi Arabia's developing modern economy.

The HCRD program is aimed at monitoring projects taking place in the province to be in a position to formulate a comprehensive vision for development. The body is also tasked with overcoming obstacles the process may face for regional development. It also must be instrumental in activating a regional plan for the area.

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