The Gulf region is forging ahead with plans to improve its regional transportation infrastructure, with $ 121.3 billion worth of road and bridge projects already under way or in the planning phase.
Saudi Arabia is the second largest spender in the region, pledging SR 100.87 billion ($ 26.9 billion) to upgrade the country’s transport infrastructure over the next five years, while the UAE accounts for nearly half of the regional spend, with $ 58 billion worth of road and bridge projects planned or under way.
In Qatar, $ 17 billion worth of road projects are now in cruise control, as it prepares its expansive transport network ahead of the Football World Cup in 2022, while Kuwait underlines its position as one of the most active markets for road projects in the next two years, with $ 9 billion of schemes in the pipeline.
Oman and Bahrain round off the regional appetite for road and bridge spending, with $ 8 billion of projects in various stages currently ongoing in Oman, and a further $ 2 billion in Bahrain.
Highlighting enormous business opportunities for the regional traffic sector, the latest figures have been collated by Informa Exhibitions, organizer of Gulf Traffic, taking place from Nov. 19-21 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Run every two years in Abu Dhabi, Gulf Traffic is the only dedicated event for the road, public transport and parking sectors, bringing together more than 100 exhibitors involved in the design, build, and maintenance of the region’s road, rail, parking and public transport projects.
Richard Pavitt, exhibition director for Gulf Traffic, said: “In line with a combined vision to improve road infrastructure and safety, GCC governments have outlined impressive plans to significantly boost investments in developing their road networks.”
“Road infrastructure development in the region will continue unabated, as governments set out to improve road safety and reduce congestion.
Gulf Traffic provides the ideal platform to showcase the latest trends and technologies that will propel the region to the forefront of road, rail, parking and public transport sectors globally.
Now in its seventh edition, Gulf Traffic is endorsed by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), and is supported by the Abu Dhabi Police, Saaed, the Law Respect Culture Bureau, and ITS Arab.
The three-day exhibition features the Gulf Traffic Conference, addressing key traffic and transportation issues facing the Gulf region today, bringing together regional and international experts debating the latest strategies and technology in road safety and congestion management.
Gulf Traffic attracts more than 3,000 transport industry professionals and government agencies from across the Middle East.
Kingdom earmarks SR 100.87 bn for infrastructure projects
Kingdom earmarks SR 100.87 bn for infrastructure projects
Saudi stock market opens its doors to foreign investors
RIYADH: Foreigners will be able to invest directly in Saudi Arabia’s stock market from Feb. 1, the Kingdom’s Capital Market Authority has announced.
The CMA’s board has approved a regulatory change which will mean the capital market, across all its segments, will be accessible to investors from around the world for direct participation.
According to a statement, the approved amendments aim to expand and diversify the base of those permitted to invest in the Main Market, thereby supporting investment inflows and enhancing market liquidity.
International investors' ownership in the capital market exceeded SR590 billion ($157.32 billion) by the end of the third quarter of 2025, while international investments in the main market reached approximately SR519 billion during the same period — an annual rise of 4 percent.
“The approved amendments eliminated the concept of the Qualified Foreign Investor in the Main Market, thereby allowing all categories of foreign investors to access the market without the need to meet qualification requirements,” said the CMA, adding: “It also eliminated the regulatory framework governing swap agreements, which were used as an option to enable non-resident foreign investors to obtain economic benefits only from listed securities, and the allowance of direct investment in shares listed on the Main Market.”
In July, the CMA approved measures to simplify the procedures for opening and operating investment accounts for certain categories of investors. These included natural foreign investors residing in one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, as well as those who had previously resided in the Kingdom or in any GCC country.
This step represented an interim phase leading up to the decision announced today, with the aim of increasing confidence among participants in the Main Market and supporting the local economy.
Saudi Arabia, which is more than halfway through an economic plan to reduce its dependence on oil, has been trying to attract foreign investors, including by establishing exchange-traded funds with Asian partners in Japan and Hong Kong.
