LONDON: Real estate valuers in Saudi Arabia are set to have their industry credentials further boosted following a preliminary agreement signed with the UK-headquartered Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyor (RICS).
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding [MoU), members of the Saudi Authority for Accredited Valuers (Taqeem) are to benefit from training courses and qualifications approved by RICS.
RICS has accredited at least 118,000 professionals working in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.
It is expected the newly formed partnership will see the two parties work together to ensure their members reach internationally recognized standards of valuation which will bring greater transparency to Saudi Arabia’s property market and help boost investor confidence in the sector.
“Ths MoU paves the way to an agreement that recognizes Taqeem real estate designated members as RICS members after mapping educational, experience and membership requirements of each respective organizations,” said Sultan Al Jorais, Secretary General of Taqeem in a statement on Sept 24.
The Taqeem real estate training program will be considered as a RICS ‘approved’ and ‘fit for purpose’ course, he said, while RICS chartered valuers are also set to be granted interim membership of Taqeem.
“We believe that this MoU also provides a great opportunity for RICS qualified members to enter the Saudi market which will add value to the profession,” said Al Jorais.
Saudi real estate valuers to benefit from RICS’ stamp of approval
Saudi real estate valuers to benefit from RICS’ stamp of approval
- Deal to open up new opportunities in the Saudi market for chartered surveyors
- RICS has accredited at least 118,000 professionals working in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure
Egypt awards $6.5m exploration deal to UK’s Terra Petroleum
RIYADH: The Egyptian General Petroleum Corp. has signed a $6.5 million oil and gas exploration agreement with UK-based Terra Petroleum, marking the company’s first operations in Egypt.
The agreement aims to drill three wells in the Northwestern El Moghra concession area of the Western Desert, in addition to conducting 2D and 3D seismic surveys, according to a statement.
The deal aligns with Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources’ strategy to boost exploration and production.
It also follows Egypt’s signing of three oil and gas agreements worth more than $121 million with international firms in September, aimed at strengthening the energy sector through new exploration and drilling projects across key hydrocarbon zones
A Facebook post on the official Egyptian Cabinet Presidency page stated: “Following the signing of the agreement, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi welcomed the leaders of Terra Petroleum and stressed that this step reflects the confidence of international companies in the investment climate of the Egyptian petroleum sector, given its stability and continuous development.”
It added: “The Ministry is working to provide all aspects of support to serious companies and to provide a stimulating investment environment that contributes to accelerating exploration and production activities and increasing production rates.”
In August 2024, Egypt uncovered a significant new oil deposit in the Western Desert, which officials said could substantially boost the country’s energy production.
The discovery, made at the West Fewebs-1 well in the Kalabsha Development Area, revealed a substantial reserve of high-quality oil.
The find highlighted Egypt’s ongoing efforts to tap its energy potential, particularly in the Western Desert, a region long recognized for its oil and gas prospects.
According to a statement issued at the time, Badawi emphasized the importance of the discovery, noting that the well had already shown promising results.
During the same month, Egypt unveiled a new set of incentives aimed at stimulating exploration and development, increasing output, and reducing the gap between domestic supply and demand.
More than 60 international companies currently operate across 183 exploration and production sites in the Mediterranean Sea, Nile Delta, and Western and Eastern Deserts, as well as Sinai and Upper Egypt, under the oversight of companies affiliated with the Ministry of Petroleum.
