Saudi Infrastructure Expo attracts global innovators to Riyadh 

Held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, the event commenced on Monday and will run until Sept. 12. Photo/Supplied
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Updated 11 September 2023
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Saudi Infrastructure Expo attracts global innovators to Riyadh 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s trillion-dollar pipeline of infrastructure projects have attracted over 275 companies from 20 countries to Riyadh to showcase their products, services, and innovative solutions at the Saudi Infrastructure Expo.  

The event, co-located with the Saudi Infrastructure Summit, is organized by the Saudi Contractors Authority and dmg events, under the patronage of the Minister of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing Majid Al-Hogail.   

Held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center, the event commenced on Monday and will run until Sept. 12, with the expo concluding a day later.   

The expo has brought together leading local and international exhibitors for three days to present products and innovative solutions aimed at reshaping the Kingdom’s infrastructure landscape.     

This year’s edition includes eight country pavilions, featuring Egypt, China, the UAE, Qatar, Italy, Turkiye, Germany, and India.     

The first day of the summit saw some of the participants discussing a number of issues including supporting infrastructure development through smart investment decisions, driving sustainable growth and innovation, bridging gaps in the sector, as well as driving net zero and circularity, and accelerating delivery and innovation. 

Among the speakers on the first day were Asaad Al-Asaad, conference chairperson, Saudi Infrastructure Expo; Zakaria bin Abdulrahman Al-Abdulqader, chairman of the board of directors, SCA, and Sultan bin Hussein Al-Mashhour, deputy minister for projects at the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing.

Also present were Badr Abdullah Al-Dulami, deputy minister for road affairs in the Ministry of Transport, Greg Djerejian, group head of investments and legal at Red Sea Global, and Ahmad Mohammad Al-Otaibi, director of basic services provider at the projects unit of the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, also known as MODON.  

"The Saudi Infrastructure Expo serves as a hub where both local and international exhibitors unite to present cutting-edge infrastructure products, services, and expertise,” said Muhammed Kazi, vice president for construction at dmg events.  

He went on to say that the event facilitates invaluable interactions with industry experts, fostering international participation while also providing a platform for local companies to showcase their capabilities.   

“In this fully sold-out gathering, we’ve successfully harnessed the strengths of every participating country, creating a unique showcase of innovation and collaboration,” Kazi added.  

Meanwhile, the Saudi Infrastructure Expo will offer attendees the opportunity to gain knowledge and practical insights on topics such as creating suitable smart city infrastructure model by leveraging smart technologies, adaption of BIM in the changing role of quantity surveying, metrology and measurement in Saudi quality infrastructure, and others.    

Saudi Infrastructure Expo is supported by SCA as the contracting sector regulator.  

Commenting on its association with the event, Abdulmajid Al-Rashoudi, governor of SCA, said that his authority is dedicated to enhancing the Kingdom’s contracting industry, fostering investment, and facilitating networking through numerous events and conferences.  

“The Saudi Infrastructure Expo provides various opportunities for innovation and investment in the sector, as well as promotes knowledge sharing, and partnership-building among contractors, stakeholders, and companies, bolstering the national economy’s growth,” he explained.  


Saudi Arabia opens 3rd round of Exploration Empowerment Program

Updated 01 February 2026
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Saudi Arabia opens 3rd round of Exploration Empowerment Program

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, has opened applications for the third round of the Exploration Empowerment Program, part of ongoing efforts to accelerate mineral exploration in the Kingdom, reduce early-stage investment risks, and attract high-quality investment from local and international mining companies.

The third round of the Exploration Empowerment Program offers a comprehensive support package targeting exploration companies and mineral prospecting license holders.

The initiative aims to lower investment risks for projects and support a faster transition from prospecting to development.

"The program provides coverage of up to 70 percent of the total salaries of Saudi technical staff, such as geologists, during the first two years, increasing to 100 percent thereafter, in line with program requirements.

This support aims to develop talent, build national capabilities in mineral exploration, promote job localization, and facilitate the transfer of geological knowledge.

The application for the third round opened on Jan. 14, allowing participants to benefit from the Kingdom’s attractive investment environment, its stable legal framework, and streamlined regulatory structures, as well as integrated infrastructure that supports the transition from mineral resources to operational mines.

The ministry has set the timeline for the third round, with the application period running from Jan. 14 to March 31.

This will be followed by the evaluation, approval, and signing of agreements from April 1 to May 31, with the eligible projects set to be announced between June 1 and July 31 of the same year.

The program stages include submitting exploration data during the reimbursement and payment phase from Sept. 1 to Nov. 30, followed by technical and financial verification of work programs and approval of the disbursement of support funds in January 2027.

The exploration data will then be published on the National Geological Database in April 2027.

The ministry emphasized that the EEP focuses on supporting the exploration of strategically important minerals with national priority. It also contributes to enhancing geological knowledge by providing up-to-date data that meets international standards, helping investors make informed decisions and supporting the growth of national companies and local supply chains.

The ministry urged companies to apply early to benefit from the program’s third round, which coincided with the fifth edition of the International Mining Conference, which was held from Jan. 13 to 15.