Construction Sector Research Highlights
The Report: Abu Dhabi 2023
Real Estate & Construction Sector Analysis
Abu Dhabi’s real estate and construction sectors performed well in 2022, contributing significantly to the emirate’s non-oil growth. Construction expanded by 7.6%, reaching Dh86bn ($23.4bn), or 7.8% of...
The Report: Misrata 2024
Energy, Construction and Infrastructure Sector Analysis
As a member of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and 48.4bn barrels of proven crude oil reserves – the most in Africa – and 1.5trn cu metres of proven natural gas reserves, Libya is...
Special Reports on the Construction Sector
Focus Report
Focus Report: New cities and mega-projects are driving growth in Egypt
During a time of heightened global macroeconomic uncertainty, progress on new cities and mega-projects has helped Egypt maintain positive economic growth during the pandemic. Demographic expansion...
Covid-19 Response Report
Report: How Egypt’s infrastructure agenda is driving sophistication in the construction sector
While the construction sector in Egypt was temporarily paralysed during the early months of the pandemic, the infrastructure project pipeline has remained robust. The need to boost utilities...
Covid-19 Response Report
Report: How the pandemic is reshaping ASEAN construction demands
Construction – and infrastructure development in particular – is expected to be a key driver of economic growth across ASEAN from 2021. The bloc, home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies...
Focus Report: New cities and mega-projects are driving growth in Egypt
Report: How Egypt’s infrastructure agenda is driving sophistication in the construction sector
Report: How the pandemic is reshaping ASEAN construction demands
The Report: Saudi Arabia 2023
Construction & Real Estate Sector Analysis
Saudi Arabia’s economic rebound following the Covid-19 pandemic and the progress made on Vision 2030 projects have created a favourable set of conditions for real estate and construction activity...
Construction Sector Analyses
OverviewHow Abu Dhabi is fuelling growth in real estate, construction
Abu Dhabi’s construction and real estate sectors posted a strong performance in 2022, reflecting the overall positive growth in the emirate. Construction grew by 7.6% to Dh86bn ($23.4bn), contributing 7.8% to Abu Dhabi’s GDP and solidifying its position as one of the most important non-oil sectors of the economy. Concurrently, real estate has seen a flurry of activity, marked by an 8.5% increase in the value of transactions in 2022, coupled with a 27.2% rise in the number of transactions over the same period...
Analysis
Urban areas turn to cooling technologies amid climate change
With temperatures in cities set to rise in the coming decades, many public and private players in emerging markets are looking to tackle the challenge of extreme heat through technology, sustainable building techniques and the expansion of urban green spaces...
Overview
Urbanisation, reconstruction enables construction activity in Misrata
Libya’s urban population has been rising rapidly, with urbanisation rates climbing from 49% in 1970 to 79% in 2016. As of 2019 around 85% of Libyans resided in the major cities of Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata and Bayda. With the population predicted to increase in the coming years, access to housing, food, clean drinking water and employment opportunities – as well as health care, education and transport – remain essential priorities. In May 2021 Salama Al Ghwail, the minister of state for economic affairs, announced that the country...
Overview
How utilities, transport construction projects fuel growth in Misrata
A 2021 report prepared by the HIB suggests a shift from public housing towards investment-related PPPs, a funding strategy adopted by several other countries. Security financing concerns remain key barriers to development. In the past the country has attempted to hand over stalled projects to local contractors for completion, but questions remain surrounding debts owed to foreign contractors for partially completed work. To meet growing electricity demand and to help address frequent supply cuts, a power plant has been built in Misrata...
Analysis
How infrastructure development supports recovery in Misrata
Ihya Libya Vision 2030 includes a pillar dedicated to infrastructure, setting out targets to establish a system that connects all towns and cities with high-quality roads, communications networks, electricity and water supplies, and advanced social facilities, providing access to education and social services for all citizens. The infrastructure pillar of Ihya Libya Vision 2030 outlines key objectives that include evaluating existing infrastructure developments to ensure that they align with national priorities...
Construction in Emerging Markets
Economic NewsNew cities set to alter investment landscape in Africa
With Africa’s population projected to double by 2050, countries are planning new cities to house increased industrial activity and urban populations, and address the constraints of many of the continent’s mega-cities. New urban developments around the globe are working to tackle issues surrounding population growth, sustainability and economic resilience. In 2015 Egypt announced that it would build a new capital. In addition to administrative offices, the New Administrative Capital is expected to host a stadium...
Economic View
Vincent Miccolis, Managing Director for Middle East, Africa, Turkey and India, The Ascott
On creating investment opportunities and fostering sustainable infrastructure development
Economic News
Can sustainable architecture help lower the construction sector’s emissions?
Amid efforts to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the construction industry, there is increasing recognition of the benefits of sustainable and regenerative architecture as a means of lowering emissions. The construction sector is one of the world’s biggest polluters. According to the “2019 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction” published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the sector accounts for close to 40% of global energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. In light of this, a greater emphasis...
Economic News
Can smart cities solve Egypt’s housing shortage?
Architects, property developers and other key stakeholders in Egypt’s construction sector are increasingly embracing digitalisation as the country looks towards smart city solutions to solve its housing shortage. Reflective of the broader sea change in the sector, in February Etisalat Misr, a subsidiary of UAE telecommunications group Etisalat, and US-based conglomerate Honeywell signed a partnership deal that will see the two firms collaborate on developing digital solutions for the Egyptian construction industry...
Economic View
Sayed Farouk, President and CEO, Arab Contractors
On bolstering the strength and adaptability of Egypt’s construction sector
Economic News
Sustainable construction in the Gulf: building a greener future?
As industries around the world increasingly turn towards environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies to support their recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, focus is sharpening on sustainable construction in the Middle East. Perhaps more so than most sectors, construction could significantly benefit from a shift towards more sustainable practices. A UN report released in December estimated that, including operational emissions, the construction industry accounted for 38% of the world’s energy-related...
Economic View
Mohammed Hamad Al Ghanim, CEO, Al Hamra Kuwait
On infrastructure priorities and project frameworks