Saudi Arabia Launches Platform to Enable Contractors to Implement PIF Projects

Works on the Amaala project on the Red Sea coast, northwest of Saudi Arabia (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)
Works on the Amaala project on the Red Sea coast, northwest of Saudi Arabia (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Platform to Enable Contractors to Implement PIF Projects

Works on the Amaala project on the Red Sea coast, northwest of Saudi Arabia (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)
Works on the Amaala project on the Red Sea coast, northwest of Saudi Arabia (Photo: Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has launched a platform that qualifies contractors and provides services and facilities to enable them to obtain pre-qualification according to technical evaluation criteria.

 

The new platform will contribute to providing a highly reliable indicator for companies affiliated with the Public Investment Fund to implement construction projects in cooperation with the private sector.

 

The Saudi Sovereign Fund has been able to establish 77 local companies so far, as part of its endeavor to advance economic transformation, create job opportunities and diversify investments at the local and international levels.

 

On Thursday, the Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA), in cooperation with the PIF, announced the launch of the “re-qualification of contractors” program, in a step to enhance competitiveness and transparency in the sector, and to enable the implementation of current and future projects for companies affiliated with the Sovereign Fund in accordance with the highest quality standards.

 

The service provides a platform that brings together a number of establishments affiliated to the PIF in a unified pre-qualification program, and enables them to participate in the projects through several criteria, including: activities and experience, quality management, and health and safety.

 

The Saudi Contractors Authority has recently concluded the fifth edition of the Future Projects Forum, in Riyadh.

 

More than 3,000 contractors and interested parties from 16 countries around the world participated in the event, along with 43 government and private agencies.

 

The forum reviewed the details and developments of more than 3,000 future projects, the value of which was estimated at SAR 1 trillion ($266 billion).

 

It also saw the launching of a platform that helps contractors and interested parties to track and search for contracting projects in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

 

Meanwhile, iot squared, a leading company in the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and a subsidiary of the STC group, has signed a cooperation agreement with “AHOY” Technology, specializing in smart mobility infrastructure and logistics services.

 

This collaboration supports the complete transformation towards IoT, contributing to an advanced technological revolution that aims to achieve the targets of Saudi Vision 2030.

 

Under this agreement, iot squared, in partnership with “AHOY”, will provide the latest smart logistics solutions, including advanced technology infrastructure and various programs that contribute to developing application interfaces and software platforms. The collaboration also involves identifying the target audience and providing technical support.

 

Othman Aldahsh, CEO of "iot squared", emphasized that global alliances were a key priority to benefit from potentials and create new opportunities through dedicated investments, acquisitions and partnerships.

 



Scholz: EU Ready to Respond to US on Trade Tariffs

30 March 2025, Lower Saxony, Hanover: Acting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe 2025 industrial trade fair at the Hannover Congress Centrum HCC. Photo: Michael Matthey/dpa
30 March 2025, Lower Saxony, Hanover: Acting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe 2025 industrial trade fair at the Hannover Congress Centrum HCC. Photo: Michael Matthey/dpa
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Scholz: EU Ready to Respond to US on Trade Tariffs

30 March 2025, Lower Saxony, Hanover: Acting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe 2025 industrial trade fair at the Hannover Congress Centrum HCC. Photo: Michael Matthey/dpa
30 March 2025, Lower Saxony, Hanover: Acting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the opening ceremony of the Hannover Messe 2025 industrial trade fair at the Hannover Congress Centrum HCC. Photo: Michael Matthey/dpa

Europe wants to cooperate with the United States but the EU is ready to respond as one if Washington leaves it no choice by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminium, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday.
Speaking at the opening of the Hanover industrial trade fair which this year has Canada as its partner country, Scholz also insisted that Canada is an independent country.
US President Donald Trump has mused about annexing Canada and referred to the country as the 51st US state.
"We stand by your side!" Scholz said, adding: "Canada is not a state that belongs to anyone else. Canada is a proud, independent nation."
Addressing Trump's plans to introduce tariffs, Scholz said his answer to "my country first" policies was more free trade, greater competitiveness and more technological sovereignty.
Scholz argued that Europe was not naive but also not weak, and said trade wars hurt all sides, Reuters reported.
"So I say to the United States: Europe's goal remains cooperation. But if the US leaves us no choice, such as with the tariffs on steel and aluminium, we as the EU will react as one".