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Total Value of Awarded Contracts in Saudi Arabia Reaches $12 Billion in Q1

Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (File Photo: Reuters)
Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (File Photo: Reuters)
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Total Value of Awarded Contracts in Saudi Arabia Reaches $12 Billion in Q1

Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (File Photo: Reuters)
Buildings are seen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (File Photo: Reuters)

The total value of awarded contracts across Saudi Arabia for Q1 in 2020 reached $12 billion, with a 28 percent quarter-on-quarter growth despite the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the US Saudi Business Council (USSBC).

The awarded contracts included numerous mega-projects across several sectors, with the military sector gaining $4 billion deals followed by oil and gas with $3 billion and petrochemicals ($2.2 billion).

These three sectors accounted for 76 percent of all awarded contracts alone, while the other contributing sectors included water, power, and real estate.

According to the report, it seems that Saudi Aramco is ready to continue awarding giant contracts in the oil and gas sector despite the impact of the COVID-19 on the economy.

Aramco goes ahead with its efforts to expand the Kingdom's capabilities in extracting hydrocarbons to meet local and global demand.

The experts also noted that the government capital spending during the first quarter of 2020 is a strong indicator of the strength of the construction sector.

When compared to the same period in 2019, the value of the contracts is down by 8 percent.

USSBC Member al-Baraa al-Wazir told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Kingdom began easing the measures imposed during the lockdown and opened shopping centers and resumed domestic flights as of the end of May.

Wazir indicated that these measures will lead to the gradual recovery of the economy, expecting Aramco to award a number of contracts in al-Ghawar southern field during the second quarter.

He also predicted that the Saudi National Water Company will award a major project contract in the industrial city of Jubail.

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Carney Vows to Transform Canada Economy to Withstand Trump

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
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Carney Vows to Transform Canada Economy to Withstand Trump

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks at a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, on May 2, 2025 - AFP

Prime Minister Mark Carney promised Friday to oversee the biggest transformation of Canada's economy since the end of the Second World War to enable it to "stand up" to Donald Trump.

Carney led the Liberal Party to a dramatic fourth mandate in elections on Monday after a campaign focused on the US president's threats to Canada's economy and sovereignty.

Liberals fell just short of the 172 seats needed for majority control of parliament, but with 169 confirmed wins they will be in a strong position to pass legislation. Recounts in two closely contested electoral districts saw the party lose a seat in Quebec province but gain another in Ontario.

At his first press conference since his victory, Carney struck a determined note.

Known for weighing his words carefully, he said that he was "in politics to do great things, not to be something."

"And now that Canadians have honored me with a mandate to bring about big changes quickly, I will work relentlessly to fulfill that trust," he said.

Canada's strained relations with the United States -- historically, its close ally and biggest trading partner -- was among his "immediate priorities," he said, announcing a trip to Washington next Tuesday to meet with Trump on trade and security issues.

Canadians elected him "to stand up to President Trump," he said, adding that he will act "with focus and determination."

"Our focus will be on both immediate trade pressures and the broader future economic and security relationship between our two sovereign nations," said Carney.

But he warned also not to expect any "white smoke" from their first meeting signaling a sudden breakthrough.

Carney reiterated his message from the campaign that he believes the old relationship between the two North American neighbors "based on steadily increasing integration is over."

"The questions now are how our nations will cooperate in the future," he said.

Trump "respects strength," he added, explaining that this was why he was preparing the country for major changes including a massive build-up of infrastructure and new housing.

The Conservatives, the main opposition party, as well as the Bloc Quebecois, the third-largest party in Parliament, both called for unity after the elections to fight US levies including on the automotive and steel sectors.

Carney, who previously headed the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, promised to maintain counter-tariffs on American products as long as Washington's measures were in place.

"This will be an incredibly exciting time as we take control of our economic destiny to create a new Canadian economy," Carney said.

To this end, he promised to abolish existing trade barriers between Canadian provinces by July 1 to expand the economy, and to strengthen trade with "reliable allies."

"Canada has what the world needs, and we uphold the values the world respects," he said.