Majid Al Futtaim Appoints Mace to Handle Delivery of ‘Riyadh North’ Project

Mace will oversee planning, construction, commercial, and control management of the development, which spans nearly 1 million square meters of built-up-area. (Supplied)
Mace will oversee planning, construction, commercial, and control management of the development, which spans nearly 1 million square meters of built-up-area. (Supplied)
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Majid Al Futtaim Appoints Mace to Handle Delivery of ‘Riyadh North’ Project

Mace will oversee planning, construction, commercial, and control management of the development, which spans nearly 1 million square meters of built-up-area. (Supplied)
Mace will oversee planning, construction, commercial, and control management of the development, which spans nearly 1 million square meters of built-up-area. (Supplied)

Majid Al Futtaim has appointed global consultancy and construction company Mace, to support the delivery of its Riyadh North development, including the integrated lifestyle destination, Mall of Saudi.

Reinforcing its commitment to the Kingdom and its contribution to Vision 2030, Majid Al Futtaim’s Riyadh North development is the fastest growing zone in the city and is already gathering pace.

Mace, which was appointed following a competitive regional tender process, has already mobilized its team and will oversee the entire Riyadh North development spanning nearly one million square meters of built-up area, including planning, construction, commercial and control management for the duration of the contract.

The $4.2 billion (SAR16 billion) master-planned Riyadh North project and Mall of Saudi is expected to house over 600 retail stores across a 300,000 m2 gross leasable area, nine hotels and branded residences with 2,000 keys, and Ski Saudi – the largest indoor ski slope and snow park in the Middle East.

Majid Al Futtaim’s Saudi project, which is expected to create more than 114,000 direct and indirect jobs once completed, covers nearly one million square meters of built-up area.

“The appointment of Mace as our project delivery partner marks an exciting step in our journey to bring Majid Al Futtaim’s Riyadh North development, including our anchor retail offering, Mall of Saudi, to the city,” said Ahmed Galal Ismail, CEO of Majid Al Futtaim – Properties.

The UAE-based conglomerate looks to break ground for the project later this year.

Saudi Arabia is already home to the largest retail market in the Gulf region, he added.

Jason Millett, CEO for Consultancy, Mace, said: “Mace’s consultancy business is growing rapidly in Saudi Arabia on the back of our extensive retail expertise. Supporting the delivery of Riyadh North and Mall of Saudi is an exciting step forward as we continue to push the boundaries on major program - and project delivery in the region.”

Majid Al Futtaim had previously announced the appointment of lead design consultant AECOM for pre- and post-contract construction supervision for Mall of Saudi, which will also feature a flagship Carrefour hypermarket and 31 VOX Cinema screens, including the world’s largest IMAX, and a Magic Planet.



Chip Powerhouse Taiwan Calls for Economic Partnership Deal with EU

 Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
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Chip Powerhouse Taiwan Calls for Economic Partnership Deal with EU

 Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te speaks at the annual Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Taiwan November 18, 2024. (Reuters)

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te called on Monday for the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the European Union, saying it would boost cooperation in semiconductors and that as democracies the two sides should be working together.

Taiwan has pushed for the signing of investment and trade deals with the EU, in what would be politically significant for Taiwan given its diplomatic isolation and general exclusion from most global bodies and agreements.

For its part, the EU has been courting Taiwan as a "like-minded" partner under the European Chips Act to encourage more semiconductor production in Europe and lessen dependence on Asia, despite the lack of formal ties with the Chinese-claimed island.

Speaking at a Taiwan-EU investment forum in Taipei, Lai said that facing the threat of expanding authoritarianism, Taiwan and the EU must form a "strong democratic umbrella" and build secure supply chains for global democracies.

"Looking to the future, Taiwan hopes to take an innovative approach towards the signing of an economic partnership agreement with the EU," he said.

Such an agreement would set a sound institutional basis for further cooperation in fields such as semiconductors and AI, Lai added.

"This would not only make both our economies more resilient and secure, but also ensure the stable operation of global supply chains."

Taiwanese investment in EU has been anchored by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), which in August launched a major new chip plant in Dresden, Germany, expected to be a key supplier to European industry and automakers.

Maria Martin-Prat, deputy head of the European Commission's directorate general for trade, made no mention of signing such a deal with Taiwan in a video message to the investment event, though she did praise bilateral relations.

"Taiwan, a vibrant democracy with an open economy, is a trusted partner for us to promote our economic security," she said.

Taiwan has few free trade agreements, though last year it signed an Enhanced Trade Partnership with Britain and has applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP.