Al-Hogail witnesses the launch of the Saudi-Turkish Contracting Forum in Istanbul and meets with representatives of Saudi and Turkish companies

Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing, Engineer Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, the Saudi-Turkish Contracting Forum and its accompanying workshop were launched today, Wednesday, in Istanbul. The event was organized by the Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA), aiming to link contracting companies between both countries through creating consortium in major development projects. The event was attended by the Turkish Deputy Minister of Commerce, Mustafa Tuzcu, the SCA Chairman, Engineer Zakria Al-Abdulqadir, the President of the Turkish Contractors Association (TCA), Mr. Erdal Eren, and representatives of Saudi and Turkish companies.

This comes as part of the official visit of the Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing to the Republic of Turkey; to enhance cooperation between both countries in the fields of real estate development, road infrastructure, waste management and recycling, in addition to attracting leading Turkish companies in these fields to enter the Saudi market.

On the sidelines of the forum, Al-Hogail met with representatives of a number of Saudi and Turkish contracting companies to discuss investment opportunities and collaboration in the Saudi contracting sector, especially the municipal and housing sectors, as well as ways to develop regulations, legislation and work mechanisms to contribute to the quality of services provided in the Kingdom for citizens, residents and visitors. He emphasized that the Kingdom is keen to involve the private sector in the path of development and progress.

In his speech during the launch of the forum's activities, the Minister of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing stressed the importance of coordination and joint work in the fields of environment, roads, cleaning, and waste management and recycling, in order to develop and improve city services, which will have a positive impact on its residents. He expressed his optimism about the results and outcomes of the forum in developing joint development work and increasing the volume of trade exchange between both countries.

He added: “The forum aims to create investment opportunities and effective consortiums between companies in both countries, and to harness efforts and resources to improve the quality of life in Saudi cities, enhance the urban landscape, and provide suitable livelihoods by creating thriving cities, benefiting from successful experiences and applying the best global practices in this regard, to have a real and tangible impact on Saudi cities.”

He pointed out that Vision 2030 aims to enhance the development fields and sectors that contribute to both the economic and social aspects, noting that the Ministry of Municipal, Rural Affairs and Housing is working according to a clear roadmap to achieve many of the development targets to reach a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation.

Al-Hogail stressed that the construction sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is growing significantly, expressing the Kingdom's keenness to expand its partnerships and benefit from international companies and expert firms, welcoming construction and real estate development companies and investors from the Turkish side who are willing to invest and work in various sectors such as construction, roads, and waste management in Saudi cities.