GCC announces $125bn new development projects in H1

The GCC countries have witnessed the announcement of $125 billion worth of new projects during the first six months, including $63.5 billion developments announced in the second quarter of 2019, according to a new report.

These are part of the estimated 27,000 active projects live in the GCC, worth $2.52 trillion at the end of the first half, stated BNC Group, a leading construction intelligence provider in the region, in its latest report.

Saudi Arabia was the frontrunner, riding high on the back of the $63.5 billion project announcements, comprising 50 per cent of the total project announcement in the second quarter, it stated.

During the first half of 2019, project owners in the GCC countries have also awarded new construction contracts worth $49 billion, a 33 per cent jump compared to the corresponding period in 2018.

Unveiling the new report, CEO Avin Gidwani said: "GCC project awards during first half of 2019 and the second half of 2018 were consistent, saved by the exponential growth in contract awards seen during the first half of the year and the major spike in utility contract awards during the first quarter of 2019."

“The latest BNC Construction Intelligence provides a robust construction sector – not only in terms of new project announcements, but also new construction contracts and project completion, as the development activities gains momentum despite challenges including geo-political tension across the region and slow global economic growth forecast,” he added.

The GCC states also witnessed the completion of $88.5 billion worth of construction projects in the first half as the region's construction sector remains robust.

The construction project completions across all economic sectors in the second quarter surged to $46.5 billion with the list dominated by the urban construction sector with a 46 per cent share of the total value of the completed construction projects.

The majority of them were registered in the UAE, the second largest Arab economy, stated the BNC report.

Ref: Property Report