Mohamed Alabbar’s memoir; Dammam airport upgrade; Permasteelisa Gartner façades; Women in hard hats and more

As we head into the final week of July, we’re back with the latest updates from the region’s construction industry. In this edition, we cover Mohamed Alabbar’s upcoming memoir, the Dammam Airport upgrade masterplan, key updates on the Dubai Metro Blue Line, Eagle Hills' Mandarin Oriental Munich acquisition, and details on our Leaders in Construction: Saudi fireside chat on women in the industry — plus more.

First look: Mohamed Alabbar’s upcoming memoir cover revealed

Mohamed Alabbar, the renowned Emirati entrepreneur and visionary behind some of the UAE’s most iconic developments and ventures, including Emaar Properties, Eagle Hills , and noon , has announced the upcoming launch of his memoir via Instagram. Alabbar’s memoir promises to take readers on a journey through his personal and professional life.

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Dammam: Saudi Arabia launches major $427mn airport upgrade plan

Saudi Arabia has unveiled a sweeping master plan and new identity for three key airports—King Fahd International Airport (KFIA) in Dammam, Al Ahsa International Airport, and Qaisumah International Airport—as part of its Vision 2030 strategy. Announced by Eastern Province Governor Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, the plan is focused on transforming KFIA into a major regional hub.

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Dubai Metro Blue Line: $5.6bn mega infrastructure project secures backing from Emirates NBD

In a major step toward enhancing urban mobility, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially awarded the design and build contract for the Dubai Metro Blue Line to a consortium comprising MAPA, Limak, and CRRC. The AED20.5 billion ($5.6 billion) infrastructure project is one of the largest in the region and a central pillar of the emirate’s 2040 Urban Master Plan. The Blue Line is scheduled for completion by September 2029 and is expected to serve around 350,000 daily passengers by 2040.

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Permasteelisa Gartner ME: Using façade design to embrace stronger cultural narratives

Driven by a clear mission to elevate building performance through cutting-edge façade solutions in the Middle East, Permasteelisa Gartner Middle East continues to redefine the limits of architectural innovation. Construction Week Middle East sat down with Alessio De Mitri , Executive General Manager, who shared his insights into the world of façades—from intricate technical challenges to the broader vision shaping the future of the built environment.

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Eagle Hills to acquire Mandarin Oriental, Munich, expanding its global hospitality portfolio

Eagle Hills entered into an agreement to acquire the prestigious Mandarin Oriental , Munich, a premier luxury hotel located in the heart of Bavaria’s capital. This acquisition aligns with Eagle Hills’ vision to curate iconic destinations in the world’s most culturally rich and economically vibrant cities. This milestone marks the second Mandarin Oriental property in Eagle Hill’s growing portfolio, following the development and grand opening of Mandarin Oriental, Muscat in 2024.

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In case you missed it...

Women in hard hats: The evolving role of women in KSA’s construction industry

The Leaders in Construction: Saudi conference will take place on September 11 at voco Riyadh. The even will commence at 8:30am and conclude at 1:00pm, followed by a networking and lunch break. The Fireside Chat- 'Women in hard hats: Breaking barriers in KSA’s construction boom' will explore the inspiring personal journeys of female engineers and leaders who are shaping Saudi Arabia’s construction landscape. It will delve into their experiences navigating male-dominated workspaces, the challenges they have overcome, and how they are driving change through leadership and innovation.

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