Dewan reaches out to Saudi Market through Cityscape KSA, opens new offices in Riyadh

The event, held under the patronage of H.R.H. Prince Mishal bin Majid bin Abdul Aziz, Governer of Jeddah, will be held at the Jeddah Exhibition and Events Center.

To coincide with the firm's participation in Cityscape Saudi Arabia, Dewan will be opening new offices in Riyadh, a step that forms part of the company's expansion plans for 2009.

Dewan's contribution to the Saudi property scene through its participation in Cityscape Saudi Arabia, and especially through the opening of its new Riyadh office, with the view to add additional offices in Jeddah and the KSA's eastern cities, forms part of the company's vision to target and optimize the numerous opportunities in the Saudi market.

Said Mohammed Al Assam, founder and Chairman of Dewan Engineers & Architects:

"By establishing new offices in Riyadh, as well as through our participation in Cityscape Saudi Arabia, we are reaffirming our commitment, passion and dedication to the industry. We hope to continue to contribute to the overall growth of the property sector in the region, and will remain true to our vision by focusing on designing quality projects, further strengthening our leadership position in the market."

The Saudi property sector's contribution to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow from 6.8% in 2004 to 7.2% in 2009. The KSA is also expected to run numerous projects, with a total cost value in excess of SR20 trillion ($50bn). Since it has one of the largest construction markets in the region, total investments in the property market is expected to soon reach $300bn, and is predicted to surpass $400bn by 2010.

"The Saudi market is still attracting attention, despite the economic recession and the slowdown of the international property market. Statistics show that the KSA needs 200 000 units per year during the next five years due to the rapid population growth and the continuous flow of a workforce that still regards the KSA as a big pool of job opportunities. This is what enables us to continue our growth," said Al Assam.

"Looking at the future of the Saudi property market and how things might shape up, we have decided to not only participate in the Cityscape Saudi Arabia, but also to open up a new Riyadh office, which will give us direct access to the Saudi property market, enabling us to provide state-of-the-art services, the latest creative construction designs, as well as top quality consultations," he added.

Dewan Architects & Engineers is considered one of the largest architectural and engineering consulting firms in the region with over 300 professionals distributed in the region. The company has worked on some of the region's most prestigious projects, including The Fairmont Hotel & Resort, The Green Community Marriot Courtyard Hotel & Residential Apartments, the United Square Mixed Use Complex, The One Tower, and The 1bn Batutta Shopping Mall in Dubai, and boasts multi-billion dollar contracts in more than 10 countries spanning the GCC, North Africa and Asia.

In addition, the company's portfolio includes hundreds of other residential and commercial towers, shopping centers, industrial complexes, healthcare projects, and governmental buildings and complexes.

Cityscape Saudi Arabia, one of the newest additions to the global Cityscape portfolio which includes Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bombay, Singapore, New York and Brazil, is expected to attract more than 50,000 participants. The event will see over 100 companies showcasing their projects in an area of 10,000 square meters.