FCC was represented at the conference by Jaime Freyre, project director of the consortium FAST (KSA), who is leading construction works to build three of the nine lines making up the metro in the Saudi capital. The project is currently one of the most significant underway in the Middle East.

The speech entitled “8 organizaciones, 38 nacionalidades, 22 lenguajes y un equipo” [8 organisations, 38 nationalities, 22 languages and one team"] addressed issues including the importance of trust as a driving force required to achieve goals, make short-term decisions and effectively adjust to changes; relevant aspects to successfully undertake a project of such enormous proportions and with such diverse components.

More than 50 speakers representing government agencies, clients and contractors offered a shared vision through their own perspective that amalgamates in the remarkable magnitude that currently characterises the Saudi Arabian industry.

An investment in megaprojects worth 800 billion dollars to be distributed over the next decade was announced during the conference. This investment will be distributed among the varied sectors that constitute the largest economy of the Middle East: energy, transport, infrastructure, water and building. An investment of 70 million dollars is expected over the next year alone.

Sustainability and energy efficiency, the development impact in terms of transport and infrastructure, together with energy management and water resources, were some of the predominant topics raised during this three-day conference in Riyadh.