Saudi projects win MEED awards

The Gulf region’s highest quality projects were revealed at the 2013 MEED Quality Awards for Projects.
It took place in association with Ernst & Young.
Saudi Arabia and Oman brought home two awards. Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar each received one. The UAE led the region with five award-winning projects.
“This year’s edition of the awards program received a higher number of entries, firmly establishing it as the most sought-after recognition initiative in the projects industry,” said Edmund O’Sullivan, chairman of the judging panel of the MEED Quality Awards for Projects, in association with Ernst & Young.
“This signifies the important value placed by stakeholders on achieving quality in their projects not just by aspiring for excellence in design, engineering and construction; but also in terms of their projects’ contribution to the economy, society and the environment,” said the chairman
The winning projects from Saudi Arabia include the Development of King Abdul Aziz Endowment Project (Makkah) owned by The Higher Endowment Council for King Abdulaziz Endowment for the two holy mosques / The Makkah Al-Mukkarramah Endowment Project (entered by Saudi Binladin Group) in the GCC Social Project of the Year category; and the Maaden Ammonia Plant Project owned by Maaden (entered by Samsung Engineering), a joint winner in the GCC Mashreq Oil & Gas Project of the Year category along with Oman’s Octal Petrochemicals Expansion Phase Project owned by OCTAL Petrochemicals (entered by Faithful+Gould).
Dubai International Airport – Concourse A Project from Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects Corporation received the highest honor – the MEED Quality Project of the Year, in association with Ernst & Young. It also won the GCC Transport Project of the Year Award.
Abraham Akkawi, partner and head of Infrastructure and PPP Advisory Services, MENA, Ernst & Young, congratulated the winners and commended the MEED Quality Awards for Projects organizers for continuing to inspire industry stakeholders across the region to aspire for quality and project excellence.
“It is not just the quality that we are recognizing in the projects that have received awards tonight. We are also paying tribute to the invaluable impact that these projects have had on the development of the region as a whole. Congratulations to all the winners — your achievements are honorable examples for others to follow,” said Abraham.
The Ducab HV and EHV Facility Project owned by Ducab HV (entered by Hyder Consulting Middle East) won the GCC Industrial Project of the Year award.
The Siemens Head Office Project owned by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (entered by Al-Faraa Contracting Group) triumphed in the GCC Lafarge Sustainable Project of the Year category.
The UAE Pavilion Project on Saadiyat Island owned by Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development and Investment Company (entered by Al-Futtaim Carillion) received the GCC Small Project of the Year award.
The GCC Building Project of the Year award went to the Doha Towers Project (entered by China State Construction Engineering Company).
The GCC Leisure and Tourism Project of the Year award was given to The Avenues Project owned by the Mabanee Company.
Meanwhile, the Replacement of Steam Turbo-Generators at No. 2 Power Plant Project owned by Bahrain Petroleum Company (entered by Tchnip France Abu Dhabi) received the GCC Power and Water Desalination Project of the Year award.
The Sewage Treatment Plant of Duqm Crowne Plaza Project, owned by Omran, won the GCC Water and Water Reuse Project of the Year award.
Two companies were also given special recognition by MEED – Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC) received The Angus Hindley Award for Project Excellence 2013 for its outstanding contribution to the development of the region over the past six decades. The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) was given the MEED Editor’s Award, an honor given each year to a person or organization that stands out not only for specific achievements, but also for what it represents in terms of leadership and vision, in being a role model for the region.