A number of British companies are trying to form consortia with Saudi counterparts to enter the bidding procedure for the Jeddah public transportation project that the Cabinet recently approved.

Michael Cockle, deputy consul-general and head of the trade and investment section at the British Consulate in Jeddah, said UK companies have a strong will to compete for the contracts of trains and public transportation in Saudi Arabia. The strategic partnerships and consortia they would form with Saudi companies would enable them to complete projects with high standards.

The official’s comments came on the sidelines of a visit by representatives of 13 British companies that covered the fields of contracting, logistic support, technology and research and inventions.

Cockle said Saudi-British economic relations are excellent and constantly developing, adding that the companies’ visit is part of a strengthening trade exchange between the two countries.

Jeddah Mayor Hani Aburas recently said that the cost of Jeddah’s transportation project will be around SR 45 billion. This includes compensations for expropriated properties. The project will take seven years to complete over stages to be approved by a higher committee headed by the Makkah governor with the ministers of Municipal and Rural Affairs, Finance and Transportation.