insights What does the new National Investment Strategy mean for construction in KSA

What is the National Investment Strategy?

Under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Vision 2030, there are bold plans to transform the country into a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. The NIS will serve as a catalyst to deliver these plans and will ultimately contribute to the country’s efforts to move away from a reliance on crude oil and reduce unemployment to position the Kingdom better among competitor economies.

At the launch of the NIS, his Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the investment will be a route to achieving the aspirations of his Vision, namely ‘economic development, diversification and sustainability; technology transfer and localisation; infrastructure development; better quality of life; job opportunities, and the upskilling of human resources, leaving a legacy of prosperity for future generations.’

What does the new investment mean for construction in Saudi Arabia?

The investment that KSA is inputting will offer a wealth of opportunity for all sectors, including tourism, digital infrastructure, and health care, however, it will provide a particular boost for the construction, manufacturing, renewable energy, transport, and logistics sectors.

To enjoy the new vision that the Crown Prince sets out, the construction industry will need to design and build the new infrastructure that will support society to live. NEOM, for example, is a huge new development in the northwest of the country, described as ‘a new vision of what the future could be.’ It will be established as an independent region that will have Net Zero carbon emissions, plus its own regulations, laws, and way of life. NEOM will be developed with five core principles at its heart; sustainability, technology, community, nature and liveability; a new world for a traditionally conservative country. Two major developments within NEOM include The Line, a ‘linear city’ and Oxagon, a global gateway for trade.

What opportunities are available for construction professionals in Saudi Arabia?

The commitment to more than SAR 12 trillion of investment over the next decade means that KSA is a great place to take your career in construction. Megaprojects like NEOM create a multitude of opportunities for construction professionals of all levels to showcase their innovative skills and passion for sustainability.

The Middle East is one of the most competitive and fast-paced parts of the world, and demand is therefore rising in KSA for skilled workers such as architects, engineers, project managers, and construction managers. KSA represents a significant growth opportunity and working in on exciting megaprojects, you’ll always be learning something new, developing your skills and ultimately your career.

Design and build your career in Saudi Arabia

By achieving the goals set out in Vision 2030 through the NIS, the Crown Prince aims to ensure KSA becomes more inclusive, sustainable, and open to opportunities within the next decade. This aligns well with Atkins expansion of design and engineering services in the country, which we announced in Spring 2021.

At AtkinsRéalis , everything we do supports our objective to deliver exceptional results, with technology and consideration of the future of the planet embedded into all of our work. We’re excited about the opportunities that are opening up in Saudi Arabia, and we’re looking for new team members to help us achieve our own purpose and vision; to engineer a better future for our planet and its people, and to create sustainable solutions that connect people, data, and technology to design, deliver and operate the most complex projects.

Browse our latest jobs in the Middle East today to kick off an exciting career or sign up to our job alerts so you’ll never miss an opportunity.