NEOM (Saudi Arabia)
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This is interesting to watch - the video is completely positive press release but the commentary overlaid is that of every changing plans, massive overspending, employee dissatisfaction and no actual building taking place!

I wonder if this will ever come to fruition? It's a great idea but it does seem like a complete dream right now.

First working pile casting Green hydrogen elements NEOM KSA

NEOM on Monday awarded drill and blast tunneling contracts for work on the region’s infrastructure, which is considered one of the world’s largest transportation and utility infrastructure projects, and it is an essential element in ensuring NEOM continues to meet its development schedule.

Two joint venture groups will undertake the project, which is separated by lower and upper geographies, with the first contract awarded to FCC Construction SA/China State Construction Engineering Corporation/Shibh Al-Jazira Contracting Company Joint Venture (FCC/CSCEC/SAJCO JV).

The second contract has been awarded to Samsung C&T Corporation/Hyundai Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd/Saudi Archirodon Company Ltd Joint Venture (SHAJV).

The tunnels work will deliver over 28 kilometers in length and provide separate tunnels for high-speed and freight rail services — making the movement of people and goods faster, safer and easier. The rock excavated as part of this tunneling project will be processed for subsequent reuse within the permanent concrete lining of the tunnels and other projects within NEOM to ensure minimal impact to natural landscapes.

Source: https://saudigazette.com.sa/article/621727

There isn't much in those areas at the moment, only contractor accomodation until the hotels are in place.

Originally Posted by LogisticsMan

I'm looking for some advice if possible. What is accommodation like near NEOM. I am looking to come over for 4-6 weeks to set up some logistics projects, and just wondered how to go about booking somewhere to stay?? I've searched the internet but only found a few hotels nearby.

I'm looking for some advice if possible. What is accommodation like near NEOM. I am looking to come over for 4-6 weeks to set up some logistics projects, and just wondered how to go about booking somewhere to stay?? I've searched the internet but only found a few hotels nearby.

There's some internal tensions about what will and won't be allowed in NEOM and currently a lot of PR being put towards attracting those who don't want to live under Saudi regulations but without specifically saying they won't adhere to the same rules. It's a thin line they are walking and it looks like the official statements aren't quite as agreed as you would expect!

Saudi Arabia on Monday rejected claims that its planned futuristic megacity known as NEOM will have different rules from the rest of the conservative kingdom and function like a “country within a country”.

In an interview published last week by the UAE’s The National newspaper, Andrew McEvoy, head of NEOM’s tourism sector, was quoted as saying that residents of the $500 billion Red Sea project would be known as “Neomians” rather than Saudis and that alcohol — long banned in Saudi Arabia — could potentially be sold there. “NEOM will be treated as a country within a country, with its own economic zone and its own authority. We need to make sure its laws and regulations match the ambitions of those we are trying to attract to work and live here,” McEvoy said.

The company developing NEOM responded with a statement stressing the site was “absolutely subject to the sovereignty and systems of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”, according to a report by the official Saudi Press Agency. NEOM will be “subject to all rules that are applied to any part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in terms of issues related to security, defence and border protection”, the report said. The report allowed, though, that NEOM “will enjoy some special regulations related to investment”.

Source: https://dailytimes.com.pk/935886/saudi-denies-neom-megacity-will-be-country-within-a-country/

Saudi Arabia’s megaproject NEOM will be subject to the regulations of the Kingdom, despite having separate economic legislation, an official source told the Saudi Press Agency.

The statement on Monday came in response to NEOM’s head of tourism Andrew McAvoy’s comments to local press at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, where he suggested that the sale of alcohol had not been ruled out.

Residents of NEOM will also not be classified differently than people living in other parts of the Kingdom, SPA reported.

Officials have in the past hinted that the sale of alcohol could be permitted in the planned city.

A unnamed senior official told AFP in October 2021 that the “delicate” issue was being considered.

https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2022/05/16/Saudi-megaproject-NEOM-will-be-subject-to-Kingdom-s-regulations-SPA

The construction village is really coming along. There's clearly a lot more traffic around the area now and infrastructure going in around the main residential areas.

NEOM Company announced on Wednesday that Rayan bin Mohammed Fayez has joined the top management team at NEOM.

The company has experienced rapid growth and expansion since it started its delivery phase early last year, as the company spent the period prior to that focusing on preparing the detailed strategies for all sectors and projects.

Nadhmi Al-Nasr, CEO of NEOM, said: “NEOM is growing rapidly and development is happening very fast, as we work around the clock to deliver on all projects, especially after the launches of THE LINE, OXAGON and recently TROJENA. This requires sourcing more expert talent at all levels, including for the top management team, where all will collaborate to achieve NEOM’s vision, and to contribute to creating a better future for our coming generations”.

“NEOM decided to appoint Mr. Fayez as Deputy CEO, and his start date will be early next June,” Al-Nasr added.

Fayez is currently the Managing Director and CEO of Banque Saudi Fransi. He previously held the role of CEO of Savola Group. He sits on the boards of King Salman Park Foundation, Sports Boulevard Foundation and Alula Development Company among other boards and committees he serves.

Source: https://www.zawya.com/en/business/technology-and-telecom/saudis-neom-appoints-rayan-mohammed-fayez-as-deputy-ceo-x0n477jp

Brett Smythe, chief projects officer of NEOM, said in an interview with Arab News that work has made important headway on Neom’s road and utility backbone, its first permanent villages, marine works and social infrastructure. All regions of Neom will be built simultaneously, in keeping with the project’s mission to accelerate and deliver progress, according to him.

“Work has also commenced on The Line, a series of communities built along a 170-km strip of land from the Red Sea deep into the interior of Saudi Arabia, integrated with The Spine, the transport and logistics backbone that will service The Line. Early grading work has already commenced, and major contracts are progressing for The Spine infrastructure to Bechtel (executive project manager), Aecom (lead designer) and China Railway Construction Corp. (adits and portals),” Smythe noted.

Source: http://www.tradearabia.com/news/CONS_393265.html