Saudi Arabia Announces US $400 Billion Infrastructure Investment Plans

DUBAI, UAE, October 26, 2010 - When the largest economy in the Middle East announced its US $400 billion
infrastructure investment plans, the perception was that Saudi Arabia would
take a slow and steady approach. However, the increasing demand for power and
utilities coupled with the strain on existing transport infrastructure is
driving development goals faster, with the people in charge meeting on a
regular basis with stakeholders and suppliers.

His Excellency Dr. Hani Abu Ras, the recently appointed Mayor of Jeddah
in March 2011, is gathering government procurement, engineering and planning
personnel to meet with the world's foremost bridge construction companies in
his city to help them hammer out partnerships required for the development of
the sorely required new bridges and the urgent maintenance of existing ones.
He also wants to improve the efficiency and quality of any existing projects
in his city.

"I (have) requested daily reports on hurdles facing the execution of
projects. I also plan to make weekly visits to the projects, especially in
east Jeddah, to assess their progress,"His Excellency told Saudi newspapers
from his new office at the municipality building in August of this year.
Jeddah has a number of its own bridge, tunnel, road and park projects
underway after last year's US $1.3 billion investment. Also a strategic focus
and influence on these projects are the twin holy cities of Makkah and Medina
given their location in relation to Jeddah.

Bridge development and maintenance has been highlighted by the numerous
projects underway to provide one of the basic necessities to residents: easy
access to urban areas. The launch of the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi
underscored this, given the global attention it garnered from the
construction industry. With the focus now shifting to Saudi Arabia, the
global bridge construction series of peer-led gatherings by the International
Quality & Productivity Center (IQPC) decided to establish one of its forums
in Jeddah, where His Excellency Dr. Hani Abu Ras will be highlighting the
city and Kingdom's plans.

Bridges Saudi Arabia follows on from the Bridges Middle East Summit,
which took place in Abu Dhabi this week. Architects and contractors onsite
were treated to a sneak preview of the Bridges Saudi Arabia Agenda
(www.bridgessaudi.com) featuring the following experts: Leonard
Morgensen Andersen, Project Manager, Division of Bridges, New York City
Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), Saad Mohamad Khodr, Senior
Transportation Engineer, Ministry of Municipality & Urban Planning, Qatar of
particular interest.

A topic already creating a stir in the construction sector in the Kingdom
is the outline of strategies for implementing a 20 year transportation
development plan in Islam's holiest city, Makkah, followed by a case study on
Mahbas Al-Jin, and the successful integration of the $8.6 million bridge
contract into the overall public works projects. But perhaps no other topic
will feature more prominently than the Jeddah case study on municipality
procedures, guidelines and processes for development project tenders chaired
by His Excellency himself.

For information about on the latest confirmed case studies and experts
on Bridges Saudi Arabia taking place 27-30 March 2011, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
please visit www.bridgessaudi.com alternatively please contact:
Eleanor Head, Marketing Manager, IQPC Middle East at Email:
Eleanor.head@iqpc.com or call; +9714-446-4251

For information about on the latest confirmed case studies and experts on Bridges Saudi Arabia taking place 27-30 March 2011, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia please visit www.bridgessaudi.com alternatively please contact: Eleanor Head, Marketing Manager, IQPC Middle East at Email:
Eleanor.head at iqpc.com or call; +9714-446-4251