Al-Hogail meets with the President of the Chinese International Contractors Association, and witnesses the signing of a memorandum to enhance the participation of Chinese companies in the Saudi contracting sector

H.E. Minister of Municipal Rural Affairs and Housing, Chairman of the Housing Program Committee, Mr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail, met today in Beijing with Mr. Fang Qiuchen, Chairman of the China International Contractors Association (CHINCA), and a number of association members to discuss opportunities for attracting a group of specialized Chinese companies in the construction, building, and maintenance sectors to benefit from innovative practices in the contracting sector. The meeting was attended by His Excellency the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the People's Republic of China, Mr. Abdulrahman bin Ahmed Al-Harbi, and the Chairman of the Saudi Contractors Authority, Engineer Zakaria bin Abdulrahman Al-Abdulqader.

During the meeting, they discussed the cooperation opportunities between Saudi and Chinese contracting companies to benefit from their qualitative experience in the construction and building sector, in light of the Kingdom's current momentum and advancements in this field. They also discussed opportunities for developing Saudi human capabilities through specialized training programs for the workforce in the construction and building sectors in the Kingdom.

The Minister emphasized that the China International Contractors Association serves as an example in organizing the contracting sector and promoting the use of innovative methods. It focuses on ensuring project quality and developing standards and guidelines governing Chinese contractors abroad, which confirms their commitment to quality and sustainability.

He added, "Our partnership with Chinese companies, especially in the contracting sector, reflects the Kingdom's keenness to open new horizons of cooperation with our brothers in the People's Republic of China, especially since Chinese companies have had remarkable success stories in the Kingdom in recent years." He pointed out that housing and municipal projects in various vital sectors represent promising investment opportunities for Chinese companies to enter the Saudi market.

On his part, Mr. Fang Qiuchen, President of the China International Contractors Association, confirmed that Chinese contracting companies are eager to benefit from and participate in the implementation of massive projects in the Kingdom by employing the available technologies in these companies. He noted that they currently have several ongoing projects in the Saudi contracting market, indicating that Chinese companies see the Saudi housing sector as a suitable and attractive investment opportunity. He also commended the development in legislation and regulations that have facilitated the entry of foreign companies into the Kingdom to invest and exchange experiences to achieve mutual benefits.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Saudi Contractor Authority emphasized the importance of attracting Chinese companies to the Saudi contracting market and benefiting from the Chinese experience in localizing the contracting industry and modern construction methods. He pledged to facilitate the work of Chinese companies and invited members of the China International Contractors Association to attend the Future Projects Forum next month to learn about the most prominent projects to be implemented in the years to come.

The meeting witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Contractor Authority and the China International Contractors Association, with the aim of exploring areas of cooperation between the two countries in the contracting sector and enhancing the participation of Chinese contracting companies in the Saudi market. The signing took place under the patronage of the Minister of Municipal Rural Affairs, and Housing and in the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the People's Republic of China.

It is worth mentioning that Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al-Hogail began an official visit to the Chinese capital, Beijing, during which he met with the Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development in the People's Republic of China, as well as a number of officials, heads of construction companies, and Chinese banks. The visit aims to enhance the partnership between the Kingdom and China in the construction and building sectors and to attract the best global companies in real estate development and various financing solutions