MEED and Mashreq have announced the extension of their unique construction partnership to a second year.

Launched in 2017, the MEED Mashreq Construction Partnership provides an industry platform aiming to enable innovations that will improve how construction projects are delivered in the region.

With nearly $1.6tn-worth of construction and infrastructure projects planned or underway in the GCC, a strong and healthy construction industry is vital to the long-term success of the region.

Over the past four years however, the industry has faced major challenges as investment cutbacks have hit contractor cash flow and profit margins, putting the region’s construction industry under increasing pressure.

The slowdown in the region’s projects market has exposed major weaknesses in the way construction projects are delivered in the GCC, but it also provides a unique opportunity to rethink how things are done.

Keeping up the good work

In its first year, the MEED Mashreq Construction Partnership successfully established a trusted platform that brought together construction industry leaders in the UAE to share information and network.

The partnership was recently recognised at The Global Finance Innovators Awards 2018 for bringing a fresh approach to communication and partnerships.

In its second year, the partnership will continue to combine MEED’s unique perspective and expertise on the market with Mashreq’s ongoing focus on industry specialisation and client needs.

The objective of the MEED Mashreq Construction Partnership in its second year is to drive recommendations for change that will support a more sustainable construction industry in the region, which will also help regional governments deliver their long-term strategic visions.

Fostering innovation and ideas

Over the coming 12 months, the partnership will extend its connections with the construction community through regular discussions at the Mashreq Construction Club.

The high-level, invitation-only club, which meets regularly to explore key industry issues, is being expanded to include a wider community of construction industry stakeholders – contractors, developers, government agencies, consultants, law and technology experts.

The expansion of the club enables greater exchange of insights and ideas from all sections of the industry.

Planned Mashreq Construction Clubs centre on expert panels from the aviation, transport infrastructure, urban development and tourism industries and provide opportunities to learn from other sectors on how they tackle change and innovation in their field.

In 2019, the MEED Mashreq Construction Partnership will launch a pioneering industry “Think Tank” that will recommend to government important trends and potential industry innovations that can make the biggest improvements to the way construction projects are delivered in the region.

The MEED Mashreq Construction portal provides an online hub that has become a critical point of reference and knowledge from its library of valuable content. This has recently seen an update in user experience to help visitors better navigate the growing library.

Mashreq continues its support of excellence across the GCC projects market as the headline sponsor of the MEED Project Awards 2019 in association with Mashreq, now in its ninth year.

For more information on the partnership, or find out how to be a part of our community, reach out to us on MEEDMashreqPartnership@meed.com.