News

ConFex Saudi Arabia To Take Place On October 23rd & 24th

The expo showcases how digitalization and cutting-edge tech are shaping the construction and real estate industries in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

Published

2 years ago

September 25, 2023

Nour Nasir

confex saudi arabia to take place on october 23rd and 24th

The Construction Technology ConFex KSA (CTF KSA) is a two-day immersive event exploring the technology revolutionizing Saudi Arabia’s Built Environment and Giga Project. Co-organized by the Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA), ConFex takes place at the Crowne Plaza, RDC Hotel in Riyadh on October 23rd and 24th.

Confex will showcase how digitalization and advanced tech are shaping construction and real estate in Saudi Arabia. Event organizers expect over 600 attendees, who will join 60 expert speakers and thought leaders in architecture, design, engineering, and construction, plus influential policymakers and investors.

Event themes include advanced technologies driving the built environment, Smart & Future Cities, Digital & Innovative Deliveries, Data Intelligence, and Sustainability. Speaking topics and workshops will cover a wide range of subjects, including:

Virtual construction
Decarbonization of the built environment
The internet of things (IoT)
Machine learning
Predictive data analytics
Digital twins
Building information modeling (BIM)
Building management system software

Confex is an important event for the construction and smart city technology sector. With the industry projected to research a value of nearly $15 billion by 2027, Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming home to some of the world’s most advanced and futuristic building concepts.

Also Read: Bahrain Plans To Develop 300 Smart Factories By 2026

The Saudi Arabia Giga Project program — a cornerstone of the Vision 2030 program — is the world’s most extensive civil infrastructure initiative. Meanwhile, developments like NEOM, with its massive $500 billion budget, represent the largest construction projects globally. Furthermore, Red Sea tourism projects, valued at $8.5 billion, place a large emphasis on digital and smart delivery, while the $2.4 billion Roshn housing project aims to cut emissions by an estimated 18%.

To learn more about Saudi Arabia’s biggest Construction Technology Confex, head to the official website.

News

UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

Also Read: UGREEN Nexode Pro Review: Portable Yet Powerful Chargers

Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.