With the early award of a critical infrastructure contract to Nesma & Partners and the mobilisation of global giants Bechtel and Buro Happold, the Expo 2030 Riyadh project is now accelerating toward its October 2030 opening. Work on the mega event’s country pavilions is likely to begin in the third quarter, said media reports.

In addition, tenders have been issued for the site offices, according to MEED.

The massive 6-million-sq-m greenfield site that will host the much-awaited Expo 2030 Riyadh in the north of the capital has seen much progress over the past year, transitioning from preparatory works to full-scale construction. 

The Saudi government has allocated $7.8 billion for Expo 2030 Riyadh, which is set to run from October 1, 2030, to March 31, 2031, with its overarching theme being “Foresight for Tomorrow”.

The pace of contract awards will accelerate this year, including two infrastructure contracts, Murad AlSayed, Chief Delivery Officer of Expo 2030 Riyadh Company, told Al Eqtisadiah, an Arabic daily.

More than 1.5 million  sq m have been levelled so far, representing 25 per cent of the total Expo site. “Work on the pavilions of the participating countries will begin by the middle of the year,” he added.