19th Saudi Arabia Infrastructure Development Summit highlights Vision 2030 push and $2tn pipeline
Held under the theme ‘Together Tomorrow’, the conference highlighted the magnitude of Saudi Arabia’s transformation, where the real estate pipeline now exceeds $2tn, redefining global standards for development, hospitality, sustainability and design.
Investment and sustainability are at the forefront
In his opening speech, Ravi Kumar Chandran, Founder and Managing Director of GBB Venture, highlighted the launch of the first dedicated investment track at the conference, which welcomed more than 200 global investment leaders. He also announced a strategic partnership with VCM to deliver a net-zero conference through carbon measurement, mitigation and mitigation, to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s growing leadership in sustainability.
The opening discussion, led by Lama Alhamawi, Head of Diplomacy & Foreign Affairs at Arab News, featured Eng. Essam Ahmad Kalthoum, CEO of Asmou Development Company. Drawing on four decades of experience, he spoke about the changing market needs towards smart, compact and affluent homes, as well as the growth of functional and high-end developments across the Kingdom and expansion in Cairo, Muscat and Amman. Governance, ESG alignment and public listing were highlighted as critical to trust and long-term growth.
Localization and industrialization
A major industry announcement came from Jalal Al Kurdi, Commercial Director at HH Shaker, with the launch of Midea Shaker Company (MSA), a joint venture aimed at accelerating the localization of production. The project will start with a 20,000 sqm facility that produces 650,000 oxygen-enhancing units annually, expanding to 85,000 sqm by manufacturing components, including compressors and robots. The facility is expected to support major projects such as NEOM, Red Sea and Qiddiya, while positioning Saudi Arabia as an export destination for the GCC and the Levant.
Osan Ghaddaf, Founder and Creative Director of Artevo Consulting, explored the role of art in transforming developments into culturally focused spaces rather than decorative spaces. Drawing on projects including the Red Sea, Diriyah Gate, Rosewood and the Qatar National Museum, the session highlighted storytelling and the inclusion of experiences as defining elements of luxury development.
Nicolás Otero, Business Development Manager at BIOO, presented biotechnology solutions capable of generating electricity, saving water and cooling urban areas through biopanels, bioswitches and bioluminescent areas. With readiness to use and an expected return within five to seven years, the technology puts Saudi Arabia at the forefront of biotech-enabled urban development.
Tetyana Kovalenko, Founder and Chairman of Elite Stone Srl., examined luxury through the lenses of heritage, global recognition, uncompromising quality, exclusivity and economic value, referring to her 2,000-year-old Italian quarry as an example of enduring luxury.
Carbon markets and net-zero ambition
Miklós Veszprémi, Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships at VCM, highlighted the rapid growth of Saudi Arabia’s voluntary carbon market, which was established in 2021 with the help of the Public Investment Fund. The session identified sustainable real estate as a regulatory requirement and financial opportunity, consistent with the goals of Vision 2030.
Human-centered architecture
Ron Bakker, Co-Founder of PLP Architecture, introduced the transition from smart and sustainable buildings to human-centered architecture based on biophilia and research-led design. Case studies from Rotterdam, Tokyo, London and Riyadh have shown how the quality of public space, mobility and integrated lifestyles improve a city’s vitality.
The Art of Enhancing Experiences panel, chaired by Siddharth Peters of Love That Design, included leaders from Kristina Zanic Consultants, Dar Global, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Wimberly Interiors and Diriyah Company. The discussion focused on storytelling, cultural heritage, wellness and indoor-outdoor living as the main pillars of modern luxury hospitality.
Moderated by John Fekete, General Manager at CBRE Saudi Arabia, the panel Innovation Defining Future Real Estate Projects explored the integration of AI, digital transformation and new financing models that enable public-private partnerships. Speakers emphasized aligning technology with cultural identity to create unique destinations.
Market outlook and investment returns
Matthew Green, Head of Research at CBRE MENA, provided an outlook for 2025, noting that real estate now contributes about 12% of Saudi Arabia’s GDP. Riyadh’s office market is operating at 98% and rents are growing at 15% annually, while residential development is accelerating to 200,000 new units by 2030. The sector continues to benefit from regulatory reforms, foreign investment and private equity participation.
The summit featured a number of signature events, including the launch of 26H Jeddah, a mixed-use project featuring a 270-key Hilton Tempo Hotel, residences and retail space, along with the announcement of a luxury hotel and residential tower on Jeddah’s Corniche. Both announcements reflected the continued confidence of investors in the market.
The event also launched the GBB Future Minds Program, which involved Effat University students with architects and designers from around the world, and concluded with the REDS Industry Choice Awards (RICA 2025), recognizing excellence in all sectors of Saudi Arabia’s real estate, construction and design.
Throughout the sessions, a consistent message emerged: Saudi Arabia is one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the world, driven by Vision 2030 ambition, institutional capital and global confidence. Leaders emphasized the importance of balancing financial returns with sustainability, localization and cultural authenticity to deliver development built for long-term value.
With its net-zero commitment delivered in partnership with VCM, the conference set a new benchmark for responsible industry leadership, strengthening Saudi Arabia’s role in shaping the future of real estate around the world.
