Industry Talk: Talent and green technology top industry’s 2021 wish-list
Asif Shafi, senior vice president, Strategy and Growth, Middle East & Africa, AECOM
“As the world eagerly looks forward to a post-pandemic scenario, there is reason to be optimistic about growth opportunities in 2021. The ongoing vaccination drive in the UAE demonstrates the resolve of the leadership to address the challenge posed by the pandemic.
We have seen decisive actions by governments across the GCC region throughout 2020 and we expect to see the positive impacts of those actions in 2021. The industry adapted extremely well to the constraints imposed by the pandemic and used technology quite effectively to ensure that productivity levels were maintained and even improved. We have all been forced to Fast Forward to the Future and this has transformed how people work, perhaps forever.
The construction industry has been dealing with a reduction in the number of new contracts and this has led to intensified competition in recent months. This is likely to change for the better in 2021 given several positive developments in the region.
The UAE looks forward to hosting Expo 2020 in October this year which will coincide with the 50th anniversary celebrations for the country. The resumption of diplomatic and economic ties between Qatar and the rest of the GCC countries will lead to further opportunities. The announcement that Doha will host the 2030 Asian Games and Riyadh the 2034 Asian Games should lead to more investment within the region in the coming decade.
AECOM is well placed to participate in the continued development of the region by leveraging our global digital transformation initiatives to improve the delivery of projects within the region. For example, we have launched a Virtual Public Consultation digital tool that allows clients to engage and consult stakeholders from their computer or mobile devices.
We have also rolled out MobiliticsTM for Pandemic Response, an updated version of our ground-breaking transportation scenario planning tool that helps transport agencies across the US assess the impact of the pandemic on travel patterns. The implementation of KSA’s Vision 2030 programs, particularly the development of the Giga cities will provide significant opportunities for the construction industry.
While air travel volumes will take a while to return to pre-pandemic levels, investment in the tourism industry is likely to continue across the region. We aim to continue partnering with our clients to deliver environmentally conscious projects that are based on the principles of carbon neutrality and create world class communities that celebrate the human spirit.”
