RED SEA GLOBAL
“ By growing leisure tourism we ’ re creating a new industry in Saudi Arabia , which in the past has only offered religious tourism for people coming for pilgrimage ”
BEN EDWARDS GROUP HEAD OF COST , COMMERCIAL & PROCUREMENT RED SEA GLOBAL
company who has already got boots on the ground .
“ They use the expertise as a start-point to develop their own capability , and this is quite a popular approach .
He adds that RSG has helped overseas companies by matching them up with potentially suitable JV partner companies who are based in the Kingdom . “ Usually it ’ s those with a high degree of success ,” he says . “ We ’ ve got some good JV relationships participating in our projects through that programme .”
If creating a value chain capable of delivering such vast projects is one challenge , then actually delivering the project is another .
“ They ’ re big construction projects , so it ’ s all about the workforce and resources ,” Edwards points out . “ But we also have great focus on making sure the quality and the environmental protection are of the absolute highest standards .”
To this end , RSG has a team of highly qualified and experienced environmental specialists .
“ These are the custodians and the guardians of these wonderful natural environments we are working in along the Red Sea coast ,” says Edwards . “ They make sure everything that we do is of the highest possible standard . It ’ s the same with health and safety .”
Delivering on safety and quality are key to RSG The challenge , he adds , is getting good contractors who are able to deliver the projects to the right health and safety standards and the right quality .
“ It ’ s challenging ,” he admits , “ and we have to leverage all of our capabilities as managers and developers to get the best out of that supply chain .”
Edwards continues : “ Some of those companies will need hand-holding and we ’ ll
52 February 2024