logo

Madinah 3 wastewater plant kicks off commercial operations

Zawya03-04-2025

Saudi Water Partnership Company (SWPC) has announced that its SAR964 million ($257 million) utility project - Madinah 3 Wastewater plant - has begun commercial operations.
The key facility boasts a 200,000 cu m/day capacity which is expandable to 375,000 cu m/day in emergency situations.
The SAR964 million ($257 million) project was developed by a consortium led by Spanish infrastructure major Acciona with prominent local firms - International Water Distribution Company (Tawzea) and Tamasuk as partners.
SWPC said the project has been implemented on a build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) model.
As per the purchase deal with the consortium, Acciona will be responsible for the facility's development, design, financing, construction, operation and maintenance over a 25-year period from the date of commercial operations.
A state-of-the-art facility, the Madinah plant had treated more than 5 million cu m of wastewater during Ramadan and converted into water suitable for industrial and agricultural use, thus contributing to reducing the environmental impact and improving the quality of life for its residents, said a statement from SWPC.
Last year Acciona had celebrated it key safety milestone at Madinah-3 project site clocking two million man-hours without Lost-Time Injuries (LTI).
Hassan Allam Construction was responsible for the civil works of the Madinah 3 plant.- TradeArabia News Service
Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

EU, Britain reach post-Brexit deal on Gibraltar Border
EU, Britain reach post-Brexit deal on Gibraltar Border

Al Etihad

time3 hours ago

  • Al Etihad

EU, Britain reach post-Brexit deal on Gibraltar Border

12 June 2025 00:14 BRUSSELS (WAM)The European Union (EU) and Britain have agreed on the status of the overseas territory of Gibraltar, facilitating border crossings and resolving years of political territory has had its border arrangements with Spain as a significant point of contention since the United Kingdom's decision to withdraw from the EU in Wednesday's agreement, arrivals at Gibraltar Airport will present their passports to both Gibraltarian and Spanish border British Foreign Office stated that this system mirrors the model used by French police at London's St. Pancras station, the terminus for the Eurostar service connecting Britain with mainland Europe. "We have reached an agreement which protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again," British Foreign Minister David Lammy said.

Relevance is the real luxury
Relevance is the real luxury

Campaign ME

time11 hours ago

  • Campaign ME

Relevance is the real luxury

Luxury is no longer just a product – it's a cultural conversation. And in the Middle East, that conversation is evolving faster than ever before. Traditionally associated with exclusivity, status and craftsmanship, the luxury industry is now navigating a more complex world. Today's consumer, particularly in the GCC, is younger, digitally fluent and culturally aware. They are not just buying into a brand – they are buying into a set of values and experiences that reflect who they are or aspire to be, making relevance more critical than ever. This shift is prompting client-side marketers to ask important questions: What does luxury mean to the next generation? How do we build emotional connection while preserving brand mystique? And how can we remain aspirational in a region where attention is fleeting? Here are four key challenges – and priorities – that premium brands must address to stay relevant in this dynamic landscape. From exclusivity to cultural relevance The traditional codes of luxury – heritage, craftsmanship and rarity – still matter, but they're no longer enough. In the Middle East, where identity and self-expression are increasingly individualistic, brands must rethink what exclusivity looks like. Younger audiences, particularly Gen Z, value purpose over pedigree. They expect brands to stand for something meaningful and reflect the diversity of their lives. A brand that once built desire through scarcity may now find more success by creating culturally relevant limited editions or partnering with local artists who offer fresh perspectives. Our own journey reflects this evolution. Since 2021, we've repositioned the brand toward a more luxury direction through major rebranding – from retail and packaging updates to a refined colour palette and a clearer, purpose-led identity. These moves were more than cosmetic – they marked a strategic shift to align with changing consumer expectations. Cultural relevance also means showing up authentically. That's why we've launched regional campaigns around key moments like Ramadan and collaborated with talents such as Laila Abdullah, fostering emotional connection through local storytelling. Rethinking the retail experience Despite the digital shift, physical retail remains central in the Middle East. Malls are more than shopping centres – they're lifestyle hubs. Consumers want more than transactions; they seek immersive, personalised experiences. Luxury brands must reimagine retail as an experiential space. This includes seamless integration between digital and physical – apps with VIP concierge services, AR tools in fitting rooms and loyalty programmes offering exclusive access. 'Luxury marketing isn't just performance-driven; it's perception-driven.' We recently brought this to life with the global launch of our Arianna collection, which featured a high-impact event and a Burj Khalifa takeover. This wasn't just about buzz – it created a culturally relevant moment that reinforced brand positioning and drove awareness. However, many brands still struggle with fragmented omnichannel strategies. CRM systems aren't always aligned with local behaviours and store teams may lack the training to deliver high-touch service. Solving this isn't just about tech upgrades – it's a mindset shift toward holistic client engagement. Bridging the talent and execution gap Another challenge is the disconnect between global strategy and local execution. Headquarters may set the vision, but local teams are the ones who bring it to life in culturally meaningful ways. The problem? There's a shortage of senior marketing talent in the luxury space who can blend global brand thinking with regional nuance. Agencies, too, are often stretched thin, with roles focused more on adaptation than innovation. To overcome this, brands must invest in building empowered in-market teams – marketers who think strategically, not just tactically. At the same time, agency relationships must evolve into co-creative partnerships that go beyond execution. Tracking desirability, not just visibility In the world of luxury, success isn't just about being seen – it's about being desired. At Swarovski, desirability is one of our key metrics. While performance indicators like reach and engagement offer a snapshot of campaign visibility, they don't fully capture the strength of emotional connection or long-term brand equity. Especially in premium markets like the Middle East, it's not enough to generate noise – we need to cultivate aspiration. That's why regional teams must push for frameworks that assess brand love, emotional resonance and cultural relevance – factors that build true affinity over time. It's about understanding how our brand is perceived, how it makes people feel and how meaningfully we show up in their lives. Luxury marketing isn't just performance-driven; it's perception-driven. And that calls for deeper, more nuanced metrics that reflect lasting impact – not just campaign visibility. The way forward is relevance The Middle East is not just a luxury growth market – it's a trendsetter. With its young, affluent population and appetite for innovation, it's fertile ground for bold, thoughtful brands. But relevance won't come from repeating global playbooks. It requires listening deeply, acting nimbly and marketing with both heart and context. For client-side marketers, the task is clear: lead with empathy, localise with integrity and remember – in luxury, the smallest details often speak the loudest. By Sarah Dja Yahia, Head of Marketing ME, SEA and India, Swarovski

E1H trains startups for leg up in sports ecosystem
E1H trains startups for leg up in sports ecosystem

Al Etihad

timea day ago

  • Al Etihad

E1H trains startups for leg up in sports ecosystem

11 June 2025 00:18 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)The management company that organises some of the region's biggest sporting events such as the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, UFC and the NBA games has completed their first cohort of grooming sports-focused the UAE's first dedicated sports ecosystem and incubator, the Ethara 1TW Innovation Hub (E1H) was established to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in the UAE and the wider region by providing startups with access to expertise, commerce and the end of a six-week programme, in which eight early-stage ventures received strategic guidance, a Pitch event was held at the Yas Marina Circuit's Conference Centre to provide funding avenues to support and fast-track their eight ventures were an eclectic mix, yet, targeting multi-faceted instance, ParkBuddy is trying to address everyone's pet peeve during major events – finding a parking spot. A couple of initiatives, such as a website ArabsMMA and a podcast-newsletter Mettleset, are trying to spread the word about their niche areas through the communications is a sustainability drive involving recycling waste which is being spearheaded by Green Light are use-cases of artificial intelligence, data and robotics being utilised from organisation to operations either for employee engagement or smoothening workflows in logistical services with companies such as Athlyn, Neoma and Icosium then there is eSportian, which is looking at the future of education and the rising scene of e-sports in the region.'E-Sports is big here and in the MENA region,' said Ivan Kerkoc, the founder and a professor at a Spanish university in Barcelona. 'Yet, when it comes to academics and accompanying scholarships, the choices are limited. There are those who are good at e-sports but need support in their education in countries where e-sports have recognition and established affordable education."And there are some who excel in both areas and would like to come here for playing and job opportunities in gaming companies.'ParkBuddy is focusing only on events in Dubai for now, but the expansion plans are on the anvil. The startup promises dynamic and flexible parking solutions; advanced planning will go a long way to ensuring a smooth experience for motorists.'We work with organisers and authorities such as police at times to have multiple options for every type of situation, however dynamic they may be,' said Daniel Hachem, the founder of mobile app-based solution not only directs consumers to available parking spots and reduces long walks, it can reserve a parking spot for a small only one in the group to get a brand sponsor attached is the pioneering media platform focusing on women in MENA sports, The Mettleset. Led by Dawn Barnable, a Canadian endurance athlete, her upcoming website is trying to bridge the gap between athletes, their stories and sports content where the sportswear company New Balance has already come on board.'Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Ethara,' said Saif Rashid Al Noaimi, the CEO of Ethara in his address. 'That's why we created E1H with our partners at OneToWatch (1TW). We want to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs to build new ventures that add value not just to Ethara but to Abu Dhabi's global vision for sport and entertainment.' E1H Cohort 1 startups ArabsMMA – Zahi EphremA marketer and martial artist, Zahi founded ArabsMMA, the first media platform dedicated to combat sports in the Middle – Ahmed OmarWith 15-plus years' experience in the UAE sports and corporate sectors, Omar's platform bridges sport and corporate – Ivan KerkocA Spanish university professor and former NCAA recruiter, Kerkoc founded Esportian to merge traditional sports and esports Technologies – Billel Boudouma and Mohamed AliThis venture blends robotics, artificial intelligence and human experience to deliver real-world micro-automation – Daniel HachemDaniel aims to revolutionise urban mobility through smart parking solutions, drawing on his engineering and entrepreneurial – Francois ChabaudieWith a background in private equity and consulting, Chabaudie created Neoma to improve human interaction through smart Mettleset – Dawn BarnableA seasoned communicator and endurance athlete, Dawn founded The Mettleset to tell meaningful stories through the lens of Light Events – Robert Angelieri An event operations expert, Robert drives innovation in sustainable events through branding, logistics and venue strategy. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store