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Arabian Business
a day ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Sultan Batterjee on turning IHCC into Saudi Arabia's leading turnkey construction company
Sultan Batterjee doesn't just build Healthcare facilities or residential projects– he builds ecosystems. As Chairman & CEO of IHCC, he's led the delivery of more than 25 advanced healthcare campuses across the Middle East, transformed the company into one of Saudi Arabia's top contracting companies. But Sultan Batterjee's ambition runs deeper than just infrastructure. Whether retrofitting 3,300 schools for energy savings or launching the Kingdom's first Marriott Autograph hotel through a Saudi-born concept, Batterjee is clear on one thing – developments, when done right, can change lives. In this rare interview, he explains how legacy shapes his leadership, why wellness is central to his development strategy, and where IHCC is heading next. As CEO of IHCC for over 18 years, you've established it as a world-renowned turnkey solution provider. What do you consider your most significant achievement in transforming healthcare infrastructure in the MENA region? One of my most significant achievements has been transforming IHCC into a trusted partner for world-class healthcare infrastructure in the MENA region and a turnkey solutions provider across multiple industries including education, healthcare, hospitality and complex projects. We have delivered over 25 hospitals and medical cities, including flagship projects like Saudi German Hospital in Dammam, Saudi German Hospital in Cairo, and other medical cities throughout the Kingdom in across the MENA. What sets IHCC apart is our holistic turnkey model – we design, build, equip, and even manage healthcare ecosystems that are tailored to the region's clinical, cultural, and economic needs. We also deliver high-performance building solutions, and we use innovative and sustainable methods to create buildings that are energy efficient, comfortable and durable. In 2021, we became the first organisation in Saudi Arabia to achieve the WELL Health and Safety rating that demonstrates our adherence to the highest standards of health and safety protocols. Also, our head office is a Platinum LEED building which reflects our commitment to sustainability. Your company was recently listed among the top 5 construction companies in Saudi Arabia. What key strategies have driven IHCC's growth and success under your leadership? Our success lies in our specialisation and our ability to deliver complex, end-to-end solutions. We focus on high-impact sectors – healthcare, education, hospitality design and engineering to MEP, fitout and facilities management, we control the value chain. This ensures speed, quality, and innovation. Strategic partnerships with public entities like the PIF and leading private organisations have also driven consistent growth. As a third-generation member of the Batterjee family, with business roots extending over 100 years, how has this legacy influenced your approach to business and leadership? Legacy to me is a responsibility, not just a history. My grandfather pioneered private healthcare in Saudi Arabia; my father scaled it across the Arab world. That deeply influenced my belief in purpose-driven development. With IHCC, I have taken that legacy forward by building institutions that create long-term social value – from Hospitals and Universities to green communities and mixed-use environments, every project we take on must serve a larger mission and I always to keep all my companies continuously serve one purpose under the umbrella of the holding company -Sultan Batterjee Holding. Could you tell us about the Centre of Excellence Batterjee in Medical City Dubai and the Makkah Saudi German Hospital? How do these projects reflect your vision for healthcare facilities? Both are examples of next-generation healthcare destinations. The Centre of Excellence in Dubai is a regional leader in specialist care and medical training, equipped with the latest digital and research infrastructure. The Saudi German Hospital in Makkah is built to serve not only residents but also millions of pilgrims annually. These projects reflect our belief that healthcare must be accessible, technologically advanced, and culturally contextual. You've successfully collaborated with global hospitality giants like Marriott and Four Seasons. Are you exploring similar strategic partnerships with international wellness operators – whether in preventive health, longevity, or lifestyle medicine – to complement your mixed-use and wellness-focused developments? Absolutely. At Sultan Batterjee Holding, we see wellness and hospitality as a cornerstone of future-forward development. Just as we have collaborated with leading hospitality brands like Marriott and Four Seasons to elevate standards of living for generations to come. Our goal is to embed world-class wellness infrastructure into our mixed-use and healthcare-focused developments, aligning with both Vision 2030 and the growing demand for holistic, health-enhancing environments. These partnerships are not just about adding amenities – they're about shaping healthier, more resilient communities. We adopt biophilic designs and green spaces across all our developments, most of which are LEED certified, to enhance the well-being of all communities and geographical areas. The recent Green Mosques Initiative aims to rationalise energy use in 100 mosques across the Kingdom. What inspired this project, and what sustainable solutions are you implementing? This initiative came from our belief that sustainability should be integrated into every part of our society – including spiritual spaces, which is part of our social responsibility towards the community. Through Greener by IHCC, we are applying solar retrofits, smart lighting, and water efficiency systems to mosques, starting with pilot projects in Jeddah and Riyadh. It's about leading by example and contributing to Saudi Arabia's Net Zero goals in a culturally meaningful way. As another example, we partnered with Tarsheed for an initiative, spearheaded by Greener by IHCC, a transformative energy efficiency programme aimed at enhancing sustainability across educational institutions in Saudi Arabia. With 3,300 schools retrofitted across the Kingdom, this outstanding achievement resulted in remarkable energy savings of 54,000,000 KWH per year, reducing 38,200 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Through Greener by IHCC, you've championed sustainability in construction. How are your energy auditing, retrofitting, and LEED consultancy services changing the landscape of building practices in Saudi Arabia? Greener by IHCC is changing the game by making sustainability measurable, actionable, and profitable. Our team has audited over 1 million sqm of builtup area, saving up to 30% in energy costs through retrofitting. We have helped clients secure LEED and ESTIDAMA certifications and advised public As President and Founder of Lifestyle Developers, you've partnered with international brands like YOO and Philippe Starck. What makes these branded residences unique in the Saudi market? These residences introduce a new standard of living in the Kingdom. With YOO International Studios and Philippe Starck coming to the Kingdom for the first time, we have curated design-forward homes that merge luxury with lifestyle. Projects like THE VUE, featuring waterfront homes in Jeddah, offer not just high-end design and finishes, but a complete emotional experience through art, architecture, and amenities such as a cigar room, tea room, private cinema, kids' play areas, open green spaces, and infinity pools overlooking the stunning Ubhur. This is a growing niche in the Saudi market – demand is shifting towards experiential living, and we're leading that evolution. Your LinkedIn profile mentions you're 'a developer with a cause.' Could you elaborate on how this philosophy shapes your approach to real estate development? For me, everything I do has to be purpose-driven. I aspire to impact communities and raise the standards of living with every project we deliver. Every Lifestyle Developers project is about empowering communities and redefining quality of life. Profit is important, but purpose drives everything we do. We are also very focused on creating the next generation of leaders and creating the right talent and jobs in the market. Our recently launched Tamkeen programme aims to train Saudi youth across different fields of design, engineering, and construction. The recent signing with Autograph by Marriott marks the first Marriott Autograph in Jeddah. How do you see this enhancing Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector? We have brought the first Autograph by Marriott hotel in Jeddah through a Saudi-born concept called B-Hotel, which is curated for the modern Arabian traveller. The B Hotel concept, partnering with Autograph by Marriott, will bring a globally recognised boutique hospitality experience to Jeddah's North Obhur and will be available across key locations in the Kingdom and beyond. It's about delivering curated experiences for both tourists and residents. As Saudi Arabia positions itself as a luxury and lifestyle destination, properties like this will be pivotal in attracting international travellers and elevating the hospitality offerings in line with Vision 2030. You signed six PIF projects in 2024, including Four Seasons. How do these projects align with Saudi Vision 2030? These projects are a direct response to Vision 2030's mandate for infrastructure modernisation, healthcare access, and luxury tourism. Our portfolio includes global hotel brands and IHCC has a solid track record in delivering luxurious hotels in prime locations within the Kingdom and beyond in partnership with international operators such as Four Seasons, Edition, Miraval, InterContinental, and Marriott. We have also announced key wellness resorts in Taif and across the Kingdom to cater to the needs of the discerning local and international traveller. IHCC is enabling the Kingdom's transformation through execution excellence, local capacity building, and international best practices. Saudi Arabia is targeting 70 million annual tourists by 2030. How are your hospitality projects specifically structured to capitalise on this projected influx? Our hospitality portfolio is strategically positioned to meet the needs of this diverse tourism base. We are developing properties near premium sites, pilgrimage routes, Red Sea coastal zones, and urban entertainment hubs. Projects like B Hotel in partnership with the Autograph by Marriott, THE VUE, The Standard by Philippe Starck, and the upcoming wellness resorts in Taif in partnership with ASFAR (PIF) in the Kingdom combine cultural relevance with international standards – attracting both regional and global visitors seeking authentic, elevated experiences. Many Saudi companies are exploring international expansion. Are you considering taking IHCC beyond MENA into markets like Southeast Asia or Africa? Yes, we are actively exploring new frontiers. Our turnkey model is highly scalable and in demand in emerging markets. We are currently evaluating healthcare, education, and hospitality infrastructure opportunities in East Africa and Southeast Asia, particularly where governments are prioritising social development and PPP models. Our vision is to make IHCC a globally recognised Saudi export in specialised construction.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Mawani adds new shipping service to Saudi ports
The Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) has announced the addition of Evergreen's new shipping service 'ARPG' to King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, further strengthening maritime connectivity between the Kingdom and international markets. The move reinforces the port's strategic standing, boosts its competitiveness for exporters, importers, and shipping agents, said Mawani in a statement. The new shipping service links King Abdulaziz Port with nine major regional and global ports, including Port Klang (Malaysia), Laem Chabang (Thailand), Vung Tau (Vietnam), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Yantian, Ningbo, and Shanghai (China), Umm Qasr (Iraq), and Jebel Ali (UAE), with a total capacity of 9,466 TEUs. This initiative reflects Mawani's broader efforts to elevate Saudi Arabia's ranking on global performance indices and to improve the operational efficiency of King Abdulaziz Port, it stated. It also supports the movement of national exports and imports in alignment with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy 'NTLS' to solidify the kingdom's standing as a global logistics hub bridging the three continents. King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam features advanced operational and logistical capabilities, with 43 fully equipped berths and a handling capacity of up to 105 million tonnes of cargo and containers, said the statement. It also boasts a range of specialised terminals along with modern infrastructure, and state-of-the-art equipment that enable the port to handle all types of cargo efficiently, it added. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Nine Ports to be connected to Saudi Ports by adding Evergreen's Shipping Service 'ARPG'
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Ports Authority 'Mawani' has announced the addition of Evergreen's new shipping service 'ARPG' to King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, further strengthening maritime connectivity between the Kingdom and international markets. The move reinforces the port's strategic standing, boosts its competitiveness for exporters, importers, and shipping agents. The new shipping service links King Abdulaziz Port with nine major regional and global ports, including Port Klang (Malaysia), Laem Chabang (Thailand), Vung Tau (Vietnam), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Yantian, Ningbo, and Shanghai (China), Umm Qasr (Iraq), and Jebel Ali (UAE), with a total capacity of 9,466 TEUs. This initiative reflects Mawani's broader efforts to elevate Saudi Arabia's ranking on global performance indices and to improve the operational efficiency of King Abdulaziz Port. It also supports the movement of national exports and imports in alignment with the objectives of the National Transport and Logistics Strategy 'NTLS', to solidify the Kingdom's standing as a global logistics hub bridging the three continents. It is worth noting that King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam features advanced operational and logistical capabilities, with 43 fully equipped berths, a handling capacity of up to 105 million tons of cargo and containers, and a range of specialized terminals, modern infrastructure, and state-of-the-art equipment that enable the port to handle all types of cargo efficiently.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Why a new zero-carbon UK steel plant offers hope and a headache
The ironworks in Saudi Arabia's coastal city of Dammam has had an unusual journey: it has crossed the Atlantic Ocean – twice. It was moved to Saudi Arabia in 2006 from Alabama, US. Before that, the plant's home was in the UK. The plant can produce about 1m tonnes a year of direct reduced iron (DRI), a material that can be used in green steel production. Decades after the plant left the UK – shipped in 28,000 pieces – British ministers are now considering reversing course and funding a similar facility once again. However, the government's DRI ambition is controversial within the British steel sector; the lobby group UK Steel told the Guardian that a DRI plant was not its priority. Senior industry insiders said they were concerned that hundreds of millions of pounds of taxpayer money may be spent on funding a 'white elephant'. The government last month recalled parliament to pass emergency legislation to take control of British Steel's two blast furnaces at Scunthorpe, amid concerns its Chinese owner, Jingye, was days away from closing it. The business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, and the industry minister Sarah Jones said the effective takeover was necessary to preserve the UK's ability to produce 'virgin' or primary steel from iron ore. The Scunthorpe blast furnaces, known as Queen Anne and Queen Bess, are the last two operating in the UK. However, despite receiving materials supplies for several months, they are running out of time, and ministers are hoping to find a way of retaining primary steelmaking abilities. Blast furnaces use the carbon in coal to strip oxygen from iron ore. That process eventually results in carbon dioxide being vented into the atmosphere, where it heats the globe. Many steel companies are switching to much-cleaner electric arc furnaces, which use electricity to melt down scrap steel. However, they cannot produce iron from iron ore. That is where DRI could come in. The process strips out the ore's oxygen using gas. While the vast majority of DRI uses methane, resulting in carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere, switching to using green hydrogen could allow iron production without significant emissions. Ministers have repeatedly cited DRI as a strong contender to receive part of a £2.5bn fund for a new steel strategy. Reynolds last month told parliament: 'Direct reduced iron technology is of significant potential interest to us for the future.' Yet, within the industry the idea is seen as a lower priority than reducing energy costs and preventing a flood of metal imports diverted to avoid Donald Trump's tariffs, according to lobby group UK Steel and several industry executives. Several executives and industry experts have raised significant doubts over whether a new UK DRI plant, costing up to £2bn to build, would provide good value for money. The owners of the two biggest steelworks, Tata Steel at Port Talbot, Wales, and British Steel at Scunthorpe, are not thought to be interested in sourcing the huge DRI supplies that would justify a plant. Other, smaller producers such as Celsa in Cardiff and Liberty Steel at Rotherham could use DRI, but do not need to. UK Steel said it would be better to focus on reducing sky-high energy costs at existing plants to match rates in France and Germany than on subsidising an expensive new facility. As the Saudi plant's trajectory shows, DRI plants have tended, like much heavy industry, to cluster in countries with abundant, cheap energy. The UK has some of the highest industrial energy prices in the world. 'The UK steel industry is in crisis, facing uncompetitive market conditions, shrinking demand, and global trade pressures,' UK Steel said. 'While the steel strategy is an opportunity to formulate a long-term vision for the sector, the government must also assess how its finite resources are best allocated at this point in time. Addressing urgent issues like electricity prices and trade defence must clearly take priority in order to put our sector on a sustainable footing.' The trade body said that efforts to assess how to meet future demand for steel would include assessing the need for – and viability of – a UK DRI plant, adding: 'Energy costs and access to affordable hydrogen will underpin this assessment, balanced against investing in new capabilities, energy efficiency, and productivity improvements.' Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion UK Steel said there would be an 'opportunity cost' to spending on DRI, while still remaining reliant on imports for iron ore. The government's steel council, which brings together ministers, unions and businesses, discussed DRI in detail during the British Steel crisis, to the frustration of some in industry. 'It'll just become a white elephant,' said one senior figure in the industry. New DRI plants usually only employ about 200 people. However, union leaders and many MPs believe that virgin steel is crucial either for making weapons in case of war, or for economic resilience in crises such as pandemics. Saudi Arabia is the only member of the G20 group of developed economies that does not have blast furnaces to make iron for steel production. But its two DRI plants mean it could theoretically, at a pinch, keep producing iron and therefore steel. Alasdair McDiarmid, the assistant general secretary at Community, a union representing UK steelworkers, said there was a strong case for DRI investment. 'Investment in DRI can make our steel greener and more competitive, while maintaining the UK's primary steelmaking capability, which is so crucial in our volatile world,' he said. 'DRI is fully compatible with electric arc furnaces and would make them more sustainable by delivering a secure, homegrown supply of metallics, and allowing for the future adoption of hydrogen-based steelmaking.' The UK government is awaiting a report on DRI by the Materials Processing Institute, a Middlesbrough-based research organisation, which is expected to recommend DRI as necessary to maintain primary steelmaking. Ministers will have to weigh up whether to heavily subsidise a plant to attract a private-sector investor. 'People see it as a bit of a red herring,' said one industry leader. 'Stop going on about this DRI stuff. If you've got limited resources, you would probably do something else.'
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
ROSHN Group breaks ground at ALDANAH, its first integrated community in Dhahran
The groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in the development of the Eastern Region, paving the way for an integrated residential destination that offers a new way of living tailored to fulfill every aspiration ALDANAH stands in a strategic location in Greater Dammam at the confluence of Dammam, Dhahran, and Al Khobar RIYADH: Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Region, and in the presence of the His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of the Eastern Province, ROSHN Group, the leading multi-asset real estate developer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and a PIF company, has broken ground at ALDANAH, its first fully integrated residential community in Dhahran. ALDANAH's groundbreaking ceremony welcomed distinguished representatives from the public and private sectors, alongside ROSHN's senior leadership team, who visited the sales center and toured the show villas, gaining a first-hand look at the diverse typologies that will be available. Set to feature a wide range of amenities, the community will play a key role in enhancing the quality of life across Greater Dammam. Located in Dhahran, ALDANAH is positioned near key landmarks such as the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and the region's main business districts. Spanning over 1.7 million square meters, the development will deliver more than 2,000 residential units upon completion. The homes feature diverse designs and amenities that ensure an easy and seamless transition experience for residents. ALDANAH offers nine floor plans and two distinct façade types, including duplexes and standard villas. Premium villas with five bedrooms are also available and will be conveniently positioned near a beautiful green spine. ALDANAH is holistically designed to offer residents vibrant and healthy lifestyles while fostering the growth of family-friendly communities. A rich array of amenities, including mosques, community centers, retail and commercial areas, and education facilities, is all within the community. Close to 145,000 sqm of the project's total footprint will be dedicated to urban green space, accompanied by naturally shaded and pedestrian-friendly living streets, connecting residents with nature. Dr Khalid Johar, ROSHN Group Acting Chief Executive Officer, said: 'This is a significant milestone in ROSHN Group's journey, fulfilling its mandate to provide exceptional, sustainable living experiences in line with Vision 2030 homeownership and quality of life goals. Today, we are delighted to extend our fully integrated way of living to new customers in the Eastern Region. In ALDANAH, we are creating a vibrant new community deeply connected to Greater Dammam and the region's unique heritage.'
