Saudi Binladin Group resumes work on Grand Mosque
Saudi Binladin Group will restart work on the $26.6bn expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, indicating a “fresh sign of rehabilitation” for the company.
Saudi Binladin Group will restart work on the $26.6bn expansion of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, indicating a “fresh sign of rehabilitation” for the company.
The firm was temporarily banned from winning new state contracts after a crane collapsed two years ago at the site killing 107 people.
The development of the Grand Mosque and its surrounding area to accommodate more worshippers was halted, and remained on hold as government finances were squeezed by low oil prices.
However, Reuters reports that work is expected to resume soon after the annual Hajj pilgrimage, and that the company will pay outstanding salaries owed to staff - starting today.
The Ministry of Finance has allocated a portion of this year’s budget to key projects and has been in talks with Saudi Binladin in recent weeks about restarting several big schemes, the report added.
Another stalled project by Saudi Binladin is the $3.5bn construction of the Abraj Kudai hotel complex in Makkah, expected to restart in the coming months.
Earlier this year, the company also restarted work on the new King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah.
