MEED reported that Saudi Aramco has invited firms to bid by February 16 for the contract to build its SAR 1.5 billion King Abdulaziz Centre for Knowledge and Culture in the Eastern Province.

The prospective bidders include the local Al-Yamama Company for Trading and Contracting, Turkey’s Baytur, Dubai listed Drake and Scull International, South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering and Construction, Saudi Oger and South Korea’s SK Engineering and Construction.

Aramco chose to re tender the scheme in July, after receiving bids from at least 4 companies in March. They were Saudi Binladin Group, Saudi Oger, Greece’s J P Overseas and Turkey’s Baytur Construction and Contracting Company.

According to sources working on the project, Aramco re tendered the scheme in the hope of attracting lower bids after a fall in construction costs across the region.

The complex has been designed to resemble five pebbles standing in the desert, clad in stainless steel. Aramco said that the pebbles will reflect the sun’s rays to make the structure visible over long distances. The centre will cover an area of 72,000 square meters.

The construction work covers five interconnected buildings. The tallest structure will be 15 floors high. They will house exhibition halls, a museum, an auditorium and theatre, a mosque, library and cinema.

(Sourced from MEED)