The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with the National Center for Privatization & PPP (NCP) and Qiddiya Investment Co. (QIC), announces that it has received an expression of interest (EOI) in bidding for the Qiddiya High-Speed Rail project. The list includes 145 companies, divided into six categories, covering developers, suppliers, operators, investors, and management and design consultancies. The Qiddiya Rail aims to diversify transportation modes in Riyadh, noting that the project will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The project aims to connect King Salman International Airport, King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), and Qiddiya City via a high-speed rail line with speeds reaching 250 km/h.

A total of 68 lead developers and contractors submitted EOI, representing a wide international mix of major construction and engineering firms. The list includes prominent Saudi companies such as AlBawani, Al-Ayuni, Almabani, El Seif, Nesma, SAPAC, SAMAMA, and Samsung C&T’s regional partners, alongside notable participants from across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Global firms such as Bouygues Travaux Publics (France), FCC Construcción and Syneox/Cobra (Spain), Webuild (Italy), Mota-Engil (Portugal), Marubeni (Japan), and Hyundai E&C and Samsung C&T (South Korea) were also among the contenders. Several leading Turkish contractors — including Doğuş, Gülermak, IC İçtaş, Kalyon, Kolin, Makyol, Mapa Group, Nurol, and Yapı Merkezi — expressed interest, as did major Indian groups like Larsen & Toubro, Afcons-Shapoorji Pallonji, and Dineshchandra R. Agrawal. Companies from China submitted multiple EOIs through state-owned giants such as AVIC, China Railway subsidiaries, CCECC, CMEC, and CHEC. Additional participants came from Egypt (Hassan Allam, Orascom, ElSewedy, The Arab Contractors, Rowad), Qatar (UCC, Redco), Kuwait (Alghanim International), and Spain, Italy, and Turkey, reflecting the project’s broad international appeal and competitive field.

Ten major international rolling stock and systems suppliers submitted EOI. The list features leading European companies such as Alstom (France), Colas Rail (France), CAF and Talgo (Spain), Siemens Mobility (Germany), and Stadler (Switzerland). It also includes major Asian manufacturers, with CRRC Hong Kong and CRRC Changchun from China, Hyundai Rotem from South Korea, and Hitachi Rail from Japan. 

Twelve rail operators expressed interest, reflecting a broad mix of experienced international and regional transport companies. The group includes major European operators such as DB International Operations from Germany, Italy’s Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, the UK’s Serco, and French companies Keolis, RATP Dev, and Transdev. Spain is represented by Alsa Grupo, Moventis, and Renfe Operadora, while additional participants include Intertoll Europe Group from Hungary, MTR Corporation from Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia’s Alsaif Transportation Company. 

Sixteen equity investors submitted EOI, representing a diverse mix of regional and global investment firms. Participants include major Gulf investors such as abrdn Investcorp and Lamar Holding from Bahrain, along with several prominent Saudi groups, including Al Gihaz Holding, Almutlaq Real Estate Investment Company, MADA International Holding, MXB Investment, Tamasuk, and Vision International Investment Company. International interest came from Arj Holding in the UAE, Foure Holdings from the United States, Australia’s Plenary, France’s VINCI Concessions, and Japanese trading houses ITOCHU and Sojitz. South Korea was represented by Meritz Financial Group and the Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation (KIND). 

Twenty-three design and project-management consultancies EOI, reflecting a broad international field of technical advisors. The list includes major U.S. firms such as AECOM, Gensler, and Hill International, as well as leading global engineering groups like AtkinsRéalis and Hatch from Canada, SYSTRA from France, Surbana Jurong from Singapore, and Italferr, One Works, and RINA from Italy. Spain is strongly represented by Ayesa, IDOM, Sener, and TYPSA, while additional participants come from the UK (MARRS Global), Malaysia (K.L. Consults), South Korea (Kunhwa), India (INTROSOFT), and the UAE (Contrax International). Regional firms such as CH2M Saudi Limited, Geoharbour Saudi, and PPMDC from Saudi Arabia, along with El Raeid from Egypt, also expressed interest. 

Sixteen additional companies submitted EOI across a range of specialized services and supporting roles. The group includes several firms from the UAE, such as Al Nasser, Concrete Technology Company, and Workforce Staffing Solutions, as well as Qatar’s Alutec WLL. International participants span multiple sectors and jurisdictions, including Alvarez & Marsal from the United States, Finland’s COMATEC, Italy’s Generale Costruzioni Ferroviarie, Spain’s INDRA, and UK-based firms Hogan Lovells, Intellex Consulting Services, International SOS, and Zebraware. Saudi Arabia is also well represented, with Najd Wire Industries Company, Rawasi Albina, Smart Directions, and STC joining the list.