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Saudi-based Nesma Trading Company said its joint venture with UAE's Professional Landscape Company has been awarded a design and build contract by The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) for a giant onsite landscape nursery project in the kingdom.
Spread over a sprawling 1-million-sq-m area in the kingdom, the nursery will be one of the largest in the region that will propagate groundcovers, plants, shrubs, trees and palms to help meet the demand of upwards of 15 million plants for landscaping by completion of the destination.
The developer behind one of the world’s most ambitious tourism development projects, TRSDC pointed out that the contract was awarded after competitive tendering.
The move comes following the announcement in February that operations had commenced at the project base camp, said the company in a statement.
A variety of enabling works are already underway at the destination to provide the initial infrastructure for the project, it added.
CEO John Pagano said: "TRSDC is extremely pleased to announce the award of the contract for our onsite landscape nursery. This is another important milestone and a very challenging project given the unique set of logistical and environmental characteristics of the destination."
"We are equally pleased to award this contract to a partnership led by a Saudi company, one that has demonstrated its ability and commitment to delivering projects to the highest international development and sustainability standards," stated Pagano.
He pointed out that the award reflected its promise to support the local economy; such partnerships will have a positive ripple effect that extends beyond a single organisation.
"Projects like The Red Sea will continue to create new growth prospects across multiple industries and sectors and transfer much needed knowledge and know-how to the kingdom," he added.
The plants grown in the nursery will be predominantly native species that are fully adapted to the climate and conditions around the destination, both coastal and inland.
Additional desert-dwelling species may be included, after ensuring that any imported species will co-exist comfortably with the local flora and fauna, said the top official.
Chief Development Officer Ian Williamson said precise irrigation control and targeted application of water will reduce the nursery’s dependence on water from reverse osmosis.
Once the enabling infrastructure for the Phase One development is completed later this year, treated wastewater would be used to supplement irrigation, he noted.
“Providing water for a landscape nursery of this scale has been one of the key challenges,” he added.
According to him, the landscape nursery would give TRSDC two to three growing seasons per year, which is adequate time to propagate, mature and acclimatise trees, shrubs and plants in time for contractors to install the landscaping ahead of its 2022 opening.
"We will also propagate turfgrass for our championship golf course, hotels and residential properties," he added.
The Red Sea Project is the world’s most ambitious tourism and hospitality project: a new luxury destination that will position Saudi Arabia on the global tourism map.
The exquisite destination includes an archipelago of 90 untouched natural islands, dormant volcanoes, vast desert, beautiful mountains, rich nature and inspiring culture, and will exceed expectations with the highest standards of service excellence, underpinned by the use of technology to enable a seamless personalized experience.-TradeArabia News Service
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