RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading global investments in high-end office fit-outs, averaging over $2,400 per sq. meter, well above the global benchmark of $1,830, according to a new report.

An analysis by real estate advisory firm JLL, based on data from 25 countries, found that companies in both Gulf countries are prioritizing workspace upgrades as part of broader return-to-office strategies.

In the Middle East and Africa, corporate sentiment remains focused on targeted investments in design and functionality to support hybrid working models and enhance employee productivity. 

The report added that initiatives in Saudi Arabia such as the regional headquarters program are playing a crucial role in driving demand for Grade A office spaces in the Kingdom. It offers incentives such as a 30-year corporate income tax exemption and withholding tax relief, alongside regulatory support for multinationals operating in the Kingdom. 

Maroun Deeb, head of project and development services for Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at JLL, said: “The general optimism toward investing in workspaces is likely to continue throughout 2025 as growth-oriented corporations invest in office fit-outs to support their hybrid workplace policies.”  

He added: “Targeted investments to enhance employee experience will see an increased focus on workplace design, innovative technology solutions, and refurbishment opportunities amid growing interest in healthier, energy-efficient workspaces.”  

According to the analysis, companies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing more on fit-outs to enhance workplace experience and employee performance. 

The report added that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among the premium global markets for quality fit-out investments on par with London, New York and Sydney. 

JLL analyzed data from 25 countries and found that sustainability is a key driver in many relocation strategies and office fit-outs. 

Some 68 percent of organizations globally plan to increase investment in sustainability performance in the next five years. 

In the Middle East and Africa region, the sentiment is strongest in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where 78 percent of corporate real estate leaders aim to enhance value through sustainability. 

The report, however, added that organizations in the region face challenges in meeting sustainability requirements due to limited suitable stock and high costs of upgrading older buildings. 

JLL added that early planning and integration of sustainability targets in relocation strategies and fit-out projects is crucial to address challenges. 

“Offices that embrace innovative technologies and sustainable design principles and have higher levels of green certification command a premium, especially in Dubai,” said Gary Tracey, head of project and development services UAE at JLL.  

He added: “Investments to improve sustainability will mitigate future operational expenses, remaining highly attractive to tenants seeking modern, efficient workplaces.”  

The report further said that supply chain disruptions in 2024 disproportionately affected the office market in the Middle East and North Africa, tightening project timeframes and escalating pricing. 

“From environmental and smart building systems to adaptive workspaces and settings, supply chain engagement is critical in managing costs and allowing for innovation in future-focused workspaces,” said JLL.  

The report added that mechanical and electrical services now account for a higher proportion of office spend as stricter environmental and sustainability standards require more complex systems. 

With 39 percent spending on M&E services, Cairo ranks among the top cities globally for average proportion of costs per sq. meter for such services, followed by Dubai at 30 percent and Riyadh at 29 percent. 

In April, in a separate analysis, JLL said that the global office sector is rebounding as companies scale back hybrid employment options, increasing demand for workspaces. 

In that report, JLL revealed that 59 percent of organizations globally are increasing investments in design and fit-outs.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s $500-billion giga-project NEOM has installed the Kingdom’s first fully automated, remote-controlled cranes at its Red Sea port as it moves ahead with plans to begin operations in 2026. 

The delivery of next-generation ship-to-shore and electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes marks a key milestone in the development of Terminal 1, which will accommodate the world’s largest container ships. NEOM is aiming to position the facility as a global logistics hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa. 

The facility supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by contributing to economic diversification through enhanced trade, logistics, and industrial capabilities. As global supply chains shift toward resilience and efficiency, NEOM’s strategic Red Sea location positions it as a vital link between Asia, Europe, and Africa. 

Sean Kelly, managing director of Port of NEOM, said: “The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port.” 

He added: “We’re not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but we’re also setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, innovation and establishing a vital trade gateway for the Kingdom and the region beyond.” 

The new cranes will enable high-efficiency operations while allowing remote control from ergonomic workstations.  

Infrastructure developments, including a 900-meter quay wall and an 18.5-meter-deep channel, ensure the port can handle the largest vessels transiting the Suez Canal. Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation, boosting logistics capacity and regional industrial growth.

Alongside infrastructure upgrades, the port is investing in local talent development. A specialized program is training Saudi workers, including women, for high-tech roles such as remote crane operations. Ten participants from Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk region are currently in a two-year program combining technical training and mentorship.  

Trainee Hajjer Alatawi said: “This experience has shown me that port logistics is far more complex than just moving cargo; it’s about teamwork, precision and responsibility. Seeing more Saudi women entering this space gives me hope for a future where industries are defined by skills, not gender.” 
 
The press release added that by empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, “Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”