🌍 Kostas Dimitros, a Greek senior professional in the construction industry with over 22 years of experience in the Middle East, shares his journey from Athens to Dubai. Kostas has worked with renowned companies such as Parsons, Bechtel, and Kerzner, delivering mega projects, developing comprehensive growth strategies and cultivating strong client relationships. Some of the large-scale projects include the ALBA Aluminum Smelter Expansion in Bahrain, the MINA Oil Tank Farm in Salalah, Oman and hospitality projects like the Atlantis Hotel and Theme Park on the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai and the Ferrari Theme Park on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Currently, he leads the Strategic Programs and Aviation Programs growth initiatives for Parsons in the EMEA region.

🏗️ The Middle East, particularly the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, has undergone significant transformation through mega projects in the last 30 years. Dubai and Abu Dhabi began by diversifying their economies beyond hydrocarbons, focusing on tourism and infrastructure development. This involved creating a tourist ecosystem with large hotels, residences, and the necessary infrastructure like power plants and water supply systems. Qatar followed suit with its preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, while Saudi Arabia has embarked on groundbreaking giga projects such as NEOM and The Red Sea Project as part of its Vision 2030 initiative, as well as preparing for the 2034 World Cup.

👥 Stakeholder engagement and building trust is crucial in delivering these mega projects. Kostas emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs of various stakeholders, including those who run the cities before, during, and after project implementation. This involves stakeholder mapping, listening to their concerns, and having constructive discussions about their expectations and receptiveness to changes in their environment. Effective stakeholder management throughout the supply chain is essential for the successful delivery of these ambitious projects.