Living
in Saudi Arabia
Since the project was put
out to tender until now,
almost three years have
gone by and since then,
many more people are
working at the Riyadh
metro. The testimonies of
several of the members
of the civil works study
department are included
in this issue of Red
de Comunicación. They
describe their first
impressions when they
first arrived at the country.
They feel very satisfied
of having been awarded
the most important
international contract in
the history of the
Spanish construction
industry, where many of
the leading professionals
from various countries and
world-class companies
have participated in the
tender process.
Maxi Rodríguez.
Head of the Civil Works Studies
and Contracting Department
Her function in the Studies department is to
coordinate the group assigned to a specific
tender offering. She has been working at
FCC for the past 15 years.
What are the reasons for your involve-
ment with Saudi Arabia?
Over the past few years, the Studies and
Contracting Department of FCC has be-
come increasingly involved in international
tender processes. This, plus my experience
and involvement in metro projects put out
to tender could have been the main rea-
sons for assigning me to the Saudi Arabia
tender bid.
What has the tender bid project involve?
This tender bid is in keeping with what is
known as the Project and Work Tender
Process. During this process, we develop a
draft project following the guidelines provi-
ded by the client in the tender specifications
document. Based on this draft project, we
perform a technical and an economic study
that includes a description of the resour-
ces that would have to be mobilised and
its organization, the technological, environ-
mental, quality, safety and health standards
that will be implemented by the bidder to
comply with the client’s requisites. It also
includes the budget for the execution of the
construction project and the work that will
have to be carried out once the contract is
awarded.
What were your first impressions when
you arrived?
The desert landscape, without any vegeta-
tion, is what first impresses you. All of the
sudden, in these surroundings, the city of
Riyadh emerges as an oasis that breaks the
monotony of the desert scenery. The way
that people dress and the contrasts bet-
ween the modern buildings and commer-
cial centres and the traditional neighbour-
hoods draws your attention.
What is it that makes it different from
Spain?
The customs and way of life, undoubtedly.
What do you like the most and the least
about the city?
What I like the most is the architecture of
some of its buildings. The lack of cultural
and leisure spaces, such as cinemas, thea-
tres, etc. is the other side of the coin.
What would you highlight about this
contract?
Its size and complexity. We are facing one
of the most important projects worldwide in
terms of both the technical as well as the
technological requirements outlined by the
client.
What does it mean for FCC to have been
awarded this contract?
I think that it is a great boost and an inter-
national recognition of the expertise and va-
lues of a major construction company such
as FCC: It also represents a great challenge
which I am certain that we will tackle suc-
cessfully.
