Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit: Singaporean Firms Explore Innovative, Sustainable Projects

Singapore companies are pushing to expand their partnerships with the UAE across infrastructure, energy, and real estate sectors. Speaking at the Abu Dhabi Infrastructure Summit in Singapore, executives highlighted the UAE's attractive investment climate and growing opportunities for collaboration between the two nations.

The summit brought together Singaporean firms and UAE institutions to explore new partnerships and knowledge exchange opportunities. These collaborations aim to develop projects that support sustainability and economic growth in both countries.

Beh Suy Chew, CEO of RSP Group, a leading architectural and engineering design firm in Asia, said his company has built a growing presence in the region since entering the Middle East market 15 years ago. RSP is currently working on major projects with leading real estate developers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, including partnerships with Aldar Properties. The company operates 12 design studios across six countries, including the UAE, China, Malaysia, and Vietnam, and plans to strengthen its UAE presence with new projects aligned with the country's sustainable infrastructure goals.

Charles Chang, CEO of Singapore Methanol, which produces green methanol from renewable biomass, said his company is seeking potential partners in the UAE, particularly in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah, to develop new supply chains for low-carbon methanol fuel. The company currently operates two plants in Indonesia. The first project in Sumbawa produces about 200,000 tons of green methanol annually from renewable biomass, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 72%. A second project in Sulawesi is under development with production capacity of around one million tons of methanol. The company is also studying similar projects in both the UAE and China.

Vincent Loh, CEO of Commercial Affairs at CPG Corporation, one of Singapore's oldest engineering consultancy firms, noted that his company has been present in the UAE for over 20 years. CPG has participated in major educational and healthcare projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, successfully completing more than 40 school projects through educational partnerships and participating in real estate projects and medical facility development. The company is establishing a new local entity in Abu Dhabi to expand its operations in the country.

Kelvin Pan from GeoMotion Singapore explained that his company provides advanced solutions for soil monitoring and testing using smart sensors and modern automation technologies. Operating in more than five countries including Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, GeoMotion has completed around 400 projects in geotechnical monitoring. The company collaborates with government entities like Singapore's Land Transport Authority and Changi Airport Group, and is now seeking to expand in the UAE through partnerships supporting smart city projects and monitoring critical infrastructure like dams, tunnels, and major buildings.

Shirley Pan from PDR Group, which specializes in integrated talent solutions, said her company currently works with more than 10,000 organizations worldwide in recruitment, consulting, and executive search. PDR is looking to strengthen its presence in the Middle East region, starting from the UAE, given the promising growth opportunities the country offers.

These partnerships reflect the broader economic ties between Singapore and the UAE, two major business hubs that share similar visions for sustainable development and smart city initiatives. The collaboration spans traditional sectors like construction and real estate, as well as emerging areas like green energy and smart infrastructure monitoring.