buildingSMART Saudi Arabia and Nemetschek Group Forge Strategic Partnership

To Advance Open Standards and Digital Transformation in the Kingdom’s AEC/O Sector

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – 20 August 2025 – We are pleased to announce a landmark partnership between buildingSMART Saudi Arabia and the Nemetschek Group, a global leader in digital solutions for the Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Operations (AEC/O) industry.

“Our partnership with the Nemetschek Group marks a pivotal step towards elevating Saudi Arabia’s construction sector to global standards,” said Abdul-Rahman AL-Ghabban, Chairman of buildingSMART Saudi Arabia. “We are excited to collaborate on advancing open standards and fostering innovation in building practices, creating lasting value for our industry and our nation.”

This strategic collaboration will accelerate the adoption of openBIM and international digital standards across Saudi Arabia’s construction and infrastructure markets. By aligning closely with Vision 2030, the initiative supports the Kingdom’s goals of sustainability, innovation, and economic diversification.

Together, buildingSMART Saudi Arabia and Nemetschek will:

• Champion the implementation of openBIM and open standards to enable interoperability and seamless data exchange.

• Identify pilot projects that showcase digital innovation in project efficiency, safety, and cost management.

• Develop and deliver professional certification programs, specialized training workshops, and advanced BIM courses tailored for the Saudi market.

• Provide advisory services that promote ESG-aligned digital practices and sustainable building initiatives.

By fostering collaboration across all stakeholders, this partnership aims to create a smarter, more connected, and sustainable built environment in the Kingdom.

Yves Padrines, CEO of the Nemetschek Group, commented: “By aligning our digital technologies and open standards expertise with buildingSMART’s leadership in the Kingdom, we are laying the foundation for a smarter, more connected, and more sustainable infrastructure landscape.”

Muayad Simbawa, Managing Director of Nemetschek Arabia, added: “Together with buildingSMART Saudi Arabia, we aim to empower the Kingdom’s construction ecosystem with the tools, skills, and standards needed to accelerate progress and deliver world-class projects.”

This collaboration underscores the shared vision of both organizations to modernize Saudi Arabia’s AEC/O sector. Through open standards, digital transformation, and knowledge exchange, the partnership will unlock new opportunities for efficiency, innovation, and sustainable growth across the Kingdom’s giga- and mega-projects.

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About the Nemetschek Group

The Nemetschek Group is a globally leading software provider for digital transformation in the AEC/O and media industries. Its intelligent software solutions cover the entire lifecycle of construction and infrastructure projects and allow creatives to optimize their workflows. Customers can plan, construct, and manage construction projects more efficiently and sustainably, and develop digital content such as visualizations, films, and computer games in a creative way. The software company drives new technologies such as artificial intelligence, digital twins, and open standards (OpenBIM) in the AEC/O industries to increase productivity and sustainability and continuously expand its portfolio, including through acquisitions and investments in innovative start-ups. More than 7 million users are currently using customer-focused solutions. Founded by Prof. Georg Nemetschek in 1963, the Nemetschek Group today employs around 4,000 experts globally.

The company, which has been listed in the MDAX and TecDAX since 1999, achieved a revenue of EUR 995.6 million and an EBITDA of EUR 301.0 million in 2024. Since the end of 2024, the Nemetschek Group is certified in accordance with ISO 27001, the internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS).

About buildingSMART Saudi Arabia

buildingSMART Saudi Arabia, the local chapter of buildingSMART International, collaborates closely with its global counterpart. As a not-for-profit organization, the chapter represents the interests of companies, organizations, giga-projects, and government entities within Saudi Arabia. The chapter’s mission is to foster innovation and collaboration in the construction industry, revolutionizing the design, construction, and operation of buildings and infrastructure through open standards and digital technologies.

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