RIYADH: Dubai-based consultancy firm Carter Hones Associates is set to open a new office in Riyadh, highlighting the Saudi capital’s rising global business prominence. This announcement follows the recent opening of an office by the firm in Abu Dhabi, the launch of a cost consultancy business, and the appointment of a new partner in June 2023. In a press release, the company stated the expansion aligns with the increased demand for its specialized expertise, focusing on design project management and secondment for master planning, hospitality, and leisure projects in the Kingdom. Through the establishment of the new office, the firm aims to enhance collaboration with local businesses and foster partnerships with Saudi Arabian companies. Nathan Hones, general manager of Carter Hones Associates in Saudi Arabia said: “We have been assisting clients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for many years now and are thrilled to be solidifying our presence in the Kingdom and fully integrating into the local community.” He added: “Embarking on this journey is an exciting chapter for Carter Hones Associates and we are committed to contributing positively to the local economy and supporting Vision 2030.” Established in 2010, Carter Hones Associates provides project strategy, project management, design management, cost and commercial management, and secondment services across all disciplines, according to its website. This comes after several international firms, including multinational giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, procured licenses to open their regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia before the stipulated government deadline on Jan. 1. According to government figures, over 200 international firms obtained licenses to establish their regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia after the government announced in 2023 that it would cease awarding contracts to international companies not accrediting Riyadh as their regional hub before the start of 2024.