The Middle East has attracted world’s attention in various aspects such as oil, war, economy and religion. In construction industry, several big projects are undergoing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi such as construction of Masdar smart city and Sudeiri industrial park. Many countries have expanded business in the Middle East as this area is expected to have high demand for social infrastructure. However, very few Japanese construction companies consider the Middle East as main market. Though some Japanese trading and engineering companies are involved in plant construction, their business partners are not only Japanese companies. 

Recognizing the significance of de-exhaustible energy, oil-producing countries in the Middle East are using their oil money to promote the development of social infrastructures that do not rely on oil resource, creating a great opportunity for construction industry.
This special issue introduces the characteristics of the Middle East Region, lessons from past failures, and successful examples in other industries, and aims to gain some clues for active business development in the Middle East of construction industry.

The first article summarizes the efforts of Japanese construction industry in the Middle East chronologically. A roundtable discussion on whether construction industry should develop business in the Middle East is also introduced. Expert articles on the Middle East research presents the way of thinking and business practices in the Middle East; followed by an article that summarizes 8 cases to introduce the efforts made by Japanese construction related companies in the fields of environment, airport and transportation. In addition, an article from families of expatriates introduces the life of Japanese expatriates in the Middle East. Finally, an article from the Middle East Cooperation Center presents relations of Japan and the Middle East and the future trend.

 With intent of finding out the potential of the Middle East, the special issue introduces the efforts and hardship of civil engineers and businessmen in an unfamiliar land, the Middle East, which has very different climate and customs from Japan.