Saudi Arabia has awarded local firms contracts worth more than SR1 billion ($266.7 million) for infrastructure projects, the state news agency SPA said on Saturday.

The 38 contracts include road construction in the city of Mecca, bridge and tunnel works in Medina, and other projects in the capital Riyadh and the Eastern province, SPA said.

Saudi Arabia is spending around $400 billion in the five years to 2013 on infrastructure projects to boost the economy and create jobs for Saudi Arabia's growing population of over 25 million. – Reuters