The UAE's construction sector is still leading the GCC by thrice the number of ongoing projects in comparison to Saudi Arabia's 442, according to data from Dubai-based research firm Proleads.

With a total value of around $900 billion (Dh3.3 trillion) , 1,372 building projects are under construction or in bidding across the commercial, hospitality, residential and retail sectors in the UAE, said the study.

About 566 projects have either been shelved or postponed, said the analysis which is accurate to mid-September and based on data with a claimed accuracy of 90 per cent. It took the pulse of more than 3,000 projects valued in excess of $1.5trn in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

As for the rest of the GCC, Saudi Arabia has total projects worth more than $387bn across the four sectors, with 442 in construction or bidding, and 106 cancelled or on hold, the report said. In Kuwait, with total projects worth more than $114bn, 90 are in construction or bidding and 18 cancelled or on hold.

Qatar has seven projects shelved or on hold and 124 are in construction or in bidding out of total projects worth more than $42bn.

With total projects worth more than $38bn in Oman, 95 are in construction or bidding with eight on hold with no cancellations. Bahrain's total projects are valued at more than $36bn with 148 in construction or bidding and 54 cancelled or on hold.