Gamuda takes selective stance in Gulf states

DOHA: Gamuda Bhd, a construction company making inroads in Qatar is taking an “active but selective” approach when bidding for construction projects in the gulf states despite the good reputation of the oil rich nation, its Senior General Manager KW Chan said yesterday.

He said the company’s RM2.6 billion worth of projects to design and build airfield facilities, tunnels and detention ponds for the new Doha International Airport have been 70 per cent completed and due for completion by February next year.

“Another project, the RM760 million Dukhan Highway West, a 42 km for lane dual carriageway is now 95 per cent complete and should be ready by June l.

He said the company was bidding for the second phase of the highway for which the tender would be out next month. The contract is worth more than RM1 billion.
“We are confident of getting the job since we are already established and had been successful in implementing the first phase.

Actually we are pre-qualified for the second phase since we are already equipped with facilities like heavy machinery to implement the project,” he added.

Chan said the company was also building the RM650 million worth Sitra causeway bridge in Bahrain.

He said beside tendering in Qatar and Bahrain, the company was also eyeing potential construction projects in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“We will be active in the Middle East, but we are taking a selective approach when bidding for projects to keep up with our good reputation,” he added.

On the massive developments in the gulf states like Qatar he said that Malaysian companies should not be left behind in bidding for development projects especially in the construction industry.

“The key development projects like in Qatar are funded by the government and the gulf countries have huge cash reserves and this would enable them to implement many huge projects without any problem,” he added.

By Bernama