Bina Puri bids for RM2b Mideast projects

DUBAI: Malaysian construction company, Bina Puri Holdings Bhd, is aggressively pursuing projects in the Middle East with the group bidding for about RM2 billion worth of potential projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Its general manager of projects, Lee Seng Fong, said despite the global economic slowdown, prospects in the Middle East were still good although one must be more cautious when expanding in the region.

“Currently we are present in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Bahrain and Syria,” Lee told reporters during the Malaysia Services Exhibition 2009 which ended here yesterday.

The group now has a total order book worth RM2.7 billion.

Among its most prestigious projects are the three major highways in India, luxurious five-star hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal, the Malaysian Embassy and Ambassador’s Residence building in Beijing, China and an access road for the new Bangkok International Airport project in Bangkok, Thailand.

Its signature projects in Malaysia include the Kota Kinabalu-Sulaman coastal road, two blocks of government buildings for Putrajaya Administration Centre, Putrajaya and the East West Road (Kupang-Gerik).

He said government support is vital for Malaysian companies intending to venture overseas.

“The Malaysia Services Exhibition in Dubai (MSE) spearheaded by the national trade promotion agency, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) is timely as it shows that Malaysian construction companies are still present in this part of the Middle East region,” he said.

The MSE Dubai from March 17-19, showcased Malaysia's services sector ranging from the various fields. The services sector is expected to drive economic growth within the Middle East and African nation.

Bina Puri was one of the exhibitors at the event.

Lee said there was a lot of interest shown for Bina Puri during the MSE 2009 with visitors from the Middle East expressing their interest in forming joint ventures with the company.

By Bernama