Gamuda Pre-Qualifies For RM10B Qatar Projects

Published: 2009/02/23
Gamuda Bhd (5398), Malaysia's second biggest builder by market value, has been pre-qualified for more than RM10 billion worth of infrastructure projects in Qatar, a senior official said.

It is also bidding for several infrastructure-related jobs in Bahrain and other Asian countries, Chan Kong Wah, the managing director of Gamuda Engineering Sdn Bhd, the group's construction arm, told Business Times.

The builder has gained a strong footing in the Middle East since 2005, winning three major projects in Qatar and Bahrain, worth a combined RM4.01 billion.It has a RM2.6 billion contract to build the New Doha International Airport (NDIA), a RM760 million deal for the Dukhan Highway project in Qatar.

It also has the RM650 million job for the Sitra Causeway Bridges. Gamuda has built a reputation for doing its work well, completing jobs ahead of schedule. This had led to an RM850 million deal for extension works at the NDIA.The contract, awarded in 2007, was to build new pavements, aprons and a tunnel, and for mechanical and electrical works.

"There's possibly RM400 million (contracts) more to come (for the NDIA)," Chan said. It is now looking for more jobs in the Middle East as the Dukhan Highway project is almost completed.
Work is due to finish by June 2009 and the highway will be handed over to the client, the Public Works Authority.

As for the NDIA project, a joint venture between Gamuda, Sinohydro and WCT, it is 70 per cent completed and is scheduled to finish by February next year.Its Sitra project will also be completed by May 2010.