Orascom Construction added $650m worth of contracts to its backlog in 2Q of 2018. Dana Smillie / The National
Orascom Construction added $650m worth of contracts to its backlog in 2Q of 2018. Dana Smillie / The National

Egypt's Orascom Construction adds $650m in contracts in 2Q



Egyptian contractor Orascom Construction added $650 million (Dh2.38 billion) in contracts to its backlog in the second quarter of 2018, as construction activity picks up pace in its home market.

The builder won $415m in awarded contracts in Egypt across sectors including transportation, water and new urban developments, the Nasdaq Dubai-listed firm said in an emailed statement.

"The group maintains its strategy of pursuing high-quality projects from both commercial and technical standpoints across its key markets."

Last month, embattled private equity firm Abraaj Group said it sold its entire holding in Orascom Construction as the Dubai-based buyout firm embarked on a restructuring amid allegations of misuse of funds. Abraaj off-loaded its 5.4 per cent stake in Orascom Construction for $52m, Orascom said in a bourse filing at the time.

The contracting firm won $235m worth of contracts in the second quarter in the US, an "uptick" in activity from the previous quarter, it said without quantifying the increase. The projects are in the commercial, infrastructure and industrial sectors, which include work on the maintenance facility at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in Arizona.

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Orascom Construction third-quarter net income slips 13.8 per cent

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In the first quarter of 2018, the company posted a net profit of $31.9m, a 13.9 per cent year-on-year increase. Its first quarter revenue was $756.8m, 29 per cent lower than the same period a year ago.

Earlier this month, the company said it will pay an approved $30m dividend to its shareholders during the week staring July 30.

In the Mena region, where the company won a contract for the Fujairah International Airport expansion, Orascom Construction is pursuing new infrastructure, industrial and commercial opportunities in the region's markets, it said in its firs-quarter financial results statement in May.

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Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.