British contractor Carillion said it has collaborated with UK-based Zaha Hadid Architects to win a major contract from Bee’ah, a leading UAE-based environmental management company, to build its new headquarters in Sharjah.

The contract worth tens of millions of pounds to build a revolutionary environmental building in Sharjah, was secured by Carillion with the support from UK Export Finance (UKEF).

Bee’ah’s headquarters was designed by the late Zaha Hadid, the world-renowned British architect.

To be built by Carillion, the Bee'ah HQ will be the first building of its kind in Sharjah to be powered entirely by renewable and recoverable energy sources, whilst utilising recycled materials in its construction.

International Trade Secretary Dr Liam Fox said: "Our support to help Carillion secure this contract shows the UK’s global leadership in sustainable engineering, and our pioneering expertise in developing smart cities and green buildings for the future."

"The UAE is a key partner in the region and 5,000 UK companies work in there. Through UKEF, the Government is ensuring that British firms can be the first choice to support the country’s ambitions," he stated.

The headquarters will be powered by low- and zero-carbon sources, including solar power and waste-to-energy and will be one of the most advanced buildings in the region. Using British architectural and construction expertise, the design has been developed to use natural light and temperature management systems where possible.

Zafar Khan, the group finance director for Carillion, said: “This contract cements Carillion’s position as a market-leader in the Middle East, as well as our credentials in sustainable construction. Our ability to offer our customers in the region the support of UK Export Finance is an invaluable asset, making our bids more attractive and helping us win contracts in a competitive global marketplace.”

Salim bin Mohamed Al Owais, Chairman of Bee’ah, said: "As pioneers in environmental sustainability in the Middle East, Bee'ah is proud of our international alliances and the partnerships we have forged to advance our ambitious strategic goals."

"This agreement is a significant moment in the history of the region. It demonstrates Bee’ah’s dedication and commitment to delivering on promises to the people of the UAE by providing tangible solutions to the greatest environmental challenges that face modern civilisation," he stated.

The headquarters is expected to be operational by the end of 2018, moving towards the major milestone of being powered by 100 per cent renewable energy by 2021.

The financing deal provides for both the construction and design of Bee’ah’s new headquarters; UKEF will support the Carillion and Zaha Hadid contracts under its Direct Lending Facility. HSBC Bank Middle East Limited has acted as arranger on the transaction, and HSBC Bank is the agent.-TradeArabia News Service