Al Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG), one of the Middle East's leading construction and engineering companies, has clinched a Dh1.04 billion ($285 million) capital works contract from the Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC).

As per the deal, HLG, a subsidiary of Leighton Holdings, will build key infrastructure for the Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (KPIZ) project in Abu Dhabi.

The project, known as KPIZ Industrial Zone A Infrastructure Central and South, will commence immediately and is due for completion in September 2012, said a statement from HLG.

This is HLG’s second project for ADPC at KPIZ, said a top official.

'ADPC had awarded a Dh1.4 billion project last July for the construction of the on-shore port facilities and including the construction of 47 buildings and associated infrastructure works,' remarked HLG CEO and managing director, Laurie Voyer.

Voyer pointed out that the new award reaffirmed HLG’s position as one of the Mena region’s leading infrastructure providers.

“We are delighted to continue playing such an important role in the development of Abu Dhabi’s key infrastructure,” he added.

'Securing new work with our existing clients is an important element of HLG’s growth strategy. We’ve been working with ADPC for over a year now and have developed a strong working relationship with them,' said Voyer.

'We look forward to supporting ADPC’s new CEO Tony Douglas to ensure operations at KPIZ commence as scheduled in 2012,' he added.

The scope of work includes: 12 million cu m of earthworks; 18 km of two, three and four-lane dual carriageways; 5 bridges; 48 major services culverts and bridges; 7 km MSE walls; 124 km of electrical reticulation; 79 km of telecommunications distribution and 91 km of pipelines.

According to Voyer, Abu Dhabi remains HLG’s single most important market, and that the group is confident of securing further new work there in the near future.

KPIZ will be a multi-purpose facility located in Taweelah, Abu Dhabi and strategically placed between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The project includes the construction of a world-class container and industrial port and the development of industrial, logistics, commercial, educational and residential special economic and free trade zones.-TradeArabia News Service