British project manager AMEC has been shortlisted to manage a big nuclear programme in the United Arab Emirates.

A spokeswoman for AMEC confirmed on Sunday it is one of nine firms on a shortlist to run the project. She said AMEC would have the skills and experience to manage the project, but said the process was at "a very early stage".

The Independent on Sunday newspaper said the project would involve overseeing the technical design, construction and operation of about 14 nuclear facilities under a 40 billion pound plan for the Gulf state and if the FTSE 100 firm won the contract it would justify its move two years ago to refocus on energy and power markets.

The company said last month its end markets in the energy, power and process industries had remained strong. - Reuters