International tendering for Egyptian highway deal

Bidding is underway for a major highway project in Egypt, with the tender process attracting considerable international interest. The contract is worth some US$1 billion and is for the construction of the 35km Rod el-Farag highway. Construction work on the project is scheduled to commence in late 2011 and the highway will be built under the PPP model. So far five consortia have entered the bidding process, with local contractors and international firms teaming up to tender for the work. Egyptian contractor 2414 Orascom has teamed up with French firm 2643 Egis and Belgian-based 1303 Besix to tender. Austrian contractor 945 Strabag is in partnership with local firm International Group for Investment and EFG Hermes. The Greek contractor Gek Terna has teamed up with Austrian company Porr Solutions and local firm Hassam Allam to bid. Another international partnership tendering comprises China Communication and Portuguese 2745 Soares da Costa. In addition, South Korean contractor GS Engineering is also tendering for the work.