Dubai: Saudi Arabia has invited firms to compete for a contract to build a security fence on its border with Iraq at a cost of up to 4 billion riyals ($1.07 billion), officials at five invited companies said on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, wants to build a double-lined, razor wire fence along the 900-kilometre frontier with its northern neighbour, complete with thermal imaging and radar equipment, the officials said.
The companies include Saudi Arabia's Binladin Group, along with Saudi Oger, El Seif Engineering & Construction, Al-Khodary Sons Co and Al Arrab Contracting Co, the officials, who did not want to be identified, said. They have until Oct. 28 to bid.
International defence companies, including Europe's EADS, Boeing Co and Britain's BAE Systems, have also been invited, London-based Middle East Economic Digest reported in July, without saying how it got the information.
A spokesman at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Interior confirmed the invitation, without giving further details.
