Woodrow eyes projects in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: A subsidiary of France's Vinci, the world's largest construction group, is eyeing more complex projects in Abu Dhabi as it starts operations in a fiercely competitive market, an executive told Reuters.

Vinci Construction UK, which trades in the Gulf under the name Taylor Woodrow International (TWI), expects to get its contractors classification in Abu Dhabi by next month, letting it tender for work on its own or with local partners, TWI's general manager in Abu Dhabi, Melvyn Ford, said in an interview.

TWI began operations in the Gulf Arab region in March, setting up its headquarters in the United Arab Emirates capital, and was awarded its commercial licence there in July.

"We have to be very selective. We can't compete with local firms so we are going to look at more complex projects which show a degree of specialism," he said.

Ford said TWI would target government work for civil and social infrastructure including the education and health care sectors, administrative and cultural buildings, mass transport systems, airport development, ports and industrial works.

TWI will look at public-private partnerships or private finance initiatives and has identified facilities management work as a potential market to tap, he said.

TWI is also tendering for projects in Oman and Qatar, Ford said.