US$ 600 million Abu Dhabi hospital contract awarded

Murray & Roberts has partnered with Leighton's joint venture in the Middle East, Al Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG), on an AED 2.2 billion (US$ 600 million) hospital construction project in Abu Dhabi.

Government-owned Abu Dhabi Health Services Company, SEHA, awarded the joint venture contract, which is worth AED 1.4 billion (US$ 380 million) to HLG and AED 800 million (US$ 220 million) to Murray & Roberts.

The new Al Mafraq hospital complex will be spread across 245000 m² and host underground parking facilities for 1300 vehicles. It is scheduled for completion in 2014 at a total cost of AED 3.5 billion (US$ 950 million).

Nigel Harvey, managing director of Murray & Roberts Middle East, described the deal as "an exciting contract award in a tough and competitive Middle Eastern market".

The contract represents the second Abu Dhabi hospital project that HLG has won in the past twelve months. In April, 2010, the company - which is 45% owned by Hochtief subsidiary Leighton Holdings - secured a US$ 50 million share of a joint venture contract to construct the Arzanah medical complex near Zayed Stadium on Abu Dhabi island.