/ 16 April 2009

Murray & Roberts pulls out of R5bn Dubai contract

South Africa’s biggest construction firm Murray & Roberts has pulled out of a R5-billion contract in Dubai after failing to finalise ”acceptable” terms with a client, it said on Thursday.

The project, which was to build the Dubai International Airport Concourse 3, was awarded to the Al Habtoor Murray & Roberts Takenaka Joint Venture last December by the Dubai Civil Aviation.

”The parties have concluded that a mutually acceptable contract is not currently possible,” Murray & Roberts said in a statement.

The firm’s 40% share of the contract was worth about R5-billion in revenues over the next three years, the company said, adding that limited work had been undertaken on the project and parties would work together to reach a final account.

Murray & Roberts, which is helping to build 2010 World Cup stadiums in South Africa, said the withdrawal would not have a material impact on its full year results. — Reuters