Carillion troubles will not affect Expo 2020 preparation
Expo 2020 on track for a spectacular event as Laing O’Rourke wins $182 million contracts
Expo 2020 Dubai says it is “closely monitoring” the financial problems of Carillion in the UK, a 49% shareholder in Al Futtaim Carillion, the main contractor of three of its themed districts, after it awarded Laing O’Rourke two contracts worth a total of $182 million (AED670 million). It added it does not anticipate that construction for the event will be impacted.
“We are in close contact with the company, and are constantly monitoring the current issue. Construction on the Theme Districts is well-advanced and work is continuing as planned. We do not anticipate any impact on project delivery and are on track to deliver a spectacular Expo on time and in budget,” it said in a statement published in Gulf News.
Under the terms of the two contracts awarded to Laing O’Rourke, the UK’s largest privately owned construction will build two pavilions – the Leadership and Media pavilions – including their MEP works and the Hammerhead access road to the Al Wasl Plaza.
“These projects will be constructed in close proximity to the UAE Pavilion and other pavilions. This area is already a hive of construction activity, with all of these projects being built simultaneously. With this in mind, close collaboration between construction companies on site will be vital to coordinate logistics and ensure that work continues according to our schedule,” explained Ahmed Al Khatib, SVP, Real Estate and Delivery, Expo 2020 Dubai.
