Construction opportunities for UK firms in Iraq

Substantial opportunities exist in Iraq for construction firms willing to price in risks and enter the market according to a new report by Research & Markets.

The Iraq Infrastructure Report 2011 Q2 says infrastructure is a priority investment for the Iraqi government due to public protests about poor provision of services.

The report says: “In order for the economy to return to some semblance of normality, core infrastructure needs to be in place.

Given severe shortages, electricity remains the sector of highest priority however development of transport links in the country is gathering pace.

The contract for construction of the Al Faw port will be released before the end of 2011 while a tender for a new international airport will be released in October 2011.

The report adds: “Transport is slowly emerging as the sector that is receiving the greatest attention, even though electricity has taken priority in recent years.”

Alstom signed an outline agreement in January for construction of a 25km elevated metro line in Baghdad. The report also mentions an upcoming surge in the housing sector, which will see two million units built over the next four years.