The Presidential Affairs Ministry has begun negotiations with three groups for the estimated main construction contract on the presidential palace project in the Ras al-Akhdar area of Abu Dhabi island.

The three contracting groups in negotiations are Oger Abu Dhabi – the local affiliate of Saudi Oger; Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC); and the joint venture of the local/Australian Al-Habtoor Leighton Group, South Africa’s Murray & Roberts Contractors (Middle East) and the local Fibrex Construction Group.

At least six groups submitted fresh prices for contract in early June (MEED 18:6:10).

The other bidders are:

• Saudi Binladin Group
• The local/Belgian Six Construct Abu Dhabi with the local Arabtec Construction
• A joint venture of the local/Lebanese Arabian Construction Company (ACC) and the local Alec

The new palace will cover a total built-up area of about 220,000 square metres between the existing presidential palace and the Emirates Palace Hotel. The current palace is used by the federal government and hosts cabinet meetings and other federal government functions.

The Abu Dhabi Dutch Foundation has already started on the enabling works package for the new venue.

US-based RW Armstrong is the project manager, while the local Ewan Architectural & Engineering Consultancy is the appointed architect. The engineer is UK-based WSP Group and the cost consultant is Bahrain-based Haj Gulf.