How has the market performed for your company over the past three years?
The past three years have been challenging for Habtoor Leighton Group (HLG) as, like most contractors in this region, we’ve had to deal with the fallout from the global financial crisis. We believe that most markets have now bottomed out, and we are seeing positive signs in all our key markets. In general, the market outlook is very positive.

Where do you anticipate growth over the next three years?
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iraq are our three most important growth markets, underpinned by government infrastructure programmes funded by oil and gas revenues.

Where do you see HLG’s main opportunities?
Infrastructure, particularly transport and social infrastructure, and oil-and-gas-related opportunities in the growth markets of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The UAE will continue to offer select opportunities for HLG and will remain a key market for the company for the foreseeable future.

What are the challenges facing your firm?
The challenges facing HLG are no different from those facing our competitors. The past few years have seen an influx of international contractors into the region, leading to increased competition in our existing and new markets. As a result, margins have come under extreme pressure and this is likely to continue. Selecting the right clients and the right projects also remains a challenge, but we have set ourselves clear criteria in this regard and will ensure these are met before we decide to pursue any opportunity.

Highlight a recent project that has been significant to HLG.
In the UAE, our recently completed projects at Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone were important as they were successfully delivered for a satisfied client. In Qatar, we have delivered a number of water storage projects and expect to secure repeat business with the clients. We also secured our first projects in Saudi Arabia and Iraq last year across a range of market sectors. All these projects have positioned us well for future growth.