China State Construction’s Middle East head says the company is committed to the region for the long term, and is looking for stable countries to operate in.

“To develop here, it’s going to be for the long term. We’re not trying to be a hero for a year or two, we have to really commit ourselves, deliver quality products on time and still remain competitive,” says Yu Tao, president and CEO of China State Construction Middle East, in part two of MEED’s interview.

The company has a number of projects in the UAE, and Kuwait and Oman offer potential for further expansion, says Tao

It has a number of contracts in Kuwait, and is bidding on several more, including the multi-billion dollar expansion to Kuwait’s airport terminal.

In Abu Dhabi, China State is also working on infrastructure the Midfield terminal contract at the emirate’s airport, building roads and bridges, while in Dubai, it is working on phase two of the Canal development.

Tao expects employee numbers to rise this year. The company has doubled its management-level workforce in the region over the past year, and tripled the number of workers. If projects in the pipeline come through, he expects to further increase the number of people working at the company in the Middle East.