DL E&C

Local builders prepare for Iraqi postwar projects (2003. 4. 10) Amid the ongoing war in Iraq, Korean construction firms are gunning to join the post-war reconstruction works in Iraq likely to be spearheaded by the U.S.-led coalition, sources said yesterday. Local outfits are working to coordinate with U.S. counterparts while preparing to re-deploy their human resources back to Kuwait. According to industry sources, Hyundai Engineering and Construction (HEC) has returned to Kuwait three senior employees, who had been previously evacuated because of the war. The employees were returned to HEC's construction project site in Al-ahmadi Harbor near Kuwait City on Monday to recommence operations. HEC said that the most dangerous time seems to have passed now and that preparations for the construction resumption should begin as soon as possible. The construction and engineering firm has extensive experience in the region. Prior to the breakout of the first Persian Gulf War in 1991, HEC had completed in Iraq some 30 large-scale engineering and construction projects worth $4.1 billion, which the company hopes will pave the way for winning future contracts in the wake of Iraq's reconstruction. HEC has formed a 10-membeer task force for post-war projects in Iraq, while the firm's office in Iraq will be expanded from the one to five full-time staff members. Additionally, executives are set to fly to the United States in a bid to win post-war construction contracting work in conjunction with U.S. companies. SK Engineering and Construction also resumed its Kuwaiti operations by posting three of its 36 workers back to Kuwaiti construction sites last week. An additional 10 workers will be sent by SK later this week. The firm said that it is working to assemble a cooperative relationship with U.S. companies. LG Engineering and Construction is currently in the process of contacting prospective U.S. partners and restarting projects in Kuwait, while Daelim Industries has also initiated similar contacts with U.S. companies.