Are UK construction firms set to go into Libya?

A group of British construction firms are reportedly set to see if they can liaise with Libyan rebels and help rebuild devastated parts of the country.

According to Building News, a group of consultants called British Expertise, could be set to launch a “scoping mission” to see how UK firms can help repair war damage and rebuild infrastructure destroyed by bombing from Colonel Gaddafi’s forces.

British Expertise, which consists of construction firms such as Gleeds and Mott MacDonald, is working with UK Trade and Investment and the British government in a bid to help rebuild Libya.

At the moment this is all in the planning stages, mainly due to the fact that there’s a thing could a war going on in Libya, between forces loyal to leader Colonel Gaddafi and a group of rebels opposed to his rule.

If the move does actually go ahead, it could create a lot of work for UK contractors abroad. The problem is though, until Colonel Gaddafi is ousted or removed from power, no such mission can occur.

There is no way the current Libyan government is going to allow British contractors into the country, particularly when we are one of the main countries bombing the capital Tripoli.

No contractors have signed up to the scheme as of yet, but the British Expertise is confident some will sign up. I just think waiting until Gaddafi is out of power (if it ever happens) would be a better, and safer, alternative.

In more positive news, UK construction firms are continuing to win work abroad, as Foster and Partners have confirmed that they have won a contract to design and build three eco-friendly towers in Lebanon.

What do you think – is UK construction firms going into Libya a good idea?

 

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