MEED reported that the Ministry of Presidential Affairs has invited contractors to submit fresh prices for the estimated AED 2 billion main construction package on the Presidential Palace project in the Ras al Akhdar area of Abu Dhabi Island.

According to sources involved in the bidding process, at least 6 groups have submitted prices for contract. They are:

1. Oger Abu Dhabi, the local affiliate of Saudi Oger
2. The local Australian Al Habtoor Leighton Group, South Africa's Murray & Roberts Contractors and the local Fibrex Construction Group
3. Saudi Binladin Group
4. The local Belgian Six Construct Abu Dhabi with the local Arabtec Construction
5. A JV of Athens-based Consolidated Contractors Company and the local Ghantoot Gulf Contracting
6. A JV of the local Lebanese Arabian Construction Company and the local Alec

The new palace will cover a total built up area of about 220,000 square meters between the existing Presidential Palace and the Emirates Palace Hotel. The present 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.

(Sourced from MEED)