BESIX Group Awarded US$ 740 mln Contract in Qatar

CAIRO, EGYPT--(Marketwire - January 20, 2009) -

Cairo, Egypt / January 20, 2009, 3:00 PM

BESIX Group Awarded USD 740 million Contract in JV with Midmac
Contracting Co. to Build the Doha Convention Center & Tower Project in
Qatar


Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) confirmed today that BESIX
Group has been awarded a USD 740 million contract to build the Doha
Convention Center & Tower in Qatar in joint venture with Midmac
Contracting Co., BESIX Group's share in the contract
is USD 370 million.


The client is Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company. The project
is planned to be completed by March 2011. BESIX Group's scope of work
entails all structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical and
plumbing works for the convention center and its two level basement. It
also includes the structural works for the retail space and its three
level-basement as well as all the foundation works for the 550
meter-high main tower.


The Doha Convention Center & Tower is planned to be a mixed use
development which includes a hotel, offices, residential, convention/
exhibition center and retail spaces. The development consists of a 550
meter high tower with an approximate built-up area of 220,000 m2,
convention/exhibition center with a built up area of 97,500 m2 along
with a retail space with a built-up area of 40,000 m2. Parking is
planned to be accommodated in a two level basement under the convention
center with a built-up area of 135,000 m2 and a three-level basement
under the retail spaces with a built-up area of 100,000 m2.


OCI is a 50% shareholder in BESIX Group. An OCI/BESIX joint venture is
currently executing the substructure work on the Qatari Diar Nile
Corniche Project in Cairo.


About BESIX Group

The BESIX Group is the largest Belgian group, operating in
construction, real estate and concessions. It profiles itself as a
multi-services group. The Group was founded in 1909, since when it has
grown steadily and impressively. nv BESIX sa, its biggest subsidiary,
is active in practically every field of construction. In addition to
the activities of BESIX and its other subsidiaries, Cobelba, Jacques
Delens, Socogetra, Vanhout, Wust, Van Britsom & Verheye and Lux TP in
Benelux-France, the Group is present in Eastern Europe, North and
Central Africa and the Middle East, via Six Construct, in Central Asia
and the Caribbean. In 2007, the Group achieved revenues of EUR 1.56
billion. BESIX Group employs about 20,000 people in 19 countries over
the world.

About OCI Construction Group


The OCI Construction Group ranks among the top global contractors and
operates under three distinct and separate brands. The Group targets
large industrial and infrastructure projects principally in Egypt,
North Africa and select markets in the Arab Gulf markets. The BESIX
Group undertakes major commercial, Industrial and infrastructure
projects throughout Europe and the Middle East. Contrack International
pursues institutional projects in the Middle East and Central Asia.

To complement the construction business, OCI also owns and operates
National Steel Fabrication Company, the Middle East's largest
manufacturer of fabricated steel products. OCI also has investments in
manufacturers of glass curtain walling, paints and concrete pipes, and
two facility management companies.

For additional information contact:

OCI Investor Relations Department:  For additional information on OCI:

Omar Darwazah                      Orascom Construction Industries (OCI)
Email: omar.darwazah@orascomci.com Nile City Towers - South Tower
                                   2005A Corniche El Nil
                                   Cairo, Egypt
Ahmed Sultan
Email: ahmed.sultan@orascomci.com  www.orascomci.com


Tel: +202 2461 1039/1036/0727/0914
Fax: +202 2461 9409                OCI stock symbols: OCIC.CA / ORCI
                                   EY / OCICqL / ORSD


                    This information is provided by RNS
          The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END