Bechtel, the global construction firm, had announced it had set-up a regional office in the United Arab Emirates for its mining and metals enterprise to provide better service support for its clients in the Gulf region. 

The US based firm had identified that the mining and metals sector of the GCC had been identified as one of the main pillars of industrial diversification in the area. The trend would be reflected in the scale of granted rights in the past twelve months, a volume which had reached USD60 billion.

The company's current project is the construction of the world's largest greenfield aluminium smelter projects called the Ras Al Khair for the Maaden Alcoa joint venture project located in Saudi Arabia.

Bechtel President for Europe, Africa and the Middle East David Welch said, "We recognize the growing importance of the Gulf region as a strategic hub for our business. The opening of a regional office for our mining and metals business is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to this region."

The new offices would be offering services for master planning studies utilizing engineering execution.