DRB-Hicom Bhd announced last Thursday that it would be teaming up with SITM to participate in the bidding for the Saudi Arabian airport ground management services. The conglomerate, whose interests range from the automotive to the insurance industry, is expanding its overseas operations and this bid is seen as the first step to achieve that objective.

SITM is the Saudi International and Trading and Marketing Ltd, of the Saudi royal family while DHB-Hicom is owned by Malaysian tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary. The bid was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between SITM and DRB-Hicom's subsidiary KL Airport Services Sdn Bhd.

The companies would first partner in conducting a feasibility study and then their bid would be submitted after the General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia has forwarded an invitation. The bid is sealed and the potential value of the business remains under wraps by both parties.