Builders of Egypt ’24: FOCIC works to reduce foreign dominance in construction sector

Zakria Al-Abdelgadir, President of the Federation of Consultants from Islamic Countries (FOCIC), on Sunday outlined a comprehensive strategy to bolster the capabilities of local contractors and reduce the dominance of foreign companies in the region.

Speaking at the ninth edition of Builders of Egypt Forum, Al-Abdelgadir said the FOCIC’s three-pronged approach includes:

• Capacity Building: Enhancing the skills and qualifications of contractors to enable them to compete for larger projects.
• Market Access: Promoting awareness of opportunities in Islamic countries and facilitating market entry for member companies.
• Addressing Challenges: Collaborating with relevant authorities to overcome obstacles faced by contractors both domestically and internationally.

Al-Abdelgadir emphasised the Federation’s role as a platform for knowledge sharing and networking among construction industry stakeholders. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration with regional organisations to support the development of the construction sector in Islamic countries.

To meet the growing demand for infrastructure projects, he said the FOCIC is working with the Saudi Contractors Authority to provide training and certification programmes for contractors. It aims to increase the share of projects awarded to Islamic contractors by providing preferential support and fostering alliances among regional companies.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad Arabic