Structural steel contractor Eversendai Corporation is Malaysia's best corporate success story in the Middle East, managing to position itself as a specialist structural steel contractor well above other global players in the booming construction market in the region. Starting as a structural steel erection contractor back in 1984, the company is now playing a crucial role in putting up some world famous landmark structures not only in the Middle East but also in the Asian region.

 "We design the structure, fabricate and construct steel works for high-rise buildings, heavy industrial plants, stadiums, steel bridges, roof structures and other infrastructure," said Eversendai group managing director Datuk A.K. Nathan. He is here in conjunction with International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz's visit to the United Arab Emirates.

 She is leading an 80-strong trade and investment mission comprising representatives of both the public and private sectors, organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade). Dubai is the first stop, followed by Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Dubai, an important tourist destination and port, is rapidly developing as a hub for service industries such as IT and finance. Nathan said Eversendai always ensures that it complete its undertakings within the given time without compromising on quality and safety.

Eversendai, according to him, had carried out projects in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. "Our biggest breakthrough was when we were invited to execute the Burj Al Arab Hotel project in Dubai in 1995 that involved 9,200 tons of steelwork," he added. It become Eversendai's signature project and marked its entry into the Middle East.

Eversendai's landmark projects in Dubai include the Emirates Towers, Dubai Airport Control Tower, the Tower, the Dragon Mart, Marina's Crown, the Gate Building, Ski Dome at the Mall Emirates and the Dubai Festival City.

 In Qatar, they are the Ritz Carlton, Khalifa Stadium, Qatar Airways Hanger and Qatar Science and Technology Park, as well as the Al-Moayyed Towers in Bahrain and the Kingdom Centre in Saudi Arabia. Some ongoing projects for the group include global landmarks in Dubai such as the Burj Dubai (the tallest building), the Dubai Mall (world's largest mall), the Rose Tower (the world's tallest suite hotel), Al Mas Tower, Index Tower, Shams Tower, Princess Tower, Motor City in Qatar, the new Doha International Airport and the Qipco Tower.

Rafidah said: "We are proud that we have a company that is ranked as a global player." She said Eversendai's success in making inroads into the Middle East market should serve as an example for other Malaysian companies wanting to venture into the region.