Many of the civil and industrial projects Bechtel builds become lasting features of a city’s or a nation’s backbone. In the course of engineering, procurement, and construction, we strive to build enduring relationships with suppliers, partners, communities, and customers.

During our 50 years in Abu Dhabi, we have assisted with petrochemical, fossil and nuclear power, and desalination facilities, as well as other projects. In addition, we built gas developments that fueled a new industry. In the process, we helped to build local businesses and joint venture partners into national and international enterprises. In some cases, our efforts created healthy new competitors.

Since 2005, we have strengthened many such associations in Abu Dhabi, as we have helped reshape its industrial infrastructure—and its coastline—with our work on the Khalifa Port and Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) for Abu Dhabi Ports Company. The project is the foundation for a more diversified economy and industrial base—literally. Our landfill effort for this megaproject covered the equivalent of 50 football fields with more than 8 feet (2.4 meters) of fill.

Similarly, our 25-year association with Turkish partner ENKA has developed fledgling businesses throughout Central and South Asia and the Middle East. Most recently, Bechtel-ENKA teams building motorways in Albania and Kosovo engaged hundreds of local suppliers and contractors, and introduced lasting improvements through safety, quality, and skills training programs for local workers.

We at Bechtel are delighted to have contributed to such progress and to the creation of jobs and sustainable businesses worldwide. The lasting relationships with suppliers and partners that grow out of these experiences are as much a source of pride for us as are the long-term customer relationships they help us to strengthen.