The creation of the Dubai Marina and the initial six towers on the waterside were the catalyst for the development of what is now a breathtaking array of wonderful new buildings. And we recently played a leading role in the formation of Dubai Festival City – boasting the longest waterfront in the Middle East.

In Oman we also have a long history of delivering high-class buildings and infrastructure projects. from the magnificent Grand Mosque, with the world’s biggest carpet; to the Shangri La resort and spa, set impressively on the edge of the Arabian Gulf and linked to the capital city Muscat by a new road blasted through the mountains by Carillion Alawi. Right now we’re working on more impressive projects – the Royal Opera House, a new parliament complex, the National Museum and the Muscat court complex.

And recently we returned to North Africa and the Egyptian capital Cairo, where, together with our Dubai partner Al Futtaim, we’re working on the £2 billion Cairo Festival City project.

But it’s in Abu Dhabi that we’re currently making the biggest impact, with a series of stunning new projects. When Abu Dhabi staged its first Formula 1 Grand Prix race at the new Yas Island circuit, the setting astonished the world as the cars raced through the centre of the incredible 500 bedroom Yas Hotel. It was built, of course, by Al Futtaim Carillion.

The night race enabled the hotel to show off its magnificent colour-changing façade – a spectacle that had the world holding its breath. And we continue to be hard at work in Abu Dhabi, with three more major projects underway, including the Al Muneera development, a new headquarters building for the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and the infrastructure works for a new aluminium smelter for Emirates Aluminium.

Little wonder then, that with their vast range of high profile projects, Carillion was named the Middle East’s “Contractor of the Year.”

Carillion – making tomorrow a better place.