Throughout his 34-year career at Orascom Construction, Osama Bishai has been instrumental in guiding the Egyptian contracting giant.
As chief executive officer, he has played a key role in developing the Orascom construction business – particularly in the cement, infrastructure, and industrial sectors.
Nasdaq Dubai- and Egypt bourse-listed Orascom Construction added $475m to its Q1 2019 backlog following a profitable 2018. Its order book as of 31 March, 2019 was valued at $4.2bn.
Orascom said in a missive to the Dubai bourse this May that it had signed $335m-worth new awards in Egypt during Q1 2019, as well as expanded its “presence in the marine sector” during the period, which it described as a successful quarter.
The period also saw Orascom add work in the Egypt’s 700km² New Administrative Capital, and in “the country’s road development initiatives”.
A board member of Besix Group, which owns a 50% stake in the builder, Bishai currently spearheads the group’s efforts to create a long-term concessions portfolio.
He is also leading the growth of the contractor’s US business.
Among the contractor’s major ongoing projects is the Grand Egyptian Museum, which it is building with Besix. In June 2019, Egypt’s Prime Minister Dr Mostafa Madbouli reviewed construction progress on the 16.7ha museum, which more than 91% complete.
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