Leighton Asia wins £595m contract

expat network

Leighton Asia wins £595m contract

Leighton Asia has won a £595m contract to build the boundary control point on the border between Hong Kong and China.

The project for the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai boundary control point buildings and associated facilities is the largest Hong Kong project awarded to Leighton Asia as sole contractor.

The work includes construction of a passenger terminal building and nine other main ancillary buildings including fire and police bases, vehicle examination buildings and a number of bridge structures. Completion is expected in 2018.

“The Boundary Control Point project is a key element in the government’s plans to forge closer economic integration with Mainland China and, once operational, it will generate significant benefits for Hong Kong,” said Marcelino Fernández Verdes, group executive chairman and chief executive officer of Leighton Asia’s parent company Cimic. “We look forward to delivering a project of such strategic importance to the Hong Kong government.”

Leighton Asia managing director Manuel Alvarez Munoz said: “Cimic’s Leighton Asia is now a key player in three major gateway projects for the Hong Kong government: the construction of the terminus for the express rail link to China, the boundary crossing facilities for the Hong Kong‐Zhuhai‐Macao bridge, and the Boundary Control Point contract announced today. We are pleased to be able to continue to assist Hong Kong with the development of these infrastructure projects.”

Source: The Construction Index

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.