The Shikun & Binui Group, a member of the Arison Group, is set to begin its first large-scale BOT concession project in Columbia – the improvement and extension of a highway that encircles the capital city of Bogota.As a member of the international consortium that won the tender, Shikun & Binui will build and operate, for a period of 25 years, a section of the major toll highway.The construction work, whose total cost is estimated at$550 million, will include expansion of an existing highway and the paving of a new segment, spanning 154 kilometers.
Shikun & Binui Group’s stake in the consortium currently stands at 37.5%, while one of its subsidiaries, Shikun & Binui SBI, will take on a share of the project’s construction and operation.
The new project in Colombia will join an orders backlog totaling more than US $3 billion, of which close to US $2.2 billion relates to projects outside of Israel, the Group reported at the end of the first quarter of 2014.
As Israel’s leading infrastructure and real estate group with many decades of global and local experience, Shikun & Binui has built hundreds of roads and completed numerous complex transportation projects both throughout the world and in Israel.International projects range from the Benin Shagamu Roadand Shagamu-Ibadan Road in Nigeria to the Huehue-Quiche Road in Guatemala, while major projects in Israel include the construction of the country’s first toll road, the Trans-Israel Highway, and its first toll tunnel, the Carmel Tunnel in Haifa.
The group’s companies focus on large-scale projects in the fields of infrastructure, construction, real estate, concessions, renewable energy and water, with special emphasis on implementing the principles of sustainability.
Shikun & Binui Chairman Moshe Lahmani: “Today we are actualizing two facets of the Shikun & Binui Group’s key strategies:one, growing our international operations by entering new countries; andtwo, winning BOT projects which, aside from the construction revenue, will be an asset to the company for many years. Our well-defined strategy, together with our experienced and professional management and staff as well as values-based conduct, will continue to lead the Shikun & Binui Group to further growth and future success.”
Shikun & Binui CEO Ofer Kotler:“Shikun & Binui brings to the project its solid performance capabilities, acknowledged excellence and professionalism,along with many years of experience in similar projects.Our fundamental approach is based on the awareness that an infrastructure project can and must consider the environment; thus,westrive to understand and take into accounta wider range of needs.”
Director of Shikun & Binui’s Concessions Division Ami Landau:“Winningour first project in Colombia demonstrates that the group ability to perform well in the global market, even when contending against other strong companies. We bring to the table excellence, experience, know-how and no less importantly – financial strength and proven managerial capabilities.”