ABSTRACT
Contracting companies' names and addresses were taken from several publications and organisations, including the Export Group for the Constructional Industries directory of UK contractors, Engineering News-Record's annual list of the top 250 international contractors, the Times 1000 and various embassies and trade councils. All of the contractors in the survey placed emphasis on professional qualifications for staff, and encouraged specialist education. The provision of bonds within the industry favours the more financially secure contractor in the bidding and construction stages. The encouragement of consortia and provision of grants for feasibility studies may provide a country's contractors with a significant advantage, particularly when backed by home government support. The ability of the contractor to draw upon government countertrade facilities may be particularly instrumental in the success of contractors in regions where payment is in some form of raw material.
