The Middle East is a confluence of many cultures and people from different parts of the world with
education background that influences their thinking and their activities.
This fact has a profound effect on construction activities and in particular on the method of
procurement of the construction project. No attempt has been made in the Middle East to classify these
methods or distinguish between them in an organised manner, particularly as construction activities
soared in number and in value at an incredible rate throughout the last twenty years.
Procurement based on the FIDIC Conditions of Contract featured highly in the development of
construction in the Middle East. The use of the FIDIC Conditions of Contract, particularly the 4th
Edition of the FIDIC Red Book is widespread all over the region. However, in almost every case, these
General Conditions were amended to varying extents, shifting the inherent risks to the Contractor.
Their use became “contaminated” with ideas that form no part of the FIDIC procurement procedure.
Under the 4th Edition of the FIDIC Red Book, the main parties connected contractually to the
Employer or the Owner in the procurement strategy are the Engineer and the Contractor, as can be seen
from the diagramme. The Engineer is usually assisted by suitably qualified assistants who should cover
all aspects of supervision, quality control, measurement and other required functions on the site and in
the design office.