Under Kamal’s stewardship, Arabtec has formed a joint venture with two Saudi partners to establish Arabtec Saudi Arabia. The venture’s first project is lined up to take place in Riyadh, and the partnership is set to cushion Arabtec from slowing demand in its home market, the UAE.

Meanwhile, along with its partner on Dubai’s Meydan racecourse, Malaysia’s WCT Engineering, Arabtec has launched arbitration proceedings as it seeks compensation from its former client, Meydan Group.

The firm is reportedly still in negotiations for a $2.7bn project to build headquarters for Gazprom Neft, the Russian gas producer, in St Petersburg.

Earlier this year Kamal stepped aside as CEO of Arabtec Construction to allow the promotion of Thomas Barry to the position. Kamal remains chairman of the company he founded in 1975, and chief executive of parent company Arabtec Holding .