Consultant is confident region will recover and liquidity problems will ease

Atkins has reiterated its long-term intention to stay in the Middle East despite the region鈥檚 current liquidity problems.

It follows well-documented payment and cashflow problems in the region that have affected a number of UK companies, particularly consultants.

Announcing its results for the six months to 30 September, the company said: 鈥淲e are confident that the Middle East market will recover, and plan to maintain our long-established presence in the region. We remain committed to working with our clients as the market liquidity issues are resolved.鈥�

Despite the tough economic climate, it reported only a small fall in turnover, which dipped 1% from 拢711m to 拢701m. Pre-tax profit fell 13% from 拢38.8m to 拢33.9m.

Its cash position improved, ending the half-year with net funds of 拢231m compared to 拢165m in 2008. Staff levels fell 11% from 18,322 to 16,235.

Turnover in the Middle East fell 4% from 拢82m to 拢79m and the operating margin fell from 10.6% to 8.3% on the back of a 25% fall in operating profit to 拢6.5m.

But turnover was up in other parts of the world, rising by 65% in China from 拢19.6m to 拢32.3m.

Keith Clarke, chief executive, said: 鈥淥ur performance over the six months demonstrates our ability to respond quickly to changes in the marketplace and to flex our resources to meet expected demand.鈥�

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