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Norman Haste, the new chief operating officer of Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 Middle East division, is drawing up a five-year plan to expand in the region.

Haste, formerly chief executive of Heathrow Terminal 5 and Crossrail, said he would hand the plan to Ray O鈥橰ourke, the contractor鈥檚 chief executive, 鈥渋n the next few weeks鈥�.

It is likely that Dubai-based Al Naboodah-Laing O鈥橰ourke, as the division is known, will highlight neighbouring Qatar as a growth area.

Laing O鈥橰ourke has no projects in Qatar now, but Haste said: 鈥淭here are lots of things going on there, as there are in Abu Dhabi. Qatar is just a 40-minute plane ride from Dubai, like going to Scotland [from London].鈥�

Haste added that Middle Eastern clients might sign design-and-build framework agreements. Most large projects in the region are by competitive tender, but Haste said: 鈥淐lients there might be receptive to long-term relationships owing to the lack of construction resources available.鈥�

Haste has experience of pioneering framework deals at airports operator BAA, which worked with Laing O鈥橰ourke on the model for Terminal 5鈥檚 construction contract.

Laing O鈥橰ourke might also look at a number of airport deals that are about to come to the Middle East market, including a new-build scheme in Dubai.

Al Naboodah-Laing O鈥橰ourke should be in a good position to win this project, as it is putting the finishing touches to a 拢350m terminal at Dubai international airport.

Haste added that another part of the business plan could be to spread operations into civil engineering and building work.

Haste only joined Laing O鈥橰ourke three-and-a-half weeks ago from High-Point Rendel, where he was operations director.

It is understood that O鈥橰ourke personally asked Haste to join the company. 鈥淚 have known Ray for a long time and we are like-minded,鈥� said Haste.

鈥� Laing O鈥橰ourke has bought Carillion鈥檚 Australian division, Barclay Mowlem, for 拢30m. Carillion inherited the business when it bought contractor Mowlem for 拢313m in February.