Iran has become the latest Middle Eastern state to look to Ireland for building contractors and to recruit construction professionals to fulfill ambitious infrastructure plans. The Iranian government has a 10-year infrastructure development plan that includes the construction of 7.8 million homes over the next five years, and a number of Irish contractors may take up the call. This will deliver even more job opportunities for construction professionals in the Middle East.

On a recent four day visit to Dublin, Khajeh Daloui, the Iranian government's deputy head of housing and construction, told representatives from Irish construction firms that Iran will support foreign investment in its projects adding that Tehran is anxious to procure the services of experienced international developers and contractors.

The surge in demand for housing is due to Iran's burgeoning population - two thirds of its 72 million citizens are under 30 - and increased migration from rural to urban areas.

Mr Daloui also met with Construction Industry Federation Director General Tom Parlon, and gave a briefing on the Iranian housing market to more than 10 Irish developers. "A good number of those present expressed interest in following it up and travelling to Iran to see what the situation is on the ground," said one developer.

Tom Parlon said the CIF had noted increased international demand for Irish construction expertise. "We have been approached by a number of international agencies with a view to attracting Irish construction companies to undertake major infrastructure projects abroad. The Scottish Highways Agency, for instance, is very keen to entice Irish companies to tender for public projects in Scotland. We also have had approaches from much further afield, including the Middle East, where again there is recognition of the competitive advantages that Irish companies bring to major public infrastructure works. The request from the Iranian government to meet and discuss the opportunities available in that country is further proof of this global recognition.

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