We were asked to submit the initial document and we have done so. There are many more stages to go. We are expecting the contracts to be in place by the end of the year," Graham Bellwood, Amec’s Middle East regional director, told the daily. He said the tender is now in the pre-qualification stage.
In April, the UAE issued a white paper on potential plans to develop peaceful nuclear energy, stressing it would import nuclear fuel for any reactor it builds and not enrich uranium at home. France signed a deal to help the UAE develop nuclear energy for peaceful ends during a visit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Abu Dhabi in January.
An atomic energy cooperation agreement was signed with the United States in April. Amid concerns over neighboring Iran’s nuclear aims and regional clout, the Arab countries of the Gulf decided in December 2006 to develop a joint nuclear technology program for peaceful purposes.
