Interest from the Middle East in the Logans Road-based group's activities has been growing steadily following last year's launch of the new Motherwell Bridge International Ltd division.

Motherwell Bridge Ltd chairman Hugh Hayes said: "We increased our emphasis on the international business two years ago, and took the decision last year to split our engineering contracting business into two separate companies, one concentrating on the UK and one overseas.

"Although it is early days, we can see the momentum building in the region, and I won't be surprised if within three years from now we are earning as much from outside the UK as we are from within.

"That is certainly our intention, and having a Middle Eastern-based majority shareholder can only help us achieve this goal."

Kuwait Finance House (Bahrain) CEO and managing director Abdulhakeem Al Khayyat said: "We are delighted to add Motherwell Bridge to our portfolio of investments.

"We are backing a proven management team which we believe is capable of delivering significant growth by acting as specialist engineering sub-contractors in the oil, gas and petrochemicals sector.

"The opportunity in the Middle East is significant and we
will work with management by utilising our presence and network in the region to convert this opportunity into a reality.

"We are looking forward to what we believe will be an exciting time for the development of the business."