ARCADIS (NASDAQ: ARCAF, EURONEXT: ARCAD), an international consulting and engineering company, announced today that it has won two cross-border Water Quality Management Projects of a total value of EUR 2.2 million. The first contract concerns an Arda river pollution prevention program in Bulgaria. The second contract involves integrated river basin management planning of the Dnister River in Ukraine. These two projects are additions to the solid track record that makes ARCADIS one of Europe's leading environmental consultants.
Michiel Jaski, Executive Board Member of ARCADIS, said: "The Arda river project is a good example of what needs to be done in Europe before all European countries comply with the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) in 2015. These kinds of projects usually have the complicating factor that they are cross-border and that countries need to solve their water quality management issues together. ARCADIS has profound experience with supporting governments in this joint approach."
The Arda River Project is a pollution prevention program in which ARCADIS will facilitate the establishment of a cross-border river basin commission, develop methodologies to increase public involvement and provide technical expertise in setting up a water monitoring system. The Arda River is a cross-border river shared by Bulgaria and Greece. On the Bulgarian side, some 30,000 people from two main cities, Kardjali and Smolyan, are dependent on the water resources of the basin. The water is mainly used for production of electricity and irrigation. Bulgaria is scheduled to join the EU in 2007, and intends to adhere to the timetable for implementing EU legislation with over 200 legal acts including the WFD.
In the Ukraine ARCADIS will prepare an integrated regional Lower Dnister River Basin Management Plan. The European Union's WFD will be used as a general reference framework for the plan, with the aim to ensure sustainable improvement of the water quality and protection and restoration of the Lower Dnister ecosystems. This guarantees the citizens of Odessa and neighboring municipalities clean drinking water and supports the establishment of the Lower Dnister National Park. Also, a regional cooperation will be developed between Ukraine and Moldova.
ARCADIS is an international company providing consultancy, engineering and management services in infrastructure, environment and facilities, to enhance mobility, sustainability and quality of life. ARCADIS develops, designs, implements, maintains and operates projects for companies and governments. With more than 10,000 employees and over € 1 billion in gross revenue, the company has an extensive international network that is supported by strong local market positions.
Except for historical information contained herein, the statements in this release are forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results. Those risks include, among others, risks associated with possible changes in environmental legislation and risks with regard to the Company's ability to acquire and execute projects. These are other risks are described in ARCADIS' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission over the last 12 months, copies of which will be available from the SEC or may be obtained upon request from the Company.
