WYG Regulatory News (WYG)

 4 July 2016

WYG plc

("WYG" or "Company")

WYG-led consortium awarded €13.1m Western Balkans Contract by European Investment Bank

A key contract appointment under the EU's Instrument for Pre-accession

WYG, the global project management and technical consultancy, is pleased to announce it has been awarded a €13.1m four-year technical assistance contract by the European Investment Bank (EIB), on behalf of the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) and financed from the General Budget of the European Union under the instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) II. The contract, which commences in early July 2016, is the first major project to be awarded from our international pipeline since the UK voted to leave the EU and cements WYG's position as a leading player across the Western Balkans through to 2020.

WYG is the lead partner in a consortium to provide technical assistance to the fifth Infrastructure Projects Facility (IPF5). This contract continues WYG's presence on the series of IPFs undertaken through the WBIF, which commenced in 2008. This new contract will run in parallel with the current IPF3 and IPF4 contracts in which WYG is also a major consortium partner.

This is a key appointment under the EU's current Multi-annual Financial Framework 2014-2020 programme of funding under its Instrument for Pre-accession and will further support the development needs of the countries in the Western Balkans.

Utilising the Group's strong experience in transport, environment and energy, WYG will assist in assessing the technical, economic and financial strength of projects for possible financial support from the international funding institutions and other sources, as well as supporting the implementation of projects for which financing is already secured through loans and grants. Typical input will include technical support and advice ranging from pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, economic and financial analysis, and environmental and socio-economic impact assessments. WYG will also provide support for project implementation, ranging from preparation of preliminary and detailed designs, procurement strategies and tender document preparation to the supervision and monitoring of construction of works.

Paul Hamer, Chief Executive Officer, said:

"We are delighted to have secured a key role on the latest phase of this major, long term investment programme. It is a testament to our work on the other four IPFs that our involvement on each phase of this programme is unbroken and, notwithstanding the outcome of the UK's referendum on 'Brexit', further strengthens WYG's longstanding relationship with a number of significant European institutions.

"We look forward to building on the strong relationships we have with our consortium partners to put in place much needed infrastructure and continuing to grow our presence throughout this region."

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NOTES TO EDITOR

About WYG

WYG is a leading programme, project management and technical consultancy employing over 1,600 people and operating from more than 50 locations across the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. We specialise in creating and managing strategic assets for our clients. We engage with them in the early stages of a project, and often continue to advise them throughout its lifecycle.

Outside the UK, we have a strong, longstanding presence in a number of EU member states and pre-accession countries. We are a leader in international development, exporting our knowledge and networks to undertake ambitious projects that make a positive impact on infrastructure, socio-economic growth and the environment. Our in-house expertise encompasses seven global sectors: defence & justice, energy & waste, environment, mining & metals, social development and infrastructure, transport, and urban development. We also bring together a network of more than 20,000 partners and associates from around the world. This breadth of skills and knowledge allows us to provide a unique integrated approach to solve complex challenges wherever in the world our clients need us.

WYG plc's shares are traded on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange.

About WBIF and IPF5

The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) (https://www.wbif.eu/) was established in 2009 as a joint initiative of the European Commission and a number of other international financial institutions (IFIs) including the Council of Europe Development Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, KfW and European Investment Bank (EIB). The purpose of the WBIF is to promote the socio-economic development of Western Balkans countries through investment in much needed infrastructure projects, as well as through encouraging private sector development. The WBIF serves as a repository for grant funds from the IFIs and other bi-lateral donors.

In IPF5, the EIB will be the Contracting Authority on behalf of WBIF and the nature of the technical assistance will be similar to previous contracts: providing support to beneficiaries to prepare and implement critical infrastructure projects in the six eligible Western Balkans countries.