Starting with eight, Campenon Bernard probed their credentials and observed them on projects for six weeks, says Zuvela. It then selected two. Other international firms in Vietnam are also feeling the chill. The firm now has one expatriate among its remaining staff in Vietnam looking for work and tying up loose ends of completed contracts. It's more than a hiccup.
Firms see more potential now from infrastructure work, largely funded by foreign aid.
Demand for transportation infrastructure is vast. A major road tunnel in central Vietnam, near Hu , could be open for bidding this year. Bridge rehabilitation, mainly French government-financed, has been Freyssinet's route into Vietnam. Built by U.S. engineers 40 years ago, the bridge is being widened from 19.6 m to 24 m and its vehicle load capacity raised to 30 tons. Work started late last year and is slated to end in mid-2000.