SNC-Lavalin establishes company with Russian bank

MONTREAL , Jan. 27, 2010 /CNW Telbec/ - SNC-Lavalin and the State Corporation 'Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)' today announced the formation of VEB Engineering LLC, a Russian company that will be jointly owned by SNC-Lavalin and the Bank (Vnesheconombank 51% / SNC-Lavalin 49%). VEB Engineering will provide technical assistance to the Bank and perform technical and budget audits on infrastructure and industrial projects where the Bank is providing financing.

"We have had a constant presence in Russia for over 30 years and we are very pleased to be partnering with Vnesheconombank in this new joint undertaking," said Pierre Duhaime , President and CEO, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc. "We have carefully considered our Russian business development strategy, which includes our recent acquisition of 48% of Vnipineft, and we believe that this new initiative serves our objective to continue to grow our business in Russia in a planned way."

The State Corporation 'Bank for Development and Foreign Economic Affairs (Vnesheconombank)' was established in 2007 through a reorganization of Vnesheconombank of the USSR and acts in accordance with the Russian Federal Law 'On Bank for Development'. The Bank's activity is designed to modernize and boost the non-raw materials economy and high-technology industries as well as to stimulate innovations, infrastructure development and the export of high-tech products, and to provide support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

SNC-Lavalin (TSX:SNC) is one of the leading engineering and construction groups in the world and a major player in the ownership of infrastructure, and in the provision of operations and maintenance services. SNC-Lavalin has offices across Canada and in over 35 other countries around the world, and is currently working in some 100 countries. www.snclavalin.com

For further information: Media: Leslie Quinton, Vice-President, Global Corporate Communications, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., [phone], ext. 7354, [email protected]; Investors: Denis Jasmin, Vice-President, Investor Relations, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., [phone], ext. 7553, [email protected]