LONDON, March 27 (Reuters) - The war in Iraq is still only days old, but already companies are positioning to grab contracts to rebuild the country.
Following are some European and Asian firms thought to stand a chance of receiving reconstruction work, although the U.S. procurement process may sideline non-U.S. groups:
* ABB -- The Swiss engineering firm could benefit from the reconstruction of Iraq through its energy transmission business. It has been working on energy transmission and distribution under the oil-for-food agreement and with the United Nations Development Program.
* Adelaide Brighton -- Analysts have said the Australian government, a key U.S. ally, will want a role for the cement maker, which is keen to increase its Middle East exposure at a time when domestic building is slowing.
* Amec Plc -- The British engineering firm, which was involved in the reconstruction and cleanup of the World Trade Center and Pentagon after the September 2001 attacks on the United States, is on a short-list of companies likely to help the United States rebuild Iraq after the war, sources close to the firm told Reuters.
* Balfour Beatty -- The British construction and engineering firm, whose operations include ones in Dubai and Turkey, is on a short-list of British companies that are likely to help the United States rebuild Iraq after the war, sources close to the firm told Reuters.
* BHP Steel -- Analysts have said the Australian government, a key U.S. ally, will seek a role for the company, which is keen to increase its Middle East exposure at a time when domestic building is slowing.
* Bovis -- The unit of developer Australia's Lend Lease , which did the clearing work at the World Trade Center, is well positioned to rebuild hospitals and schools.
* Carillion Plc -- The firm, which maintains about a quarter of Britain's major roads and a fifth of its railways, is on a short-list of companies likely to help the United States rebuild Iraq after the war, sources close to the firm told Reuters.
* Costain Group Plc -- On March 26, the UK builder said it was in talks with a series of U.S. companies on sharing contracts to rebuild Iraq.
* China State Construction Engineering Corp -- An executive at the state-owned firm recently said destruction after war brings opportunities -- houses, roads and bridges to be built and money to be made. The firm is owed $500 million by Iraq for irrigation work after the Gulf War.
* D.G Khan Cement and Lucky Cement -- The Pakistani firms may vie for reconstruction work, but could find it hard to compete because Iran is much cheaper.
* Hyundai Engineering and Construction -- Korea's biggest building firm will be eager take part in Iraqi reconstruction to make up for millions of dollars lost in unpaid work for the Iraqi government in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
* Impregilo -- Italy's biggest listed construction group specializing in large-scale construction projects, has said it would consider participating in reconstruction projects in Iraq when the war is over. Impregilo build a dam in northern Iraq in the 1980s.
* Interserve Plc -- Clients of the British firm, whose businesses include scaffolding hire to facilities management, include the British prison service, Thames Water and Barclays Bank. Analysts have tipped it as a potential beneficiary of reconstruction contracts.
* Lafarge -- The French building materials maker already has an extensive presence in the Middle East and is thought to be a likely candidate to help rebuild Iraq.
* MAN AG -- Rudolf Rupprecht, the German trucks and engineering giant's chief executive, said on Tuesday that under normal circumstances the firm would expect to be involved in reconstruction, but that in this case he expected the United States to try to reserve the work for itself.
* Renault and PSA Peugeot -- Analysts reckon that the two French automakers will aim to sell trucks, tractors and ambulances for the reconstruction effort.
* Saint-Gobain -- Analysts have said that the French building materials maker could benefit from contracts to rebuild Iraq.
* Siemens AG -- Analysts are betting that the German electronics and engineering giant also has hopes of taking part in Iraqi reconstruction work.
* TotalFinaElf -- French Finance Minister Francis Mer said on Sunday that the oil giant could have a role in assisting the post-war reconstruction of Iraq.
* Vinci -- A representative of the French road builder and operator said on Tuesday it was premature to comment on potential contracts in post-war Iraq, but if there ever is an international call for bids it may be interested.
* Weir Group Plc -- On March 19, the British pumps and engineering services firm said there were no firm plans in place for rebuilding Iraq but added that the issue of repairing war damage had been discussed with the UK government.