Canada Post, Bracknell and SNC-Lavalin Awarded a Project for the Rehabilitation of Lebanon's Postal Infrastructure.

BEIRUT, LEBANON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 22, 1998--SNC (TSE:SNC) (ME:SNC) Representatives of a group formed of Canada Post Systems Management Limited (CPSML) and ProFac Management Group, a company jointly owned by Bracknell Corporation and SNC-Lavalin, have signed today a contract with the Lebanese government.

The group has been awarded a 12-year contract for the rehabilitation and operation of Lebanon's postal service. CPSML, Bracknell Corporation and SNC-Lavalin will create a jointly-managed Lebanese operating company to rebuild the postal system and carry out postal services. The group will invest CDN $28 million in the new local operating company which should generate over the contract period postal revenues of more than CDN $1.2 billion.

His Excellency the President of the Council of Ministers of Lebanon and Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Mr. Rafic Hariri, and the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister responsible for Canada Post Corporation, took part in the signing ceremony. Mr. Gagliano commented "that the Lebanon contract was a big win for Team Canada and that the reputation of Canada was an important factor in obtaining the confidence of the Government of Lebanon."

"This opportunity will showcase Canada Post's and CPSML's expertise around the world," said Georges Clermont, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Post. "Our team competed and won against excellent proposals from other countries and we're looking forward to providing the Government of Lebanon with outstanding service in helping to rebuild their postal infrastructure."

"CPSML will be responsible for technical postal expertise and mail operations," said Philippe Lemay, Senior Vice-President responsible for CPSML. "The postal business solutions to be provided include a postal code support system, a retail franchise development program, a retail outlet support system, an international mail system, a track and trace and network management system, as well as financial and national control centre systems."

Jonathan Taylor, President of Bracknell's Outsourcing and Privatization group commented: "This is the first of many opportunities in the field of postal transformation. We anticipate over 30 similar opportunities in this huge market. Our group is one of two organizations being considered to operate the Trinidad and Tobago postal system."

"This project gives the group a unique opportunity to apply our management expertise and to establish ourselves as a world leader in the new and promising market sector of postal services transformation," said Philippe Lamarre, Senior Vice-President, SNC- Lavalin. "This is a tremendous example of how public-private partnerships can combine their respective expertise to sell this joint know-how around the world."

"This project which paves the way for public-private partnerships between Canada and Lebanon has seen great support from the Canadian-Lebanese community," said Nassib Samir El-Husseini, President of Al-Qantara and designated chairman of the Lebanese operating company. "This contract which is part of the of Lebanon's Horizon 2000 reconstruction program will enable the group to expand its business in the surrounding region from Lebanon," he added.

Canada Post serves all individuals, businesses and organizations in Canada, by providing secure delivery of letters and parcels to every address in Canada and throughout the world, using some of the latest, most sophisticated mail processing and delivery systems in the world. There are more than 20,000 retail points of purchase where customers can access postal services.

Canada Post Systems Management Limited markets business solutions to postal administrations around the world. More than 80 projects have been completed in over 40 countries since CPSML was established in 1990. Currently, CPSML has active contracts in Europe, South America and South East Asia.

Bracknell Corporation is a service company in two distinct markets: construction services and outsourcing, and privatization. Bracknell helps clients to improve service levels and efficiencies and reduce costs by offering support services considered non-core to their ongoing operations. Bracknell's shares are traded on the Toronto stock exchange under the symbol BRK.

The SNC-Lavalin Group, listed on the Montreal and Toronto stock exchanges, is Canada's largest engineering-construction company. With offices across Canada and in 30 other countries, the group and its companies have 6,300 employees who are currently working in some 85 countries. The group and its companies are placing a growing emphasis on BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) projects and on public-private partnerships.

   CONTACT:  SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.
              Robert Racine (Investors), 514/393-1000
              or
              SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.
              Suzanne Lalande (Media), 514/393-1000
              http://www.snc.lavalin.com
              or
              CPSML
              Dean Pope, 613/734-6701
              [e-mail]
              or
              Al-Qantara
              Nassib Samir El-Husseini, 514/ 284-4918
              e-mail: [e-mail]
              or
              Bracknell Corporation
              George Ploder, 416/ 360-4105
              http://www.bracknell.ca
              or
              Office of Minister - Public Works
              Line Chabot, 819/ 997-5421