Drilling and blasting contractor Eltin Ltd says it will continue to focus on opportunities outside Australia over the coming 12 months after yesterday forecasting an improvement in profits for 1997-98.

Managing director Mr Nick Bowen said the value of the company's order book remained strong at around $1 billion, with $330 million of work already contracted for the 1998-99 year, providing the company with some insulation from the effects of low commodity prices.