The UAE government has signed contracts worth Dh622.65 million ($169.4 million) for the construction and maintenance of two housing projects in the Northern Emirates, said a report.

The contract was signed by Abdullah bin Mohammed Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Infrastructure Development and chairman of the Zayed Housing Programme, for communities in Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain, according to the state news agency Wam.

The first contract, worth Dh299 million ($81.3 million), was signed with the National Gulf Construction Company for the Ras Al Khaimah project, while the Umm Al Quwain deal worth Dh324 million ($88 million), was inked with Combined Group Contracting Company.

It involves the construction and maintenance of 320 houses in the first phase of Butain Al Samer Residential Community in Ras Al Khaimah and 232 houses on a total area of 833,448 sq m in Umm Al Quwain, said the report.

The site preparation work will start in April followed by the foundation work in May, it added.