Contracts worth QR1.197 billion ($329 million) to expand water services and storage facilities throughout Qatar was signed yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy and Industry and chairman Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah signed the contracts.

The first contract was signed with HBK company, for a project to lay some 82 km of pipeline at a cost of QR881.5 million. Sheikh Ali bin Hamed al-Thani signed the contract on behalf of HBK, a Gulf Times report said.

The second contract was for a water network expansion project in Um Salal Ali, Um Salal Mohamed and Beni Hajer areas. 
This will feature some 265 km of pipeline, and will be carried out by Uni-Con Company at a cost of QR168 million. 

Water expansion projects at Al Khor and Al Zakhera were the next contract to be signed, involving some 71 km of pipeline to be constructed by Al Ali Contracting Company, which was represented by Abdulatif al-Kuwari. The cost of these will be QR115.7 million.

Marco Company was awarded the fourth contract for the construction of an 80 m by 60 m air-conditioned store, as well as an electricity station and pavement and irrigation network construction.