China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) said it has been awarded a major contract worth $691 million by Bahrain's Housing Ministry for the construction of 3,000 housing units and land plots under the East Sitra Town development plan.

The agreement comes following the directives from HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, to start work on the development.

The project is being implemented in three phases, with the Phase One work likely to be completed by 2014.

Besides the social housing units, the scope of work includes setting up of ancillary power transmission and transformation and municipal facilities.

Work on the project is set to begin upon the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent and will be completed within six years, revealed CMEC Acting President Fang Yanshui after signing the deal with Bahrain's Housing Minister Bassem Al Hamer yesterday (December 8).

As the general contractor, CMEC will be responsible for the supply, civil engineering and construction, installation, commissioning, warranty and other works of the project, stated Yanshui.