Abu Dhabi Investment House's (ADIH) Qatar Entertainment City project has awarded a 100 million Qatari riyal ($27.4 million) contract to HBK Contracting to complete Phase II of the project's infrastructure within 18 months.

Phase II of the infrastructure work includes the construction of roads, sewage network, water systems, main irrigation system including a connecting network for fire fighting, according to a report in our sister newspaper Gulf Daily News.

HBK will also be establishing the electrical work such as road lighting as well as the construction of six bridges over the water canal and implementing a traffic system.

'We are pleased to award a reputable national company the infrastructural work,' said Qatar Entertainment City (QEC) general manager Yousef Darwish.

'The completion on time is one of our top priorities as other phases are dependent on this.

'HBK are known for their professional and high-standard workmanship and we are confident that the result will be a very positive one for QEC.

'We are delighted to get this assignment and help create what will help position Qatar as a tourist destination within the region,' said HBK chairman Shaikh Ali bin Hamad Al Thani.

'The project's components are unique and much needed in our country. One of the main factors of success is an outstanding infrastructure work - which is what we plan on delivering on time.'

Entertainment City is an ADIH concept of a mixed-use development containing components of retail, residential and hospitality with a focus on entertainment.

Currently, Qatar Entertainment City, a 1m square metre waterfront project is being established in the Lusail Development, North of Doha.

QEC has recently completed Phase I of the infrastructure, where the 1.5km canal dividing the northern district of the city from its southern district has been completed.

The canal is one of the key points within the project as it will also be used as a transportation channel for visitors and residents.

Besides QEC, ADIH is also involved in India Entertainment City, which is also in the process of being implemented in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.

An Entertainment City advisory board was established early last year, where members include international companies such as Coca Cola, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Intersports and AEG.