Hasan Juma Backer Trading and Contracting (HJB) has secured a RO19.8-million ($51.42 million) infrastructure development contract, which is part of the Phase Seven expansion of the Sohar Industrial Estate in Oman.

Work on the contract, awarded by Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), is expected to be completed in 18 months, Muscat Daily said in a report.

Under the Phase Seven of the project, the work will involve the construction of a sewage treatment plant, roads, sewers, water supply and irrigation networks covering 36 km in length, along with substations, landscaping and gardening.

HJB, which was the lowest bidder, won the contract amid stiff competition from Strabag Oman, Galfar Engineering and Contracting, Nagarjuna Construction Company International, Khalid Bin Ahmed & Sons, Simplex Infrastructures, and Towel Infrastructure Projects Company.

HJB has played a key role in several industrial projects for PEIE in Sur and Sohar.