Orascom Construction, a leading engineering and construction contractor in the region, has announced that its joint venture with Arab Contractors has been awarded a $739-million contract to build a water treatment plant in Egypt.

As per the deal awarded by the Egyptian government through its Armed Forces Engineering Authority, the joint venture firm will provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the Bahr Albaqar wastewater treatment plant located near Port Said in the northeastern part of the country.

The treatment plant, which will be the largest in Egypt, will have a capacity of 5 million cu m per day and will treat water for irrigation purposes. In addition to the EPC scope, the joint venture will operate and maintain the facility for five years, says Orascom Construction. 

On the contract win, CEO Osama Bishai says: “This award is a continuation of Orascom Construction’s expansion in the water sector, which spans all types of projects across the full spectrum including desalination, wastewater treatment, irrigation and water infrastructure.”

“Furthermore, the group has secured operation and maintenance (O&M) contracts on most of its water projects for a period of one to five years in addition to the EPC role,” states Bishai.

“We are proud of our involvement in the largest water treatment plant in Egypt. This project not only reflects our leading position in the water and O&M fields, but also in the infrastructure sector as a whole,” he adds.