Durrat Al Bahrain complex, which has entered its second phase of construction, will welcome the first group of residents into villas in the luxury resort, by September next year.

Four contracts together worth BD100 million ($265.2 million) have been awarded to four local contractors for the construction of 800 villas, Durrat Al Bahrain chief executive officer Jassim Al Jowder told the Gulf Daily News.

The villas will be completed by end of next year, said Al Jowder.

Another BD30 million contract for infrastructure development has also been awarded, he revealed.

Earlier contracts awarded include dredging work at BD60 million and a BD21 million contract for the construction of 13 bridges.

Work on six bridges has already been completed, said Al Jowder.

"We have also completed a masterplan for commercial projects in the complex," he revealed.

"These include hotels, shopping malls, residential apartments and recreational facilities.

"Investors from around the world will be invited to take part in these projects. We hope to undertake an international marketing campaign after Ramadan this year."

About 80 per cent of the buyers of villas are Bahrainis, said Al Jowder.

Expatriates already living in the country are also amongst the buyers. "A large number of GCC residents and a few European investors have also shown interest in the project," he said.

"The cost of villas, all facing the sea, is very reasonable compared to the high quality, superb designs and excellent location of the project."

A highway linking Durrat Al Bahrain with Manama is expected to be completed by the Works and Housing Ministry by the end of the year, said Al Jowder.

The Durrat Al Bahrain project comprises a cluster of islands and land areas that together give the development an island lifestyle theme.

These include: The Crescent, a semi-circular landmass extending into the sea, six Atoll Islands, five Petal Islands, a stand-alone island set to house a five-star family hotel and resort, a state-of-the-art marina and an 18-hole golf course, all of which are being developed in phases.

Durrat Al Bahrain is expected to accommodate more than 45,000 full-time residents in addition to some 4,000 visitors a day, upon completion in 2009.

It is owned by the Durrat Khaleej Al Bahrain Company, in which the Bahrain government and Kuwait Finance House-Bahrain each hold a 50 per cent stake.

The project, a 20-sq-km area of pristine waters and untouched beaches, is expected to be approximately the size of Manama once complete.-TradeArabia News Service