Eleven local companies submitted bids by 18 November for a 30-month contract to carry out major infrastructure works at Ashbiliya. The estimated KD 10 million-12 million ($33 million-40 million) contract calls for: the construction of internal roads, using a total of 200,000 tonnes of asphalt; over 40 kilometres of stormwater drainage; streetlighting; and more than 100 kilometres of ducting and cable-laying. Ashbiliya will be the site of a new township. The client is the Ministry of Public Works (MEED 14:11:03).