The local Waha Land has invited firms to submit bids by 28 February to carry out infrastructure work as part of the AED4bn ($1.1bn) first phase of its Almarkaz development in Abu Dhabi.

The work is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2010 when individual plots will be given to investors. They will then be able to build factories, warehouses and accommodation buildings on the site.

The first phase of the project also includes site levelling and construction of 90,000 square meters of light industrial units and residential buildings.

In December, the local Bin Hafeez General Contracting started the site levelling works, which involves levelling 1.5 square kilometres of land by the end of March 2010 (MEED 31:12:09).

Waha Land says the first phase of the project will be completed by the end of 2011.

In total, the Almarkaz development will cover an area of 6 sq km. It will have warehouses, light industrial units and accommodation for 28,000 workers once complete.

Arcadis Gulf of the Netherlands is the consultant.

Waha Land is the wholly owned real estate division of Waha Capital, listed on the Abu Dhabi Exchange.