The Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) and Belgium’s Besix have signed a joint venture agreement to operate and maintain an existing wastewater treatment plant in Sharjah’s Al-Sajaa industrial area.

The newly formed company, called Qatra, will continue developing and expanding the wastewater infrastructure in line with Sharjah’s masterplan, whilst ensuring the highest level of operating excellence and service to all stakeholders.

The expansion plans will also enable the plant to maximise the amount of reused water produced, thereby doubling the capacity from 30 million litres of high-recycled water to per day to 60 million litres per day, mainly for industrial use.

Besix also operates sewage treatment facilities in the neighbouring Ajman where it has owned a 50 per cent stake in Ajman Sewerage Private Company since 2003.