Commercial bids have been opened from four companies for the Al-Bawshar wastewater collection network and treated effluent redistribution system, part of the estimated $1,000 million Muscat wastewater project. Bids are due on 21 September for two other contracts on the scheme.

China's Sinohydro Corporation is low bidder at RO 57.2 million ($146.8 million), 34.6 per cent lower than the next lowest bid from the local Galfar Engineering & Contracting. Bids were also opened from China Railway and India's Larsen & Toubro. Societe Egyptienne d'Entreprises and Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Company), also of Egypt, were eliminated at the technical stage. The contract calls for the construction of a main collector and central and secondary pumping stations and connection to the network of 18,000 properties.

Bids are due on 21 September for the third package on the first phase of the project, to construct the Al-Ansab sewage treatment plant, and for the financial advisory mandate on the establishment of an operation and maintenance joint venture with the client, Oman Wastewater Services Company (MEED 10:9:04).