The tender board approved in mid-March the award of the advisory contract on the Sohar independent water and power project (IWPP) to a team led by Societe Generale. The team, which also includes Germany's Fichtner, Denton Wilde & Sapteand BankMuscat, was the clear low bidder, having submitted a quite of RO 803,332 ($2.1 million). The client is the Finance & National Economy Ministry (MEED 31:1:03). The two other bidding groups were a team headed by ABN Amroand including the UK's PB Powerand Shearman & Sterlingat RO 1.6 million ($4.2 million), and HSBCwith the UK's Mott MacDonaldand Allen & Overyat RO 2.3 million ($6 million).