MANAMA: Ithmaar Development Company (IDC), the development manager for Dilmunia at Bahrain, has awarded Dilmunia Grand Canal and Marina’s early works package valued at $4.5 million to NSCC International.
Making the announcement, IDC chief executive Mohammed Alsayed said the award follows a robust tendering process.
NSCC International is an Abu Dhabi-based contractor in foundation engineering, ground improvement, onshore marine works and horizontal directional drilling.
Dilmunia project director Jean-Claude Bejjani said the works awarded consist of soil improvement, soil levelling and contiguous pile works.
The contractor started work last month and is targeting completion by mid-March.
These works are preparatory to the construction of the Grand Canal, which will commence after the execution of the early works.
It will cut through the entire stretch of Dilmunia in a semi-circular route, making it Bahrain’s largest man-made water body and providing breathtaking vistas to surrounding developments within Dilmunia, and one of Bahrain’s longest continuous promenades to residents and visitors of the island.
The Grand Canal will feature public promenades, geysers, water fountains, water walls, cascades, boardwalks and viewing decks.
With a total length of 1.7km, and a width spanning 15 to 35 metres throughout the Grand Canal, it will have sea water pumped in around the mid-point of the canal with the water flowing via gravity in two opposing directions of the entire canal.
Mr Alsayed said the Dilmunia Grand Canal and Marina is a major element of the development and the stakeholders in Dilmunia look forward to a smooth and timely execution of the works so as to enable IDC to proceed further in the construction.
With properties in Dilmunia now being allowed for purchase by foreign nationals and the increasing number of inhabitants in the island, its attractiveness as a favoured destination has gained further traction, he added.
NSCC International CEO Khalil N Khouri said the contractor’s experience in executing projects in the GCC and Bahrain is a testament to their experience.
NSCC International vice-president Issam N Khoury is overseeing the execution of the early works package.
He said the team, led by project director Hazem Nour, is keen to demonstrate its capability, and having worked closely with IDC’s team in the past few months, is confident of delivering on the targets.
Dilmunia completed its second phase infrastructure works in December 2017, and awarded the third and final phase of infrastructure works in early 2018, and with it ensuring the availability of all services to developers constructing on the Island and its first residents.
Dilmunia offers a range of residential and commercial amenities, with developments completed including The Treasure by Bin Faqeeh Development Company, The Essence of Dilmunia by Ahmed Al Qaed Group, and Seavilla by IDC.
Projects under construction include: CanalView by Naseej, The Hanging Gardens by Ahmed Al Qaed Group, Al Tijaria Resort Project (The Commercial Real Estate Development Co) and the Mall of Dilmunia, a family-centric and entertainment facility set for completion in December 2019.
The $1.6 billion Dilmunia Project is a mixed-use development built on a man-made island off the coast of Muharraq with a unique health and wellness anchor including residences, a hotel and leisure and shopping districts anchored around a health and wellness cluster.
The development of the ambitious 125-hectare man-made island is being managed by IDC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ithmaar Bank, a Bahrain-based Islamic retail bank with its shares traded on both the Bahrain Bourse, Dubai Financial Market and the Kuwait Stock Exchange.
Ithmaar Bank is also the investment manager of Dilmunia Development Fund.
Present at the signing were Mr Alsayed, and Mr Khouri along with representatives from IDC and NSCC International.
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