Work on the project commenced in October 2003, and the scheme will have the capacity to handle the current requirements and the future growth of the town of Ibra. The sewerage network will involve laying 78 kilometres of GRP, HDPE and uPVC pipelines, and it is anticipated that the project will be completed and fully operational by April 2005.

METITO will have responsibility for the new sewage treatment plant and refurbishment of the existing facility, and TARGET LLC (Oman) will put the new sewerage network in place. The Ministry will use treated water from the plants for environmental purposes and irrigation in and around Ibra Town.

METITO (Overseas) Limited Commercial Manager, Mohammed Wehbe, said: 'This is a very prestigious project for our company giving us the opportunity to apply our world-class expertise and systems to the town.

'This major infrastructure project will bring long-term benefits to the residents of Ibra Town – providing a modern and environmentally friendly sewerage system that will cater for the growing demands of the town for decades to come.'

Kamil Harb, General Manager of TARGET LLC (Oman and Dubai) said: 'We are delighted to have won this prestigious contract from the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources in the Sultanate of Oman, and are proud to be working in partnership with METITO to put in place the sewerage network that will efficiently connect properties in the town to the new and refurbished treatment plants'.

As the leading international company in its field METITO currently operates its European, Asian and African operations from its regional headquarters in Sharjah and has a factory and laboratory facility in the Hamriya Free Zone with project management capabilities to undertake projects worldwide. TARGET (Oman) and TARGET & JIMA (Dubai) are currently executing major infrastructure works both in Oman and Dubai.