The Qatar-Bahrain causeway is currently on the conceptual design stage with actual works on the project expected to commence in January next year, according to officials. "We are not yet at the contracting stage," Consortium Project Director of the Qatar Bahrain Causeway Consortium, Yanick Garillon told local businessmen at a presentation of the project at the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) yesterday. Garillon said the activities to be shared between Qatar and Bahrain have not yet been finalised, but probably 70 percent of the activities for the project will be carried out in Qatar and the remainder in Bahrain. Some of the activities will include those that rely on advanced technologies and international contractors will need to partner with local companies. "We would encourage international companies with advanced technologies to partner with local companies to ensure that we have good local support from people with good knowledge of construction in Qatar as well as in Bahrain," Garillon said. Dr Ahmed Hassan Al Hammadi, Board Chairman of Qatar-Bahrain Causeway Foundation which oversees the construction and management of the project said the construction of the causeway will commence in January next year and will be completed in 51 months. He said that in May this year Qatar-Bahrain Causeway Foundation signed a construct-build contract with a consortium led by French firm Vinci Construction Grands Projets and Qatari Diar and comprising German firm Hochtief, QDVC ( a Qatari subsidiary owned 51 percent by Qatari Diar and 49 percent by Vinci) and CCC. The beginning of the causeway in Qatar will be located at Ras Ashairij area, five kilometers South of the city of Al Zubara. The Pen

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