Mott MacDonald’s technical advisory role for the Government of Oman on what is believed to be the Middle East’s first Independent Water Project developed as a BOO (Build Own Operate) has reached fruition. The project agreements relating to the delivery of the Sur Independent Water Project were formally signed at the Ministry of National Economy, Muscat, Oman on 17 January 2007. The agreement transfers the operation and ownership of the existing desalination plant at Sur to the private sector and also provides for the construction of a new 17.6 million gallons per day desalination plant which will be built alongside and eventually replace the existing facility. The new desalination plant is due for completion in 2009 and will serve the Sharqiyah Region through a major regional water transmission scheme which is currently under construction. The new USD 167 million desalination plant, is due to be delivered by Veolia of France and the National Power and Water Co. of the Suhail Bahwan Group.