MANAMA: An agreement was signed to draw up plans for the development of Bahrain's sanitation and sewerage services.

Works Minister and in charge of Electricity and Water Authority Fahmi Al Jowder sealed the deal with German Agency for Technical Co-operation regional director Peter Smith.

Work on the BD2.7 million project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2010.

The strategic sanitary plan is part of efforts to cater to the challenges arising from the urban and economic boom.

"It aims at upgrading the existing plan, which dates back to 1998," said a ministry statement.

Present at the signing ceremony were, Under-Secretary Nayef Al Kalali, Assistant Under-Secretary for Sewerage Khalifa Ibrahim Al Mansoor and other senior officials.