Egypt's Orascom Construction Industries, a leading cement producer and construction contractor, in joint venture with BESIX has won a $740 million contract to build a convention centre in Qatar.

Under the arrangement, BESIX Group will provide structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing works for a convention centre and tower in Doha due for completion by March 2011.

BESIX is a Belgium group in which OCI has a 50 percent stake, has a $370 million share in the Doha project which will include a hotel, offices, retail and residential areas and a convention centre in a 550 metre tower.