SINGAPORE - Singapore-based urban development consultancy Surbana Jurong is acquiring for US$400 million Smec Holdings, an Australia-based consultancy firm specialising in infrastructure projects.

The combined entity will have nearly 10,000 staff in over 95 offices across 40 countries, the companies said on Monday. It would have a combined revenue of S$1.1 billion.

Both bring complementary strengths to the table, the companies added .

This comes about a year after Surbana merged with Jurong International. Surbana Jurong said earlier this year it was looking at acquisitions overseas, including China and India as well as Australia. SMEC provides consultancy services for infrastructure projects.