The bidders include:

the local/South African venture of Al-Habtoor Murray & Roberts, with Japan's Takenaka Corporationand Malaysia's WCT;

the local/Australian Nasa Multiplex, with the local Associated Construction & Investments (Ascon);

South Korea's Samsung Corporation, with the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Constructand Arab Technical Construction Company (Arabtec), local;

the local/UK Al-Naboodah Laing O'Rourke, with Hong Kong-based Hip Hing;

the local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty, with Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC)and Paul Y ITC Construction Holdingsof Hong Kong;

Groconof Australia, with the local Dubai Civil Engineering (DCE);

Taisei Corporationof Japan, with Lebanon's Arabian Construction Company (ACC).

Emaar is planning to make a swift selection, with an award expected as early as mid-August. On-site construction is expected to start in early 2005, with completion set for mid-2008.

The 705-metre-high structure will house offices, apartments and a hotel. The US' Turner Internationalis the project manager on the Emaar Properties project; the design consultant is Skidmore Owings & Merrill, also of the US.

For the main package on the Dubai Mall project, bidders are due to submit new prices on 26 July, based on a revised bill of quantities and some new specifications. About six international contractors are competing for the contract, valued at about $750 million. An award is also expected in August (MEED 28:5:04).

www.meed.com/construction