The inquiry was sent out to up to 10 international contractors including Japan's Taisei, South Africa's Murray & Roberts Contractors (Middle East), the UK's John Laing International, Belgium's Six Constructand Lebanon's Arabian Construction Company (ACC).

QP is aiming to proceed with the package on a fast-track basis. Under the schedule, the selected contractor is due to start work on the 27-month contract in April.

The package will be one of the most technically challenging civil contracts awarded in the local market. The 117-metre-high building, located on the corniche, will comprise three 18-metre-diameter cylindrical service cores, on top of which will sit the main library structure. The upper structure will have a 60-metre cantilever along a total length of 180 metres. It will stand on a podium at ground level, which will be surrounded by extensive landscaping and car parking space.

Japanese architect Arata Isozakiis nearing completion of final designs for the building. The post-construction project manager is the US' Turner International, while the geo-technical consultant is the local Arab Centre Engineering Service (ACES).