The local/Australian HLG Contracting has been awarded a AED619m ($169m) for the construction of two sections of the Expo Village development in Dubai.

Known as Parcels 10 and 11, the scheme involves the construction of five 16-storey towers. Three of the towers are connected by a three-storey podium, and the other two towers are joined by another three-storey podium.

HLG shareholder, Australian construction company Cimic, says the works include the concrete frames, masonry, facades, fit-out, external works, and provisional sums for the mechanical, electrical and plumbing, wardrobes, kitchen, timber doors, lifts and façade cleaning system.

The development has a total built-up area of 155,000 square metres.

The project client is Dubai World Trade Centre.

Construction is due to be completed by June 2019 ahead of the start of the Expo 2020 event which starts in October 2020.

Dubai says it will award 47 construction contracts worth AED11bn ($3bn) in 2017.

Earlier in July, local firm Arabtec Construction has been awarded the contract to build and operate the UAE Pavilion at the Expo 2020 site.

The pavilion is expected to cover up to 15,000 square metres and will include numerous exhibition areas, an auditorium, food and beverage outlets and VIP lounges. It will be located facing Al-Wasl Plaza, which lies at the centre of the 2 million-sq-m exhibition zone.