The local Emerald Palace Group has invited contractors to prequalify for the contract to complete the Kempinski Palm Jumeirah Residences and Hotel in Dubai.

The local/Australian Al-Habtoor Leighton Group was awarded an AED1bn ($272m) main construction contract in 2007, but work later stalled. Sources close to the project say the concrete work has been completed.

When finished, the project will cover 100,000 square metres and comprises two seven-storey buildings.

The project was scheduled to be completed by September 2007 when it was launched in 2005.

The UK’s Mace Group is the project manager.