Abu Dhabi has received technical proposals from companies for the estimated AED2bn ($544m) contract to build the Warner Bros theme park on Yas Island. Once the technical bids have been evaluated, commercial bids will be submitted.

The project involves building indoor and outdoor areas for 19 themed rides. The indoor rides will be housed in a large steel-frame structure.

The project manager is US-based Louis Berger. The operator of the theme park will be the local Farah Leisure.

The expansion is part of the ongoing development on Yas Island, and Abu Dhabi is aiming to further develop its position as a regional tourism destination. The largest new development is Yas Mall, scheduled to open in November 2014, in time for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which is held on the Yas Marina Circuit.

It will be the emirate’s largest mall and will have 400 retail units and a 20-screen, state-of-the-art cinema. The main contractor working on the mall is Six Construct.

In July, the local Theme Parks has awarded the local/Belgian Six Construct Abu Dhabi an estimated AED250m ($68m) contract for construction work for the expansion of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. The works involve adding small buildings and constructing internal structures for new rides and attractions at the indoor theme park.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is already the world’s largest indoor theme park and home to Formula Rossa, which is the world’s fastest rollercoaster, with a top speed of 240 kilometres an hour. It opened in November 2010 and became the UAE’s first major branded theme park.