The larger of the contracts, estimated to be worth AED 200 million ($54 million), has been awarded to Voltas International of India. Called package 8, it covers the supply and installation of a central cooling plant, of 12,000 tonnes in capacity, and related piping and cable works. The contract also entails the installation of 8 MW of generation capacity. The facilities will take 17 months to complete.

The second contract, for package 12, has been awarded to the local/Japanese team of Emirates Trading Agency (ETA) and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The estimated AED 45 million ($12 million) contract covers the supply and installation of 83 elevators for the proposed facilities.

The convention centre is being built to host the GCC summit in late 2004. The project architect is the UK's Wimberly Allison Tong & Goo (WAT&G) in alliance with the local KEO International Consultants. The US' Turner International is the project manager.

The project will be tendered in 16 separate bid packages. Bids are due to returned by 22 May, following an extension of the deadline, for package 10. The estimated AED 200 million ($55 million) contract covers the general construction, architectural finishes and mechanical, electrical and plumbing works for the proposed centre. Eight international companies are prequalified to bid. The client is the Abu Dhabi government (MEED 29:3:02).