Contractors in Dubai are expecting to be busy preparing bids during the month-long Ramadan period, which is expected to start on 5 June, as clients issue new tenders with closing dates in July.

“It is common practice for clients to issue tenders just before Ramadan with a closing date after it finishes,” says a Dubai based contractor.

The question contractors are asking this year is will clients open the offers in July, or will the deadlines be extended until after the summer. “The summer period typically slows down anyway, and after Ramadan a lot of decision makers will go on holiday so there is a change a lot of closing dates will be moved to late August or September when everyone is back in town.”

Tender documents for two major Dubai construction projects were issued to contractors in mid-May, both with closing dates in July.

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has invited contractors to bid for its AED475m ($129m) Gate Avenue retail development, and Meraas has invited companies to submit offers for its AED500m Museum of the Future.

One project that is expected to proceed regardless of Ramadan is the Route 2020 metro link that will connect to Dubai Metro’s existing Red Line to the Expo site. Two shortlisted bidders have submitted final offers for the design and build contract and an award is expected in mid-June.