Package 2 covers the construction of a 10-storey office block and a three-storey podium. Bids are due to be returned by 14 November. The new facilities will be completed by September 2003, in time for the IMF annual meeting.

In early September, the local Khansaheb Civil Engineering was awarded a AED 240.4 million ($65.5 million) contract for the first package on the convention centre. The contract covers: the sub- and superstructure works for the 4,250-seat convention centre; an eight-storey car park, with capacity for about 2,000 vehicles; and a 7,000-square-metre concourse area. The scope of works also includes the construction of 25 meeting rooms (MEED 14:9:01).

Four companies submitted bids by early October for the estimated AED 40 million ($10.9 million) mechanical, electrical and plumbing contract.

The UK's RMJM is the lead architect and structural engineer. The UK's Maunsell Consultancy Services is acting as the traffic and highway engineering consultant. The client is Dubai Municipality, with Dubai World Trade Centre (MEED 4:5:01).