comprise an industrial zone with a port, an aluminium smelter, steel and copper processing plants, an oil refinery and fish processing and agricultural factories. It will also include a 4,000-MW power and desalination plant.

The city's remaining portion will centre on construction of a central business district, residential areas, a marina and municipal buildings. Officials at MMC say about $17,000 million will be invested within the industrial zone, while $13,000 million will go into developing infrastructure and buildings.

'We still have to get investors on board,' says MMC corporate services general manager Azlan Shahrim. 'Once we get anchor investors, we can begin the infrastructure work, which we expect early next year.'

The masterplan and financing have yet to be completed. 'We expect to be able to divulge further information within three weeks,' says SBG business development director Ahmed Anees (MEED 6:10:06).