Khansaheb was the low bidder for the package when bids were returned by six locally based contractors on 1 December. Other bidders for the work included the local arm of Saudi Binladin Group, Arab Technical Construction Company (Arabtec)and Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterprises. The scope of work covers the construction of a 10-storey office block and a three-storey podium at the DWTC site.

Khansaheb is already working on the project, having been awarded in September the first package on the development. The estimated AED 240 million ($65.5 million) contract covers the construction of the 4,250-seat convention centre, an eight-storey car park and a concourse area. The UK's RMJMis the lead architect and structural engineer on the project (MEED 14:9:01).

DWTC has also formally awarded the local/UK Al-Naboodah Laingthe estimated AED 120 million ($32.7 million) contract to build two hotels at the development. The contract calls for the construction of a 440-room, four-star hotel, a 220-room, two-star property and a kitchen for the two properties with the capacity to serve 8,000 meals a day. The hotels will be managed by France's Accor, under the Novotel and Ibis brands. Al-Naboodah was selected for the 16-month contract in late November (MEED 7:12:01).

The project manager for the hotels is the US' Hill International. Geneva-based Samuel Creationsand the local Arif Bintoakare the design consultants.

The convention centre complex is being built to host the annual IMF/World Bank meetings, scheduled to be held in Dubai in September 2003. The organiser, Dubai 2003, is expecting 16,000-20,000 delegates to attend the event (MEED 14:9:01, Cover Story).