Following the latest Burj Dubai clarification meetings, the three shortlisted groups submitted final technical and commercial bids for the estimated $800 million contract. The three are:

South Korea's Samsung Corporation, with the local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Constructand the local Arab Technical Construction Company (Arabtec);

the local/South African joint venture of Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterpriseswith Murray & Roberts Contractors (Middle East), Japan's Takenaka Corporationand Malaysia's WCT;

the local/Australian Nasa Multiplexwith the local Associated Construction & Investments Company (Ascon)

Emaar is expected to make a contractor selection by the end of October, with on-site construction due to begin in early 2005. The 705-metre-high tower structure will house offices, apartments and a hotel. The US' Turner Internationalis the project manager; the design consultant is Skidmore Owings & Merrill, also of the US.

On Dubai Mall, the DBB/CCC venture has been given 28 months to complete the work. The contract calls for construction of a four-level shopping mall with 515,000 square metres of retail space and 550,000 square metres of car parking. In addition, the venture will build a major aquarium and a district cooling plant and carry out external works and services. About 60 per cent of the contract's total value is made up of provisional sums, covering aspects such as mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works. Turner is also the project manager on the mall.

Evaluation of bids is also under way at Emaar for the site A and B phase 2 package on the Burj Dubai old town development. Five-six local contractors submitted bids on 11 October for the AED 350 million-400 million ($95 million-108 million) contract, which calls for the construction of 13 buildings varying in height from two-nine storeys and with a built-up area of 2 million square feet with associated commercial and leisure facilities. An award on the first residential package is expected in late October.