The five main packages of the contract cover the construction of a mixed-use village, due to open in 2006, which will include 400 residential units and more than 200 shops and restaurants, as well as a conference centre and a harbour master facility housing local customs and immigration authorities.

The development, coming under phase 2 of the Port Ghalib programme, will overlook the recently completed 1,050-berth marina designed by French marine architects Sogreahand provide services for the three five-star hotels planned at the heart of the resort.

The project manager on phases 2 and 3 is the UK's Costain(Construction, MEED Special Report, 23:4:04, pages 31-32).

The resort complex will occupy a 22 million-square-metre stretch of coastline. The $130 million first phase of infrastructure development, for which the US' Bechtelwas the project manager, also included the construction of basic utilities.