The local/Belgian Bel Hasa Six Construct, with the local Arab Technical Construction Company (Arabtec), has submitted a low bid of about AED 900 million ($245 million). Its offer is just AED 15 million ($4 million) less than the next price offered by the local Al-Habtoor Engineering Enterprises.

Four groups of companies priced the contract by the 20 October deadline. The two other bidders - the local/UK Dutco Balfour Beatty with Athens-based Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC), and Interbeton of the Netherlands with Lebanon's Arabian Construction Company (ACC) -havesubmitted prices of over AED1,000 million ($272 million).

Called sector 1, the project covers the construction of six towers of up to 35 storeys each, offering one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments. The facilities will be constructed over a 220,000-square-metre area.

Bidding is already under way on the second batch of towers on the development. Bids are due on 1 November for the contract, which covers the construction of a 46-storey twin tower and common podium.

The estimated $1,400 million JBR project involves the construction of: 35 40-storey towers offering 3,000 apartments, ranging from studios up to four-bedroom units; four lower-level hotels; and three beach clubs.

The fast-track project will be tendered in at least seven packages, with each contract being assigned to one main firm. The mixed-use development, to be located on the seafront near Mina Seyahi, also entails the construction of shopping malls, restaurants and cinema complexes.

The project manager is the UK's Mace International. Dubai Technology, e-commerce & Media Free Zone Authority (Tecom)is the client (MEED 20:6:03).

www.meed.com/construction