Bidders for the piling contract are understood to include Germany's Bauerand Middle East Foundationsand NSCC, both local. The client, a joint venture of the local Link Investmentswith First Gulf Bank,is seeking expressions of interest for the main construction package, which is expected to go for tender by mid-December.

The main package's scope of works is divided into three sectors covering an area of about 96,000 square metres. The first portion comprises construction of a three-level mall with three nine-storey office towers, a nine-storey furnished apartment building and car parking facilities. Sector two focuses on 10 residential buildings with 11 storeys, while the third sector covers the construction of six residential towers of 11 storeys and a mosque. The contract also covers associated infrastructure. Work is scheduled to begin by the end of the year with completion scheduled for late 2007.

Abu Dhabi-based Bainona & Al-BayatyArchitectsis the design consultant. The US' Morgantiis the project manager.

The Mohammed bin Zayed City project will see the construction of about 265 commercial and residential buildings, related infrastructure works and entertainment facilities. With total costs of about AED 14,000 million ($3,815 million), the project will be built in phases and have three districts with an area of 1 million square metres. Funding for the development will be secured through a mixture of public and private financing.