A local company has won a multi-million contract to build the Dubai convention centre and related facilities at the world trade centre.

The organising committee of Dubai 2003, the 58th annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, awarded the contract to build the centre, a car park and concourse to Khansaheb Civil Engineering.

The contract was signed by Dubai Municipality director general and Dubai 2003 committee chairman Qassim Sultan and Khansaheb executive director David May.

Construction of the high-profile venue in time for the 2003 meetings is part of the overall development of the Dubai World Trade Centre site on Sheikh Zayed Road.

Construction is scheduled to end in January 2003.

The convention centre will have a capacity for 6,000 people and will utilise seating for 4,250 for the opening session of the 2003-meetings. There will be 25 meeting rooms, varying in capacity from 20 to 800 participants and in total the floor area of the convention centre will be 8,100 sq m.

A business hotel and an office tower as well as a 4-star hotel will also be part of the complex.