The Tourism Development and Investment Corporation (TDIC) will appoint a contractor to construct the Louvre Musuem on Saadiyat Island by the end of the year. TDIC assistant development director said “By the end of the year an announcement will be made about the Louvre.”   French architect Jean Nouvel designed the project which is expected to be complete in 2013.  A short list of contractors bidding for the project includes Al Habtoor Leighton and Arabtec Construction.

TDIC has also invited contractors to bid for the contract to build the Guggenheim Museum.  Construction of the Dh2.75 billion ($US748m) museum, which will form part of the cultural district on Saadiyat Island, will begin early next year.  Regarding their choice of contractor, Mr. al Hammadi explained they need specialized contractors and must consider “options locally and internationally to see how we can get the best quality for our budget.”