Contractor will build theme districts for exhibition

A Carillion joint venture has secured a £490m building contract on the World Expo 2020 in Dubai.

The work will see Al Futtaim Carillion deliver 220,000m² of theme districts and public realm works at the World Expo site, situated in Dubai South, featuring 147,000m² single story basements and 98 pavilions.

Organisers for World Expo expect the event will host 25 million visits between its opening day on 20 October 2020 and when it closes on 10 April 2021.

The Carillion contract, which also features 99,000m² of external works, will begin this month and is expected to be completed in mid-2019.

Richard Howson, Carillion’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to have been selected for this flagship project and to be supporting Expo 2020 Dubai in its ambition to demonstrate Dubai’s desire to lead economic growth and excellence internationally, in line with the vision of vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“This award further enhances our position as a recognised market leader and we continue to see good opportunities coming to market for which our capabilities and reputation for delivering to high standards of quality, safety and reliability are important to customers.”