Dubai, Sep. 14th, 2006 (WAM) -- The implementation of the DubaiWorld Trade Centre Master plan will transform one of the Middle East'smajor business districts through the delivery of a striking architecturalvision for the world, according to executives at a signing ceremony inDubai this week.

In line with DWTC's vision to set a world-class standard for thewhole DWTC complex as a state-of-the-art business quarter, two of theworld's leading design practices - Hopkins Architects and William SalePartnership - have today signed a design agreement for the first phaseof the mixed-used master plan approved earlier this year by His HighnessSheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Minister for Finance and Industry, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai World TradeCentre.

"The appointment of Hopkins Architects and WSP highlights theimportance we are placing on world-class architecture for the DWTC Master plan," said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of DWTC.

"Following the instructions of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan binRashid Al Maktoum, our aim is to create truly outstanding properties atthe very heart of Dubai, supported by all the facilities required to hostworld-class meetings and conventions," he added.

The area surrounding the DWTC Tower will be enhanced and remodelled to include a state-of-the-art convention centre, office andresidential towers, hotels and hotel apartments and related commercialfacilities.

"We are enormously excited to have been selected to design thefirst phase of the most outstanding and important development site inDubai," said Sir Michael Hopkins at the signing ceremony. "Hopkins Architects has been tasked with designing a DWTC district that will definethe character of the entire area as a development of international standardand status. We look forward to meeting this challenge and working withDWTC on part of their proactive and visionary development." The project contains two hotels, more than 2,000 apartments and250,000 sq. m of offices with related retail and car parking.

Hopkins' proposal will create a development with a vibrant mixof public and private spaces, linked by pedestrian routes which are allquickly and easily accessible.

"Projects of this scale and vision require world class companiesto deliver them and we're confident that the collaboration between DWTC,William Sale Partnership and Hopkins Architects provides the right foundationsfor this development," said Thomas Smith, Senior Executive, WSP Group.

Using the highest standards in design, the buildings will be environmentally sustainable and will be carefully designed to the highestquality. All offices and residences will make the best use of the abundantsunlight, with naturally-lit interior spaces alongside landscaped terraces.

Plans for the new district are scheduled to be unveiled at theend of the year, with a special series of presentations planned to coincidewith Cityscape, The International Property Investment & Development Eventheld at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre in December.

It should be mentioned that a model for the DWTC will be shownat the MIPIM Asia Conference between 27-29th of September in Hong Kong.