British engineering company Laing O’Rourke has been chosen as the preferred bidder for a retail and hospitality project in Dubai South, according to a company statement on Monday.

The project includes a 216,340 square meter shopping mall and two hotels and is a joint venture between Emaar Properties and Dubai World Trade Centre.

Construction will commence later this year with completion scheduled for the end of 2019, ahead of the 2020 Expo in the Dubai South development. Dubai expects 25 mn visitors for the Expo.