The Lagoon Bahrain awards construction contract to Bahrain-based, Ahmed Mansoor Al A'ali

Mr Rashad Janahi, CEO of ADIH, said: 'AMA was selected after a thorough evaluation of a group of short-listed bidders that included local and international contractors.

'The high standard of work provided by the firm in the construction of the Bahrain Financial Harbour project, together with an exceptional performance record, has encouraged us to award AMA the construction remit of the The Lagoon Bahrain'.

He added: 'The award of the construction contract to AMA also highlights our intention to support the local industry in the market that we are investing in.

'In this instance, we have confidently selected a best-of-breed Bahraini company to play this significant role in The Lagoon Bahrain project'.

According to Mr Nicholas Fraser, Executive Director of real estate at ADIH, the development of The Lagoon Bahrain is well on track : 'We are enthused by the great response to the project from local, regional and global investors and can re-confirm that more than 60 per cent of the project has received contracted 'intention to purchase' from investors.

'Also, the piling activity at The Lagoon Bahrain is progressing well ahead of schedule, with more than 50 per cent of the 1042 piles already cast and on target to meet the mid-October piling completion'.

This major announcement came only a few days after Davenport Cambell, the Architects of The Lagoon Bahrain, had unveiled the final version of the scale model of the project.

'The finishing touches to the project's landscaping and interiors have now been made. This signifies the rapid pace at which the landmark project is being developed,' explained Mr Janahi.

The scale model of the project will spend its early days for public viewing at Abu Dhabi Investment House's office in Bahrain's Diplomatic Area, before it is moved to its permanent home at The Lagoon Bahrain's on-site, Customer Relationship Centre, The Lagoon Lounge, which is reported to be on track for a Ramadan launch.

Construction work to site offices and hoarding at The Lagoon Bahrain has now started. This includes purpose-built site offices that will play host to the project consultants and members of the ADIH project team from mid October.