DUBAI, Jan 26: South Korea’s Samsung is to build the Middle East’s largest exhibition centre in Dubai, adding to its projects in the Gulf emirate that include the world’s tallest tower, the company said on Saturday.

Dubai World Trade Centre said in a statement issued by Samsung that it had awarded the firm a 1.3-billion-dirham ($354.3m) contract to construct Dubai Exhibition World by 2010.

“Dubai Exhibition World will offer 120,000 square metres of column-free exhibition space in its first phase, cementing its position as the largest event facility in the Middle East,” it said.

Samsung is also part of a consortium building the world’s tallest tower in Dubai, which is one seven emirates that makes up the UAE federation.

Burj Dubai is still under construction but it overtook Taiwan’s Taipei 101 tower as the world’s tallest building when it reached 512 metres (1,533 feet) in June. Its eventual height remains a closely guarded secret.

—AFP