Saudi Arabia’s $40bn (Dh146.92bn) Sudair City industrial project is a step closer as contractors have until Sunday to submit bids for the first stage of the massive development.

The Saudi Industrial Property Authority will review proposals next week for the initial phase of the project on the outskirts of Riyadh, which is worth $1bn and will include warehouses, offices, residential buildings and possibly a hotel.

Construction is expected to begin within months and to be completed by the end of 2012. SIPA will develop this phase.

The National