Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, was briefed on the plans for the Al Wasl Plaza which will comprise the central hub of the Expo 2020 site.
The Al Wasl Plaza will link the main sections of the 4.38-square kilometre site in Dubai South.
Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied to the briefing by Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai higher committee, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State.
Reem Al Hashemy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and director general of the Dubai Expo 2020 bureau, and Meraas group chairman Abdulla Ahmed Al Habbai, signed an agreement to implement work on the project.
"Al Wasl Plaza represents an important symbol of Expo 2020 Dubai since it bears the old name of Dubai," said Sheikh Ahmed.
"It will be a very distinguished destination that both lives up to its name and fascinates visitors who will be flooding to Dubai from all over the world. It is also why we chose Meraas to manage the project all the way from design to the completion of construction."
Ms Al Hashemy said working with Meraas would help deliver a plaza that provides a an unforgettable experience to millions of visitors.
"Our aim will be to support Expo 2020 Dubai in turning the stunning and cutting-edge conceptual design of Al Wasl Plaza into a reality and help ensure that it becomes a thriving central hub that ‘connects minds’ during Expo and long into the future," said MrAl Habbai.
Meraas will manage the design process, advise on a design consultant and help formulate construction methods. The company will have an oversight role during the construction phase to ensure the design meets technical specifications.
Work on Al Wasl Plaza will begin over the next few months and will be completed by end 2019.

Source: The National