Construction of the Mall of Qatar is 70% complete and the project is set to open in 2016, according to the contractor's CEO Mr. Mohamed Moataz Al-Khayyat (Moutaz Al Khayat), head of Qatar-based UrbaCon Trading & Contracting.

Estimated to open in the first quarter of 2016, the Mall of Qatar will serve an estimated 20 million customers a year, with 400 shops that will include high-end luxury goods, the world's powerhouse brands and an exciting array of food, beverage and entertainment.

There will also be a luxury hotel, a family entertainment centre, a five-star restaurant and 82 other restaurants, cafes and other eating establishments.

The head of Qatar-based UrbaCon Trading & Contracting, Mohamed Moataz Al-Khayat, says it is making “great progress” in the construction of the mall.

Built at an estimated cost of up to $1 billion USD, the 4,176,000-sq-ft shopping centre will be adjacent to a 2022 World Cup stadium, and will have a dedicated station on Doha's new metro line. The centre will have more than 1,750,000 sq ft of retail leasable space on three levels, along with underground and surface parking for 7,000 cars.

UrbaCon Trading & Contracting has been involved in several huge projects over the last few years and has become one of the most respected building contractors in Qatar. In addition to the Banana Resort, included among its projects are the Mall of Qatar, the Sheraton Doha Hotel and Convention Center, and the Lekhwiya Stadium at Al Duhail.