Laing O’Rourke, a UK-based contractor, has been selected as the preferred bidder for a retail and hospitality project in Dubai South, which is being developed as a JV between Emaar Properties (Emaar) and Dubai World Trade Centre, as part of the Expo 2020 Dubai South masterplan. Construction is set to start before year-end and is scheduled to be completed in 2H19, ahead of Expo 2020. Dubai South, a 145sqk city originally launched in 2006 and formerly known as Dubai World Central, will have a population of one million once completed. (Arabian Business)   Emaar (DU): AED6.75 as of 2 November, Rating: Buy, FV: AED10.29/share, MCap: USD13,168mn, EMAAR UH / EMAR.DU