China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) has clinched a contract from the UAE Ministry of Public Works to build its national pavilion 'The Dunes' at the Shanghai 2010 World Expo.

Drawing inspiration from the form of a sand dune, the UAE pavilion is a reference to this symbolic feature of the desert landscape shared by the seven emirates, the Gulf News reported.

Salim Al Ameri, deputy director general of the National Media Council and commissioner general of the pavilion, and Essam Wahdan, consultant of International Projects for CSCEC signed the contract on Friday.

Al Ameri said the Chinese developer would build the first phase of the colossal pavilion within eight months, while another company will be picked up to carry out the second phase of interiors.

Innovative eco-friendly materials will be used in the construction of the pavilion which was designed by the Foster + Partners firm, report added.

'Through the 6,000 sq m and 20 metre high pavilion, the largest size available to expo participants, the UAE will showcase its experiment in urbanisation, clean energy and development for six months to about 70 million persons who are expected to visit the world's largest exhibition,' he remarked.