Dubai developer Emaar Properties plans to build the world's tallest tower in the heart of the city. The company said construction work would begin in two months.

The exact height and cost of the building, named Burj Dubai, will be announced later this month. The building will be located on a prime piece of land along the Shaikh Zayed Road.

Plans for the building were announced at the company's annual general meeting by chairman Mohammed Ali Alabbar. "Combining residential, commercial, hotel, entertainment and leisure outlets with open green spaces, water features, pedestrian boulevards, an old town and one of the world's largest shopping malls, this project will create a new architectural landmark - a city within a city," Alabbar said.

The world's highest building is currently the Petronas Towers in Malaysia (452 m). The upcoming Shanghai World Financial Centre will be 492 m high. Emaar Properties posted a 2002 net profit of Dh517 million ($140 million), up 51 per cent on the previous year.