A $6 billion property deal to create Qatar's biggest retail complex between Doha International Airport and the proposed Bahrain-Qatar Causeway has been announced.

Dubai-based property giant Al-Futtaim have partnered with the Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) and Agar Real Estate Investment Company to develop a 433,000sqm mall featuring hotels, entertainment park and high street name stores and will be built on the Al Shamal highway - the first phase is expected to be completed in 2012.

QIB's CEO Salah Jaidah was quoted by the Gulf Times as saying: "Represents a new phase in Qatar's economic evolution and will raise the state's profile as a nation focused on innovation, excellence and dynamic sustainable development."