The Government has awarded a $240 million contract to complete the design and construction of Christchurch Convention Centre.

Prime Minister Bill English and Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration Nicky Wagner have just made the announcement in the Garden City.

Work on the convention centre will begin shortly.

"It's time to focus on getting the central business district and key parts of the city up and moving," Mr English said.

"The centre will bring an economic benefit of $300m to Canterbury over the next eight years as we attract more tourists and convention goers to Christchurch and to the middle of the city.

"As the convention centre comes out of the ground that will build confidence of investors and property, including accommodation and retail, when they see there will be demand back in the city centre."

The Convention centre will feature

* Auditorium for 1400 delegates
* 1250 person banqueting hall
* 14 interconnected meeting rooms for up to 1400 people
* Multi-use exhibition hall

The proposed world-class boutique facility is set to be complete in 2019.