CAIRO, 17 July  — Sheraton Heliopolis, a standard-bearer in the Middle East for hotel giant Starwood, is set for a multimillion-dollar expansion. The award-winning property will soon have an extra 300-room freestanding hotel plus international conference center and world-class spa. The Gulf Egypt Company for Hotels and Tourism, which owns the property, is investing $35 to $40 million on the spectacular new facilities. The 588-room landmark property will boast 900 rooms after the expansion program is finished, says General Manager Valentino Bertolini. Construction starts in October-November this year and everything is expected to be completed within 20 months, according to him. The entire complex will have a 1,600-strong workforce. Its new conference center will cater for at least 2,000 people. (AN)