An artist's impression of the city's new landmark
The chairman of Belfast Harbour Commissioners has dismissed concerns that the Titanic Signature Project will not be finished by 2012
The opening of the visitor attraction is planned to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the liner's sinking.
In an interview with the Irish Times Len O'Hagan said: "There's no issue, it will be built by 2012, I have no doubt about that."
He said funding is in place and work began on the site about six weeks ago.
The project is a building shaped like the front of Titanic which will house interactive exhibits mapping out the history of the ship.
It will cost an estimated £97m to build.
The Executive is providing £40m of public money with the rest coming from private developers, Belfast Harbour Commissioners and Belfast City Council.
It is expected to attract 400,000 visitors a year, though Mr O'Hagan told the Irish Times he considered that to be a "pessimistic" estimate.