Gulf Construction Online - Qatar pumps $200bn into infrastructure

Regional News

Qatar pumps $200bn into infrastructure

01 October 2016

Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) is working on projects worth $200 billion as the country races to boost its infrastructure ahead of the Qatar 2022 Fifa World Cup, said a report.

These projects represented important opportunities that will encourage foreign investment and enhance partnerships, reported The Gulf Times citing a senior minister.

“Qatar will be transforming itself into a knowledge-based economy by 2030 with the lead role being played by the private sector. Over the past few years, the country has been pursuing a flexible and multi-faceted economic strategy derived from the Qatar National Vision 2030,” remarked Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed Al Thani, the Minister of Economy and Commerce, during a visit last month to the US.

Sheikh Ahmed highlighted Qatar’s investment in infrastructure, in particular the Hamad International Airport, the New Doha Port, and a new highway system.

The infrastructure, including the economic zones managed by Manateq, would encourage the establishment of new businesses in Qatar, he added.

Ashghal is presently working on projects worth more than QR39 billion ($11 billion) in line with its plan to develop the country’s expressways.

Currently, 11 expressway projects are in different stages of construction and 10 more are in the design phase.

The most important ones are those related to the 200-km-long New Orbital Highway and Truck Route starting from New Hamad Port to Ras Laffan Industrial City.

Contract One of the project between Hamad Port to the Orbital Highway is tendered for QR3.2 billion ($878 million).

A 41-km-long road is being built as part of the project which will connect Hamad Port and Al Wakra bypass with other areas linked to the project. It includes the construction of a road linking Mesaieed Road to the East West Corridor.

The second contract worth QR4.27 billion ($1.17 billion) is for linking Salwa and North Relief Road, which is 54 km long and includes eight interchanges.

The third and fourth contracts worth QR6.1 billion ($1.67 billion) and QR3.48 billion ($954 million) respectively were also started in the second quarter of 2014. While the third is for the works between Mesaieed and Salwa, the fourth is between Dukhan Highway and Al Khor Link Road.