Driver Trett Digest Issue 22 October 2021 - Flipbook - Page 10
Relations between the GCC countries have since been
restored and the traditional trade routes are operational
again, which can only be seen as a positive step for all
concerned parties.
However, a June 2021 report forecasted that construction
output was to record an annual average growth of 4.2%
between 2022 and 2025, due to a number of key factors
including:
In terms of sourcing the necessary skilled professionals,
Qatar Rail related projects (the Doha Metro and Lusail Light
Rail Transit (LRT) scheme) serve as a great example of how
Qatar overcame this potential challenge.
1.
The tender award strategies adopted by Qatar Rail for these
projects saw joint ventures, or consortium main contractors
consisting of combinations of major international contractors,
that had the specialist skills and experience in delivering
projects of a similar nature, and local main contractors
with significant experience of local market issues, laws and
regulations and with access to labor resources.
PROGRESS OF SIGNIFICANT 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP
PROJECTS
STADIUMS
There are a total of eight stadiums to be used for the 2022
FIFA World Cup, those being Al Bayt, Al Janoub, Al Rayyan,
Al Thumama, Education City (as seen overleaf on the right),
Khalifa International, Lusail, and Ras Abu Aboud. A July 2021
update from the Supreme Committee’s Vice Chairman, Yasir
Al Jamal stated:
“Five of our stadiums have been completed, while the other
three will be ready soon. Six of the stadiums will be used for
the FIFA Arab Cup 2021, which will take place in November
and December.”
DOHA METRO AND LRT
The Doha Metro consisting of 37 stations with 3 lines (Red,
Green & Gold) which connects the city of Doha and provides
transport to the doorstep of many of the stadiums is now fully
operational. The LRT is expected to open later this year and
will provide access throughout the 2022 FIFA World Cup final
host city of Lusail.
HAMAD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (HIA) EXPANSION
In 2016 and 2017, Qatar had seen a rapid increase in passenger
numbers which significantly exceeded the designed capacity.
The HIA Expansion project is well underway to boost the
airport capacity to 50 million annual passengers and is due
to complete in early 2022.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR QATAR
BEYOND 2022
Given the significant financial investment that the Qatar
government has made in preparing for the 2022 FIFA World
Cup, and the relatively short period that this has been
undertaken in, it may have been reasonable to think that
there may be a downturn in construction output post 2022.
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2.
3.
Further projects associated with the Qatar National
Vision 2030 plans;
Expansion of LNG production capacity – The North Field
Expansion;
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) planned projects.
The Qatar National Vision 2030 is reportedly planning to
consume US$16.4 billion of investment in infrastructure and
real estate projects by 2025.
The aim of the Qatar National Vision
2030 is to develop Qatar to become an
advanced society capable of sustaining
its development and diversify its economy
away from dependence on the oil and gas
sector.
Qatar’s plans to increase Liquified Natural Gas (LNG)
production capacity will see a significant investment in oil
and gas related projects. The North Field Expansion will
increase Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) production
capacity from 77 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 110Mtpa,
which accounts for an LNG production capacity increase of
approximately 43%.
The enactment of a new law regulating PPP projects
is expected to attract private sector investment in the
development of infrastructure projects such as schools and
healthcare and assist in the delivery of the Qatar 2030 Vision.
Overall, it would appear that this tiny country, arguably
‘punching above its weight’, has, some eight years on from
our article identifying various challenges it faced then, risen
admirably to face those challenges and is on course to deliver
on its ambitious plans to deliver a first of its kind World Cup
experience.
See you in 2022.