As with every construction boom, the cost of materials in Qatar remains a concern, especially the rising cost of primary construction materials. With demand for gabbro, bitumen and limestone expected to show triple-digit increases in the near term, contractors are facing serious challenges in delivering key infrastructure projects on time and on budget. The situation is exacerbated by the hard…
With billions invested in new transportation infrastructure and a host of mega-projects necessitating huge movements of goods and people, Qatar’s logistics sector is growing rapidly. The sector is expected to maintain a strong upward trajectory in the coming years as the state recently established new warehousing and logistics facilities for a growing portfolio of businesses, including small…
Although Qatar’s enormous portfolio of mega-projects is dominated by infrastructure builds, the state’s long-term development strategy envisions the creation of numerous new “cities”: large, self-contained projects comprising a mix of residential, office and retail space, similar to West Bay and the Pearl. Involving billions of dollars of investment and years of planning, cities in…
While Qatar’s current infrastructure boom has been in the works since 2008, when Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030) was unveiled, development has been given extra impetus, and a mid-term deadline, by the 2022 FIFA World Cup. With 1m visitors expected to flock to the state for the tournament, tourism projects have risen to the forefront of Qatar’s high-profile developments. Contractors…
While the rapid advancement of billions of dollars worth of construction projects has seen dozens of companies rush to enter the Qatari market, these firms often face unexpected challenges, including lengthy tendering processes and a relatively high risk burden placed on contractors and consultants undertaking public sector projects. Although the government’s near-term reforms are likely…
Since the unveiling of Qatar National Vision 2030 in 2008, new infrastructure projects have made the construction sector the country’s fastest-growing non-hydrocarbons contributor. Qatar has seen a host of major hard infrastructure projects over the past decade, including Hamad Port (formerly the New Port Project), the Qatar Rail Development Programme (QRDP) and Hamad International Airport…
Working to transition to a post-hydrocarbons economy, Qatar has seen the launch of a number of renewable energy initiatives in recent years. In 2009 the state’s per capita carbon footprint was the world’s largest, and until recently Qatar had no mandatory standards regarding the energy performance of its buildings, despite being in the midst of an enormous building programme that will see…
Rapid economic growth, a multibillion-dollar construction portfolio and preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup have drawn industry professionals to Qatar to work on some of the most complex, high-value projects in the region. Project spending is expected to reach $182bn over the next five years, presenting a raft of design opportunities in tourism, infrastructure, sports and real estate, which…
Continuing to focus on improving social infrastructure, Qatar is investing billions of dollars in new health care facilities, schools and recreational developments under the overarching Qatar National Vision 2030. A host of awards for social development facilities were made in 2014, including health care developments, spearheaded by the state’s Ashghal (the Public Works Authority). With spending…
As already seen in Qatar’s real estate segment, inflation is becoming a challenge to future growth. Although it has yet to reach the same highs as in 2008, inflation has been rising in recent years, with contractors facing escalating labour, land and materials costs as the state rolls out wave after wave of infrastructure builds. Although the ongoing problem of supply bottlenecks will be…
