Construction
From The Report: Qatar 2020
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Despite some concerns for Qatar’s construction industry surrounding a narrowing pipeline for 2022 FIFA World Cup-related projects and a more general global economic slowdown, there is much reason for optimism within the sector in the years ahead. While Qatar’s economy continues to rely on hydrocarbons revenue, the construction sector is playing an important role in increasing diversification. Qatar’s 2020 budget demonstrates that there will be plenty of investment opportunities going forward, especially regarding infrastructure projects. Though the tournament’s flagship projects, such as stadiums, are nearing completion, Qatar still has a solid line-up of infrastructure and hospitality projects to prepare itself for the large influx of visitors in 2022. This chapter contains an interview with Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, President, Public Works Authority.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Solid foundation: New and continuing projects are poised to keep the industry busy through to 2022 and beyond
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As Qatar’s construction industry heads into 2020, there is a strong focus on what is to come beyond the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which has dominated the sector for much of the past decade. There are signs that Qatar’s economy has begun to rally, and while the country continues to rely on hydrocarbons revenue, the construction sector is playing an important role in increasing diversification. According to the most recent data available from the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA), the…

Analysis

New approach: Public-private partnerships take on a greater role in government projects and help attract foreign direct investment
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Following several years of global economic uncertainty, budget deficits and unpredictable oil prices, in April 2019 the Council of Ministers approved a long-discussed public-private partnership (PPP) law, expected to be formally enacted in 2020. The new law is intended to clarify and regulate the framework for projects involving both the government and private firms. Also in early 2019, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar, issued Law No. 1 of 2019 regarding foreign direct investment…

Interview

Integrated systems: Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi, President, Public Works Authority (Ashghal), on implementing smart technologies in infrastructure construction, operation and maintenance
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Interview:Saad bin Ahmad Al Muhannadi Where can the application of smart technologies deliver the most tangible results, both in terms of boosting efficiency and improving worker safety? SAAD BIN AHMAD AL MUHANNADI: Our programmes, projects and services aim to promote best practices, encourage innovation and adopt new technologies, with a focus on environmental sustainability. We are in the process of introducing several integrated project management systems, including building information…

Overview

Over land and sea: China’s implementation of a new trade network is energising the global construction industry – Qatar
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From 206 BCE to 220 CE, China’s Han dynasty fostered a booming trade industry for silk, a precious commodity in high demand among the elites of the Mediterranean. The Silk Road was the name given to the network of trade routes connecting the East and West at the time. Later, spices and other precious cargo would be traded using the system, fostering not only economic, but also cultural links between Asia and its contiguous continents. As such, the network became the information superhighway of its time as well, transmitting knowledge and expertise across distance and cultures. Extremely rapid economic expansion in China in the four…