Transport
From The Report: Qatar 2020
View in Online Reader

The transport sector has played a key strategic role in the growth of Qatar’s economy, and in the decade since the country won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, tens of billions of dollars have been pumped into its infrastructure. With significant new investment in its seaports and airport, the transport sector’s international gateways are set to see a step change in the volumes of cargo and passengers they are able to handle. Within the country, a system of movement that originally evolved to suit drivers, cars and lorries is rapidly being transformed into a multi-modal urban transport network that is fit for future needs. This chapter contains interviews with Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Municipality and Environment and CEO and Managing Director, Qatar Rail; and Abdulrahman Essa Al Mannai, President & CEO, Milaha.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Rapid development: Infrastructure projects are improving travel times and boosting capacity at major seaports and airports
OBG
plus

The transport sector has played a key strategic role in the growth of Qatar’s economy, and in the decade since the country won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, tens of billions of dollars have been directed towards its infrastructure. Qatar’s residents are already seeing the benefits of these developments. For instance, more than 15m of people had taken a QR2 ($0.55) ride on the new metro system between its opening in May 2019 and the end of February 2020, while huge investments…

Interview

Ease of movement: Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie, Minister of Municipality and Environment; and CEO and Managing Director, Qatar Rail, on increasing transportation offerings
OBG
plus

Interview:Abdulla bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie Where will Qatar Rail focus its contribution to economic development as laid out in Qatar National Vision 2030 (QNV 2030)? ABDULLA BIN ABDULAZIZ BIN TURKI AL SUBAIE: Qatar’s national agenda of fostering a vibrant, modern and prosperous country continues to be guided by QNV 2030 and its five-year development strategies. The agenda calls for the development of an integrated transport system that promotes public transport as the preferred…

Interview

Driving growth: Abdulrahman Essa Al Mannai, President and CEO, Milaha, on infrastructure upgrades, connectivity and new technologies
OBG
plus

Interview:Abdulrahman Essa Al Mannai Where are improvements most needed in the logistics sector, and how can these challenges be effectively addressed? ABDULRAHMAN ESSA AL MANNAI: To successfully open up the market, it is necessary to go beyond investing in assets. There is also a need to maintain a balance of operations across the logistics sector, where a surplus of services exists in some areas. However, considering Qatar’s healthy economic growth, this is expected to be a short- to…

Analysis

Forging partnerships: Significant port expansion is facilitating new trade routes and setting the stage for higher cruise numbers
OBG
plus

In 2017 the newly established Hamad Port found itself centre stage in the country’s response to the economic blockade imposed by some neighbouring countries. Existing maritime trade routes to the blockading countries were closed and quickly replaced with new partnerships in Oman, Kuwait and further afield. “The blockade set the pace for rapid development in Qatar,” Mohammed Khalifa Al Sada, chairman and managing director of domestic dry bulk company S’hail Shipping and Maritime Services,…

Analysis

Efficiency boost: New urban mobility services are set to improve public transport
OBG
plus

Citizens, residents and visitors to Qatar have seen the impact of the recent investment made in public transport, with the full operation of the Doha Metro offering convenient travel options. In 2019 driverless trains also commenced operations, providing a cheap alternative way of moving around the capital. The Lusail Tram, meanwhile, is expected to open in two phases in 2020, further expanding car-free options. Looking ahead, new initiatives are under way to make travelling around the country…