More than 30 highway projects, valued at about QR100bn ($27.5bn), are expected to be awarded in Qatar this year on the back of government’s major infrastructure upgrade of the country’s road network, Meed projects said in a report yesterday. Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia, has one of the GCC’s busiest road markets to date, with contracts valued $1.8bn awarded so far. Qatar’s road market in 2012 has been propped by two major awards, the $640mn deal awarded to the UAE’s Al-Jaber Group for package 13 on the Doha Expressway and the $961mn deal awarded to South Korea’s Hyundai Engineering & Construction for the Lusail Expressway. According to Meed projects, spending on future projects will significantly increase this year as more than 30 highway projects, valued at $27.5bn (QR100bn), are awarded. The current year onwards presents bigger opportunities to do business in Qatar as the country enters the next critical phase of its preparations to host FIFA World Cup in 2022. “Contractors, consultants and other stakeholders would not want to miss the massive surge of contracts that will be awarded in the next few years, with details and leads to be announced in various presentations and panel discussions throughout the duration of the conference,” said Edmund O’ Sullivan, chairman, Meed projects, organisers of Qatar Projects 2013. Tracking the growth and development of Qatar’s transport sector, including details of potential contract awards, will be discussed at the coming Qatar Projects 2013 conference that will be held under the patronage of HE the Minister of Energy, Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-sada. Supported by Qatar’s Ministry of Trade and Business, Qatar Chamber and Public Works Authority (Ashghal), the conference will take place at the Grand Hyatt Doha from February 17 to 20. The conference features a keynote address from QCB Governor HE Abdulla bin Saoud al-Thani who is expected to share insights on how government initiatives will drive project developments in the country and broader long-term economic aspirations. Speakers include Dr Khaled al-Derbesti, director, Economic & Commercial Promotion Department at the Ministry of Business & Trade; Remy Rowhani, director general, Qatar Chamber and Nasser Ghaith al-Kuwari, manager (Drainage Projects Department) at the Public Works Authority (Ashghal). Among the critical topics that will be discussed at the conference include tendering and bid preparation insights from major and mid-sized contractors, achieving project efficiencies and transparency on tenders and project bids, as well as driving costs down for materials, workforce and project resources. Transport projects throughout the GCC will also be discussed, as the region undertakes a massive road building and upgrade, with $4.9bn worth of construction contracts in the road sector already awarded last year, up 22% on 2011. In addition to Qatar Petroleum, Ministry of Business and Trade, and Public Works Authority, Qatar Projects 2013 is being supported by the United Development Company as strategic partner; International Bank of Qatar (IBQ) as platinum sponsor; Qatar Islamic Bank as gold sponsor; Mashreq as silver sponsor; as well as Qatar Insurance Company and Brookfield Multiplex as bronze sponsors. Metito is the conference sponsor. Gulf Times

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