By Satish Kanady
DOHA: Qatar, which is projected to spend $182bn over the next five years on infrastructure, has completed a total of 9,213 projects worth QR80bn in 2013. Buildings, electricity, water desalination, and roads and bridges accounted for maximum number of the country’s completed projects in 2013.
Almost 3,225 projects, with a collective value of estimated QR48bn, were completed under the government sector, while private sector saw the completion of 5,592 projects at a total value of QR26bn, the Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics (MDPS) data said.
According to the market intelligence reports, infrastructure spending will continue to grow double digit in 2015-16. Global consulting and financial advisory firm Deloitte noted in its latest report that Qatar will spend $182bn over the next five years.
A total of QR34bn was spent during the year to complete 3,467 projects in the general construction section (buildings). Of these, main contractors completed 2,923 projects, at a value of QR32bn, while sub contractors completed 544 projects worth QR2.32bn.
The year witnessed completion of 342 roads and bridges projects with a total value of QR8.7bn and 557 projects were completed in electricity generation and water desalination sectors with a total value of QR9.89bn.
A total of 51 pipeline projects in the oil and gas sector were completed during the year, this is in addition to six projects related to the drilling oil and gas wells. Another 51 projects were completed in the ports and harbour sector with a value of QR966m. Of the total 9,213 projects, main contractors completed 5,521 projects worth a total of QR63bn. Sub contractors completed 3,692 projects worth a total value of QR17bn.
A breakdown of projects carried out at various municipal areas suggests maximum number of projects were carried out in Al Rayyan Municipal area, 1,768 projects with a total value of QR11bn. In terms of project value, Doha Municipality was the topper. The year saw Doha Municipality completing a total of 5246 projects worth a total estimated value of QR52bn. 905 projects was completed in Al Wakra Municipality with a total value of QR3.95bn. Other municipalities collectively completed 1308 projects with a combined value of QR13bn.
The MDPS said project numbers and their values included in its data does not reflect construction works carried out by foreign contractors for the purpose of oil exploration and development of the North Gas field or any other areas.
Deloitte’s report says Qatar’s infrastructure sector witnessed a 16 percent growth in 2013-14 with an allocation of $24bn to key projects. Funds have been set aside for completing Hamad International Airport, the New Doha Port Project, the rail and metro projects, and the roads programme. A major part of the spending will be on the Qatar Rail project, which is expected to cost around $45bn to build.
The Peninsula
