DOHA: The ‘MEED Qatar Projects Conference’ will be held on March 10 and 11. The two-day event will be organised on a theme: “The resilience of Qatar’s economy and its commitment to the objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030”, according to a statement yesterday.
Data from MEED Projects suggest that Qatar’s infrastructure projects pipeline is set to soar with more than $30bn (over QR109bn) worth of new projects deals in 2015. The record year has come on the back of major project awards on Ashghal’s Expressway and Local Roads and Drainage Programmes as well as significant investment in real estate and transport projects such as Msheireb, Lusail and the New Port Project.
The annual conference will be organised in partnership with the Public Works Authority (Ashghal) and in association with GORD. Some of the keynote speakers include H E Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud Al Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bankl Remy Rowhani, Director General of the Qatar Chamber; Chairman of Daruna, Sheikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman bin Nasser Al Thani; Group CEO of Barwa Real Estate Company, Ahmad Abdulla Al Abulla, and senior officials from other companies, including Qatar Rail and Ashghal.
Topics to be covered will include latest developments in the national development strategy; trends and opportunities in the banking and finance sector and news about Qatar’s latest energy and infrastructure projects. The conference will focus on the challenge of delivering Qatar’s $200bn major infrastructure projects.
“Qatar is going to lead the region and the world once more with further progress in the execution of its inspiring vision for the years to 2030,” said Edmund O’Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Events. “Lower oil prices can’t be ignored, but it’s clear that Qatar has the financial and human resources overcome this challenge. The conference will be the perfect place to learn how Qatari, regional and global businesses can play their part in delivering the vision.”
This year will be boosted by forecast project awards on the $5bn-plus Al Karaana petrochemical complex, the $2bn-plus rolling stock and systems contract on the Doha Metro, and five main multi-billion-dollar packages on the mega water reservoirs main packages.
“Despite falling oil prices, Qatar has the project pipeline, the political impetus, and the financial reserves to continue project spending as it prepares to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup,” said Ed James, Director of Analysis at MEED Projects.
Project spending will be boosted by the fact that Qatar continues to be the fastest-growing economy in the GCC in the years to 2020.
According to the Qatar’s Ministry of Development Planning and Statistics, Qatar’s economy will expand by 7.7 percent in 2015, providing evidence that the world’s leading LNG exporter expects lower oil prices will have minimal impact on growth.
“Strong expansion in non-hydrocarbon activities will continue to drive overall economic momentum, propelled by investment spending, an expansionary fiscal stance and population growth,” the ministry said. “In calendar years 2014-2016, the overall fiscal balance is expected to stay in surplus.”
The Peninsula
