Qatar – Construction Sector

Karen Cemm – Trade Consultant

Qatar at a glance

• The State of Qatar is a peninsula

located on the Western side of the
Arabian Gulf
• It covers an area of 11,437 sq.km
• Population of 850,000.
• Doha is the capital
• Other towns of note are Mesaieed,
Dukhan and Ras Laffan.
• Qatar is a member of the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC)
• It is also a non-permanent member of
the United Nations Security Council
Economic Indicators

• Qatar has one of the world’s

fastest growing economies
• It has one of the highest GDP’s per
capita in the world
• US$130 billion surplus to invest in
next 5-7 years.
• Its main capabilities are in gas and
oil and the production of liquefied
gas and the production of
diversified hydrocarbon products.
• Looking to diversify economy to
include Healthcare, Education,
Tourism, Sports and Leisure. Also
businesses such as in financial
sector.
The Vision of Qatar

“My wish is to preserve all that is good

about our country’s traditions and
customs, yet build a dynamic and
modern 21st Century State.”

His Highness The Emir, Sheikh Hamad

Bin Khalifa Al Thani.
Public Sector and Infrastructure Projects

• US$108 billion has been

allocated for development of
infrastructure in next 5
years.
• New electricity and water
plants
• New Sewage and Sanitation
• Better communications
• Land reclamation
• Government Schools.
• Healthcare
Public Spending - Culture

• Parks and Beautification projects

• Al Asmak Tower – Islamic Centre
• Qatar National Museum Expansion
• Museum of Islamic Arts
• Qatar Photography Museum
• Qatar National Library
• Cultural Village
 Public Sector contd - Transport

• New and improved road systems

• Road widening
• Extension of existing roads
• Qatar-Bahrain causeway or
“Friendship causeway” estimated
cost $3- 4.7 billion
New Doha International Airport (NDIA)

• Key project in Qatar’s National

development strategy.
• US$ 5 billion three-phase project
• First in world to be designed for Airbus
A380 double-decker Super jumbo (open
2009)
• In 2015 - 50 million passengers a year
and 2 million tonnes of cargo.
 Industry

• Mesaieed Industrial City

• New manufacturing sites
• Gas and Oil Projects
• Qatar, first free trade zone,
open 2009.
• Qatar Science and Technology
Park
• Information Technology City
 Energy City Qatar (Lusail)

• Middle East's first energy

hub aiming to attract
leaders in oil & gas
production.
• Include technology,
training, shipping &
trading, presscentres
• 1.6 billion dollar project,
scheduled for completion
2010
• 35 square km area
• 10 districts
• Home to 200,000 people
 West Bay District

• Diplomatic Area
• New Central Business
District
• High Rise tower blocks
of mixed use
• Doha Convention
Centre and Tower
- 104 stories
- A hotel
- Apartments
- Parking for 4,000 cars
- Retail units 180,000sqm
- US$600 million
 Education

• Education is another focus

for non-industry
diversification
• Qatar University
• Qatar Foundation’s
Education City:
-International Universities
-Qatar Science and
Technology Park
-Teaching Hospital (US$
900 million)
- Convention Centre
(US$610 million)
 Leisure

• Shopping!

• World Gardens Development

- Ambitious scheme of 2 million sq m
- Several climate-controlled themed
domes, Malaysian Rain Forest &
Arabian reef.
- Theme Rides
- World’s largest fire, water & light
show
- International Convention Centre
 Housing, hotels and resorts
• Hotel room capacity increasing
and resorts being constructed

• Annual growth of 9% of
population, new housing required
in form of apartments and villas

• New trend of developments

- Lusial Real Estate Development
Shore line development which
integrates 10 hotels,3,000 villas,
12,000 apartments and retail.
US$ 6.3 billion
- Barwa Al Khor another shoreline
development, home to 63,000
people with shopping, hotels,
leisure including golf course.
 Housing Contd

• Al Waab
- Integrates a variety of
housing, retail, offices, health
facilities, cultural facilities
and world class hotel.
- US$ 1 billion

• Al Khor Resort
- Housing for 80,000 people
- Hotels
- Sports facilities
- Freehold properties
 Opportunities Summarised

• High GDP per capita and means of sustaining this, provides stable economy.
• Vision of leader means diversification of economy and huge spending in
building and construction sector.
• Wide variety of exciting projects.
• Require specialised technology, skills and management not all readily
available locally.
• Shortage of raw materials and good quality products locally.
• Lesser known Gulf market, so can be less saturated with products and
services.
• Friendly people and smaller market can make Qatar attractive to smaller
companies or first timers in Middle East region.
• Australian skills and products highly regarded.
• Australian products well suited to hot climate.
• Other Australian companies already have presence.
Challenges in Qatar

• Information not easily available.

• Market differences eg. Preferences, competing products, prices.
• Government regulations on importing and construction.
• Setting up business.
• Building relationships and maintaining them
• Timeframes may initially be slow, with follow-up visits required, then
services/products required now!

• Use Austrade Services to assist.

Farewell from Qatar