Transport

Rapid population growth and a fast growing economy are putting high demand on Qatar’s transport sector. However, several mega projects envisioned in Qatar National Vision 2030, along with infrastructure upgrades being implemented as Qatar gears up to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, are expected to ease this pressure moving forward. Indeed, in September 2014 the minister of transport announced the government would be investing $140bn in transport infrastructure over the next five years. Meanwhile, Hamad International Airport opened in May 2014, with the new airport’s capacity reaching 36m passengers per year, and Doha Port has undergone several expansions and now comprises nine quays and two container berths. Plans for three interlinking railway services across the country are also in the pipeline, and an estimated 240 major interchanges, ranging from conventional traffic lights to junctions with tunnels and flyovers are set to be constructed as part of the state’s expressway programme.

This chapter contains an interview with Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport.