Construction

Although growth has slowed following a banner year in 2014, Qatar’s construction industry remains one of the most vibrant and fast expanding in the Middle East, and a key driver of non-oil growth. Major infrastructure projects including the Doha Metro, Long Distance Rail, Hamad Port, the next phase of expansion at Hamad International Airport (HIA), and a network of new roads and drainage systems are expected to keep the industry on track in 2016, while new builds in the health, education, real estate and hospitality segments will further augment growth. Many of these projects benefit from enhanced government spending aimed at delivering critical projects in time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which should help offset some of the challenges contractors are facing as a result of project delays, high build costs, delayed payments and lack of available labour.

This chapter contains an interview with Nasser bin Ali Al Mawlawi, President, Public Works Authority (Ashghal).