Infrastructure in Qatar

gas and petrochemicals industries. However the government is diversifying economic development elsewhere, especially in view of fluctuating oil prices.

Spending on infrastructural projects continues to be a focus in the State Budget for 2023, building on the success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, and also for the education and healthcare sectors – see Economy in this section for details.

Conferences and Exhibitions

Qatar National Vision

As arguably the world’s fastest-growing economy, Qatar recognises the importance of diversification and sustainability. It also acknowledges the inherent challenges of a rapidly-increasing population, further industrialisation, and the resultant need for an ever-expanding infrastructure.

To manage these challenges in effectively, Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030 was first published in 2008. Based on the guiding principles of the Permanent Constitution, it defines the nation’s medium-to-long-term objectives and creates a framework for sustainable national strategies.

QNV 2030 rests on four pillars – Human, Social, Economic and Environmental Development – each with clearly defined individual long-term outcomes yet important inter-relationships.

Under QNV 2030, all new projects should provide a high standard of living for future generations, with investments in education, research, healthcare, transport and industry, to enable Qatar to sustain its own development by 2030. Plans include an integrated transport system, a major overhaul of roads and highways, drainage and sewage, and the renovation of downtown Doha.

The first wave of specific actions and targets were defined in the Qatar National Development Strategy (NDS) 2011–2016. NDS 2018–2022 has seen many of its goals achieved, despite exposure to abnormal conditions like fluctuating oil prices and the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) has begun preparing NDS 2023–2030.

Economic Strategy

Qatar’s economic development aims to create and sustain a competitive and diversified economy capable of meeting the needs of, and securing a high standard of living for, its population now and in the future. The economy has historically been significantly boosted by growth in the oil,

Annual business conferences and exhibitions include Project Qatar, Build Your House Exhibition, QITCOM, Cityscape Qatar, Arab Future Cities Summit, Green Building Expo, World Stadium Congress, and trade summits.

Aiming to be an influential player in the region’s MICE market, the first major facility opened in 2011. The Qatar National Convention Centre, a member of Qatar Foundation (QF) and located in Education City, is one of the largest, most technologically advanced venues in the Middle East, employing environmental and sustainability best practices including LEED gold certification. Designed by Arata Isozaki, the award-winning venue features a 3D representation of the Sidra tree, symbol of QF. The 200,000 sq m venue has a 40,000 sq m exhibition space, a conference hall for 3,800 delegates and a 2,300-seat theatre.

The 47,700 sq m Doha Exhibition and Convention Center opened its doors in 2015. The building includes a state-of-the-art exhibition hall, modular wall system, and high-tech meeting and conference rooms. Located in Al Dafna, the venue has five exhibition halls, which can be used as one 29,000 sq m hall thanks to a unique wall partition system. The 18-metre high ceiling is supported by a revolutionary cantilever roof and is pillar-free.

Spectacular Buildings

Dramatic changes to Doha’s skyline have seen glass and concrete towers built with materials imported from all over the world.

The population has increased from nearly 1.7 mn in 2010 to around 3 mn in May 2023, with people mainly living in and around Doha. Just 50+ years ago the 20,000 population of Doha lived and worked in single or two-storey structures on the narrow streets of what was just a small town on the southern shore of Doha Bay.

In the 1970s, as the country changed from fishing and pearl diving to oil production and export, the decision was taken to reshape Doha Bay, extend the waterfront and expand the town area by reclaiming land. The area now known as Al Dafna (or ‘West Bay’) was dredged from the sea and the first building was the iconic Sheraton hotel. Demand for town centre real estate has grown, with more luxurious living and working environments, forcing the city upwards. The traditional inwardlooking, small-windowed, courtyard dwellings –cooled naturally or via a wind tower and vented walls – reflect the limitations of building materials and technology at the time. Now developments in glass technology and energy-efficient, eco-friendly air conditioning allows Qatar to build green.

Developments to Infrastructure

Qatar continues to undertake projects to satisfy QNV 2030 and the football event's legacy mode, good news for both local and international businesses.

Qatar is increasingly adopting sustainable practices and green building standards. Efforts like the implementation of the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) developed by the Gulf Organisation for Research & Development (GORD) oversees sustainable construction. According to GSAS, 75% of solid waste comes from construction and demolition; if the GSAS construction management system is adopted, 59% of the total solid waste generated in Qatar could be diverted.

GSAS has been incorporated into Qatar Construction Specifications and it is mandatory for all private and public sector projects to get GSAS certification. GSAS partners include Qatar Rail, Ashghal, Qatar Foundation, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the Primary Health Care Corporation, Kahramaa and Qatar Museums. gsas.gord.qa

The State Budget for 2023 was announced in December 2022, with figures based on an average oil price of USD65 a barrel, up from USD55 in the 2022 budget. The total revenue estimate is QAR228 bn, a 16.3% increase compared to 2022. Expenditures will decrease by 2.6% to QAR199 bn, due to an end in expenses for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM. The State will continue work on development projects related to infrastructure, citizens’ land development and public services, with 22 new projects to be implemented in 2023 at a cost of QAR9.8 bn. Read more about the 2023 State Budget in Economy, in this section.

Public Works Authority ashghal.gov.qa

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) was established in 2004 for the planning, design, procurement, construction, delivery, and asset management of all infrastructure projects and public buildings in Qatar. Ashghal strives to incorporate sustainability and environmental protection in its projects, as part of its commitment to play a vital role in QNV 2030.

Ashghal launched its Corporate Strategy 2018–2022 under the authority's new vision ‘Excellence in delivering and managing efficient sustainable infrastructure’, with 10 objectives to accomplish its mission of ‘continuously enhancing customer satisfaction through leading project and asset management services and solutions’.

Ashghal’s key infrastructure projects include: Expressway Programme; Local Areas Infrastructure Programme; Drainage Networks; Buildings; and Projects of the Supervisory Committee of Beautification of Roads and Public Places in Qatar. In 2023, Ashghal has tendered new projects to include 22 buildings with an approximate value of QAR4.1 bn. Ten projects are under implementation, including the development of Hamad General Hospital, the establishment of the Madinat Khalifa Health Center and Qatar Sidra Academy, and the rehabilitation of the Ministry of Municipality's veterinary laboratory building. There are six other projects under design, which includes the courts complex and the Court of Appeal and Cassation, the main post office building in Thumama and the land transport customs building.

Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation km.com.qa

The corporation, known as Kahramaa, was established in 2000 under the Ministry of Energy and Industry to regulate and maintain the supply of electricity and water to its customers. Kahramaa transferred ownership of its stations to Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) in 2002.

In 2018 the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, HE Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, assumed responsibility for Kahramaa as part of his remit to oversee the regular and sustainable supply of energy, power and water for domestic purposes.

Kahramaa has spent QAR38 bn to meet increasing demands to the electricity and water supply, with a further QAR6 bn to be invested after 2022. This includes five mega water reservoirs to be online by 2026 providing storage for 2,300 mn gallons of water, while the power generation phase will produce 2,520 megawatts of electricity. The plant will add around 30% water and 25% electricity of local demand once fully completed.

Installed under the Smart Metering Infrastructure Project, 600,000 advanced digital meters will allow customers to monitor their consumption. This is in line with the corporation's National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed), which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022 and saved QAR4 bn during its second phase. The third phase will run from 2022 until 2030.

In 2020, Kahramaa awarded a QAR1.7 bn contract to develop the country’s first utility-scale solar PV project to Japan’s Marubeni and France’s TotalEnergies. The 800MW solar PV independent power producer scheme is on a 10 sq km plot in Al Kharsaah, west of Doha. The project is owned and operated by Siraj 1 SPV, a consortium owned by TotalEnergies & Marubeni (40%) and Siraj Energy (60%), the latter being a joint venture between QatarEnergy and QEWC. The solar power plant was inaugurated in October 2022. It is expected to generate almost 2,000,000 MWh during its first year, the energy consumption of approximately 55,000 households, and reduce 26 mn tonnes of CO2 during its lifetime.

Selected Megaprojects in Qatar

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM Legacy Mode qatar2022.qa

Previously known as the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) signed stakeholder agreements with Qatar Rail, Ashghal, Kahramaa, Aspire Zone Federation and Qatari Diar, for projects to deliver the infrastructure for the event.

The stadiums were designed by the world's leading architects, reflecting aspects of Qatari culture, and taking into consideration three priorities: access and comfort, sustainability, and post-tournament legacy. Eight stadiums welcomed the world in November/December 2022:

• Khalifa International Stadium

• Al Janoub Stadium

• Education City Stadium

• Al Thumama Stadium • Stadium 974 (previously Ras Abu Aboud Stadium) • Lusail Stadium. Sustainability was an integral part of the project, with FIFA, SC and the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC (Q22) continuously updating stakeholders on tournament sustainability efforts. Optimum dustcontrol strategies were followed to reduce air pollution during construction, achieving a minimum four-star rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) for design, construction and facility management, in addition to obtaining a gold certificate for its operations. More than 80% of waste from the stadiums, some 2,000 tonnes, was recycled or composted during the event.

Much of the State Budget was previously devoted towards stadium construction and associated infrastructure. Expenditure will now be allocated towards fulfilling legacy plans to create unique community hubs around the stadiums. The designs of the stadiums enable them to be easily converted into public facilities after the tournament and for parts of the stadiums to be sent overseas to those countries in need of sports infrastructure.

The World Cup's first temporary stadium, Stadium 974, will be entirely dismantled, while Lusail Stadium will have most of its seats stripped away and repurposed. The upper tiers will be transformed into housing, and the pitch will be used for community games.

Al Bayt Stadium, the second largest, will have the upper tiers removed and replaced by a hotel, shopping centre and sports medicine hospital. Ahmad bin Ali, Al Janoub and Al Thumama Stadiums will have capacity cut to 20,000 spectators. Ahmad bin Ali Stadium will become home to Al Rayyan FC, while Al Wakra FC will move to Al Janoub Stadium. Education City Stadium will also be cut to 20,000 capacity and become a sports ground for university students.

There is already much in use in the precincts at Al Janoub, Al Bayt and Ahmad Bin Ali Stadiums. On Qatar National Sport Day 2020, public parks at Al Janoub and Al Bayt opened with vast green spaces, children’s play areas, exercise stations, restaurants, and cycling tracks. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is the home of Al Rayyan Sports Club, enabling amateur athletes and the public to use the running and cycling tracks, cricket pitches, tennis court and padel courts, outdoor gym facilities, skate park and aquatics centre.

• Al Bayt Stadium

• Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

Only Khalifa International Stadium will remain as it is. Originally built in 1976 and having received a number of upgrades, it will continue to host more international sporting events.

Qatar Integrated Rail Project corp.qr.com.qa

Following its establishment in 2011, Qatar Railways Company (Qatar Rail) is leading one of the largest rail projects in the world to meet the demands of Qatar’s dynamic and growing population. The company is responsible for the design, construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the entire network and systems.

The state-of-the-art railway network currently consists of Doha Metro, a rapid transit system connecting communities within Doha and its suburbs, and Lusail Tram, a service for convenient travel within the new city of Lusail.

The Doha Metro: Three lines cover the Greater Doha area with connections to commercial and residential areas throughout the city. In central Doha, the Metro network is mainly underground, while at the outskirts it is at ground level or elevated. The main interchange is at Msheireb Downtown Doha. Conducted over multiple phases, phase one has three lines now open to the public:

• The Red Line runs from Al Wakra in the south to Lusail City in the north, with a connection to Hamad International Airport and transfer to the Lusail Tram at Legtaifiya and Lusail stations.

• The Green Line runs east from Al Riffa to Al Mansoura in the west.

• The Gold Line runs from Ras Bu Abboud to Al Aziziya.

Lusail Tram: An integrated transportation system serving Lusail City, a state-of-the art tram based system connecting major points of interest in the city. The tram is designed to travel on streets, sharing road-space with other traffic and pedestrians. The project has four lines and 25 stations, with two interchange stations allowing passengers to access the Doha Metro.

Lusail City lusail.com

One of the largest projects in Qatar costing an estimated QAR163.8 bn, Lusail City is developed by Lusail Real Estate Development Company (LREDC), a subsidiary of the Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, itself a subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority. Spanning 38 sq km north of Doha, Lusail City is planned to accommodate more than 450,000 residents and visitors.

Launched in 2004, features include residential and commercial areas, parks, marinas, five-star hotels, a luxury mall, beach clubs, a waterpark, supermarkets and abundant dining options. Read more about Lusail City in Discovering Qatar

Msheireb Downtown Doha msheireb.com

The flagship project of Msheireb Properties, a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD) is the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, the QAR20 bn restoration of a 31 hectare site.

Msheireb means ‘a place to drink water’ in Arabic, and is the historical name of downtown Doha. The 'smart city with soul' is aiming for Gold or Platinum LEED Certification. The Doha Design District, a new design and innovation hub, will grant free zone status to occupants from a multitude of business sectors.

MDD is divided into five broad quarters, with hospitality, retail, residential and commercial areas. Barahat Msheireb is the region’s largest covered public square, anchored by the Cultural Forum and the Mandarin Oriental Doha hotel. The Heritage quarter features four historic houses that have been restored and turned into museums. The Diwan Amiri quarter comprises the Diwan Annexe, Amiri Guard building and Qatar National Archive, while Sikkat Wadi Msheireb is fully pedestrianised between the Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery Hotel Collection and the Park Hyatt Hotel.

MDD is the central interchange for the Doha Metro, with other methods of transportation underground for a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. The MDD tram is available to transport visitors. Read more about MDD in Discovering Qatar

Hamad International Airport dohahamadairport.com

Qatar's world-leading Hamad International Airport revealed plans for its second expansion phase in 2019. Phase A comprised the central concourse linking concourses D and E, and the opening of The Oryx Garden Hotel. This phase officially opened in October 2022, allowing annual passenger handling capacity to increase to 58 mn.

Phase B, the final expansion phase, will begin in January 2023 and is expected to be completed within the next two and a half years. This will extend concourses D and E to increase capacity to over 70 mn passengers per annum. Features include an indoor tropical garden, a water feature, landscaped retail and F&B spaces and a new world-class lounge. The expansion also includes the construction of a new cargo terminal, which will boost handling capacity to a 3.2 mn tonnes per annum. The terminal is expected to be ready by 2023.

The airport works with the Ministry of Municipality to achieve goals under Qatar National Vision 2030. This includes improving carbon efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and modernising the waste management process.