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Sameh Saeid
Doha
Construction companies and experts in Qatar reacted favourably to the 2017 budget, which has sustained spending in key sectors including health, education, infrastructure and transport.
According to the latest budget, infrastructure, health and education will account for almost half of all expenditures at QR87 billion and will include building projects for the FIFA World Cup 2022.
"Our recent GCC CEO survey indicated that business sentiment across the region remains broadly positive, despite the current challenging economic climate. Qatar, in particular, has continued to perform well across the economic sectors. The country's ambitious project pipeline and major events, led by the FIFA World Cup in 2022, will support national efforts to maintain the shift away from a reliance on oil and gas," said the Country Director of Oxford Business Group, Izabela Kruk.
CEG International CEO Mohamed Abd Alaziz told Qatar Tribune that he expected construction sector to peak in the first half of 2017.
"Most companies are upbeat about the ongoing works at the new Hamad Port, the redevelopment of HMC's Medical City, the Doha Metro project and the construction of at least eight stadiums for the World Cup.
"These are the projects that have been planned and even budgeted sometime ago and it would be unlikely to see them slow down or put on hold under any circumstances. We are fortunate enough to be diversified in our practice and will be able to continue being involved in such projects,"he added.
Abd Alaziz said that a month ago, the Supreme Committee (SC) for delivery and legacy announced the main contractors of two stadiums, while adding that the names of the contractors of other stadiums were expected to be announced soon.
"In 2016, the government accomplished many projects, including roads and sewage system. There are more works to be done this year related to national infrastructure upgrade for expressways, roads and intersections reconfiguration and sewage-drainage network update. Also, Qatar Rail managed to finish most of the tunnels of Doha Metro and I expect that the contractors for building stations will be selected by the second half of 2017,"he said.
"The opening of the Qatar-owned Bulk Materials Handling System (BMHS) at Masaeed Port will help fulfil the growing demand for primary materials by major construction and infrastructure projects. It also will pave the way for private sector companies meeting their obligations on time,"said Raid Raaft CEO of Kahraman for Construction.
Rafaat added that since the last quarter of 2016, the construction sector had begun to gain momentum, as private sector gets more confident in investing in health care and education which reflected positively on construction sector.
