MEED, the body that tracks contracts in the Middle East and north Africa, has predicted that $22bn of projects will be awarded by Qatar in 2016, a fall of 24% on last year but equal to the average spend over the past five years.
The principle schemes to be launched are a $10bn expressway and the Inner Doha Re-Sewerage Implementation Strategy (Idris). Â
Among the others to be awarded or tendered this year are the first phase of a $15bn long-distance passenger and freight network, and the $2bn expansion of Hamad International Airport.
Ed James, the director of content and analysis at Meed Projects, said: "Like all Gulf Cooperation Council states, Qatar is set to spend less this year as government revenues are impacted by lower oil prices.
"Nonetheless, the projects market in the state is expected to continue apace as the authorities press ahead with their capital investment plans as the deadline for the World Cup looms closer.
"This will ensure a healthy pipeline of new projects will come to the market throughout 2016, providing numerous new opportunities for suppliers, contractors and vendors alike."
Photograph: The Dukhan highway, which is part of Qatar’s expressway programme (Source: Vincent van Zeijst/Wikimedia Commons)
