Doha Metro, implemented by Qatar Rail, will provide numerous investment opportunities for the country's private sector in construction, operations and maintenance even as a study shows the project will boost private sector activities in the national GDP by 0.7%.
Overall, the country's nominal GDP will see an increase of 0.3% in view of the investment opportunities in the mega project, Qatar Rail said.
The project is expected to create thousands of job opportunities for nationals in particular.
Qatar Rail, in association with Qatar Development Bank (QDB) and a global consultant, has identified some 104 opportunities for the local private sector in the project.
The most prominent opportunities will be in manufacturing ready concrete mix for tunnels, engineering digging works, construction of deep foundations, manufacturing waste pipes and sewage systems extensions, construction of structural frames (stations), manufacturing pre-designed steel networks, standard manufacturing (steel bars and blocks), manufacturing of heavy duty glass and ready concrete blocks for the elevated structures, manufacturing ready concrete blocks (stations), manufacturing protection walls and internal spare parts and construction of elevated flyovers and structures.
To enhance local private-sector participation in the ambitious national project, Qatar Rail has insisted that international firm/consortium of companies wishing to bid for major tenders should be in partnership with a Qatari company.
And that has "worked well" for Qatar Rail as most foreign companies have a Qatari partner in the recently-awarded contracts for phase one of Doha Metro.
"The partnership of local companies with international firms is a perfect combination to bid for Qatar Rail projects. Local companies have the expertise and experience in existing laws, local projects and logistics, while international foreign companies have comprehensive expertise in building railways," Qatar Rail said.
Some of the prominent Qatari companies that have entered into a partnership with international companies in the building and design works of Doha Metro are: Qatar Building Company, Galfar Al-Misnad Engineering and Contracting, Al-Darwish Engineering and HBK Contracting.
Praising Qatar Rail's support of the local companies, Sheikh Ali bin Hamad al-Thani, president of HBK Contracting, said: "The World Cup 2022 has given a big impetus for infrastructure growth in Qatar. This growth in infrastructure is expected to be followed after a period of time by growth in the construction sector. There are a lot of international players in the sector but they ultimately need support of local companies to be able to deliver the project. The enhanced support provided in Qatar Rail's projects to the local companies will further enhance the capabilities of these companies."
Galfar Al-Misnad Engineering and Contracting CEO Satish G Pillai said: "Qatar Rail opened up business opportunities for Qatari companies by stipulating mandatory requirement of participation of local companies as consortium partners in large contracts by associating with large companies from world over."
Qatar Rail has conducted studies and provided information to private sector companies so they can plan their strategy on investment opportunities and participation in the project.
For this, Qatar Rail said it had been "very transparent" in providing all information related to Doha Metro and Railway Projects. It has held many meetings with local companies in order to place before them the opportunities that Qatar Rail provides to the country's private sector.
Gulf Times
4 July
