IT’S a busy time for the Qatar Public Works Authority (Ashghal), following Qatar’s decision to invest tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure development ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

Ashghal chairman Nasser Ali Al Mawlawi said the authority has already awarded two contracts worth $251.48 million since the beginning of the year and is still looking to tender more road projects in the coming months.

Ashghal has awarded a QR555.4 million ($152.58 million) contract to Bin Omran for Trading and Contracting to build service roads leading to Barwa. The deal also includes the construction of 22-km dual and triple carriage roads with 11 intersections and six roundabouts with traffic lights. The project will begin this month and is scheduled to finish in 540 days.

A second deal, worth QR360.2 million ($98.9 million), has been awarded to Hamad bin Khalid Trading and QBS to develop main roads in the area. The work includes establishing and qualifying service networks, road works, pavements and lighting as well as installing a signallised junction on the E Ring Road.

Meanwhile, Al Habtoor Leighton Group (AHLG), a joint venture between Dubai’s Al Habtoor Group and Australia’s Leighton Group, is bidding for deals in Qatar as the state further develops its infrastructure.

Official estimates expect the Gulf state will spend around $55 billion but analysts have predicted it could be up to as much as $86.5 billion.

AHLG has an office in Doha, and is “looking forward to working with the Qatari government,” says executive general manager Tony Saadie.

Gulf contracting firms badly hurt by the collapse of Dubai’s construction boom have been competing for a slice of Qatar’s lucrative market.

In December Abu Dhabi-based Al Jaber Group said it was eyeing projects in the Gulf state while Drake and Scull International and Arabtec Construction are both bidding for contracts.

Meanwhile, key road and transport experts from governments, national and international contractors/consultants across the Middle East are meeting at Oryx Rotana hotel in Doha from March 6 to 9 to engage in a variety of discussions focusing on recent projects and overcoming the challenges in designing, planning and constructing roads.

The event, titled Road Planning, Design and Construction Middle East, have been initiated under the patronage of Ashghal with the aim to aid the government in providing world-class road infrastructure. The conference will include presentations from Al Mawlawi and other key experts from ministries across the Middle East.