Salini Impregilo, an Italian industrial group specialising in the construction and civil engineering business, has signed a contract for the construction of the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, 50 km north of Qatar’s capital Doha.

The stadium, a venue for the 2022 Fifa World Cup Qatar, will be built under a contract worth €770 million ($850 million), of which €716 million ($806 million) is for construction and more than €53 million ($58.52 million) for operation and maintenance.

The stadium can accommodate 70,000 spectators, and features an auxiliary building, said Salini Impregilo.

The Milan-based company, in joint venture with Oman’s Galfar and Italian stadium developer Cimolai, won the contract amid stiff competition from companies based in France, Austria and India.

The project was awarded by the Aspire Zone, a Qatari government foundation responsible for the development of sports infrastructure in the country.

The stadium is said to be inspired by the ‘Bayt Al Sha’ar’, the black and white tent traditionally used by nomadic people in Qatar, which is seen as symbol of hospitality for desert travellers.