DOHA: The private sector is participating in Qatar’s rail project in a big way despite the fact that it is a sector new to the region, Minister of Transport H E Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Sulaiti said yesterday.
Qatar Rail yesterday organised a workshop in the presence of Prime Minister and Interior Minister H E Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani to brief the private sector on commercial opportunities related to the company’s ventures and the launch of preparation works for the metro system.
The Ministry of Transport encourages the Qatari private sector to participate in transport projects thanks to the state’s belief in incorporating the private sector, said the minister. The share of contracts awarded to the private sector within the scope of the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram projects had reached 70 percent, versus the 30 percent awarded to international companies, he said.
“In line with the state’s efforts to encourage the participation and investment of the private sector in the mega projects and initiatives, the Ministry of Transportation aims to push the Qatari private sector to take part in all transportation projects and provide their expertise and technologies” said H E Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti.
According to Qatar Rail, the share of contracts awarded to the private sector within the scope of the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram projects reached 70 percent, versus the 30 percent awarded to international companies.
“Qatar Rail created an ideal model for providing information on all the opportunities associated with the Metro project, and held more than one meeting with local companies to demonstrate the size of the project opportunities available to them,” said the minister. “Qatar Rail, in collaboration with the Qatar Development Bank and in cooperation with a global consultancy firm, identified investment opportunities in details, indicating more than 104 opportunities that are available to the private sector, thus adding value to the local economy,” he added.
Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al-Thani voiced his appreciation of engaging the private sector in the rail project and briefing it on available opportunities.
The day-long event drew the participation of over 600 local and international companies and comes as part of Qatar Rail’s keenness on interpreting Qatar National Vision 2030 to achieve an effective partnership between the public and private sectors.
“Qatar Rail held numerous meetings with the private sector to translate the National Vision 2030, to achieve effective partnership between the public and private sectors. It comes as part of the company’s policy to host introductory workshops for national and foreign investors before launching bidding process for a project. This strategy has proven to be successful in involving several Qatari companies in all joint ventures assigned for the civil works,” said Eng. Saad Ahmed Al Muhannadi, CEO of Qatar Rail.THE PENINSULA
