DOHA – Qatar is pushing ahead with its massive transport infrastructure programs this year, with $17 billion worth of projects still up for grabs. Qatar's Public Works Authority (Ashgal) has lined up 30 highway projects in 2013. As of February, a total of $1.88 billion has already been awarded, including the $640 million Package 13 on the Doha Expressway. “Without a doubt, 2013 is a pivotal year for Qatar's transportation programs. Never has there been a better time for companies skilled with managing and servicing major infrastructure projects to enter and expand their presence in one of the world's fastest growing projects markets,” said Edmund O' Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Events, organizers of the 4th Annual Qatar Transport Conference scheduled on May 28-29, 2013 at the Renaissance Doha City Centre Hotel. In addition to the Expressway Program, the massive transport schemes that have yet to be awarded include the Local Roads & Drainage Program, the Integrated Rail Program, Lusail City Development as well as various bridges, tunnels air & maritime port expansion programs. With the FIFA 2022 World Cup less than a decade away, there is a greater urgency for Qatar to award transport projects that will be critical to the country's successful staging of the world's biggest sporting spectacle. Organizers say the conference has been designed to provide a comprehensive guide to Qatar's multi-billion dollar projects market and detail where the business and investment opportunities will be in the coming 12-18 months. In particular, there has been a massive interest in Qatar's high speed and freight rail projects, Phase One of which involves the 195 kilometer freight line linking Port Mesaieed to Ras Laffan. The next phase will focus on the construction of the 150 kilometer high-speed connection to Bahrain, and the final phase will involved the construction of a 165 kilometer network linking Dukhan to Al-Shamal and Doha City. Another project that will pick up in activity is the Doha Metro, for which the Gold & Green Lines are expected to be awarded at the end of second quarter this year, while the rolling stock and systems contracts will be handed out early next year and the O&M packages in 2015. Delegates attending the conference can expect to gain a comprehensive understanding of where the huge transport infrastructure budget will be invested for the rest of 2013, as well as be able to correctly anticipate the investments and projects activities that will be made until 2018. Other presentations and panel discussions will cover the entire spectrum of transport projects in Qatar, including rail, ports, freight, and airport developments. Among the high profile experts confirmed to speak at the conference include Eng. Essa Mohammed Ali Kaldari, Chief Executive Officer, Lusail Real Estate Development Company, who will deliver the Keynote Address – a presentation of the vision for the Lusail City Development detailing the latest progress and upcoming plans relating to vital transportation infrastructure in the city. As a major international event, Qatar Transport 2013 will attract a large and influential international audience, and thus provide attendees unprecedented networking opportunities that are available with high profile government representatives, project owners, general engineering consultants, contractors, financiers & investors, and specialist service providers to the transport industry. — SG
