Qatar Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in qatar, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Architecture, Engineering, & Construction
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Overview

The construction sector has shifted in Qatar following the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup, with slowdowns in projects in the non-residential and transportation infrastructure sub-sectors. However, industry experts are expecting moderate growth as large-scale projects like the buildout for QatarEnergy’s North Field LNG Expansion project ramp up and last until 2026. While the construction and architecture sector in Qatar did slow down after the World Cup, there are still opportunities for renovation and remodeling projects in the coming years. With a booming economy and a focus on improving the infrastructure, there will likely be a high demand for skilled architects and construction workers. Additionally, there was a shift toward sustainable and environmentally friendly building practices creating new challenges and opportunities in the sector.

Construction Sector Prospects

The Qatari government’s adoption of a law governing public-private partnerships (PPPs) was signed by the Amir in May 2020. This PPP law is a positive signal for further opportunities to gain access to the country’s infrastructure sector, allowing a structure by which U.S. firms can access and develop public sector infrastructure development opportunities. This law lays the foundation to enhance and complement the development of additional new projects in Qatar, particularly those in support of the next phase of Qatar National Vision 2030, including but not limited to the construction of schools, telecommunications projects, and hospitals. Qatar is set to award projects that utilize the PPP mechanism with an estimated combined value of $85 billion by 2030. 

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

  • Building materials
  • Engineering and architectural services
  • Construction and project management services
  • Specialized contractors and service providers for education and healthcare facilities.

Opportunities with Major Government Agencies and Quasi-Government Entities

  • Ministry of Municipality
  • Ministry of Environment and Climate Change
  • Public Works Authority (Ashghal)
  • Ministry of Transport
    -Qatar Rail
    -Hamad International Airport
  • Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)
  • Qatari Diar/Lusail Real Estate Development Company
  • Private Engineering Office
  • Qatar Foundation
  • Qatar Energy 

The public and private sectors rely heavily on international expertise in the areas of architectural, construction, and engineering services, creating opportunities in this sector for U.S. firms. U.S. firms are largely present in the design, project, and construction management/supervision services field. 

Largest Ongoing Infrastructure Projects

Hamad International Airport Phase 2 will extend the D and E concourses and increase the passenger capacity of the airport to more than 70 million passengers a year. Construction on this Phase 2 expansion commenced in January 2023 and is ongoing.

On going projects with moderate opportunities

  • North Field East LNG Expansion Project: The USD30bn expansion project is currently in execution stage, with an estimated 2026 completion.
     
  • Qatar Long Distance Railway Project: The project aims to provide freight and passenger services within Qatar, as well as provide links to Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
     
  • Sharq Crossing Project: The USD12bn project is set to provide a 12km road connection via both bridge and subsea tunnel between North and South Doha. Having initially been developed in 2013, the project was relaunched in Qatar’s 2020 budget.
     
  • Hamad International Airport Terminal Expansion:The second phase of the expansion of the Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar.

Resources

Contact the Commercial Section of the U.S. Embassy in Doha.