Government projects will play a major role in Qatar economy, with the private sector development slowing down, owing to recession. Majority of the forthcoming projects in Qatar are supported by the government, which will enter major stages of development during the coming months. Several billion riyals worth project-related works may be tendered between October and January, bringing in the much-needed cheer to construction industry, reports The Gulf Times. The Qatar-Bahrain Friendship Bridge and the New Doha Port at Mesaieed are few of the major infrastructure projects set to beging during the coming months. Work on New Doha International Airport and Sidra Hospital projects have also reached major stages. QR20bn worth project-related works will be tendered in Qatar between October and January, it has been confirmed. Site preparation works on the $2bn causeway linking Ras Shiraj to Askar (West coast of Qatar to east coast of Bahrain), will begin by the end of this year, and dredging and reclamation works will happen next year. The Causeway project is said to offer both rail and road links between the two countries, thereby boosting bilateral trade. Dredging and excavation on the multi-billion dollar world-scale deep water port at Mesaieed will begin next year. The QR16bn first phase is due for completion by 2014. The New Doha Port project will be spread over 20 square km and will be equipped to handle the world’s largest ships, each laden with up to 12,000 containers. The third phase of the project will be complete by 2030. Two other ongoing infrastructure projects are New Doha International Airport and QR8.6bn Sidra Hospital that have made considerable progress. The first phase of $11bn New Doha International Airport is due for completion in 2011-12 and will be fully operational beyond 2015. Few other infrastructure projects that were being discussed include a rail link connecting industrial cities of the country. Although private sector activities have slowed down considerably in the country over the recent months, Qatar’s economy still remains the best performer in the region. According to an IMF forecast, Qatar economy will grow 18 percent this year and 16.4 percent in 2010. The excellent performance by Qatar has been largely due to the good returns received from its LNG exports. Qatar is now the world’s largest exporter and trans-shipper of LNG.
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