Qatar’s new government is changing the way projects in the country are coordinated with the formation of a new ministry to manage the development and operation of transportation systems.

Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti was appointed Minister for Transport when Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani came to power in late June this year. The new ministry will oversee some of the largest projects in Qatar including the Doha Metro, new rail lines connecting to Saudi Arabia, the New Doha Port Project, and Hamad International airport.

The new ministry will reduce the scope of Qatar’s Central Planning Office, which was set up by the Municipality and Urban Planning Ministry in January 2012. UK-based consultant Atkins secured a three-year contract to support the organisation, and its role has now been reduced with 30-40 employees leaving the organisation, with some facing possible redundancy.

“We can confirm that we have entered into redundancy consultation with 23 people in Qatar. We hope to redeploy as many of those affected as possible to other positions within the region. Overall we are continuing to grow in Qatar, where our business is more than 500 strong,” said an Atkins spokesman.