The planning stage is the key component of Qatar’s $60bn World Cup infrastructure programme, according to industry experts speaking at the MEED’s Qatar Projects 2011 conference in Doha.

With tens of billions worth of construction projects planned for construction over the next 12 years, speakers and panellists at the Qatar conference were keen to stress the importance of the planning stage.

“Planning is the biggest challenge. Financial resources are available due to oil and gas, but we need to plan very well,” said Ahmad Jassim al-Jolo, chairman, Qatar Society of Engineers, speaking at the event.

Panelists also pointed to the importance of planning for the years after the 2022 event when organising the construction programme.

“It is important that Qatar creates a legacy with its World Cup, in regards to what will come after,” said Stephen Anderson, partner, UK-based Price Waterhouse Coopers, which is providing advisory services for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia.

“Proper planning is important, not just for 2022, but for the national vision of 2030,” said Al-Jolo.