Qatar’s Public Works Authority (Ashghal) awarded about $3.2bn-worth of contracts on its huge expressway programme in 2013, according Tahir Hanif, project control specialist at Ashghal.

Speaking at MEED’s Qatar Projects conference on 18 March in Doha, Hanif said the aim of the programme is to reduce traffic congestion and prepare the country’s infrastructure for the World Cup in 2022. With that in mind, the deadline for completing the programme is 2020.  

The programme, which consists of 4,800 kilometres of roads and 157 grade-separated intersections, comprises 32 major projects, which is further broken down into 49 construction contracts, with a further $5.3bn-worth of work under tender, Hanif said.

In Doha alone, Ashghal has awarded three concept design projects, while 25 contracts have been awarded, which now are in the detailed design phase. There are currently five projects under procurement in the capital, and 15 that are under construction.

All companies seeking to bid for contracts must be prequalified by Ashghal. In terms of characteristics the authority is looking for in contractors, local expertise is seen as key. “Local knowledge is very important, as is local customs and how people operate,” Hanif said. “I think you should take the time to understand the culture and find a good joint-venture partner.

“We also want companies that are agile. If you want a project where everything is fixed and all the drawing are set, well, that doesn’t happen. So working with the client and the stakeholders is very important. There has to be flexibility on both sides,” he added.