Market Trends of Qatar Construction Industry
Government’s Focus on the Construction Sector
- Government spending will play a crucial role in boosting the construction sector's growth. According to Qatar's 2021 budget, new projects worth QAR 53.9 billion (USD 14.80 Billion) were identified. These infrastructure-related projects were expected to be awarded from 2021 to 2023.
- The government aims to develop infrastructure and diversify the economy by moving away from its dependence on the oil and gas sector. In efforts to diversify the economy, Qatar has opened economic free zones attracting companies from around the world.
- The endorsement of new laws regulating public-private partnerships (PPPs) is expected to attract private sector investment in developing infrastructure, educational institutes, and healthcare projects, hence supporting industry growth during the forecast period. Investments in transportation infrastructure projects will also support growth during the forecast period. State-run Qatar Railways plans to begin construction of a rail line linking Qatar and Saudi Arabia at the end of 2023.
- In addition to building stadiums specifically to host World Cup matches, Qatar has been investing and continues to invest in modernizing its infrastructure. The goal is to develop into a more significant global transportation hub. Top priorities are the development of airports, a more extensive metropolitan network, and upgraded roadways and emerging cities.
- While some projects will have a long-term impact, the government already has many initiatives with concrete short-term benefits. The Qatari government has identified several urgent projects for the medium term, earmarking QAR 54 billion (USD 15 billion) for these. In the second quarter of 2021, spending on major infrastructure projects totaled QAR 15 billion (USD 4 billion), or 20.8% of the state's spending budget.
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Booming Realty Helping the Construction Sector
- The construction and realty sector prospects are brighter, especially outside the capital of Qatar. According to official statistics, compared to an overall decline at the national level, there was a significant year-on-year increase in the number of building permits issued in five municipalities in October 2021.
- The overall number of building licenses issued in the nation in October 2021 decreased by 6.3% from the previous year. However, Umm Slal, Al Khor, Al Shahaniya, Al Wakra, and Al Shamal all had higher growth rates, with Umm Slal recording the highest growth of 42.9%, followed by Al Khor (25%), Al Shahaniya (20%), Al Wakra (16.7%), and Al Shamal (14.3%). In the case of Al Daayen, Doha, and Al Rayyan, there was a decrease of 28.7%, 22%, and 13.8%, respectively, in the period studied.
- As per figures released by the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA), Qatar issued a total of 685 building permits in October 2021, with Al Rayyan, Al Wakra, and Al Daayen municipalities together constituting as much as 65% of the total.
- On a monthly basis, there was a decrease of 7% in the number of building permits issued, with Al Daayen registering a 35% plunge, followed by Al Shamal (33%), Doha (21%), Al Shahaniya (17%), and Al Rayyan (1%). Meanwhile, there was a 31% increase in the case of Al Wakra, 18% in Al Khor, and 11% in Umm Salal. The building permit data is of particular importance as it is considered an indicator of the performance of the construction sector, which, in turn, occupies a significant position in the national economy.
