Qatar's real estate and construction sector began 2023 on a stronger note with building permits issued in the country witnessing a stupendous 37% month-on-month jump in January, according to official estimates.
Qatar saw as many as 721 building permits issued in January 2023, which however declined 5% on an annualised basis in the review period, said the figures released by the Planning and Statistics Authority.
Al Rayyan, Al Wakra and Doha municipalities together constituted 67% of the total building permit issued in January 2023.
The building permits data is of particular importance as it is considered an indicator for the performance of the construction sector which in turn occupies a significant position in the national economy.
Of the total number of new building permits issued, Al Rayyan constituted 179 permits or 25% of the total, followed by Al Wakra 160 (22%), Doha 141 (20%), Al Daayen 111 (15%), Al Khor 44 (6%), Umm Slal 38 (5%), Al Shahaniya 31 (4%) and Al Shamal 17 (2%).
On a monthly basis, the total building permits issued in Al Khor reported 132% growth, Al Shahaniya (72%), Al Rayyan (64%), Al Daayen (46%), Al Shamal (42%), Al Wakra (23%) and Doha (13%); even as those issued in Umm Slal treaded a flat path in January 2023.
On an annualised basis, total building permits issued in Al Daayen shrank 26%, Umm Slal (17.4%) and Al Rayyan (8.7%); whereas those issued in Al Shahaniya shot up 47.6%, Al Shamal (30.8%), Al Wakra (5.3%) and Doha (2.9%) this January.
The new building permits (residential and non-residential) constituted 275 permits or 38% of the total building permits issued in January 2023, additions 423 (59%) and fencing 23 (3%).
Of the new residential buildings permits, villas topped the list, accounting for 86% (166 permits), apartments 7% (14) and dwellings of housing loans 5% (nine).
Among the non-residential sector, commercial structures accounted for 58% or 48 permits, the industrial buildings as workshops and factories 22% (18 permits) and governmental buildings 10% (eight permits).
Qatar saw a total of 387 building completion certificates issued in January 2023, of which 266 or 69% was for the new buildings (residential and non-residential) and 121 or 31% for additions.
Qatar saw a 15% month-on-month expansion in the total building completion certificates issued in January 2023 with Doha registering 69% growth, Umm Slal (26%), Al Rayyan (14%), Al Wakra (7%) and Al Daayen (4%); while those issued in Al Shamal declined 50%, and Al Khor and Al Shahaniya (22% each).
On an annualised basis, total building completion certificates issued in the country saw 20.2% growth with Al Daayen registering 47.3% increase, Al Rayyan (45.1%), Al Shamal (25%), Doha (24.6%) and Al Wakra (2.6%); whereas Al Shahaniya and Umm Slal declined 36.4% and 25% respectively in January 2023.
Al Rayyan constituted 103 certificates or 27% of the total number of building completion certificates issued in the review period, Al Daayen 21% or 81, Doha 21% or 81, Al Wakra 20% or 79, Umm Slal 6% or 24, Al Khor 2% or seven, Al Shahaniya 2% or seven and Al Shamal 1% or five in January 2023.
Of the 200 residential buildings completion certificates issued, as many as 162 or 81% were for villas, 16 or 8% for dwellings of housing loans and six or 3% for apartments.
Of the 162 villas completion certificates issued in January 2023, as many as 52 were in Al Rayyan, 33 in Al Daayen, 29 in Al Wakra, 23 in Doha, 17 in Umm Slal, three each in Al Khor and Al Shamal and two in Al Shahaniya.
In the case of 14 apartments, Doha issued 11 completion certificates; three in Al Rayyan; and one each in Al Daayen and Al Khor.