The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) has launched and awarded a major new package of infrastructure and building projects worth about QR11.5bn, advancing national plans for integrated roads, drainage and public facilities in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Ashghal Monday disclosed 12 projects, with a combined value exceeding QR4.5bn that have already been awarded. These include six key building schemes: the development of Hamad General Hospital, the design and construction of a new postal building in Al Thumama, refurbishment works for the Racing and Equestrian Club and the Qatar Equestrian Federation, and the fourth phase of the Al Uqda Equestrian Complex development. In the roads and residential infrastructure sector, four projects have been awarded, notably the development of roads and infrastructure in Izghawa and Al Thumid (Packages 1 and 2). The awarded package also covers beautification works and air‑conditioned pathways within Qatar University campus, under wider public realm enhancement efforts. Ashghal added that a further eight projects, with an estimated total value of around QR7bn, will be tendered in the next phase. These include major strategic works such as the design and construction of the Southern Strategic Tunnel for surface and groundwater drainage, and the Western Strategic Tunnel for the same purpose in the southern area, aimed at strengthening the stormwater network, boosting overall infrastructure efficiency and reducing flooding risks. **media[417832]**Upcoming tenders will also extend to road and infrastructure development for citizens’ land plots in various northern and southern areas. His Excellency President of Ashghal, Eng. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Meer, said the authority is moving ahead with implementation in line with the State’s strategic plans for roads, buildings, drainage and service facilities, and in step with urban and economic development requirements. He pointed out that the current portfolio comprises 20 projects valued at more than QR 11.5bn, and that during the first quarter of 2026 alone, 12 projects worth over QR 4.5bn were awarded, including the Hamad General Hospital redevelopment and the Al Thumama postal building. **media[417834]**Eight additional projects, valued at about QR 7bn, are scheduled for tender, among them two major drainage tunnels in the southern region and infrastructure works for residential areas and citizens’ plots. Al-Meer stressed that the awarded projects have been given to Qatari companies, reflecting Ashghal’s commitment to empowering national firms, enhancing their competitiveness and consolidating the local private sector as a principal development partner, thereby supporting the national economy and strengthening technical and engineering capabilities in the domestic market. Projects Affairs Director Eng. Khalid al-Khayareen said the new portfolio covers critical sectors such as roads, infrastructure, drainage and buildings, demonstrating the breadth of Ashghal’s programme and its responsiveness to the needs of different regions. He highlighted the Hamad General Hospital redevelopment as one of the most significant awarded projects, noting that it involves a comprehensive modernisation of systems and facilities to keep pace with rapid advances in the healthcare sector, at a total value of about QR1.179bn, and is expected to enhance both service quality and operational efficiency. Director of the Engineering Services Department, Ghanem al-Mansoori, underlined that all tendering and awarding procedures are carried out in accordance with the Tenders Law and its executive regulations to ensure transparency and equal opportunity. Contractor selection, he said, is based on clear technical and financial benchmarks, focusing on competence, experience and professional track record, while giving priority to Qatari companies in line with Ashghal’s strategy to support the national private sector.

Qatar Calendar has announced preparations to welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan, unveiling a nationwide programme of events and activities spanning heritage, culture, sports and family entertainment. The calendar, presented by Visit Qatar, has been developed to reflect the spiritual character of Ramadan while offering residents and visitors a range of experiences across the country. Dubbed “Qatar, Your Home in Ramadan”, these preparations form part of Visit Qatar’s ongoing destination strategy, supporting year-round tourism while maintaining a strong focus on cultural authenticity and community engagement during the Holy Month. Ramadaniyat Heenat Salma will take place throughout the Holy Month, offering an immersive Ramadan experience rooted in nature, culture, and community. The programme brings together farm workshops, artisan installations, live performances, Ramadan talks, Qur’an recitations, and wellness sessions under open skies. The Throwback Food Festival returns for its third edition, taking place until the end of Ramadan at Old Doha Port. The festival revisits the culinary themes of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Leading the season are Barahat Ramadan Nights and Layali Msheireb at Msheireb Downtown Doha, where contemporary architecture blends with traditional ambience to create distinctive iftar and suhoor experiences alongside cultural activities. The Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs is organising a series of religious lectures under the official title “Noor Ramadan Lectures” at Katara Cultural Village. Celebrating heritage, Darb Al Saai presents the Al Razji Event, highlighting authentic Qatari traditions through crafts, traditional attire and folk chants. The country also comes alive with widespread celebrations of Garangao Night across multiple locations, most notably Souq Waqif, The Pearl Island, Gewan Island and Old Doha Port. The port will also host Ramadan at Old Doha Port, featuring Musaher Al Mina, the Iftar Cannon and Farewell to Ramadan activities. Shopping takes on a special character with Hayyi Ramadan Trade Fair at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, the fourth edition of The Pearl Ramadan Bazaar, Lagoona Mall Ramadan Nights, and the Museum of Islamic Art Bazaar, which offers a distinctive outdoor shopping experience in the park. In addition, the Ramadan Shopping Fair 2026 at Al Wakrah Old Souq, running until February 27, presents a unique Ramadan experience that brings together essential provisions for the Holy Month in a heritage-inspired waterfront setting. Qatar will host several major sporting events during Ramadan, including the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2026 and the QSF 2 PSA Satellite “Senior” (1K) Squash Tournament. The equestrian calendar features CHI Al Shaqab presented by Longines, the Longines Global Champions Tour, and Al Shaqab Cup. Lusail International Circuit will host Toyota GR Yaris Qatar Season 2. Team sports events include the Doha International Basketball Tournament for National Teams and FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers. Additional activities include the Ekbes Ramadan Beach Volleyball Tournament, The Pearl Island Ramadan Football and Padel Tournaments, and The North Challenge – Ramadan Edition. Qatar’s museums and cultural institutions will continue their exhibition programmes during Ramadan. The National Museum of Qatar and Qatar Preparatory School host “Countryside: A Place to Live, Not to Leave”. The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum presents “Esports A Game Changer”. Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art marks its 15th anniversary with “Resolutions: Celebrating 15 Years of Mathaf” and presents “Water’s Witness” by Tarek Atoui.The Museum of Islamic Art hosts “Empire of Light: Visions and Voices of Afghanistan”, while the Fire Station presents “Ho Tzu Nyen: Hotel Aporia” and “Haroon Mirza: Everything Was, Is and Always Will Be”.

His Excellency Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani toured the 13th Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition (AgriteQ 2026) at Katara Cultural Village Monday evening, in a visit that underscored Qatar’s drive to align cutting-edge agri-tech with its long-term food security agenda.Accompanied by His Excellency Minister of Municipality Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah al-Attiyah and a number of senior officials, the prime minister moved through the busy halls of the fair, where exhibitors from Qatar and abroad demonstrated technologies designed to boost local production and build a more resilient food system.Spanning more than 40,000sqm, AgriteQ 2026 brought together over 500 exhibitors from around 40 countries. The event featured dedicated zones for plant and animal production, fisheries and aquaculture, horticulture, food industries, transportation and logistics services as well as pavilions for biotechnology and smart agricultural systems. Organisers also set up themed markets for local farmers, honey, dates and flowers as key attractions for families and sector professionals alike.​During his tour, the Prime Minister was briefed on projects showcasing precision irrigation, climate-controlled greenhouses, and digital platforms for managing agricultural supply chains, all of which are being tested or deployed in Qatari farms to increase efficiency while conserving natural resources. Officials and experts taking part in the exhibition told *Gulf Times that such innovations are central to the state’s efforts to strengthen self-sufficiency in key commodities and reduce vulnerability to disruptions in global trade.​AgriteQ 2026 comes as Qatar continues to roll out the third phase of the National Food Security Strategy (2024-2030), which aims to expand domestic output, diversify import sources and enhance strategic reserves, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.