By Ross JacksonA Korean delegation representing 23 companies in the field of architecture, construction and engineering is currently visiting Qatar for the Korea-Qatar Business Forum 2011. Under the leadership of the Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency, the delegates met with representatives of Qatari firms and institutions such as Kahramaa, Qatari Diar and Qatar National Hotel Company to learn more about current and future projects in the country and to discuss the possibility of co-operation and partnership. The Korean delegates were given a presentation by Syed Hasan of Masraf al-Rayan Bank on a number of projects planned for the coming years, including the Qatar-Bahrain causeway, the Doha Metro, the Doha Port project and the Doha subsea tunnel as well as Lusail City. Saad Ahmed Ibrahim al-Mohannadi of Kahramaa presented the Energy City project. Korean companies, having helped build their own country’s infrastructure, buildings and stadiums in the build-up to the FIFA World Cup 2002 hosted jointly by Japan and Korea, are keen to share their expertise as Qatar prepares for 2022. Korean Ambassador to Qatar Chang Seejong, speaking at the opening of the forum, said: “Qatar, the host nation for FIFA World Cup 2022, has become the hub of Middle East with a high economic growth rate, and it is believed that the Qatari economy will continue to growing rapidly and steadily at the forthcoming stage on a very stable base.” The ambassador added: “As Korea has experienced holding many international sports events including the 1988 Olympic Games and the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Korean companies have efficiently and timely implemented numerous infrastructure and construction projects needed for these world sports events. These landmark structures are still standing evidence for the excellence and professionalism of those companies.”A number of Korean firms already have a great deal of experience working in Qatar, such as Daewoo and GS who have both completed a number of projects in the oil and gas industry, including facilities in Ras Laffan, Messaieed and other areas. Dong-Hwan Kang, branch manager of Daewoo E&C Doha office, explained that as the growth of Qatar’s oil and gas industry begins to wane, Korean companies like his are trying to target infrastructure and real-estate development projects. Both Daewoo and GS built infrastructure, real-estate developments, subway systems and stadiums in Korea prior to 2002.