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French conglomerates Alstom and Vinci signed a 2bn euro ($2.72bn) deal with Qatar yesterday to build a tram system in the future Lusail City, while the two countries also discussed a possible defence contract. |
The deal, which will see the light rail system starting to operate in 2018-20, was signed in front of journalists during a visit to Paris by HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
One of the Gulf’s largest real estate developments, Lusail City is expected to house up to 200,000 people and contain commercial districts including the $275mn Marina Mall project, 22 hotels, four islands and two golf courses.
The estimated $45bn development will also feature the 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium, where the championship match of the 2022 World Cup soccer tournament will be played.
Asked whether France had raised the issue of worker conditions during the Emir’s visit, a French official said, “We talk about everything with Qatar. There are no forbidden topics.”
Leaders of the two countries also discussed the possible sale of French Rafale fighter jets, built by Dassault Aviation, to Qatar but there was no immediate conclusion.
“They discussed it. Negotiations are continuing,” a source close to French President Francois Hollande said following a meeting held during the Emir’s first official visit to France.
Qatar’s air force operates a squadron of 12 Dassault Mirage-2000 jets, but is now looking to buy 72 jets in two equal tranches.
“Qatar has always chosen French technology for its armed forces,” Hollande said in a speech at a dinner banquet hosting the Emir. The Emir made no reference to the Rafale during his remarks, delivered in French.
France is anxious to secure its first export buyer for the Rafale as it also tries to close a long-awaited $15bn deal with India for a purchase of 126 of the multi-role jets.
In Qatar, Dassault Aviation is competing with the Eurofighter Typhoon - offered by a European consortium of Airbus Group, BAE Systems and Finmeccanica - and the F-15 fighter built by US planemaker Boeing.
“Traditionally, Qatar is a French stronghold in arms exports but they have been buying from elsewhere,” said Douglas Barrie, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noting speculation that Qatar might split the order and go for a mixed fleet despite incurring extra training costs.
Emir holds talks with French president
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and French President held a session of official talks at Elysee Palace yesterday.
They discussed regional and international developments.
The Emir and the French president witnessed the signing of an economic co-operation agreement between the governments of Qatar and France on enhancing small and medium enterprises, a cultural co-operation agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding between the Qatari Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Institute and France’s National School of Administration (ENA), a contract for the construction and supply of Lusail’s light rail system, and a contract on the management of engineering services project for the metro system.
An official reception ceremony was held for the Emir at the Military School.
HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and French President Francois Hollande look on as
Director of the French National School of Administration (ENA) Nathalie Loiseau and Qatar’s
ambassador to France, Mechael Ben Hamad al-Thani shake hands during the signing of agreements at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris yesterday.