The government is expected to allocate around QR20bn worth of funds to “rebuild” select areas in and around Doha City as part of the second phase of massive infrastructure works in preparation for Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup in 2022.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of ‘The Big 5 Qatar’ opening ceremony on Monday at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre (DECC), HE the Minister of Municipality and Environment Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi said the funds to be allocated will be used for internal roads and areas surrounding the football stadiums, as well as new cities.

“Projects are continuing in Qatar, so infrastructure work is ongoing. We have now entered the second phase of rebuilding up infrastructure inside Doha City, and also for the stadiums, as well as areas around these stadiums so that everything will be prepared for the FIFA World Cup in 2022,” the minister said.

Al-Rumaihi added: “We have the internal roads, and we have to rebuild everything inside Doha now as we finish the highways from outside, so this is one area that we are focusing on.

“It will be a good opportunity for building, not only the roads, but also the areas around it like the pavements, walkways, cycling paths, and Doha’s Corniche side, as well as new cities like Lusail City. We will also cover cultural villages. Other than the current ones, there will be new projects, as well.”

Al-Rumaihi led the ribbon cutting ceremony of The Big 5 Qatar, which will run until September 26. It is supported by Ashghal, Manateq, Qatar Development Bank, and Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).

After the ceremony, the minister toured the exhibition halls and visited some of the international pavilions, which include Turkey, Italy, India, China, Iran, and Kuwait. The Big 5 Qatar gathered over 240 exhibitors from 21 countries, which are displaying the latest building technologies, solutions, and innovations.

dmg events Doha country manager Rawad Sleem said The Big 5 Qatar’s debut in the country shows how ready local and international exhibitors could support “the ambitious plans of Qatar’s built environment.”

“We are extremely proud to launch The Big 5 Qatar. We have seen a keen interest from international players looking to do business in Qatar’s construction sector, and we are honoured to offer them access to local suppliers who can support their growth in the country,” Sleem said.

He said to further promote Qatar’s “unique opportunities” for international business visitors, The Big 5 Qatar and QTA will feature a ‘hosted buyers programme’ and a tour for international media throughout the event “to bring global business visitors even closer to local prospects.”

“Bringing solutions for the entire construction process, the event displays hundreds of products across seven dedicated sectors: MEP services, building interiors and finishes, building envelope and special construction, construction tools and building materials, construction technologies and innovations, concrete, and plant machinery and vehicles,” he said.

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