The Covid-19-led precautionary measures appear to have impacted Qatar's construction sector’s prospects as there was a double-digit decline in the number of building permits issued in April, according to the official figures.
In its latest figures, the Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA) also found a substantial decrease in the building completion certificates issued in the review period.
The PSA figures suggest that the total number of new building permits issued were 483, of which Al Rayyan constituted 27% or 131 permits; Doha (25% or 120); Al Wakrah (21% or 103); Al Daayen (12% or 58); Umm Slal (7% or 33); Al Khor (5% or 23); Al Shamal 2% (10) and Al Shahaniya 1% (five).
On a monthly basis, at the national level, there was a 24% fall in the building permits issued but Al Shahaniya, Umm Slal, Al Daayen and Al Khor witnessed a greater 76%, 55%, 36% and 32% declines respectively.
In other municipalities, the decline was slower than the national average as Al Wakrah saw 18% fall, Al Rayyan (14%) and Doha (8%), while Al Shamal maintained a flat path.
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.
The PSA data indicates that the new building permits (residential and non-residential) constituted 51% (244 permits) of the total issued this April, additions 47% (225 permits), and fencing 3% (14 permits).
Of the new residential buildings permits, villas topped the list, accounting for 71% (125 permits) of the total, dwellings of housing loans 17% (30 permits) and apartments 10% (17 permits).
Among non-residential sector, industrial buildings as workshops and factories were found to be in the forefront with them accounting for 45% (31 permits), commercial structures 35% (24 permits) and governmental buildings 12% (eight permits).
The country saw a total of 260 building completion certificates issued in April this year, of which 182 or 70% was for the new buildings (residential and non-residential) and 78 or 30% for additions in April 2020.
Al Rayyan municipality topped the municipalities with 92 certificates or 35% of the total, Al Daayen 50 (19%), Al Wakrah 43 (17%), Doha 35 (13%), Umm Slal 25 (10%), Al Khor and Al Shahaniya six (2%) each and Al Shamal three (1%).
The overall building completion certificates issued witnessed a 31% decrease month-on-month with Al Shamal witnessing a 73% plunge, Al Shahaniya and Al Khor (68%) each, Doha (49%), Al Wakrah (46%) and Al Rayyan (16%).
On the other hand, there was a clear 14% and 4% increase in Al Daayen and Umm Slal.
Of the 169 residential buildings completion certificates issued, as many as 105 or 62% were for villas; dwellings of housing loans 56 or 33% and apartments six or 4%.
Of the 105 villas completion certificates issued this April, as many were 46 were in Al Rayyan, 29 in Al Daayen, 10 in Al Wakrah, eight in Umm Slal, seven in Doha, three in Al Khor and two in Al Shamal.
Of the 56 dwellings of housing loans completion certificates issued, Al Rayyan saw 24, Al Wakrah 18, Umm Slal (5), Al Daayen (4), Al Khor and Doha (2 each), and Al Shahaniya (1).
In the case of apartments, Doha saw as many as four completion certificates being issued; and one each in Al Wakrah and Al Daayen.
