QATAR. According to Business Monitor International (BMI), Qatar is expected to spend US$80-US$100 billion over the next five years to prepare and deliver the infrastructure required to support the huge influx of visitors forecast to attend the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

BMI expects to see a sharp growth of 11.6% to QAR27.4 billion (US$7.5 billion) during 2011 and continuing in an upward trajectory to the end of our forecast period to 2015.

The large investments to develop the transportation networks have been allocated, including a combined budget of US$45 billion on developing the country's rail and road networks and US$1 billion on a proposed crossing between the airport and Northern Doha.

Existing project timelines are also likely to accelerate to meet other infrastructure requirements.

The Qatari government has agreed to invest QAR3 billion (US$824 million) in 13 large infrastructure projects across the country through the Public Works Authority, Ashghal. Key road projects include a 3-lane highway in Barwa City, the reconstruction of the Najma road and the development of the Doha Expressway, valued at US$27 million.

The latter which will connect the north and south of Qatar is anticipated to be completed in 2015 and involves a number of interconnected roads, bridges, interchanges and underpasses.

In addition, the Dukhan Highway, also under construction, has been valued at US$300 million. The largest proposed projects located within the Lusail City development include the Lusail Highway, tendered at US $687 million, Light Rail Transit network and marina bridges.

All of the projects include a number of bridge projects which have been designed and located to account for the rising population and aim to increase accessibility, reduce commute times and ease traffic congestion.

Key transport stakeholders will be attending the 4th Annual Bridges Middle East summit, in Doha from 27 - 30 November 2011, to highlight these projects and tenders in addition to evaluating best-practice methods and standards for creating durable, sustainable bridge structures from state-of-the-art materials and technologies.

Senior representatives from Qatar Public Works Authority, Ashghal, Qatar Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning, Lusail Real Estate Development Company, Ministry of Works Bahrain, Ministry of Public Works Kuwait, Directorate of Public Works Sharjah, Roads and Transport Authority Dubai, Transportation Research Board USA and South Central Railway India will be addressing the delegation.

All information is available at http://www.bridgesme.com.

About International Quality and Productivity Centre (IQPC) Middle East:

For over thirty years, IQPC has helped the world's leading corporations solve their business challenges through the sharing of practical industry solutions and global best practice. In the process, the company has built a formidable reputation for quality and value. During this time, the Middle East's most progressive companies have benefited from IQPC's unrivalled global reach, which has connected international expertise with regional and local leaders.

For more information, visit http://www.iqpc.ae

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