Qatar urged to 'go local' for World Cup build-up

Qatar is being urged to use its local construction industry supply chain for the 2022 World Cup build-up.

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Qatar’s huge diversification drive over the next decade can be successfully completed by using materials sourced locally. That is the view of Aroop Zutshi, global president and managing partner of Frost & Sullivan.

Global companies are set to seize on the vast infrastructure projects which have to be completed for the 2022 FIFA Football World Cup in Qatar.

The number of Qatari nationals in the country’s private sector is less than 1% (though efforts are in place to increase that to 15% by 2030). Infrastructure projects that will bear fruite in the next decade will be done largely with foreign minds and hands.

According to Zutshi, that does not necessarily mean that products will similarly have to be imported. “There are a whole range of construction materials that are already produced locally,” said Zutshi, speaking at a Frost & Sullivan seminar in its ‘Emerging Market Growth Series’, entitled ‘Middle East on a Diversification Drive, with Qatar Leading the Way: What's in Store this Decade?’.

“Yes, speciality chemicals will be imported, but we expect a large chunk of building and construction materials to be sourced locally [in the coming years]. Some major materials such as adhesives are imported but, in time, we expect them to be sourced locally also.”

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Zutshi believes the key to all projects in Qatar is that the risk involved is exceptionally low. Plus, the potential benefits to those claiming a direct stake in what will almost certainly be one of the country’s most significant decades ever, are exceptionally high.

The World Economic Forum currently ranks Qatar as the most competitive economy in the MENA region, and the 17th globally. GDP per capita in the country is the highest in the world.

“We are working with the Qatari government. We do not see anything in the next five to ten years derailing these plans. In Qatar, we see them going right the way through,” said Zutshi.

Frost & Sullivan chemicals, materials and food industry manager Vishnu Shankar is equally confident of success for companies savvy enough to reap the benefits of Qatar over the coming decade.

“When we talk about construction, we are talking about buildings, steel, adhesives, pipes, pumps and valves and many other sectors.

“There are the kinds of opportunities that are throwing themselves at those who want to participate in the huge potential in the region,” said Shankar.