Qatar calls for Turkish investment ahead of World Cup

Qatar’s government is inviting Turkish contractors to participate in the construction of a number of infrastructure, stadium and hotel projects ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, according to a top official. “The total amount of the investment will be around $170 billion,” Nasser Ali al-Mawlawi, president of the Qatari public works authority told on the sidelines of the sixth Turkish-Arab Economic Forum in Istanbul. “Turkish companies will be supported financially for the new projects in Qatar,” he said. Turkish companies had invested a total of $4 billion in Qatar by the end of 2010, al-Mawlawi said, adding that the current presence of 25 Turkish contractors in the Gulf state had proven the capacity of Turkish companies such large infrastructure projects. Al-Mawlawi said Turkish companies could tender for the railway project with no need of a financial guarantee, but added that Qatar could still provide the money if necessary. “We have observed that Turkish companies have the skill, know-how and technology for mega projects.”Al-Mawlawi said the Qatari authorities were ready to issue a quality certificate for construction companies. “Turkish firms will receive it easily,” he added.