QDB and Qatar Rail hold workshop

The Workshop opened with speeches by H.E. Hamad Bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Deputy Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Mansoor Bin Ibrahim Al-Mahmoud, CEO of Qatar Development Bank and Eng. Saad Bin Ahmed Al Muhannadi, CEO of Qatar Rail.

These opening remarks were followed by a presentation on Qatar Rail high level impact by Mr. Abdulaziz Al Khalifa, Executive Director, Strategy & Business Development at QDB and a talk on Procurement Strategy by Eng. Saad Al Muhannadi, CEO of Qatar Rail.

The morning ended with two Workshops on New Business and Existing Business opportunities by the international consultancy firm McKinsey & Co.

These detailed opportunities, many 'quick wins', in the areas of infrastructure provision, operations, rolling stock provision, transport operations, maintenance and management services, citing the revenue potential for each from initial sales to Qatar Rail right up to 2032.

Some of these revenue figures run to over $1bn, such as provision of frameworks for stations at $1.2 bn, the supply of liquid concrete at $1.1bn, project management services at $3.6bn, the provision of elevated structures at $3.3bn or the supply of steel rebars and billets at $2.1bn.

"This is the fifth meeting for Qatar Rail with the private sector, which we endeavor to reflect the 2030 Qatar National Vision of HH Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani the Emir of the State of Qatar, to accomplish an influential partnership between the private and public sector," said Eng. Saad Al Muhannadi, Qatar Rail's CEO.

Eng. Al Muhannadi added, "Qatar Rail policy is to conduct workshops to introduce Qatari and foreign investors to the projects before granting any big projects in the bids. This policy is successful and there are Qatari companies in most of the ventures qualified for civil works."

"The workshop focused on the required logistic services and materials for the first phase of Doha Metro and the requirements of Qatar Rail project, so Qatari companies can plan for investment opportunities and contribute in this vital project. Through this preliminary information which the workshop presents, Qatari companies can envision their investment opportunities and participation in the project," Eng. Al Muhannadi concluded.

"Doha Metro will offer investment opportunities to the private sector in the fields of construction, operation and maintenance Al Muhannadi added. "To enhance this step, Qatar Rail has coordinated with QDB and in cooperation with global consultant to determine the investment opportunities of the private sector in the field of railway in details," he further added.

Mr. Mansour Bin Ibrahim Al Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Development Bank, said, "We are delighted for this collaboration between us and Qatar Railways Development Company in order to focus on developing the private sector in Qatar, we, at QDB, continuously look for ways to highlight business opportunities to local industry players by providing up to date information about current developments. Managing one of the largest projects under development in Qatar, Qatar Rail presents a host of prospects to the private sector, which is why we are holding this Workshop today. The Workshop will clarify the size and scope of the project opportunities, and all the finer details that investors and businesses need to know in order to participate and take advantage of such opportunities."

QDB will provide financing solutions for investors to financially support various projects related to Qatar Rail that impact the growth and profitability of the Qatari economy. In terms of sectors, QDB currently has preference to fund manufacturing, industrial or service projects which will contribute to the rail development. These potential opportunities range from research and development, manufacturing, operations and maintenance, training centres to design and development.

Qatar Rail is a private company overseeing the construction of Qatar's multi-billion dollar integrated rail network. The Firm will manage, operate, and maintain the local railway network and the relevant administrative and industrial corporates, in addition to coordinating with regional and global railways.

Qatar Rail is fully responsible of three projects: the integrated Qatar Railway project including the Metro, long-distance trains and cargo trains. The second is the automatic carrier in the west Bay, and finally the light transportation train in Lusail.

To date Qatar Rail has signed five contracts totaling QR1.48 bn to initiate work on the first phase of the metro. The first phase will cover a 129 Km route which plans to open for operation by fourth quarter 2019. The network master plan will build ultimately four rail lines with over 300Km and 98 stations.

Eight contracts are yet to be awarded for Underground & Stations for metro; Elevated, Depot and At-Grade for metro; Railway Systems, Rolling Stock and Track Work for metro; Operations & Maintenance; Design consultant for Long Distance; Civil construction, system, rolling stock and track work for Long Distance.

The tendering process will be managed by Qatar Rail Procurement Department with the majority being open tenders in order to ensure a transparent and fair process for all businesses competing. Any business or investor meeting the selection criteria will be considered, as will joint ventures.