World's leading consultants express significant interest in Qatar’s upcoming railway projectsLocal and international consultants eager to form long-term partnerships
22 May 2011 (Doha, QATAR) – Qatar Railways Company (QRC) concluded last Wednesday a three-day seminar that attracted more than 500 representatives from leading consultancy, advisory, construction and operations companies around the world. The seminar was held in the Qatar Railways Simulation Center at QATARI DIAR headquarters in Lusail, and provided participants with key information on the Qatar Integrated Railways Project, including development plans and timelines as well as procurement requirements.

The seminar was organized over three consecutive days, with three identical workshops a day, each divided into four main sessions. Sessions covered a range of topics on Qatar’s developing railways sector, including: the country’s integrated national railway network, local and international cargo and passenger transport lines, and supporting transport modes; the Lusail light-rail transit system; and strategic procurement & third-party contract management.

Eng. Abdulla bin Abdulaziz Turki Al-Subaie, Managing Director of the Qatar Railways Company commented: “This seminar has laid the foundation for future partnerships with companies that are eager to join our work in a long-term commitment to Qatar."

"The Qatar Integrated Railway Project is a major national endeavor, and we are looking forward to teaming up with leading international and local companies to deliver a valuable project for the people of Qatar and generate dynamic job opportunities for Qatari youth," continued Al-Subaie.

With participating companies coming from across the region, far Asia, Europe and America, QRC was able to obtain a diverse range of input and perspectives on the planned railways projects and to highlight a variety of potential outlets for cooperation.

"I found the workshop to be very well organized, and I came away from it with a clear understanding of the timeline and scope of work to be expected in the next twelve months and beyond," commented Terry Tommason, Partner in EC Harris – Built Asset Consultancy.

Neil Edward Hold, General Manager of Exova (Qatar) W.L.L added, “The workshop has been very informative and enlightening; it has made us aware of the project’s vast scale and we hope that we can contribute to this project in the near future.”

Qatar Railways Company, a private and independent company, was founded to support and coordinate the growth of Qatar’s rail industry. In addition to securing the resources, personnel and organizational requirements necessary to ensure the rail sector’s sustainability, the Qatar Railways Company will also develop the appropriate legal and legislative frameworks to ensure that all local and international regulations are met. As Qatar’s premier railway authority, the Qatar Railways Company will oversee the management, operation and maintenance of all local railways and lead coordination efforts with regional and international rail networks.

In creating Qatar’s much-anticipated state-of-the-art integrated railway network, the Qatar Railways Company will manage the development of the West Bay People Mover, Lusail City’s light-rail transit system, and the integrated Qatar Railways Project, which will incorporate a metro system, long-distance passenger travel, and freight transport.