M'sian firms urged to pull resources to win Qatar contracts

DUBAI: Malaysian construction companies and service providers should consider banding together, if they are keen on securing projects related to Qatar's winning bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) senior trade commissioner Datuk Dzulkifli Mahmud said Malaysians had to pool resources and go to Qatar as consortiums.

"This may well apply not only to contractors but also other service providers as well as professionals like engineers, architects, quantity surveyors and others, so that we can bid for projects more effectively," he told Bernama in an interview.

"If we can do this, we stand a good chance of having a piece of the action," added the Dubai-based trade official.

Recent reports suggested that Qatar was set for a construction boom worth an estimated US$60 billion (RM184.8 billion) in the wake of its successful World Cup bid.

According to the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED), the projects would involve new stadiums, hotels, highways and a rail network among others.

Matrade Dubai has proposed a special programme on Qatar to assist Malaysian firms keen on participating in development efforts in the oil and gas rich Gulf nation ahead of the much anticipated football tournament.

"Although we've already got a few projects in Qatar, we'll try our best to get more, particularly in the development of the country's sports sector as well as property development and public transport system," said Dzulkifli.

Beyond that, he said, Malaysian companies had the expertise in facilities management to offer the Qataris. — Bernama