BrazilEngineering consultancies Astad and AECOM sign MoU to build Qatari airport
Two engineering and consulting firms have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to find mutual business opportunities, and to collaborate on a new airport in Qatar. US-based giant AECOM signed the agreement with Qatari firm Astad in Washington during a business delegation visit by Qatari officials in April.
As the small, gas-rich nation of Qatar heads closer to its landmark hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country is looking to strengthen its infrastructure. More than $200 billion will be spent on stadiums, roads, rail links, hospitals, and other major infrastructure to prepare for the World Cup. As a result, the Qatari spending has been a boon for local and international engineering firms looking to get a piece of the action.
Doha-headquarted Astad – a Qatari engineering and consulting firm – recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global engineering and consulting firm AECOM. The MoU was signed in Washington during a Qatari business delegation visit in April. The two firms signed the agreement in order to identify mutual business opportunities and to collaborate on the delivery of an airport in Qatar.
“We look forward to working with American firm AECOM with the aim of forming a strategic joint venture, combining our expertise in engineering consultancy, construction management, design, and project management fields to support the development of a landmark airport and aviation facility in Qatar,” remarked Astad CEO Ali al-Khalifa.
Astad has local Qatari expertise and contacts, and has worked on more than 250 building and infrastructure projects across various sectors. In addition to its Doha headquarters, the firm also has offices in the UK, UAE, and Egypt.
Los Angeles-based AECOM offers the wide-ranging expertise drawn from its position as one of the world’s foremost and largest engineering and design firms. AECOM had revenues of $18.2 billion in 2017, and was named one of Fortune magazine’s ‘Most Admired Companies’ for the fourth year in a row.
AECOM is also no stranger to Qatar, having completed a design-build contract in 2014 on the 61-mile North Road – which connects capital city Doha with Madinat Al Shamal/Al Ruwais on the north coast.
“Combining AECOM’s global aviation experience with ASTAD’s local expertise allows us to provide cost-effective and innovative solutions in aviation infrastructure,” remarked AECOM corporate executive vice president and group president Frederick Werner. “Our teams will work collaboratively with ASTAD to provide long-term benefits for a landmark aviation facility in Qatar.”
With infrastructure spending booming in Qatar at an unprecedented rate, the 800-strong Astad has been looking for partners to deal with increased demand in the country for design and engineering services. The MoU with Aecom is one of several that Astad has signed in recent months: in February, the firm entered into a strategic partnership with design consultants F&M Middle East of Oman.
