QATAR plans to invest more than $200 billion in construction projects by 2022, of which $140 billion will be spent on transport infrastructure in the next five years in anticipation of the Fifa World Cup 2022, says a recent report on the country’s construction market and real estate opportunities.

The recent Deloitte report entitled ‘Insight into the Qatar construction market and opportunities for real estate developers’ said projects such as the Qatar-Bahrain causeway are examples of the government’s aim to drive regional tourism into the country.

New roads and a metro system will support an influx of football visitors. Deloitte experts expect this influx to also bring with it an increased demand for accommodation, with worldwide chain hotels considering investments in the country.

Qatar Tourism Authority plans to invest about $20 billion on tourism infrastructure as the number of tourist arrivals grows at a rate of 15.9 per cent compounded annually, to reach 3.7 million by 2022, creating opportunities for the development of commercial facilities such as shopping malls around Qatar.

The Deloitte findings are in line with the “GCC Powers of Construction: Meeting the challenges of delivering mega projects” report issued by Deloitte during May 2013.

The report established that Qatar was the third most active GCC construction market in 2012, with $10.4 billion worth of contracts awarded. Transport infrastructure dominated Qatar’s construction sector, with four of the five biggest contracts awarded for major transport projects. The Deloitte report suggests that Qatar’s Q2022 programme may deliver a new environmental sustainability standard and improve nationwide awareness.