ASTAD Delivers keynote speech for major construction industry summit

During the sixth Leaders in Construction Summit in Doha, an event organized by Construction Week Qatar and held on 6th April in the Grand Hyatt Doha, ASTAD was invited to deliver the keynote speech in front of construction professionals from various fields. The Summit provided a forum for the industry to benchmark operations, brainstorm ideas, and overcome the challenges posed in the lead up to the World Cup and the realization of Qatar’s National Vision 2030. It brought together high profile speakers and government representatives, contractors, developers and urban planners to discuss and debate business, operational strategy, the future of the industry, and the progress toward 2022.

Engineer Ali Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of ASTAD, commended the event for bringing experts from various fields in the industry under one roof to discuss major challenges, saying: “I would like to emphasize the importance of this event, bringing together experts from across the construction industry in Qatar to discuss this ever-evolving market. Developments in Qatar continue to grow thanks to the Qatar National Vision 2030. This vision will ensure the nation continues its transformation into a diversified and advanced knowledge-based economy, creating a community that is capable of sustaining its own development. And to achieve the Qatar National Vision 2030, more healthy environments for discussion like the one provided in this summit are needed.” Upon addressing the recent economic developments, Eng. Al-Khalifa said: “Low oil prices can be seen as an opportunity for us all to take a step back and reevaluate our projects and processes. This will only enhance the drive to support more local and sustainable solutions and further support the development of a growing private sector, steadily transforming and diversifying Qatar's economy.”

Engineer Fahad Al Jahrami, General Manager of ASTAD Consult, delivered the keynote address for the summit on behalf of ASTAD’s CEO. In his speech, Eng. Al Jahrami stated that there is a need to “remain committed to managing the delivery of projects that are essential for the country’s sustainable development, and we must continue to successfully deliver projects in various sectors including health, culture, sports, education, and hospitality. Bringing together all the necessary components required to build a booming nation with a bright future to look forward to.” He added, “At ASTAD, we understand the local business environment and how important the development of human capital is for the future of the industry. We are utilizing some of the brightest minds working according to the highest industry standards, using cutting edge technology to deliver projects with a legacy.”

Al Jahrami explained the roles of the two new companies ASTAD recently announced, ASTAD International and ASTAD Consult, saying: “ASTAD International will be our international arm in managing major projects outside of Qatar, while have diversified the services we offer to our clients through ASTAD Consult by providing more specialized and new services including Construction Management & Supervision, Design Consultancy, Asset Management and Staff Augmentation. Al Jahrami discussed the contractual challenges facing the industry and stated that “it has been challenging for construction contracts to remain current with the continued use of traditional forms despite that Qatar has boomed and developed some of the most technologically advanced projects.”

He stressed on the need to update those contracts to follow international best practices however at the same time customizing it to suit the local and regional culture and market. He announced that ASTAD is currently working on a suite of contracts that intends to improve the ineffective contractual culture within the region by promoting fairness and equity between parties. He added that ASTAD aims for it to become an invaluable addition to the existing forms of contracts currently being used within the construction industry. Al Jahrami invited everyone to take a step forward and make them more aligned with best practice and to support the enhancement of the contractual culture within this region to promote the efficient delivery of projects.

The summit’s focus was on contemporary challenges that are arising from fall in oil prices. The various speakers addressed challenges such as the falling prices of oil and their effect on the industry, the payment Predicaments that might arise in certain cases, and how such scenarios can be opportunities for positive change and development in Qatar and the region.