DOHA: The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) will today start receiving tenders from national and international companies for 221 projects worth a total of QR50bn.

The projects to construct roads, drainage and infrastructure networks across the country have been implemented with a new strategic approach focusing on quality and partnership between local and international companies.

This project is part of a plan to invest over QR100bn in roads and drainage over the next five to seven years. It was launched in April in collaboration with consulting company Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Ashghal has divided the 221 projects into three different categories in terms of project costs. The value of each project in the first category is QR200m. The estimated cost of the second category ranges from QR200m to QR900m. The project value of the third segment ranges from QR900m and above.

Of the total projects, 40 will be in the north of Qatar, 15 in the south, 68 in Doha North, 80 in Doha South and 18 in Doha West.

Only Qatari companies can bid for projects costing up to QR200m each, which account for 163 projects (of the total 221) worth a total of QR11.5bn.

Bidding for projects costing QR200m to QR900m is open for Qatari companies or a joint venture company with a 50 percent Qatari partnership. This will together account for 48 projects worth a total of QR25.8bn. The same rule applies to projects costing above QR900m, which comprise 10 projects worth a total of QR15.9bn.

The projects have been awarded through a “framework procedure” which includes pre-qualification submissions, evaluations, and tendering. Application will be received until October 14.

THE PENINSULA