Thursday , March 28 2024

Qatar 2022 signs MoU with Indian industry body CII for 2022 FIFA World Cup projects!

Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s (SC) has continued to strengthen the close relationship with India in the years leading up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a leading Indian body of industry, the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), to encourage participation of Indian companies in 2022 infrastructure projects.

The MoU was signed with the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in New Delhi on Saturday, December 3. CII is a non-government, non-profit, industry-led and managed organisation targeting growth and development of India, which is one of the world’s fastest growing major economies. 

The MoU will provide a framework for Indian companies seeking to undertake projects, including in infrastructure, for the delivery of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. 

The MoU was signed during the visit of Qatar Prime Minister H.E. Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani to New Delhi, where he led delegation-level talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. 

Earlier in 2016 the SC announced Chennai-headquartered Indian construction giant Larsen & Toubro as the main contractor in an Indo-Qatar joint venture for the construction of the 40,000-capacity Al Rayyan Stadium, which will host matches up to the quarterfinal stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

SC Secretary General H.E. Hassan Al Thawadi, speaking on the occasion of the Qatar 2022 bid win anniversary, pointed out that India is one of the two next global football destinations: “There is significant investment in the Indian league, there is huge interest and following from the Indian fans in relation to football.”

“In 2002 Eastern Asia hosted the first Asian World Cup. The resounding success on the pitch and off the pitch is an example of the resounding success 2022 can and will be, not only in the Middle East and Arab world, but also for Western Asia and Asia as a whole.”

SC Assistant Secretary General Nasser Al Khater added that the doors of Qatar would be open in 2022 for football fans from India and Indian expatriates in the Middle East region, “I would say good luck to the Indian national team for 2022, and there are a lot of Indian expatriates from the region who will be interested to attend games here, as well as people flying from India. I say to them, welcome, our doors are open.”  

Al Khater also said that Qatar looked at India as a natural strategic partner. “The relationship between India and Qatar goes beyond football, it goes back decades,” he continued. “The Indian population and community has been an integral part of society for decades in Qatar, and has helped build this country and make it what it is today.”

“The final of the AFC Cup in Doha recently showed the level of participation and fan engagement, and displayed the passion India has for football. India has made a lot of effort in developing football, their league, and I see that India will be a force in the Asian continent when it comes to football.”

“They will host the U-17 World Cup next year, there is also the intention to host an U-20 World Cup, so there is a real interest and intention to make India a footballing nation.”

In October the first pouring of concrete at Al Rayyan Stadium site took place, five weeks ahead of schedule.

About Arunava Chaudhuri

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