HOST CITY: The entire Qatar 2022 project requires more construction work than any other sports event in history. How do you feel about the challenges ahead?

Al Khater: The heavy lifting is not the stadiums; it is the rest of the infrastructure. We do not see it as a challenge – we see it as a significant amount of work.

There is a fine balancing act and the next nine years are exactly like that. We are putting into place a decision-making process, up and down the supply chain, that is quick and efficient.

HOST CITY: What are the most important criteria for selecting main contractors for the construction work?

Al Khater: One of the most important attributes will be the ability to understand the local requirements and dynamics of major programmes within Qatar. Whilst there is such a large amount of activity taking place within a relatively short timescale, it is vital that our delivery contractors understand the landscape they will be operating in with the challenges and opportunities that this presents.

Another attribute would be the open dialogue that we would expect throughout our supply chain and the early communication of risks and issues as well as the recommended options for resolution. We want to work closely with our partners within an approach that has a “no surprises” mentality.