The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has signed a MoU with a leading Indian body of industry to boost the participation of Indian companies in 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 infrastructure projects.
The MoU was signed in New Delhi with the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani to New Delhi, where he led delegation-level talks with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.
CII is a non-government, non-profit, industry-led and managed organisation targeting growth and development of India, 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, said a statement from SC.
Earlier this year, 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 quarter-final stages of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
SC assistant secretary general Nasser Al Khater said Qatar looked at India as a natural strategic partner.
"The relationship between India and Qatar goes beyond football, it goes back decades," he observed. "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," he noted.
"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," said Al Khater.
"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," he added.
In October, the first pouring of concrete at Al Rayyan Stadium site took place, five weeks ahead of schedule.-TradeArabia News Service