FIFA World Cup 2022 which will be held in Qatar is helping transform the region and accelerate Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030, according to Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC).
Speaking at the S. Petersburg International Economic Forum, he stressed the need for innovative legacy planning to ensure tournaments leave an impact on a country long after they have finished.
“Qatar has always understood the potential impact of the World Cup and how it can accelerate our national vision and transform our country for future generations. From day one, we set about ensuring the tournament leaves behind not just world-class sporting infrastructure, but that it has a positive social and human impact on those in Qatar and across the region in the build-up to, during and long after the tournament has finished,” he said.
“The World Cup is already helping Qatar develop new industries, attract new talents and investment into the country and accelerate legislative change in critical areas, such as labour reform. We are still three years away from kick-off but we are already seeing the positive impact the tournament is having on the country’s development,” he added.
Talking to Russian news agency Sputnik, Al Thawadi said: “The budget for stadiums and associated facilities for hosting of the 2022 World Cup is about $6bn. Construction work for the World Cup has triggered a positive economic movement in the state.”
In a panel discussion, he said: “Qatar’s astute financial planning and diversification away from a wholly hydrocarbon-based economy into new industries, such as Islamic finance, medicine, education and sport, has helped the country’s economy thrive over the last two decades to become one of the region’s strongest.”
He added: “The hosting of the World Cup is just one vehicle we are using to drive public-private partnerships, diversify the economy and encourage international investors and companies into the country.”