The State of Qatar accords the highest importance to sports, and has set up sports facilities which are among the best in the world. In this regard, Aspire Zone Foundation is a major achievement. Helal Jaham Al Kuwari, the President of Aspire Zone Foundation, speaks about Aspire and its objectives.
Question: What are the most important legal issues that confront you during your work?
A: When we try to invite international contractors we find some difficulties related to our governmental terms and conditions. They consider these conditions unsuitable, e.g. payment within 90 days from approval, and a maximum of 10 percent of the contract amount as an advance payment. These conditions put a lot of pressure on them and their cash flow. Sometimes we go for a local contractor who could be less capable of doing the job but accepts our conditions.
Q: According to the construction of the sports facilities, there must be a particular type of contract more important and useful than others. What are they? Why are they important?
Lumpsum and Remeasured Contracts, design and build Contract, max sealing price contracts -- this depends on the nature of the project in hand.
As we all know, Aspire Zone includes many establishments, not only the sports academy, What are they?
Aspire Academy, Aspetar, Aspire logistics and Aspire Printing Press.
What is the most important field of law that you have been always dealing with according to your work and interests?
General conditions of contract for construction.
Aspetar is the only Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Hospital in Qatar, which is including its FIFA Accredited Medical Centre of Excellence. What are the contracts that had been signed in this regard?
An agreement has been signed between FIFA and Aspetar that confirms that Aspetar is one of the Accredited Certified Medical Centres.
How many lawyers and legal advisers are working with you, and what is the scope of their work?
One legal advisor and a contract department with adequate number of staff, who carries out all procedures of procurement, including preparing the tender documents, review of invoices and claims, contract administration, etc...
Finally, what are the objectives that you are looking forward, to analyse it by law according to your job?
Introduction of new appropriate conditions that suit international contractors and attract them to the Qatari market, taking into consideration the protection of government interests.
© The Peninsula 2010
