Qatar's successful bid to host the Fifa World Cup in 2022 is set to launch a construction boom involving investments by Doha worth between US$60 billion and US$72.5 billion, according to some estimates.

The value of construction projects in Saudi Arabia is expected to jump to about 322 billion Saudi riyals (Dh315.38 billion) next year from 260 billion riyals in the current year, Jeddah-based Okaz Daily reported recently citing an executive.

Saudi White Cement Co. (SWC) signed a US$40.7mn contract with France's Fives FCB as part of the company's plans to expand daily production capacity to 1,000 tonnes from the current capacity of 700 tonnes, reported Saudi-based Al Riyadh.

Raysut Cement, Oman's largest cement producer by market value, has said it will buy the UAE's Pioneer Cement Industries.

Robust growth predictions and significant investment in infrastructure are boosting confidence in Bahrain's construction sector, reports Global Arab Network.