(VOVWORLD) - Qatar on Tuesday inaugurated a new 7.4 billion USD Hamad port along its Gulf coast with hopes that it will become a regional transport hub and help shield Qatar’s economy from sanctions enforced by Arab neighbors.
Located 40km south of Qatar’s capital Doha, Hamad is expected to be Qatar’s biggest container port and connect its trade with 150 countries. Qatari Transport Minister said the port will break the restrictions imposed on Qatar.
Hamad, in fact, has been active since last December. Since Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) severed ties with Qatar in June, the port has received large quantities of food and building materials for construction projects including stadiums for the 2022 World Cup.