The United Development Company (UDC) will sign agreements with contractors for building a big hospital and an international school at The Pearl-Qatar within two months, it has been learnt.

UDC President and Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Jassim Al Othman told Qatar Tribune that the the company was in the final stages of selecting companies to work on these projects.

“We’ve shortlisted companies and the final names will be announced soon. Big hospital and school brands are expected to be involved in these projects," Al Othman said, on the sidelines of the company's annual general assembly meeting in Doha.

Last June, UDC had placed advertisements in local newspapers inviting tenders for the development of the two projects.

Othman said the new facilities will cater to the growing population of The Pearl-Qatar Island, which has increased from 19,000 in 2015 to 24,000 in 2016. Once the man-made island is fully developed, its population is expected to reach up to 60,000.

“We rolled out Phase 1 of the company's five-year business plan in 2016. We’ve accelerated the development of The Pearl-Qatar and attracted more residents and investors to the island, thereby increasing its residential and commercial occupancy," he said.

He added that the company would soon start work on developing 10 prototype villas in Giardino Village.

“We’re targeting two new areas — Viva Bahriya and Giardino Village — to be the company's focus in the coming year as both these areas have calm atmosphere suitable for families,” he said.

UDC will also invest a further QR1.2bn to further develop the Pearl-Qatar’s infrastructure.