Middle East real estate investment and development company Qatari Diar is set to appoint its first-ever legal panel, with 46 firms worldwide invited to pitch.

The company has requested proposals from the selected firms to be submitted by 17 January 2012, with those that make the shortlist then invited to pitch in Doha in February and March next year.

The firm has outlined its intention to have a number of different panels covering the different sectors of its business, with bidding firms able to apply for up to four panels. The total number of panels has not been disclosed.

Successful firms will be appointed effective from 1 April 2012.

Qatari Diar Group chief executive Mohammed Bin Ali Al Hedfa said: "Having knowledge of Qatar and the wider Gulf Cooperation Council is essential to us as well as a proven track record in specialist areas.

"The ability to build effective relationships with professionals with prior knowledge and experience of the sectors and regions we work in is crucial to Qatari Diar's vision of making an impact and improving the quality of lives in the communities the company is serving."

Qatari Diar is owned by the state-founded Qatar Investment Authority and was established in 2005 to support the country's growing economy and co-ordinate its real estate development.

The company currently has over 49 projects under development or planning in 29 countries across the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East with a combined value of $35bn (£22.6bn).