Under the Auspices of HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Project Qatar 2016, the 13th International Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition, was inaugurated today, Monday 9 May, by HE Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al-Thani.
HE the Minister inaugurated the event during an opening ceremony at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, in presence of a large number of officials, decision makers and high-profile diplomatic figures, many of whom represented their national pavilions.
Talking to reporters after a tour of the exhibition, HE the Minister said that the participation of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce in the “Project Qatar 2016” comes within its commitment to ensure that the construction sector is accorded the importance it deserved, adding that the sector is a principal tributary for the country’s economic development.
His Excellency explained that the State of Qatar has been witnessing a major construction boom for several years, and that these mega-projects that are being implemented in all sectors, including the upgradation of infrastructure and Qatar Rail projects along with other major development projects under implementation, aimed at achieving Qatar National Vision 2030.
HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce said he expects that this year edition of Project Qatar will be a success due to the availability of participants from all over the world and the presence of many companies participating for the first time, adding that this reflects the attractiveness of Qatari market and the importance attached by the participating companies to the region and the State of Qatar.
Qatar, he said, has one of the best economic and investment climate in the world in terms of competitiveness as it was ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and 14th in the world in the latest Global Competitiveness Report issued last September by the World Economic Forum.
“Project Qatar is once again this year proving its role as Qatar’s leading construction exhibition by bringing together a large number of local, regional and international decision makers and industry professionals. The main reason for the success of this event is the continuous support of the government, which played a major role in putting together this event,” said IFP Group chairman Albert Aoun.
He added: “It is important to mention that other reasons behind the success of this event are not limited to the steady efforts of the organizers. The contributions of the sponsors of this event play a major role in putting this together.”
The exhibition that runs until 12 May has attracted hundreds of exhibitors from 37 countries and includes 18 country pavilions.
Pillar-free halls
Covering 30,000 sq. meters of exhibition space, Project Qatar 2016 stretches across five pillar-free halls as well an outside area for heavy machinery. The exhibition is estimating the number of visitors to cross the 35,000 mark by the end of the show.
Rashed Nassir Sraiya Al Kaabi, vice-chairman of Al Sraiya Holding Group, said: “As vice-chairman of Al Sraiya Holding Group, the integrity sponsor of Project Qatar for the 13th consecutive year, I would like to announce the official opening of Qatar’s largest International Construction Technology & Building Materials Exhibition.”
He added: “We would like to thank all participants who have helped make this event a success, achieving its mission in providing regional and international agents, dealers and buyers the opportunity to network in a suitable, professional environment.”
Workshops
Project Qatar, in collaboration with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce, will host once again this year the Project Qatar Workshop Series. The first day of the workshops started with three sessions: `Sustainable Smart Cities’ by Qatar Green Building Council, `Project Analytics Training’ by Excelledia and `Modular Scheme’ by the British Standards Institution Group Middle East.
Furthermore, IFP Qatar, in collaboration with Canadian company B2B2GO, one of the leaders in the B2B matchmaking domain, has launched a new and improved B2B matchmaking platform available for use during the exhibition. This interactive platform lets visitors register and meet exhibitors that match their demand and work profile.
In order to enhance their experience during and after the show, Project Qatar will provide its participants this year with an advanced mobile application that includes all features of the show, including the floor plan, the exhibitors’ list, the sponsors’ list and the visitors’ registration form, among others.
QNA, bq-magazine
9 May
