IFP Iraq (International Fairs & Promotions) held a press conference at Erbil Rotana Hotel and announced the launching of Project Iraq 2013, the 6th International Trade Exhibition for Construction and Environmental Technology, Materials & Equipment that is held between the 28th and the 31th of October, 2013 at the Erbil International Fair Ground.
Project Iraq 2013 is held concurrently with Energy Iraq 2013, the 3rd International Exhibition for Electricity, Alternative Energy, Lighting, Water Technology and HVAC, and Real Estate and Investment Iraq 2013, The International Real Estate, Investment & Property Development Exhibition for Iraq.
The representative of the Ministry of Electricity in the Kurdistan Regional Government, and a representative of the Ministry of Housing and Reconstruction in the Kurdistan Regional Government were in the lead of the press conference participants along with the representative of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the region, and the General Supervisor of Erbil International Fair, Mr. Abdallah Abdul Rahman. The organizing company IFP Iraq was represented by Project Manager Mr. Ibrahim Sarhal. The conference was attended by a crowd of officials, diplomats, and businessmen, amid a significant follow-up by different media.
Mr. Sarhal gave a speech in which he undertook the task of familiarizing the audience with the merits and the importance of the exhibition, praising the government’s efforts, which are being exerted in Iraq in general and in Kurdistan Region in particular, in order to move forward with the development plans and boost economic growth.
In his speech, Sarhal thanked the officials in Kurdistan Regional Government especially Ministry of Housing and Reconstruction and the Ministry of Electricity for their support to the company’s activities and managing of Erbil International Fair Ground, taking pride in this collaboration that links the company with the venue. He also thanked all local and international supporting bodies as well as the sponsors and partners.
Project Iraq, which has been held yearly in Erbil for the past 6 years, is one of the most prominent specialized events that take place in the construction sector annually within a series of exhibitions organized by IFP in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iraq.
In this year’s edition, PI 2013 features the participation of more than 27 countries including Armenia, Spain, Germany, U.A.E., Ukraine, Italy, Iran, Pakistan, Portugal, Belgium, Poland, Turkey, the Czech Republic, China, Iraq, France, Vietnam, Canada, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Austria, India, the United States of America, Greece. 15 of these countries participate with official national pavilions sponsored by corresponding official bodies and organizations in their countries. Actually more than 35 trade missions and international trade development agencies will be present at the show.
Zana Uzeri, representative of the Ministry of Housing and Construction in the Kurdistan Regional Government said the overwhelming response to participate in Project Iraq is due to the success of the exhibition in opening its doors wide to the regional and global companies to enter the Iraqi vibrant building and construction market, especially in light of figures and projections announced by the Kurdistan Regional Government or published by the corresponding international institutions. Currently there are more than 450 projects under implementation in Kurdistan region worth more than $20 billion.
With some figures estimating the value of ongoing projects in Iraq at $124 billion, the construction of housing and infrastructure projects in the Kurdistan region of Iraq witnessed a strong growth during the past year, when dozens of new bridges built, and hundreds of roads either constructed or rehabilitated as part of a comprehensive plan adopted by the regional government to upgrade the infrastructure of the region.
Mr. Abdallah Abdul Rahman pointed out in his speech that the exhibition represents a significant business opportunity due to the extensive presence of international companies that are keen on entering the Iraqi market through local agencies, distributors, and corporations, describing the event as “ A direct channel between the international and local companies and decision-makers in the domestic sector,” and believing that this contributes to strengthening the dynamic position of Erbil as a major gateway for commercial exchange in northern Iraq.
Talking about Energy Iraq 2013, Serhal said that "this event primarily serves Iraqi officials and public and the private sector decision makers by providing different solutions that enable them to raise production capacity and meet the growing demand for water and electricity. It also caters to the construction industry by providing technologies, products, solutions and services in electrical engineering, lighting, and so on, thereby enhancing the capabilities of developers and businessmen to upgrade their projects.”
In addition to electricity and lighting products, Energy Iraq 2013 features a wide range of ACs, alarms, and other technologies offered by hundreds of local, regional and global exhibitors. “It will be the largest gathering of its kind in the Iraqi energy market,” said Serhal.
At the end of the press conference, engineers, developers, contractors and others were all invited to visit the show. Organizers of the show also announced adding new proceedings to the exhibition by dedicating a full day for the real estate development that includes direct meetings of exhibitors with investors and clients, a work luncheon that will gather all visiting delegations from various Iraqi governorates, in addition to live television coverage for two days including interviews, reports and more.
ifpinfo
25 October
