Project Qatar 2015, the 12th International Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition, concluded its third day with a product-launching press conference and a large number of B2B meetings. Over the course of four days, closing tonight, the exhibition will have recorded a footfall of an estimated 50,000 visitors. Among yesterday’s highlights were tours of major construction sites, specialized conferences, concurrent events and workshops on industry trends.
The highlight of the day was a press conference organized by Manar Al Omran, one of the Gold Sponsors of Project Qatar 2015. Held at one of the lounges of QNCC, the event launched one of the new products of Manar Al Omran, a high-profile Saudi-based company exhibiting at Project Qatar. The company specializes in state-of-the-art multiple systems of columns, walls, slabs and bridges. With offices and factories in all of the Gulf states, Manar Al Omran is always keen on the presence of these large-scale projects.
Over and over again, such events prove the status and importance of Project Qatar as a platform and launch pad for industry professionals and influencers wishing to promote their products and gain exposure in the construction market.
Moreover, and since its opening, Project Qatar 2015 has recorded 348 B2B meetings among visitors and exhibitors alike. These meetings enable professionals to further extend their networks, while discussing and planning for future business. Given the wide range of technology and materials on show, B2B meetings often also translate into the closing of deals.
Yesterday, two groups of 40 international exhibitors each visited the Mall of Qatar construction site, forming the second of three site tours offered during the exhibition. With a projected footfall of 20 million each year, the Mall will be among the leading destinations for retail, leisure and entertainment in Qatar. Such site visits enable international exhibitors to explore major construction developments in Qatar firsthand, serving as an opportunity to contextualize the knowledge and technology featured at the exhibition. The two site tours, hosted thus far, have been well received by exhibitors, who value Project Qatar’s location in one of the world’s leading economies with a particularly vibrant construction sector.
During the past three days, professional visitors were not only able to experience local construction developments firsthand, but had a chance to acquire knowledge about specialized industry topics. Yesterday, the Project Qatar Workshop Series, organized by IFP Qatar LLC and the Qatar Chamber of Commerce, hosted a workshop featuring Mr. Colin Bartle-Tubbs, Senior Advisor at the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), and Mr. Mark Saville, Health & Safety Coordinator at Ashghal. Drawing from their experience, both speakers addressed programme management as well as Ashghal’s approach to Health & Safety and sustainability. Two additional workshops were hosted yesterday, including one on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid as well as one on transitioning from BS OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001 and syncing management systems with PAS 99 Integrated Management Systems. These two workshops were respectively addressed by Dr. Mahmoud Younis, Assistant Director of Health Promotion & Community Engagement at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and Mr. Omar Rashid, General Manager at British Standards Institution Group Middle East WLL.
Mr. Colin Bartle-Tubbs, Senior Advisor in Building Affairs at the Public Works Authority (Ashghal), stated: “Ashghal Building Affairs focuses on a rigorous approach to ‘program delivery,’ ‘sustainability’ and ‘health safety and security’ for its portfolio of projects which would seem to tie in with the objectives of Project Qatar.”
In addition to these workshops, visiting professionals had an opportunity to attend HVACTech Qatar 2015, focused on Qatar’s air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation market, and Future BIM Implementation Qatar 2015, dedicated to Building Information Modeling in the context of local projects. Both conferences, which are part of the Project Qatar Business Intelligence Series – featuring six specialized conferences during the exhibition and throughout the year – will also welcome delegates today, serving to convey specialized knowledge about issues integral to global construction markets.
Two concurrent events also took place over the past three days, and are unfolding today. Reflecting rising demand for construction technology and building materials worldwide, these events include “Qatar Stone Tech 2015,” the 4th International Stone and Stone Technology Show, and “Heavy Max 2015,” the 12th International Exhibition for Heavy Machinery. With major projects in Qatar, such as the $5.5bn deep water seaport, roadways worth $20bn as well as eco-friendly stadia costing an estimated $32bn, these events will address the technologies, equipment and machinery critical to the growth of Qatar’s construction sector and future business.
Coming to a close today, the exhibition appears to have once again proven successful, demonstrating its reputation as one of the world’s leading platforms for construction professionals. With ongoing and planned infrastructure projects worth $200bn, Project Qatar will likely remain a Gateway to the Gulf, further strengthening its contributions to innovation.
ifpinfo
7 May
