Project Qatar 2015, the 12th International Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition, welcomed an unprecedented number of visitors over the past two of four days, including VIPs, diplomatic figures and businessmen. Exhibitors, representing a wide range of leading companies and brands from across the world, were again in attendance, along with a diverse group of industry professionals and experts. Held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the exhibition hosts 1130 exhibitors, representing 2000+ companies and brands as well as 21 pavilions from 40 countries. It will welcome the footfall of an estimated 50,000 visitors by the end of the show.
Visitors commended the variety of technologies on show across the several exhibition halls, and emphasized the value of the B2B matchmaking, through which they can strengthen their professional networks, and gain insight into industry trends by engaging with experts and policy makers alike. During the first two days of Project Qatar 2015, approximately 270 pre-arranged B2B matchmaking meetings took place, all of which are likely to enable visitors and exhibitors to expand their operations or achieve new business opportunities.
Yesterday, on the second day of the exhibition, one of the visitors noted: "With two days still to come, Project Qatar 2015 has already proven to be a highly rewarding experience. During my first visit, I have seen state-of-the-art technology, and connected with peers, from across the world. The knowledge and contacts gained at Project Qatar – known as one of the world's leading construction exhibitions in the ever-growing Gulf region – will benefit my company, and help with securing business deals in Qatar and elsewhere."
Despite the scope of Project Qatar 2015, visitors made their way through the seven exhibition halls and outside area with ease, using the recently enhanced mobile application, which provides information such as the floor plan and a list of exhibitors.
Given the positive feedback received in 2014, international exhibitors were again invited to tour some of Qatar's major projects yesterday. On the first day of site tours, 40 exhibitors visited the Hamad New Port Project (HNPP), after listening to a presentation about the ins and outs of this major development. Introduced by His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, in 2007, the HNPP is one of the world's largest greenfield port developments, spreading across 26.5 square kilometers.
Commenting on the benefits of the site visit, one of the international exhibitors stated: "What makes Project Qatar unique is its location in one of the most vibrant economies and constructions markets worldwide. By visiting the Hamad New Port Project, I witnessed the rapid development of one of Qatar's key infrastructure projects firsthand. The site-tour not only gave me a chance to see technology and theory in practice, but to strategically think about future business."
As part of the Project Qatar Business Intelligence Series, which features six specialized conferences, held during the exhibition and throughout the year, HVACTech Qatar 2015 and Future BIM Implementation will take place over the next couple of days, from 6-7 May. Whereas HVACTech Qatar 2015 will gather industry professionals to learn about the air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation market, Future BIM Implementation Qatar will address Building Information Modeling, which is relevant to many of Qatar's major construction projects. These conferences will enable visiting professionals to complement the insights gained at Project Qatar 2015 with more specialized knowledge about themes central to construction.
Conferences held as part of the project Qatar Business Intelligence Series are not the only opportunity to acquire specialized knowledge. This year, IFP Qatar LCC – in collaboration with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce – is hosting workshops on a wide range of trending industry themes through the Project Qatar Workshop Series.
Yesterday, two such workshops took place. The first featured Thani Al Zarraa, Senior Engineer at the Supreme Council for Delivery and Legacy (SCDL), who spoke to visiting professionals about some of the most critical developments and opportunities in Qatar's construction sector. The other workshop was dedicated to heat management, and drew from the expertise of Dr. Rahma Salim of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC). Both of yesterday's workshops served to deepen participants' knowledge about trending industry topics, with an emphasis on commercial and educational aspects of construction.
Given the success of previous years, Project Qatar 2015 again coincides with two concurrently held events; over the past two days as well as today and tomorrow, visitors have the chance to delve into construction technology as well as building materials – demand for which continues to rise worldwide – by attending "Qatar Stone Tech 2015," the 4th International Stone and Stone Technology Show, and "Heavy Max 2015," the 12th International Exhibition for Heavy Machinery. Covering issues at the core of the industry, these two concurrently held events promise to equip participating professionals with the insights that will likely prove useful for their operations over the long-term, regardless of which countries participants operate in.
Considering the testimonies received from visitors and exhibitors on the first two days of Project Qatar 2015, the exhibition promises to retain its appeal as a gateway to the Gulf and platform for technology-based innovation to professionals from Qatar, the region and beyond.
ifpinfo
6 May
