Project Qatar launched the 12th International Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition, through a press conference on Monday, April 20, from 10:30 AM onward at the Intercontinental Doha – The City. The press conference, which detailed the program and activities of the 2015 exhibition, featured several high-profile speakers, including prominent officials and ambassadors alike.
Project Qatar 2015 is scheduled to unfold from 4 – 7 May at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC), under the patronage of HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, represented by HE Sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani, the Minister of Economy and Commerce, who will inaugurate the show.
This year, Project Qatar will feature participation from 40 countries, representing over 2000 companies and brands, including 1130 exhibitors and 21 national pavilions spread over 7 halls and an outside area, covering 41,500 sqm of exhibition space. The show is also expected to attract over 50,000 professional visitors, which proves the magnitude of the show in the local and regional construction industry.
As in previous years, attendees of Project Qatar 2015 come from a wide range of countries, including, but not limited to, Austria, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates. The full list of represented countries and pavilions will be listed in the official show catalog of Project Qatar 2015. Cyprus will have its first presence as a pavilion at the exhibition this year, being represented by 10 of its leading companies through its Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism.
In his speech, Mr. Gerd Bommer, Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of Austria, noted: “The Austrian Pavilion at Project Qatar 2015 will once more be the perfect platform for Austrian companies in the areas of interior design, materials for construction industry and optical systems, says Gerd Bommer, Commercial Counsellor at the Austrian Embassy in Doha. Each of Austria’s already 12 consecutive participations helped Austrian companies to find Qatari business partners and market opportunities. Austrian companies already take their share in the development of Qatar as an important economy in the region and will continue to contribute with their outstanding products, services and especially know-how.”
Similarly, Mr. Lee Kwang-il, Commercial attaché and Director General of KOTRA at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, emphasized: “Over 40 years of history of the tie between the two countries, Korea and Qatar, we are currently entering into a new era of the cooperation. With 11 companies under the umbrella of the Korean pavilion, we hope to strengthen the relationship, especially in the eco-friendly sector.”
Reflecting its commitment to innovation, IFP Qatar LLC – in collaboration with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce – will be launching this year the “Project Qatar Workshop Series” that includes 8 workshops meant to promote the education and commercial aspects of the construction industry. Areas of focus include, among others, ISO 9001 & 14001, the GCC building materials industry, manufacturing investment opportunities in Qatar, procurement and workers’ welfare and main Issues facing construction companies – a banking prospective. These areas of focus, which are aligned with conversations among the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar Development Bank, Qatar Society of Engineers, the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), the British Standards Institution (BSI) and Hamad medical Corporation (HMC) will inform workshop participants about the latest technology, industry advances and rising themes.
Following the success of the Project Qatar Business Intelligence Series in 2014, the series comes back in force this year with six unique B2B conferences that will run during the show and throughout the year: LightingTech Qatar (4 – 5 May 2015), HVACTech Qatar (6 – 7 May 2015), Future BIM Implementation Qatar (6 – 7 May 2015), Future Interiors Qatar (7 – 8 September 2015), Future landscape and Public Realm Qatar (26 – 27 October 2015) and Future Drainage Networks Qatar (7 – 8 December 2015).
Moreover, and for the second consecutive year, the PQ international exhibitors will have the opportunity to explore the activities of the booming construction sector in Qatar, through Project Qatar’s free site visit tours. This year, the tours will include two mega construction sites in Qatar: the New Port Project and the Mall of Qatar. Furthermore, Project Qatar 2015 features a new and improved B2B matchmaking platform – that will allow visitors to register and meet exhibitors that match their demand and work profile and an advanced mobile application that includes all features of the show, including the floor plan, the exhibitors’ list, the sponsors’ list, the visitors’ registration form, etc. In addition, visitors and exhibitors can have access to all the features of the show through the improved PQ 2015 Mobile Application, available on all App Stores. The application is designed to enhance their experience before, during and after the show by providing the following: event information, exhibitors’ list, location & venue map, social media, floor plan, sponsors’ list and much more.
The private sector, too, has been a critical source of support. Like every year, Project Qatar is grateful for the contributions of Al Sraiya group, serving as the Integrity Sponsor of the Show. Additional contributions have been received from Diamond, Gold and Silver Sponsors, including Qatar Primary Material Company (QPMC), Emirates Steel, Tadmur Holding, Hensel Phelps, QD-SBG Construction, Bitumode Qatar, QD – CPC industries, Gulf Crafts – branding sponsor -, the Intercontinental Doha – The City – official hotel of the show – and Airlink, the official freight forwarder.
Eisa Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer at Qatar Primary Materials Company (QPMC), Diamond Sponsor of Project Qatar 2015, said: “QPMC gives high importance to specialized exhibitions, such as the 12th International Construction Technology & Building Materials Exhibition, that attract and bring together leading local, regional and international companies. Qatar is keen to gather the industry’s key buyers and specialists who are looking for the latest technology and equipment, in an atmosphere of cooperation and transparency. This promises to promote the rapid development of Qatar's booming construction industry with its substantial infrastructure budget.”
Mr. Nidal Al Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer AT QD-CPC Industries – one of this year’s Silver Sponsors – emphasized: “Project Qatar has turned to a hub where regional and international industry professionals and decision makers meet; it turned to an important event that cannot be missed as a network with top enterprises from across the region. This definitely supports hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and realizing the National Vision 2030 and since QD-CPC Industries ( a joint venture between Qatari Diar and Saudi Binladin Group) supports the same, we have decided to silver sponsor Project Qatar 2015 to illustrate the differentiated building materials and unique services QD-CPC Industries deliver as a building materials manufacturing company through its six Qatar based factories for the existing and coming massive developments in the construction sector.”
Returning and first-time participants will also have an opportunity to gain specialized knowledge through a couple of concurrently held events: “Qatar StoneTech 2015,” the 4th International Stone and Stone Technology Show, and “Heavy Max 2015,” the 12th International Exhibition for Heavy Machinery. As the need for construction materials continues to rise worldwide, and given the $37 million increase in demand for heavy equipment and machinery by 2015, these conferences provide the insights conducive to expanding business.
Considering that Qatar’s economy is expected to record a 7.7 percent growth in real GDP this year, with the non-hydrocarbon sector accounting for 50 percent of GDP, the construction sector will remain vital, contributing to the development goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. As a premier platform for the showcasing of technology, the enhancement of industry knowledge and the strengthening of professional networks, Project Qatar will facilitate this development.
Asked about his experience with Project Qatar, Mr. Elias J. Abboud, Corporate Manager within the Technical Department of QD-SBG Construction – Silver Sponsor of the 2015 exhibition – encapsulated the significance of Project Qatar, stating: “This show will enable us to easily convey our culture to the attendees seeking to improve the construction community and contribute effectively towards the enhancement and diversification of Qatar’s construction industry. As a part of our commitment to the country, our implementation of both sustainability and corporate citizenship programs will enable us to create long-term values to our environment and the society we live in through the introduction and execution of friendly and innovative business solutions. A project that we are proud to construct and constitute a part of its stakeholders is the Eco-villa by GORD where the culture, future, environment, societal integration, and technology all meet together to create a coherent friendly space to live in. Safety being our number one priority, where we achieved, to date, 28+ Million safe work hours in one of our major projects in town, we are delighted to express that, with our diversified large portfolio, we successfully managed to build in a record period of time an exemplary friendly and safe environment that people can always refer to.”
ifpinfo
20 April
