Project Qatar Launches Its 13th Edition

Project Qatar launched the 13th International Construction Technology and Building Materials Exhibition, through an official press conference on Monday, April 18, from 10:00 AM onward at the Intercontinental Doha – The City. The press conference, which detailed the program and activities of the 2016 exhibition, featured several high-profile speakers, including prominent officials and ambassadors alike.

Under the patronage of HE Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani, The Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Project Qatar 2016 is scheduled to unfold from 9 - 12 May at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC) between 2 and 9 pm in the afternoon.

This year, Project Qatar will feature participation from 37 countries, representing Hundreds of companies, including 15 national pavilions spread over 5 halls and an outside area, covering 32,000 sqm of exhibition space. The show is also expected to attract over 35,000+ professional visitors, which proves the magnitude of the show in the local and regional construction industry. 

As in previous years, attendees of Project Qatar 2016 come from a wide range of countries, including, but not limited to, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Kuwait, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Netherlands, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America. The full list of represented countries and pavilions will be listed in the official show catalog of Project Qatar 2016. 

In his speech, Mr. Shri Dinesh Udenia, First Secretary (Press & Education) & Mission's Commercial Representative at the Embassy of India stated: “Project Qatar has established itself as one of the most prominent events in its category. During the last three years, an average of more than 50 Indian companies has been participating in the exhibition. This has provided them an opportunity to interact and explore trading and investment opportunities, not only with the Qatari companies but also with other international exhibitors present at the event.

The State of Qatar is making more than US$ 200 billion in investments in the run up to FIFA World Cup 2022. Project Qatar, in its 13th edition this year, provides a valuable platform to the Indian companies to make use of immense business opportunities in the construction sector and its associated industries. The Embassy of India in Doha extends its best wishes to the organizers of Project Qatar and to the State of Qatar in all their future endeavors.”

Similarly, his excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Mr. Park Heung Kyeog, emphasized: “Korean companies have participated in the Project Qatar for four consecutive years. Over those years, many high technology products made in Korea exhibited in the Project Qatar.

This year, eight Korean companies with the best competitiveness will join the Project Qatar   2016 to introduce their advanced technology. I strongly recommend you to visit the Korean  pavilion so that you may observe various technologies of the Korean companies. I am also             sure that you will find other Korean products meet the Qatar’s demand of quality, and contribute to the Qatari plan of economic diversification.

Currently Qatar has plenty of project opportunities, particularly in preparation for World Cup 2022 which is the key motivation for Korean participants. I believe that the Korean participants are willing to meet the various demands arising from these infrastructure development projects and also ready to show their quality technologies of products. I hope the Project Qatar 2016 will be a new gateway for Korean products to enter the Qatari market and support the magnificent projects in the State of Qatar”.  

Reflecting its commitment to innovation, IFP Qatar LLC – in collaboration with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce – will be continuing its “Project Qatar Workshop Series” for the second year that includes 11 workshops meant to promote the education and commercial aspects of the construction industry. Areas of focus include, among others, GSAS and HSE awareness, product testing, construction wastes, sustainable smart cities, energy efficiency and its dynamics. These areas of focus, which are aligned with conversations among Excelledia, Educare/Gherass, and the British Standards Institution (BSI) 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 and 2015, the series comes back again in force this year with six unique B2B conferences including 2 conferences same time as the show: The 3rd Annual LightingTech Qatar (9 - 10 May, 2016), The 2nd Annual Future BIM Implementation Qatar (11 - 12 May, 2016), The 1st Annual Smart Parking Qatar (18-19 April, 2016), The 3rd Annual Future Interiors Qatar (5 - 6 September, 2016), The 3rd Annual Future Landscape & Public Realm Qatar (24 - 25 October, 2016), The 3rd Annual Future Drainage Networks Qatar (December 5-6, 2016).

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 three mega construction sites in Qatar:  The New Port Project, Lusail City, and The Mall of Qatar. Furthermore, Project Qatar 2016 features a new and improved B2B matchmaking platform – developed with one of the top leaders of the domain, the Canadian company B2B2GO. This interactive platform 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. The application is designed to enhance their experience before, during and after the show.

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 Industrial Standards, Gold and Silver Sponsors, including QD-CPC, ASTM, Nehme, Bitumode Qatar, Art Glass, Gulf Crafts – branding sponsor -, the Intercontinental Doha – The City – official hotel of the show – Airlink, the official freight forwarder and Seib, the official insurance company.  

Vicken Deyirmenjian, General Manager at GulfCrafts, Official Branding Sponsor of Project Qatar 2016, said: “GulfCrafts is pleased to announce its participation in Project Qatar 2016 as both an exhibitor and the event’s official branding sponsor. This will be our 8th participation in the exhibition, and each one proves to be just as successful as the last. Project Qatar has opened avenues of opportunities for our company in the past and has also helped us forge stronger business relationships with key people in the construction industry.

For Project Qatar 2016, GulfCrafts will showcase new technology in signage and branding solutions. Along with keeping up with the trend, we will also display the products and services we are well known for in the region."

Mr. Nidal Al Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer AT QD-CPC Industries – one of this year’s Gold Sponsors – emphasized: “QDCPC is proud to support Project Qatar 2016 as Gold Sponsor, and we also look forward to showcasing our first class building materials and unique services at this must attend event for our industry. Not only does Project Qatar provide vital networking and knowledge sharing opportunities, it also supports the country’s long term development plans and the realization of the Qatar National Vision 2030. We, at QDCPC, one of QDSBG Group companies, are committed to doing the same. As a building materials manufacturing company, we have six Qatar based factories which are dedicated to supporting the country’s ever-growing 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 2016,” the 5th International Stone and Stone Technology Show, and “Heavy Max 20165,” the 13th 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 2016, these concurrent events provide the insights conducive to expanding business.   

Asked about his experience with Project Qatar, Mr. Simon A. Nehme, Chief Business Development Officer of Nehmeh – Official Industrial Solutions Partner of the 2016 edition – encapsulated the significance of Project Qatar, stating: “Nehmeh joins Project Qatar as the official Industrial Solutions Partner for 2016. We are participating for the 12th time in Project Qatar and each year our pavilion attracts a larger number of professionals. In Qatar, we are the authorized partner for many world renowned brands and these brands are now leaders in the Qatari market. This year, at the Nehmeh stand, brands displayed include Makita, Chicago Pneumatic (CP), Stampa, SDMO, Geo Fennel, Portacool, Dr. Schulze, U-pol, Exoda and NRF. 

Project Qatar has been an important platform for us to showcase our range of products and to serve the construction solutions requirements in Qatar. 

Since 1955, we have been setting the standards and we will continue this great journey forward. At Nehmeh it is our natural progression to reach more customers by providing more specialized products.”