A total of 2,083 exhibitors will be showcasing their expertise at the upcoming Project Qatar - the ninth annual edition of the leading construction exhibition in Doha.

The ninth edition of the exhibition will be held from April 30 to May 3 across 62,000 sq m at the Doha Exhibition Centre and three adjacent custom-built temporary structure extensions.

Project Qatar’s exhibitions manager Michel Gebrael, kicked off yesterday’s (April 15) press conference at The Ritz-Carlton Doha, launching the event.

“Project Qatar 2012 is made possible due to the support of our sponsors – primarily our Pearl Sponsor Qatar National Bank (QNB), Integrity Sponsor UrbaCon Company (UCC), Silver Sponsors InfoQAT , Al Sraiya Holding Group and Special Sponsor Al Misned Trading & Joinery along with the help of numerous other companies and organizations who have made a special effort to prepare for over 2,083 exhibitors and 47,000 projected visitors,” said Gebrael.

Salem Al Noaimi, assistant general manager at QNB, said: “As an institution we aim to support the growth of Qatar’s economy and culture in every way possible. Project Qatar has come to symbolise the tremendous growth potential of Qatar’s construction industry. We are proud to be a part of Project Qatar 2012 in particular as well as the larger construction boom in Qatar.”

Salim Jarrar, general manager at Qatar-based construction firm UCC, stated: “Our sponsorship is driven by the belief that Project Qatar is an active contributor to achieve Qatar vision 2030 and it is one of the main platforms to share new projects, showcase new technologies and forge new ties with partners and clients.”

“The 48 nations represented at Project Qatar see the exhibition as a destination of choice for their construction companies,” said Gebrael. “Project Qatar offers them a platform to showcase their expertise, to launch new products, and an opportunity to explore how they can be a part of the immense construction boom in Qatar.”

“With all signs pointing to an even steeper growth trajectory moving forward, their participation at Project Qatar is essential to the growth of the sector.”

Gebrael went on to highlight major projects currently underway or slated to launch soon in Qatar.

Around 85 per cent of the 2083 exhibitors at Project Qatar 2012 are foreign companies – a statistic that would be the envy of any global exhibition. More than 100 Malaysian companies form the largest Asian contingent from Asia while Italy leads the European pack with over 85 companies.

Turkish companies will combine to span the largest exhibition space at Project Qatar 2012, with over 1,500 sq m between them. German companies will combine to cover 1,300 sq m.

Ambassador of Malaysia to Qatar Ahmad Jazri noted: “Malaysia’s trade relations with Qatar grow stronger by the year. Malaysian companies are confident about business opportunities in Qatar because their work is well-respected locally.”

“This leads to even more companies being interested in exhibiting at Project Qatar. This year, we hope to showcase our skills and products like never before, and to become an integral part of the fantastic development plans Qatar is undertaking.”

Pascal Roger, senior trade advisor at Ubifrance, the organization that has led the participation of French companies at Project Qatar 2012, said: “This year the French pavilion’s size has increased by over 50 per cent and reached 42 companies from all the sub-sectors of the construction industry : architects, building materials, building equipment, furnisher, eco-friendly solutions, etc.”

“These companies are here to identify projects, prospective clients, and potential local partners. French companies are increasingly eager to be part of the tremendous growth underway in Qatar.”

The Belgian Ambassador to Qatar, Luc Devolder, added that, “Belgian and Luxembourgian participation at Project Qatar this year is a sign of increasing interest in Qatar by our companies and firms. We bring expertise that can help Qatar’s local companies and Project Qatar gives us an opportunity to showcase these skills to the whole industry at one time.”

Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy in Doha, Mathias Kruse, noted that, “German economic interest in Qatar continues to grow due to the diverse portfolio of the visionary development in Qatar.”

“There are more than 75 German or German related companies in Qatar and many more active on a project basis or companies who directly export their products and services. Some of the key construction-related industries where German companies contribute and participate in Qatar are infrastructure development, construction, logistics, as well as traffic and transportation.”

Project Qatar will also feature companies from nations making their debut at Project Qatar 2012: Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Spain and Taiwan.

George Ayache, general manager of event organisers IFP Qatar, welcomed the debutants to the Project Qatar family, noting that “Their presence here is critical; it provides their companies with exposure to a rapidly growing construction market in Qatar while also bringing new and innovative products and services to the attention of Qatari companies. These nations’ interest in Qatar is warranted and their participation speaks volumes about the scope of Project Qatar.”

Featuring 2083 exhibitors (1800 of them being foreign) from 48 countries, Project Qatar 2012 is projected to host over 47,000 visitors. – TradeArabia News Service