Project Qatar 2013, the 10th international trade exhibition for construction technology, building materials, equipment and environmental technology opened today (May 7) in Doha.

Sheikh Jassim bin AbdulAziz Al-Thani, Minister of Business and Trade of the State of Qatar joined trade officials and companies from around the world to officially inaugurate the show.

The show consistently attracts global players and trade missions to Qatar to sample the latest products and reach decision makers in the region’s fastest growing projects market.

George Ayache, general manager of event organiser IFP Qatar, said: “We are grateful to the Minister of Business and Trade for his sustained support as Project Qatar turns ten today. Megaprojects planned and underway in Qatar have the attention of project managers around the world and their enthusiasm is on display as we kick off day one.”

More than $110 billion in projects have been announced but not awarded in Qatar.  Projects likely to be tendered over the next several years are predominately in the transportation sector, with $70 billion in transport projects already planned. The New Doha Port megaproject is one of the largest and most strategically critical projects in the transport sector, valued at $7 billion.

According to ifpinfo.com, Qatar is making efforts to complete major infrastructure projects including bridges, tunnels, and intersections by 2017. This includes 400 bridges and tunnels, 240 intersections and 31 other projects.

Consequently, the country will witness an upsurge of proposed and awarded projects in the next two years. Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup is a major contributor to the country’s projects market.

“There are many highly competitive companies already operating in Qatar and the region. Qatar has always had a very strong and long-term vision for its future and I think that in the long-term, continued competition will only make the market stronger,” Ayache aid.

“Competition makes companies much more aware of the need for quality products and services in the market, and failing to meet that is not good company strategy. Project Qatar is proud to be a partner in materializing that vision for the sector and for Qatar and helping to raise the bar higher.”

Project Qatar has a track record of providing results for companies; in its 2012 edition, Jaidah Industrial Supply Division, a subsidiary of Qatar’s influential Jaidah Group, forged two new partnerships with Fronius from Austria, and Hypertherm from the US at Project Qatar 2012.

Dubai Exports, the export promotion agency of the UAE's Department of Economic Development and host of the largest pavilion at Project Qatar, struck 17 deals worth over $60 million with Qatari and international companies at Project Qatar last year.

Key local exhibitors include Platinum Sponsors UrbaCon General Contracting (UCC) and Stadia Sports and Leisure Solutions. Key regional and international exhibitors include Gold Sponsors Emirates Steel and Malaysia External Trade Development Corp. Al Sraiya Holding Group is Project Qatar’s Integrity Sponsor this year.

Project Qatar 2013 introduced two new events this year - Facility Management Qatar, the first knowledge-sharing platform for the GCC’s lucrative facility management industry; and Man and Architecture, which features some of the most prominent architects in the world and hosts high level discussions on local architectural projects, challenges, and best practices.

Additionally, Project Qatar 2013 delivers several back-by-demand concurrent events, including Heavy Max 2013, the international exhibition for innovative heavy machinery; Qatar Stone-Tech 2013 featuring a comprehensive range of stone technologies, equipment and products; and Energy Qatar 2013, the most comprehensive energy exhibition showcasing the latest products and technologies in electricity, power generation and distribution, and alternative energy solutions.

Canada, India, Korea, Romania, Spain, and Thailand all debut their national pavilions at Project Qatar this year. – TradeArabia News Service