A total of 30 French companies will be exhibiting technology and innovation products at Project Qatar, a major construction, building, environmental technology & materials exhibition, that opened yesterday (May 12 ) in Doha.

The French Pavilion is organised by Ubifrance, the French agency for the international development of companies.

While some French companies present at the Pavilion via their local subsidiaries are also global leaders, the profession as a whole is fairly fragmented: about 347,000 French companies employ some 1.5 million workers and represent total sales of 129 billion euros.

Their wide scope of activity is reflected in the diversity of the exhibitors, nearly a third of whom are present for the first time at this trade show: they are specialists in concrete, plaster, worksite accommodations, sanitation, electricity, transport/lifting and woodworking machines.

The decoration sector will also be represented with specialists in lighting, interior/exterior doors, technical textile and a professional aquarium designer, to name a few.

The third largest CCG market with $10.4 billion of contracts awarded, including 80 per cent in transportation infrastructures, Qatar imported nearly $1.3 billion of construction equipment and materials in 2012.

The construction industry alone represents 5.66 per cent of the emirate’s GDP. Qatar is massively investing in major infrastructures, now more than ever since they were selected to organize the 2022 Football World Cup.

Another trend is the growing demand for sustainable development products; “green” hotels and construction are promising sectors, generating demand for innovative products. French companies remain highly appreciated for their expertise in top-end projects, i.e. five-star hotels and villas.

The French Pavilion at Project Qatar aims to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new joint-ventures, promote the Made-in-France model, and make solid connections with local contractors, distributors and agents.

The support of regional partners such as CENTRECO and the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Franche-Comté, present at the France Pavilion with six companies, demonstrates across-the-board motivation to consolidate French presence on the local market, a statement said. – TradeArabia News Service