More than 350 international and regional delegates and over 40 expert speakers are expected to take part in Meed’s Qatar Projects 2011 conference in January.

Held under the patronage of Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy & Industry of Qatar, the conference takes place from January 8-9 2011, at the Grand Hyatt, Doha.

Al-Attiyah will also provide the keynote address on the first morning of the conference.
Stakeholders and decision-makers of Qatar's energy and non-energy sectors will discuss, through 27 interactive sessions, a range of issues including the economic and financial landscape, plans for the downstream and upstream energy markets, power and water infrastructure, Qatar's National Vision 2030 and Masterplan, transportation, social and healthcare development plans, sports, real estate and urban planning and industrial investment opportunities, said a statement.

The conference will also include a Masterclass to be held on February 7 highlighting the essential risk assessment and strategy planning for contractors doing business in Qatar.

The event kick-starts with opening remarks by Edmund O'Sullivan, chaiman of MEED Events.

The opening panel session on banking and finance, titled "An in-depth look at the current economic developments and financial landscape in Qatar", will host high-profile speakers such as Sheikh Abdullah Saoud Al-Thani, Governor of Qatar Central Bank and George Nasra, managing director of IBQ.

Additionally, the conference will host a league of other prominent speakers such as Abdulsattar Al Rashed, executive MD of Qatar Power Company; Jan Arve Haugan, CEO of Qatalum; Nafez A Bseiso, Venture Group manager of RasGas; Mohammed Siddiqui, director of treasury & planning at Nakilat; Eng Jamal Al-Kaabi, manager of design department at Ashghal; Osama Hadid, MD of Al Jaber Engineering; Ali Saif Al Malki, head of water networks, Qatar General Electricty & Water Corporation (Kahramaa); Eng Issa M Al Mohannadi, CEO of Dohaland; and Hassan Al-Thawadi, CEO of Qatar 2022 Bid Committee.

According to online projects tracking database, Meed Projects, there are about 240 projects currently planned or underway in Qatar with a total value topping $260 billion. This includes some mega, world-class projects such as Doha's International Airport, the Barzan Gas Project, the Shell Pearl Project and Education City development.

About 58 per cent of the projects are already in an execution stage. The top 10 projects in Qatar have planned to invest about $119 billion and are expected to be completed between 2011 and 2015. The projects Index for Qatar has grown by an impressive 27 per cent over last year, owing to the government’s steadfast plans to boost infrastructure.

IBQ is Platinum Sponsor for the third year running for the conference, while  Qatar Petroleum is the strategic partner. Other supporters of the event include CitiBank, Mott MacDonald and Patton Boggs LLP.  – TradeArabia News Service