PROJECT Qatar 2014, the 11th International Construction Technology & Building Materials Exhibition, transformed the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) into a unique global industry trade fair and business hub, allowing over 2,100 exhibitors from all over the world to cover the QNCC’s entire 41,500 sq m of indoor and outdoor exhibition space. 

As well as international global companies, delegates, industry consultants and SME’s there were well-known figures in Qatari sports in attendance. This year’s edition featured 24 pavilions from 47 countries and a number of deals were signed during the event, according to the organisers.

Decorator, a Qatar interior design company specialising in marble, signed a deal with entrepreneur and Lekhwiya SC footballer Hussain Ali Shehab to design and fit a new beauty and treatment clinic specialising in hair transplants and other beauty treatments, including Turkish solutions, in the Al Markhiya area, Doha.  Decorator will provide services for the 800 sq m space including designing, producing and fully refitting the new elegant and upscale salon as well as maintenance and aftercare services.

Rawad Sleem, project manager of Project Qatar, said:  “Due to the size and scope of infrastructure projects in Qatar, entrepreneurs and companies of the highest caliber featured at Project Qatar 2014 and the demand for this year’s attendance surpassed our expectations.

“Project Qatar will continue to benefit the economy and support mega-projects that will leave a long-lasting legacy in Qatar.”. He added that the organisers were particularly pleased to host footballer Shehab at the expo.

Loic Charlot, sales and marketing manager of Marechal Electric/Technor ME, said: “Qatar is a key market for our business development in the oil and gas industry, hence we exhibited again this year at Project Qatar. It is a strong opportunity to strengthen our visibility on the market, meet our customers and discover new potential developments. We already secured interesting projects in Qatar through EPCs located in or outside Qatar.” He added his company was interested in developing partnerships with local firms.”

Dubai Investments’ stall at Project Qatar

International companies, which are already active in the Qatari market, chose to be at Project Qatar as the tourism and hospitality sector builds up towards meeting the demands of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. One such exhibitor in the French pavilion was Simonin, manufacturer of glulam timber structures and wood components for the construction industry.  It built the largest glulam structure in the Middle East for the wellness centre at the new Anantara Resort, Banana Island, Doha.

DUBAI INVESTMENTS

Dubai Investments, the leading investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market, emphasised its commitment to Qatar with a strong participation in Project Qatar 2014. DI’s participation focused on promoting Qatar as an entrepreneurial hub for individuals and companies looking to invest in the real estate and construction industry in the region.

Seven DI subsidiaries, which are category leaders in their respective sectors, took part in the exhibition. They were Emirates Glass, Emirates Insolaire, Dubai Cranes, Emirates Building Systems, Gulf Metal Craft, Gulf Dynamic Switchgear and Emirates Extrusions Factory.

Each showcased its cutting-edge technology and expertise in the building materials and related industries. One of the innovations on show was the first-of-its-kind solar panels in the world from Emirates Insolaire which generates electricity on its own – an eco-friendly, sustainable model from DI.

Abdul Aziz Al Serkal, general manager of Dubai Investments, said: “The Qatari market is a strategic growth destination for the UAE as it not only helps develop our business, but also provides us with a number of opportunities for investment and trade, particularly in the construction sector. Our subsidiary – Emirates Building Systems – has acquired more than 50 projects in the last few years, including the over $6.5 million polysilicon plant project that is currently being executed by Qatar Solar Technologies. We look forward to collaborating on projects that develop environmentally sustainable products of the highest quality and efficiency.”